ABJWSLAD12D07
Day 01
Arrive Colombo airport and you will be transferred to the arrival
terminal. Please clear immigration & visa formalities, collect your
baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel
if you do not have goods to be declared to customs. Airbound’s local
representative will page you by your name. Thereafter you will be
assisted to the Car park to begin you journey as per the booked
itinerary.
From the Airport leave directly to Colombo and check in at the
hotel. If time permits, do a city tour in the late afternoon.
Over
night stay at CINNAMON GRAND 5 * - Colombo.
Day 2
After breakfast leave early around 0700 hrs to Dambulla, en-route
visiting the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela.
PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE - App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the
Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in
1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of
elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby
Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more
then 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding program.
The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and
1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430
hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Thereafter proceed to Dambulla and visit the Cave Temples.
DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLES - is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high
and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple
dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered
King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When
he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples
to be found in the Island.
In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut
out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with
Buddhism all around the Frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are
the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period.
In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150
life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues
of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which
depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the
history of the Sinhalese people
Overnight Stay at KANDALAMA HOTEL 5* , Dambulla.
Day 3
After a very early breakfast visit and climb the Sigiriya Rock
Fortress.
SIGIRIYA is a "World Heritage Site" and the 5th Century "Fortress in
the Sky" which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the
Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that
used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the
600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal
Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at
the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known
ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of
Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original
colours.
Thereafter proceed to Polonnaruwa for sight seeing.
POLONNARUWA - is another "World Heritage Site" was the Capital of
Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and
spectacular statues.
Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and
largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best examples of frescoes
of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankoth Vehera and Kirivehera are well
preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four
Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and
Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The
Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists.
The medieval capital, Polonnaruwa was fortified with inner & outer
moats and inner & outer walls. The Parakrama Samudra is on the
western side of the city. The Royal Palace, Audience Hall and other
buildings in the inner city were enclosed by another tall wall.
Later
in the afternoon do a Jeep Safari at the Minneriya National Park.
MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK - This National Park 8889 hectares in extent
is famous for its large population of Elephants in herds of 100 to
150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the
lake.
Entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main
Habarana Polonnaruwa road. Office is by the side of the main road.
Elephants, about 300 wild Elephants, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Boar,
Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sambhur, Leopards, Crocodiles, Jackals, 9
kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26
varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from
the Minneriya National Park.
On
completion, return to Dambulla.
Overnight Stay at KANDALAMA HOTEL 5* , Dambulla.
Day 4
After breakfast leave to Anuradapura for sight seeing.
ANURADHAPURA - the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C.
to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri
Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its
dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The
most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to
the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama
is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the
collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the
sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the
tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted
2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in
the world.
Anuradhapura is a "World Heritage Site".
On
completion visit Mihintale.
MIHINTALE - is 140 miles from Colombo, 8 miles from Anuradhapura.
Mihintale is called the "Cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka" - it was
here that the Buddhist doctrine was first preached by the monk "Mahinda",
son of Asoka, Emperor of India, to King Devanampiyatissa more than
2000 years ago. Mihintale - "the hill of Mahinda" is approached by a
magnificent, wide, ancient stone stairway of 1,840 steps.
This is the World's first declared sanctuary from 247 B.C. and
continues to be one up to this day.
Some of the monuments found here are the oldest in the country and
the large number of Brahmi inscriptions dates from the 3rd century
B.C.
Kantaka Cetiya, Ambastala Dagoba, Maha Thupa, At Vehera, Alms Hall,
Girihandu Seya, Indikatu Seya, Old Hospital and Kaludiya Pokuna are
some of the interesting sites at Mihintale.
There is an interesting Site Museum at Mihintale and an actual Relic
Chamber of a Dagoba at Mihintale is the main highlight of the
Museum.
On
completion, return to Dambulla.
Overnight Stay at KANDALAMA HOTEL 5* , Dambulla.
Day 5
After breakfast proceed to Kandy. En-rout visit a spice garden and a
Batik factory in Matale.
SPICE
GARDENS at Matale - You will see many spice gardens at Matale and in
Mawanella on the Colombo-Kandy road where Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper
Creepers and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted
for visitors to see them. Spice products are also available for
those who would like to buy them. At all Spice Gardens visitors are
taken round explaining each tree and plant and at the end explaining
the use of them in food preparations.
Afterwards visit a Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture
of beautiful Batik prints. These shops contain a wide variety of
Batik items.
Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in at the hotel.
KANDY the hill capital is another "World Heritage Site". It was the
last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch
and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an
agreement.
To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the
most sacred sites as it is the home of the "Dalada Maligawa" -
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace ("Maha Wasala"), "Palle
Wasala" - where the Queens stayed - now used for the National
Museum, "Meda Wasala" where other close relatives lived, Audience
Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The
Bathing Pavilion ("Ulpenge") is by the Lake and in the Center of the
lake is the Island called “Kiri samudraya” (Milk white ocean) used
by the kings as the summerhouse.
Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and
Culture.
Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural
Performances held at several places in the city.
If
you happen to travel between mid July and beginning of August (exact
days not confirmed yet) you will get the rare opportunity to witness
the famous Kandy Perahara.
Kandy
Esala Perahera - The Kandy Esala Perahera is an annual event that is
held in the mid-summer nights during the months of July / August
every year for 10 days ending with the day perahera with the
Water-cutting ceremony held at Getembe near Peradeniya on the last
day.
This gorgeous cultural pageant has history, religion and a nation's
culture mingled in it. This traditional rehearsal of Kandy's past
glory carries a spiritual message too and it also shows the
harmonious blending of Buddhism and Hinduism.
For a long time a traditional procession was held in honour of the
four Hindu Gods, Natha, Vishnu, Skanda and Pattini and during the
reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe
The Procession of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic was also
added and prominence was given to it by leading the Devala
processions.
This colourful Kandy Perahera consists of a "Kap”" Planting Ceremony
(planting the holy stick), followed by 5 days of Kumbal Perahera
increasing the splendor by changing the distance and routes,
increasing the number of Dancers, Drummers, Elephants everyday and
succeeded by the Randoli Perahera which will increase its splendor
daily and on the last 3 day more than 100 elephants will take part
in the procession.
On
the last day the Perahera will be held during the Day ending up with
the visit to Getembe near Peradeniya where Water Cutting Ceremony
will take place.
The chiefs in silver and gold ceremonial dress with world famed
Kandyan dancers and drummers are notable attractions. However, the
highlight of the procession is the richly caparisoned Maligawa
Tusker. During the perahera set against the background of a starry
tropic night, the ancient city of Kandy echoes and re-echoes, as it
certainly did centuries ago, to the tunes of massed drums and
flutes, the cracking of whips and the clang of elephants' bells
while the solemn cheers of worship from the enthusiastic spectators
are enchanting indeed.
Overnight stay at EARLS REGENCY 5 *,Kandy.
Day 6
After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.
Royal Botanical Gardens - Peradeniya - 147 acres 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 Seashells Island, with the largest seed of
all plants in the world is one such avenue.
On
completion return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at
leisure.
Overnight stay at EARLS REGENCY 5 *,Kandy.
Day 7
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya, en-rout visiting a Tea
Plantation.
TEA PLANTATIONS - Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the
Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from
China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839.
In 1867, a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings
in an 8 hectares of forestland, in the Loolkondura Estate.
In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23
lbs. being shipped to London.
Tea will grow only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation
into low grown, medium grown and high grown into 3 main groups.
Today more than 200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are
under Tea and around 300 million Kilograms, with a 25% of world tea
exports are done by Sri Lanka as the World's largest Tea exporter.
Proceed to Nuwara Eliya and check in at the hotel.
NUWARA ELIYA - The "Little England" of Sri Lanka, is set against
beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea
Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the
Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although
the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will
see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages
or Queen Ann style mansions.
The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for
a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some
rare birds in this Park.
Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read
them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (march to May) and
the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when
low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat
and humidity.
Later
in the afternoon you have the option of going for a brief city tour
or relaxing at the hotel
Over
night stay at TEA FACTORY HOTEL 4* - Nuwara Eliya.
Day 8
After breakfast visit the Horton Planes National Park.
HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK - 20 miles (32 km) from Nuwara Eliya via
Ambewela and Pattipola, is the Horton Plains only 3160 hectares in
extent. Known to Sri Lankans as Mahaeliya, it became Horton Plains
after Sir Robert Horton, British Governor from 1831- 1837.
Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and upgraded as a
National Park in 1988 due to its unique watershed and bio-diversity
values of the "Cloud Forest Reserve".
Its flora has high level of endemism. The hills are covered with
diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees grown
flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes.
Horton Plains harbours 52 species of resident birds and 11 species
of migrant birds.
More then 2,000 to 3,000 Sambhur, Bear Monkey, Leopard, Barking
Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar and Hares roam in the
forests and grasslands but only seldom they could be seen other than
the Sambhur in the evening and morning.
For accommodation Ginihiriya Bungalow (Anderson Lodge) with 4 DBL
rooms and 2 separate dormitories (Vana Nivahana) serve for groups.
Two escarpments - "World's End" and "Little World's End" falling
from the Horton Plains 1000 feet and 3000 feet respectively, to the
land below and the Baker’s Falls are places you should visit.
This is the only National Park where visitors could walk on their
own on the designated tracks.
Over
night stay at TEA FACTORY HOTEL 4* - Nuwara Eliya.
Day 9 & 10
After breakfast leave for Galle and spend 2 days relaxing at the
beach.
Over
night stay at LIGHTHOUSE HOTEL 5* - Galle.
Day 11
After breakfast leave for Colombo and do a brief city tour while
doing shopping.
COLOMBO - is the business and commercial center and the new capital
is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away.
Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the
16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the
development of it as a major Harbour took place during the British
period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after
Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British.
The remains of the buildings during the period of the Portuguese,
Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city.
None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but
some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort &
Pettah areas.
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 there is also a Hindu Temple with
elaborate stone carvings, the Kayman's Gate with the Belfry at the
original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal
dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple dating to 6th C.B.C.,
Davatagaha Mosque, Colombo Museum and the Natural History Museum are
some of the sites to be visited. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike
Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana
Buddha in front and the Independence Memorial.
Over
night stay at CINNAMON GRAND 5 * - Colombo.
Day 12
After breakfast leave for the Airport as per the departure flight
time.
Please call Airbound for tour rates and schedules.
