Day 1: NEGOMBO – (105KM /3hrs) – KANDY
Arrive in Sri Lanka, Received by our Representative and then transferred to Hotel in Kandy. Enroute we Visit the PinnawelaElephant Orphanage-started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be a big family today. The number of elephants has increased to more than 40 now, including baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive-breeding programme .A unique experience never to be missed.
You can plan to have Lunch at local Restaurant in Pinnawela& Later we proceed to arrive in Kandy and Check in in our Hotel.
Day 2: KANDY - Local
After Breakfast city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive (Also possible is a boat ride in Kandy Lake), Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Lapidary and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Evening witness a cultural show featuring various dance type of Sri Lanka .Dinner and overnight stay at KANDY
*Kandy –the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. The last strong hold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today .Temple's shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are every where.
*Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic-ever since 4th Century A.D. when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess 'hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world .It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession.
Day 3: KANDY – (77KM/3hrs) – NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast visit *Royal Botanical Gardens – 147acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue(Royal Palm Avenue)was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Sea shells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue .There after proceed to NuwaraEliya, visiting a tea plantation & factory en route.
*NuwaraEliya -The‘Little England’ of SriLanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around NuwaraEliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
*Tea Plantation-Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in1839. In1867 a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings on 8 hectares of forest land, in the Loolcondura Estate.In1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs being shipped to London.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Afternoon visit the SITA Amman Temple, Evening is at leisure and free to explore the scenic surroundings of the hill station. Dinner& overnight stay at NUWARA ELIYA
DAY 04: NUWARA ELIYA – (73KM /1.5hrs) – KITULGALA – (90KM /2hrs) – COLOMBO
Breakfast at Hotel. Later we Proceed to Colombo via Kitulgala* , En Route we take a Tea break at St. Clare's Tea Centre, Also witness two spectacular Water falls, St. Clare and Devon. Visit Film site of the famous film, Bridge on the River Kwai.P.M. City tour of Colombo.Overnight Hotel in Colombo.
*Kitulagala-is situated between NuwaraEliya and Colombo. It’s 56 miles away from the city. It’s a small town on the bank of the Kelani River and is in low elevation rain forest area. This was selected for the award winning Film Bridge on the River Kwai. Lunch at Plantation Hotel.
Now we proceed for a City tour of Colombo
*Colombo -a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square. (Approx. 02 ½ hrs)
*Shopping-visit Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, ready-made garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items, visit the ‘ODEL SHOP’ at Lipton Place. Visit ’BAREFOOT’, ’HOUSE OF FASHION’ and 'BEVERLY STREET' – 24 hours shopping arcade (garments only) at Kollupitya.
DAY 05: BREAK FAST at HOTEL &PROCEED FOR AIRPORT
After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to airport for your onward journey.