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10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS CULTURE & WILDLIFE TOUR
| Programme |
| Day | _____________________ | 1 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
PM -Visit the Muthurajawala marshes one of the islands most important wetland habitats encompassing 3100 ha of marshland and mangrove forest out of which 1000 ha is a declared sanctuary and is the seasonal home to many migrant shorebirds such as Herons and egrets which can be seen in abundance.
OVERNIGHT – THE DOLPHIN HOTEL - NEGOMBO
| Day | _____________________ | 2 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM- Leave for Anuradhapura, en-route visit Yapahuwa an ancient citadel built on a huge rock boulder in the style of the fifth century Sigiriya rock fortress which dates back to the year 1301. Arrive at palm Garden Village Hotel and relax.
PM – do a city tour of Anuradhapura the first capital of Sri Lanka and undoubtedly the grandest City of ancient Ceylon and now a world Heritage site .Commence a city tour covering all places of archaeological and historical interest, such as the The Brazen Palace, Ruwanweliseya, Samadhi Buddha Statue and the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
OVERNIGHT – PALM GARDEN VILLAGE HOTEL – ANURADHAPURA
| Day | _____________________ | 3 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM-Visit Mihintale, situated about 13 km east of Anuradhapura, a pilgrimage Site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures and known to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the very presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
PM-See the 12 meter Avukana Buddha Statue, one of the tallest and most impressive statues of Sri Lanka carved out of solid granite dates during the reign of King Dhatusena in the 5th century, who is believed to have commissioned this statue, It faces Kalawewa, one of the largest man made reservoirs in Sri Lanka and another great construction under the ruling of this king
PM-See the 12 meter Avukana Buddha Statue, one of the tallest and most impressive statues of Sri Lanka carved out of solid granite dates during the reign of King Dhatusena in the 5th century, who is believed to have commissioned this statue, It faces Kalawewa, one of the largest man made reservoirs in Sri Lanka and another great construction under the ruling of this king
OVERNIGHT – PALM GARDEN VILLAGE HOTEL – ANURADHAPURA
| Day | _____________________ | 4 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM
– After breakfast leave for Habarana. Arrive at the Chaaya Village Hotel and Relax.
PM – Enjoy an Elephant ride safari.
PM – Enjoy an Elephant ride safari.
OVERNIGHT – CHAAYA VILLAGE HOTEL – HABARANA
| Day | _____________________ | 5 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM - Climb of Sigiriya rock , built by patricide king Kasyapa in the 5th.century A.D. and now a World Heritage site. In a sheltered pocket within the Rock one can see the famous Sigiriya frescoes, remains of the King’s pleasure garden, studded with ponds, islets, promenades and pavilions can also be seen.
PM – Visit Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (11-13 century AD) Commence a city tour covering all places of archeological and historical value such as Parakrama Samudra , the largest man made reservoir, Gal Viharaya – impressive colossal Buddha statues carved out of the face of a granite boulder. Afterwards return to your hotel and relax.
PM – Visit Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (11-13 century AD) Commence a city tour covering all places of archeological and historical value such as Parakrama Samudra , the largest man made reservoir, Gal Viharaya – impressive colossal Buddha statues carved out of the face of a granite boulder. Afterwards return to your hotel and relax.
OVERNIGHT – CHAAYA VILLAGE HOTEL – HABARANA
| Day | _____________________ | 6 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM – At leisure
PM – Visit either Kaudulla or Minneriya National Park. Kaudulla is situated around the ancient Kaudulla tank and is one of the newest to be recognized as a National park. It forms a corridor for elephants migrating between Somawathiya National Park and Minneriya National Park and provides excellent opportunities to see Elephants at very close range. Leopards, Sambur, Deer and the Sloth bear also roam the park. It is also a good location for bird watching. Minneriya was initially declared a sanctuary in 1938 and in view of it’s conservation importance has since been declared as a national Park in 1977, Twenty four species of mammels have been reported from this park, but again the mostcommon site is the Elephant which has a population of up to about 250.
PM – Visit either Kaudulla or Minneriya National Park. Kaudulla is situated around the ancient Kaudulla tank and is one of the newest to be recognized as a National park. It forms a corridor for elephants migrating between Somawathiya National Park and Minneriya National Park and provides excellent opportunities to see Elephants at very close range. Leopards, Sambur, Deer and the Sloth bear also roam the park. It is also a good location for bird watching. Minneriya was initially declared a sanctuary in 1938 and in view of it’s conservation importance has since been declared as a national Park in 1977, Twenty four species of mammels have been reported from this park, but again the mostcommon site is the Elephant which has a population of up to about 250.
OVERNIGHT – CHAAYA VILLAGE – HABARANA
| Day | _____________________ | 7 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
PM – Arrive in Kandy.Do a city tour of Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka and the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings. Visit all the interesting places such as the Temple of the Tooth Relic, where the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. EVENING – Visit Kandy Lake Club or to the Avanhala to view a memorable Cultural Pageant and a Fire Walking Show.
OVERNIGHT – CHAAYA CITADEL – KANDY
| Day | _____________________ | 8 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM – After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya, en-route visit a tea factory at Labukelle.Also stop at Ramboda Water Falls for scenery.
PM - Relax or look around Nuwara Eliya, the heart of the Sri Lankan hill country, and the home of the world famous Sri Lankan Tea. The salubrious climate, mist glens are of typical British character.
PM - Relax or look around Nuwara Eliya, the heart of the Sri Lankan hill country, and the home of the world famous Sri Lankan Tea. The salubrious climate, mist glens are of typical British character.
OVERNIGHT- GALWAY FOREST LODGE - NUWARA ELIYA
| Day | _____________________ | 9 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM – Early morning visit Horton Plains the only National Park situated in the Hill Country to see the “World’s End” this silent, strange, beautiful highland 2000m. above sea level is unique in Sri Lanka and is within the Park. Endemic slender loris and endemic purple monkey are among the important animal species that could be seen in addition to the sambhur and wild boar.There are some endemic avifauna also (Pick-nick breakfast to be arranged).
PM - At leisure or visit the Hakgala botanical gardens, where one ca see plants and trees that thrive in the cooler climates.
OVERNIGHT – GALWAY FOREST LODGE – NUWARA ELIYA
PM - At leisure or visit the Hakgala botanical gardens, where one ca see plants and trees that thrive in the cooler climates.
OVERNIGHT – GALWAY FOREST LODGE – NUWARA ELIYA
| Day | _____________________ | 10 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
AM – Leave for Colombo, en-route visit Kitulgala, one of the wettest places in the country. The rainforest environment is home to many bird species and the secondary forest and cultivation at Kitulgala is more open than the pristine woodlands of Sinharaja, and elusive endemic species like Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal and Spot-winged Thrush may be easier to see. It also Provides ideal conditions for white-water rafting for which the place is renowned. The Academy Award-winning "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed on the Kelani river near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge (and, supposedly, the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene).
PM – Arrive at the Taj Samudra Hotel and relax.
OVERNIGHT – TAJ SAMUDRA HOTEL – COLOMBO
PM – Arrive at the Taj Samudra Hotel and relax.
OVERNIGHT – TAJ SAMUDRA HOTEL – COLOMBO
| Day | _____________________ | 11 | ______________________________________________________________________________ |
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