Beach & Night Life in Sri Lanka

Airport/Negombo

• Welcomed by a representative & handed over to your respective guide
• Proceed to Negombo

Negombo is situated by the shores of a lagoon by the same name and was once an important trading port for Portuguese and Dutch! Known to locals as “Little Rome” it has a vibrant Roman Catholic community. The influence from the Portuguese and Dutch rule, as well as traders that stopped along their routes has made this city and interesting place to visit and a tourist hub for its beach resorts! Due to its proximity to the Bandaranaike International Airport, it is an ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport after arriving in or before departing Sri Lanka.

With many attractions dotted across the city, the best way to travel is via the 100km long Dutch canals (that were as a supply routes during Dutch rule)! From the Dutch Fort Gate, the old churches, the Muthurajawela Marsh, fishing villages, and more, there’s much to see especially if you want to take in the city from a unique perspective such as via a boat ride.

• Relax on the Beach during sunset
• Overnight stay in Negombo at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Heritance Negombo
Mid-level :Jetwing Lagoon
Low end :Goldi Sands
Budget : Beacon Beach Hotel

Pinnawela /Dambulla

• After an early breakfast, and proceed to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, which was founded in 1975, is a sanctuary for wounded wild elephants and since then has grown in numbers with the birth of Baby Elephants at the orphanage too with its captive breeding programme.

The best time to visit is during feeding time, which is from 0900-1000hrs and 1300-1400hrs, and bathing time from 1000-1030hrs and 1400-1430hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.

• Following an early lunch in Pinnawela and proceed to Dambulla
• Visit Golden Rock Cave Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple was once a monastery for Buddhist monks, who offered refuge to the exiled king, King Valagambahu in 1BC. For this great deed, upon returning to the throne, he commissioned that the five of the many caves that can be found at the Dambulla Rock be converted into shrines! The Dambulla Rock which stands 600ft high and 2000ft wide is home to a large complex of caves, but the most astonishing and sacred are the shrine caves that as stood the stand of time for nearly twenty-two centuries. A World Heritage Site, the Golden Rock Cave Temple get its name King Nissankamalla had the caves gilded whilst also adding seventy Buddha statues too. The interior of the caves feature magnificent murals, painting and statues of the history of the land and more.

• Get settled at hotel, and relax
• Overnight stay in Dambulla at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Heritance Kandalama
Mid-level: Aliya Resort and Spa
Low end: Thilanka Resort and Spa
Budget: Pelwehera Village

Sigiriya/Trincomalee

• Early breakfast, and climb Sigiriya Lion Rock

Once known as the Fortress in the Sky in the 5^th century during the King Kashyapa’s time, when he had the rock fortress built inspired on the mythical city of Alakamanda (of Buddhist mythology). He created his sky palace atop a great rock that was surrounded by dense forests. On the summit, he built a magnificent palace, complete with irrigation, swimming pools and beautiful gardens. The surviving frescoes depict the damsels of Sigiriya, and the art form and history of 5^th century Sri Lanka. Also referred to as Lion Rock, it gets its name as the “Lion Rock” as a magnificent and large lion was carved into the entrance, where only it’s paws can be seen today.

• Enjoy a Minneriya Safari Park via a 4-wheel jeep in the afternoon.
• Proceed to Trincomalee
• Overnight stay in Trincomalee at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Jungle Beach Resort and Spa
Mid-level: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon
Low end: Sky Lotus Park
Budget: Coconut Beach Hotel

Trincomalee/Kanniya

• Proceed to Trincomalee

Trincomlaee is home to one of the finest natural deep-water harbours in the world that makes it an ideal location for diving expeditions, snorkelling and swimming. The untouched wilderness of the area is due to the two-decade long civil war that ended in 2009 that has since allowed locals and tourist alike to bask in the beauty of the area. The pristine beaches of Nilaveli, Uppuveli, and the off-shore Pigeon Island make for great natural attractions on the east coast of Sri Lanka. More recently, it has also become a popular destination for whale watching, and early morning boating expeditions will also allow you to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the Indian Ocean!

• Then visit the seven hot springs at Kanniya

One of the most sought-after attractions in Trincomalee, the Kanniya Seven Hot Well Springs are very popular with the locals. Extremely therapeutic with varying temperatures in each hot spring, regular crowds visit the hot wells to experience it!

• Relax on the Nilaveli Beach
• Optional visit to Swami Rock Temple

Swami Rock Temple, also known as Koneswaram Temple, is connected to the Dravidian history of the land and its history stems as far back as 205BC. The original structure was a thousand pillared temple (or kovil) that paid respects to Hindu deities. However, most of the temple was destroyed during colonial invasions in the 16th century and a fort was built using the ruins of the Koneswaram Temple. The Swami Rock Temple was established atop these ruins on a rock cliff of the fort. The Shiva temple still stands today and is a pilgrimage site for many of the Hindu faith. Since then, many discoveries of the ruins and statues of the deities have been unearthed and found during dives in the bay. The waters next to Swami Rock are also a popular spot for diving and snorkelling. There is said to be an underwater replica of Lord Ganesh in the same location where the original (part of the ruins) was found and returned to the temple.

• Overnight stay at same hotel

Kandy

• Proceed to Kandy

On the way to Kandy, stop at the Matale Spice Garden. Sri Lanka is an island that is famed for its use of spices in its cuisine, as well as its plantation. Sri Lanka is best known for its cinnamon cultivation. Visits from spice and ivory traders from the around the world has influenced our rich cuisine and love for flavour, including the use of spices and herbs for medicinal uses in the form of Ayurveda!

• As an option offered to our clients, if they are keen, we can also arrange a cooking class (demonstration) and enjoy the same meal for lunch
• Kandy City Tour

Upon reaching Kandy, tour the city and take in the sights of this quaint city atop the hills. A visit to the Gem Museum and a Lapidary is a great way to be acquainted with the precious gems of the island (often you can purchase a few gems at the shop of the museums too). Sri Lanka is a country that brims with culture and folklore which can be viewed at a Cultural Show, featuring drummers and dancers clad in intricate traditional attire and art forms of the various plains of the country such as “Up-Country” and “Low Country”. Some of the highlights include the Kandyan and demon dancers, fire dancers and more!

• A Visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Tooth Relic is not just a Sri Lankan treasure, but sacred to Buddhists the world over for it is one of the resting places of Lord Gautama Buddha’s tooth relics. It is enclosed in a gold casing and placed deep with the Temple which is located within the Royal Palace of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, in Kandy, the Dalada Maligawa (Palace), it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors to the temple are advised to wear modest clothing and participate in the daily religious proceedings and pay respect to the Tooth Relic whilst taking in a beauty of the temple and beauty of the Palace. You are also able to visit the neighbouring National Museum of Kandy.

• Overnight stay in Kandy at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Cinnamon Citadel
Mid-level: Amaya Hills
Low end: Queen’s Hotel
Budget: Oakray Regency

Nuwara Eliya

• Morning visit to Royal Botanical Garden

Only 5.5km west of the Kandy city centre, is Peradeniya renowned for it’s beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens were founded initially as a coffee and cinnamon plantation, and only established as a the “Botanical Garden of Peradeniya” in 1843 with specimens brought from the likes of the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara, and the Kew Garden in the Slave Island area of Colombo. It is home to over four thousand plant specimens, with favourites being the beautiful orchids, palm trees and herbs & plants that provide medicinal value.

• Move on to Nuwara Eliya

Following breakfast, make your way to Nuwara Eliya, the chilly hills of Sri Lanka that is fondly known to many as “Little England”. Stop at the Mackwoods Tea Factory and Tea Garden to appreciate the Sri Lanka tea industry as well as to enjoy lunch with a great view!

After lunch, stop at Ramboda Falls, the 11^th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, before getting in to Nuwara Eliya and enjoying a walking tour of the city. Explore the little town filled with English inspired architecture, visit Lake Gregory, and more!

• Overnight Stay in Nuwara Eliya at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Heritance Tea factory
Mid-level: St Andrew’s Hotel
Low end: The Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya
Budget: Summer Hill Breeze

Bentota

• Travel to Bentota with stops at St. Clair’s Falls and Devon Falls

After breakfast, while heading down the hills, stop at some of the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka, St. Clair’s Falls and Devon Falls. St. Clair’s Falls is the 20^th highest but widest waterfall in Sri Lanka, and known to nicknamed the “Small Niagara of Sri Lanka”. Devon Falls, which gets its name from a neighbouring plantation of a pioneer English Coffee Planter by the name of Devon, is the 19^th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

• Stopover at Kithulgala for White Water Rafting Excursion on the Kalani River

You can opt to indulge in some exhilaration as you take the level 4 rapids of the Kalani River in Kithulgala Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, you can partake in this thrilling experience. Close to the rapids, you can visit the scenic venue used in the 1956 Oscar winning film, “Bridge over the River Kwai”.

• Lunch at The Plantation Hotel
• Reach and get settled at the Beach Hotel in Bentota
• Overnight stay in Bentota at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Cinnamon Bey
Mid-level: Bentota Beach Hotel
Low end: Club Dolphin
Budget: Citrus Hikkaduwa

Galle

• Breakfast and relax on the beach
• Head over to Madu Ganga, Balapitiya for a Boat Cruise

Experience the unique wetland ecosystem of the Madu Ganga (River) that is home to the island’s largest mangrove forest, and thriving with biodiversity. Home to a plethora of species of flora, foliage and fauna, you should definitely bring your camera and a zoom lens to catch some beautiful photography of your trip!

• Enjoy lunch at the Captain’s Boat House
• Visit Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle

One of the trading posts established by the early Portuguese settlers in the 15^th century, the Dutch settles then fortified the area in the late 16^th century. Not only is the Galle Dutch Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also one of the best examples of Portuguese and Dutch architecture in South and Southeast Asia.

In present day, the Galle Dutch Fort is a bustling tourist attraction home to many of Galle’s best attractions, including the Galle Lighthouse, the Moon Bastion, Maritime Museum, and more. With various quaint eateries, boutique hotels and shops, you are able to experience a variety of unique experiences within this small-fortified city. Often, you will find that the Law Court Square holds various events such as cultural shows or even the odd game of cricket or football that tourists are more than welcome to join! Overnight stay in Mirrissa at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Cape Weligama
Mid-level: Weligama Bay Resort
Low end: Palace Mirrisa
Budget: Paradise Beach Club

Mirrissa

• Early morning Whale and Dolphin watching Cruise

Dondra in Mirissa is one of the best places off the shores of Sri Lanka for whale and dolphin watching. With sightings of the majestic Blue Whales (that can grow up to 108ft long), Killer (Orca) Whales, Fin Whales, Sperm Whales, and dolphins, it is one of the most sought after attractions in Sri Lanka. The best months for whale and dolphin watching are between the months of November to April when the seas are calm and warm. Whilst it is still possible to spot these majestic mammals during off-season months, the seas can be rough and sightseers should be wary of these conditions.

• Overnight stay in Mirrissa at the same hotel

Colombo

• Proceed to Colombo
• Colombo City Tour

Colombo is a bustling metropolis that is unique with its cultural and historical influences and its footing in the modern world. The economic capital of Sri Lanka (whereas Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is the administrative capital), a tour within the streets of Colombo is a must when on holiday in Sri Lanka. Some of the sights that are included in your holiday itinerary are;

• visits to the Colombo Fort,
• a walk through the maze streets of Pettah
• a visit to the Pettah Floating Market,
• Galle Face Green and walking down to the pier whilst enjoying street food such as “Isso Wade” (Prawn-topped spicy split-pea patties),
• the Old Parliament (now the Presidential Secretariat)
• Paying respects at the Gangarama Temple, the Seema Malaka Temple on the Beira Lake,
• BMICH
• the SWRD Bandaranaike Museum,
• the replica of the Avukana Buddha statue,
• Independence Square

As the last day before flying back home, you are also able indulge in shopping in Colombo at the likes of the Independence Square Arcade, the Colombo Racecourse Complex, and the Old Dutch Shopping Precinct to name a few.

• Enjoy the Casino & Nightlife
• Overnight stay in Mount Lavinia at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Hotel: Mount Lavinia Beach Hotel
Mid-level: Berjaya Mount Royal, Mount Lavinia
Low end: Palm Beach Hotel
Budget: Mount Breeze/Tropic Inn

Airport

As per flight schedule, Transfer to Airport