221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
SPECIALLY PREPARED
ITINERARY OCTOBER 2017
14 nights / 15 days
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 1 – 10 October 2017
Arrival
On arrival in Sri Lanka, please clear immigration, collect your luggage then proceed through the
customs green channel to the arrival lobby. We will be waiting in the designated area with a paging
board. You will then be escorted to the vehicle park for your transfer to Colombo
Check in to your hotel
Afternoon City tour of Colombo…Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is a major port near
the mouth of the Kelani Ganga River. It owes its importance largely to its great breakwaters, which
give shelter to a large, artificially created harbour. Beira Lake, administratively part of the Port of
Colombo, is connected with the harbour by a canal and locks. Colombo handles most of the foreign
trade of Sri Lanka and is an important fuelling station.
Manufactures of the city include metal goods, refined petroleum,
motor vehicles, processed food, textiles, clothing, and chemicals. Sri
Jayavardhanapura, the legislative and judicial capital of Sri Lanka,
is on the outskirts of Colombo. The business section of Colombo,
called the Fort, occupies the sites of the former fortified area. Broad
avenues and modern buildings contrast with the narrow, crooked
streets and ramshackle structures of the Pettah quarter. Places of
worship include Christian churches, Muslim mosques, and
Buddhist temples. The University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Technical
College (1893), and other educational institutions are located in the
city. The early name of the city, Kalan-totta (Kelani ferry), derived from a nearby river-ferry point,
was corrupted into Colambu by the Arabs and changed to Colombo in 1517 by the Portuguese in
honour of Christopher Columbus.The Colombo museum as it was called at the beginning was
established on 1 January 1877. It founder was Sir William Henry Gregory the British Governor of
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time. The Royal Asiatic Society (CB) was instrumental in bringing to the
notice of Gregory on his appointment as Governor in 1872 the need for a public Museum with much
difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Architect of the
Public Works Department, J. G. Smither was able to prepare the plans for new structure on Italian
Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the
Museum commenced it functions in the following year.
Cargills Fort - The 120 year-old Cargill’s building in Fort will soon be
transformed into a London-based, Harrods-type of building with the
company charting new plans for its future. The Cargills building in
Fort is a grand old building and the story goes that the first Governor
of Ceylon resided here. We have been considering re-building it to its
old glory. I think the time has come for us to take this opportunity
seriously,” he said adding that the company is looking at its entire
land base.
Wolfendahl Church is a massive cruciform edifice built by the Dutch
in 1749 on the site of an earlier Portuguese church. It is one of Colombo's few surviving buildings fro
m the period of Dutch rule (1656-1796). The name derives from the Dutch translation of the
Portuguese 'Agoa de Loupe' meaning the 'dale of the wolves'. The hill on which the church was built
took its name after the low-lying marshy swamp which was infested with jackals rather than wolves
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
(there are no wolves in Sri Lanka).
Dinner and overnight stay at The Ramada Colombo 3+* (Standard room on HB)
http://www.ramadacolombo.com/
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 2 – 11 October 2017
After breakfast today you will be collected and taken to Sigiriya
En route visit Pinnawela. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is
unique in that it breeds wild elephants in captivity and also takes care
of orphaned wild elephants found in the jungles. The feeding process
of these elephants is extremely interesting. Baby elephants drink at
least 3 bottles of milk all in large slurps, holding the bottles
precariously in their trunks.
Check in to your hotel
Spend the day at leisure.
late afternoon jeep safari into Minneriya Wild Life Sanctuary…Return to your hotel
Dinner and overnight at Sigiriya Jungles Hotel Sigiriya 3+*
(Standard room on HB)
http://www.sigiriyajungles.com/
Day 3 – 12 October 2017
Breakfast
Proceed to Polonnaruwa; ruined city which displays the influences of
both Indian and Sinhalese cultures. See the world famous
Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya consisting of three huge stone monoliths of
the Lord Buddha, in a sitting, standing and reclining positions. Seethe
Vatadageya, Sathmahal Prasadaya, Raja Saba Mandapaya, Nisshanka
Latha Mandapaya, and Parakrama Samudra the most famous places of
Buddhist interest in Polonnaruwa ancient city.
Proceed to climb the famous Sigiriya Rock fortress.
Considered the 8th wonder of the world, Sigiriya was built in 5 AD by
patricide King Kassapa and boasts the world famous frescoes of
women carved on sheer rock face. Climb the rock fortress and marvel
at the feats of architecture achieved in the moats, the lions paw and
finally at the summit of the rock, where the palace was situated. King
Kassapa had 500 hand maidens living in this palace.
Dinner and overnight at Sigiriya Jungles Hotel Sigiriya 3+* (Standard room on HB)
http://www.sigiriyajungles.com/
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 4 – 13 October 2017
Breakfast
Leave for Kandy
Visit the Dambulla cave temple
Dambulla cave temples. Dambulla, considered by most to be the
center point of Sri Lanka, Dambulla is a town built around a vast
isolated rock mass 500 ft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.It was
here that King Valagambahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The
view from the top of this rock is breathtaking 350 ft. above are a
series of five caves which was later t urned into a magnificent rock
temple by King Valagambahu. In the first cave is a recumbent
image of the Buddha 47 ft, long, cut out from the rock. There are
images of deities associated with Buddhism. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling could be dated to
the 15th - 18th centuries. In the second cave, the finest and the largest , are not less than 150 life size
statues of gods. There are numerous images of the Buddha as well. The ceiling too is covered with
frescoes which depict great events in the life of the Buddha, and landmarks in the history of the
Sinhala People.
En route visit a wood carving factory & a Batik factory
The road to Kandy is a beautiful one, as you eventually begin the
climb up to the delightful hill station.. Girdled by hills, Kandy is a
peaceful haven to retire to and enjoy the cool of the climate. Kandy,
at an altitude of 500m is the cultural center of Sri Lanka and was the
capital of the last Singhalese kingdom. It is a particularly relaxed hill
station, once captured by the British.It is dominated by its lake and
the nearby Temple of the Tooth which houses Sri Lanka's most
sacred relic.
Evening participate in "Evening pooja at Dalada Maligawa"
Kandy’s main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the
Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th c. A.D.,
the sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignty for its rulers and always enshrined in
great splendour. Kandy’s Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, moat,
turrets, golden roof and fine wood-work and its 16th – 19th century ambience vividly alive. Three
religious services (pooja) with traditional music, held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening, can
be viewed by visitors.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Suisse Kandy 3* (Standard room on HB)
http://www.hotelsuisse.lk/
Day 5 – 14 October 2017
Breakfast
Visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
A visit to the Royal Botanical Garden Peradeniya near Kandy will pay rich dividends. To the botanist,
this is indeed a land of plenty. The diversified climate allows for growth of tropical as well as
subtropical trees. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet zone tropical forest
contrast with the arid scrub land and tail pot palms of the dry north. In the hills, vegetation varies
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
from the almost treeless patnas of Horton Plains to the dark cloud
forests, wreathed with the protected Old Man’s beard Moss. From the
March to May, numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poincianan
regia, the white Mesua ferrer and the cherry blossom-like Tebebuia
burst into bloom and flowering orchids include endemic varieties
such as the protected Vanda and Wesak Orchids. National emphasis
has also been placed on the human plant relationship: official
recognition has been given to the Na Tree (Mesua nagassarium) and
the Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellatac) , as the national tree and flower respectively. Along the cast
bordering estuaries and lagoons, are the mangrove habitats which provide sanctuary for the island’s
diverse coastal fishery resources.
Return to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Suisse Kandy 3* (Standard room on HB)
http://www.hotelsuisse.lk/
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 6 – 15 October 2017
Breakfast
Leave for Nuwara Eliya
Train ride from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya
Nuwara Eliya, known under the name "Little England"
located at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala at an altitude of
1884 m above sea level. Mild climate (average annual
temperature of 15 degrees -20), picturesque meadows and
valleys, mountain landscapes, make Nuwara Eliya a very
popular place in Sri Lanka.
Sightseeing Sri Lanka’s beautiful tea growing regions en
route, including a visit to a working tea factory and
estate…Check into your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure..
Dinner and overnight stay at The St Andrews
3+*Nuwara Eliya 3* (Standard room on HB)
http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingstandrews/
Day 7 – 16 October 2017
Breakfast
Day at leisure
Dinner and overnight stay at The St Andrews 3+*Nuwara Eliya 3* (Standard room on HB)
http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingstandrews/
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 8 – 17 October 2017
After breakfast today check out of the hotel and proceed to Tissamaharama
Check in to your hotel
Dinner and overnight stay at The Safari Tissamaharama (Yala) 3*
(Standard rooms on HB)
http://www.thesafarihotel.lk/
Day 9 – 18 October 2017
Breakfast
Morning jeep safari into Yala Sanctuary
Witness nature at its best with the beauty of the wild animals in
their natural state Inside the park you will come across wild
boar, deer, leopards, elephants, bears, peacocks and many more
animals roaming freely as nature intended them to live. The
elephants gather at the waterholes for drinking and you may
watch them bathing their young and immersing themselves in
the river. They can also be sighted at close range sometimes.
You may also see leopards sunning themselves on rocks in the
park. Herds of deer roam at will keeping a wary eye on the
predators. Peacocks flaunting their colorful feathers strut around are a breathtaking sight.
You will find Yala a delightful place to survey our wild animals. Return to your hotel
Dinner and overnight stay at The Safari Tissamaharama (Yala) 3* (Standard rooms on
HB) http://www.thesafarihotel.lk/
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 10 – 19 October 2017
Breakfast
Leave for Hikkaduwa
City tour on arrival the capital of the southern province is a city with a colorful history. UNESCO
declared World Heritage Site the magnificent Dutch fort is the most
popular attraction of the town. 300 year old Dutch atmosphere is still
very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical
buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. The beautiful beach of
Unawatuna is just 6km south east of the city Centre.
The southern coastal belt is the most popular among the tourists and
comes to life mainly from October through April when the monsoon
moves northeast and the sea becomes calm with blue skies. The
earliest European administrative centre of Sri Lanka was the major
port and the largest city until the British shifted the port to Colombo.
The City of Galle had been the European administrative centre over 4
centuries.
Portuguese built the first fort to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdom s to the north. Dutch
who captured the coastal cities from the Portuguese improved the defense system of the fort,
widening the moat on the landside, improving the ramparts and the bastions. British who captured
the city did not make many changes as they shifted the part to the northern town of Colombo and
therefore the atmospheres of Dutch days are preserved to date. The Dutch entrance to the fort with it
VOC with 1669 carved in the inner archway is still in use. Still there are many Old Dutch buildings
intact and, but unfortunately except for those in the private hands. The ramparts and the bastions still
bring to life the old world.
Also visit a turtle hatchery
Check in to your hotel
Dinner and overnight stay at The Coral Sands Hikkaduwa 3+* (Deluxe rooms on HB)
http://www.coralsandshotel.com/
221/2 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka Tel :+9411 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225,2697779 Fax : +9411 2699371 , 2687698
[email protected] www.columbustourssrilanka.com | www.bookingsrilanka.com | www.bookingmaldives.com | www.amazinasia.com
Day 11 – 20 October 2017
Breakfast
Day at leisure on the beach
Dinner and overnight stay at The Coral Sands Hikkaduwa 3+* (Deluxe rooms on HB)
http://www.coralsandshotel.com/
Day 12 – 21 October 2017
Breakfast
Day at leisure on the beach
Dinner and overnight stay at The Coral Sands Hikkaduwa 3+* (Deluxe rooms on HB)
http://www.coralsandshotel.com/
Day 13 – 22 October 2017
Breakfast
Day at leisure on the beach
Dinner and overnight stay at The Coral Sands Hikkaduwa 3+* (Deluxe rooms on HB)
http://www.coralsandshotel.com/
Day 14 – 23 October 2017
Breakfast
Day at leisure on the beach
Dinner and overnight stay at The Coral Sands Hikkaduwa 3+* (Deluxe rooms on HB)
http://www.coralsandshotel.com/
Day 15 – 24 October 2017
Breakfast
Leave for CMB Intl Apt to connect with departure flight
The end of memorable tour!....