Widlife & Adventure

Elephants Grey Slender Lorris Ella Rock Train ride to Kandy Pidurangala

Descrizione

Programma

Day 1 Airport – Galle

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Your chauffeur/guide will be waiting at the main arrival terminal and accompany you thereafter to the awaiting vehicle

Transfer to our hotel near Galle

Transfer time of 2.5 hours

Late afternoon we explore the city of Galle, The ancient trading post of Galle, said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible. Historically, this award-winning World Heritage fortified township was an essential port of call for Chinese, Persian, Arab and Indian traders. Javanese and Sumatrans came later followed by Marco Polo in 1299 AD. The Portuguese arrived in the 1500’s and built a settlement with a fort of palm trees and mud. This was captured by the Dutch (and finally the British) who built the 400-year-old fort with great ramparts and bastions to protect their presence. Narrow streets are lined with old houses displaying Dutch heritage, with their pillared verandahs. Government offices remain in use and the community within the fort is a bustle with daily life – a living-breathing town, hidden within fortified walls of this ancient, maritime citadel.

Laughter, chatter, gossip and smiles abound within the rampart walls. We explore the fort, overflowing with landmarks, strolling past the Dutch church, the governor’s house, the spice warehouses, court square, the Kacheri or Town Hall, the lighthouse and ramparts. Near the old Arab mosque are streets leading to cricket fields and the district Judge’s house, surrounded by ancient frangipani trees. There’s a variety of exclusive boutique stores to explore.

Overnight stay at Fort Bazaar

Day 2 Galle

Breakfast at the hotel

We then leave the hotel and embark on a trek through Kanneliya Forest Reserve

Transfer time of 1 hour

The Kanneliya rainforest reserve is Sri Lanka’s lesser known forest reserve, with two of Sri Lanka’s main rivers running through it and a diverse range of wildlife living within its thick canopy. Neatly tucked away just 35km away from Galle, the forest reserve also houses around 78 village s. Your tracker is from one of these forest reserve villages and his spent his entire life living within the reserve. He will walk you through the forest, pointing out any animal sightings along the way. Stop for a drink and a piece of cake along the way at a beautiful waterfall.

Finish the walk with a hearty authentic Sri Lankan lunch of rice and curry, cooked by your tracker’s wife in their nearby home and served onto a table inside one of the large lakes running through the forest. The scenery in the area is straight out of the Jungle Book. If the event of rain the lunch will be served at a nearby home overlooking the lake, with a rope swing in the garden leading on to the lake that will provide endless fun for children.

Return to the hotel and spend rest of the afternoon at leisure

Overnight stay at Fort Bazaar

Day 3 Galle - Yala

Breakfast at the hotel

At approximately 0900hrs we check-out from our hotel and drive to Yala

Transfer time of 4 hours

Check into Chena Huts in time for lunch

Late afternoon at approximately 1530hrs we embark on a 4x4 safari to Yala National Park

Sri Lanka’s most known national park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. More than three times larger than Udawalawe at 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels, which focused on a leopard research/conservation and identifications project. Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometer. This park is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and freshwater lagoons.

Dinner & Overnight at Chena Huts

Day 4 Yala

Early morning we embark on a 2nd safari to Yala National Park

Lunch at Chena Huts

Late afternoon safari to Yala National Park

Dinner & Overnight at Chena Huts

Day 5 Yala - Ella

After breakfast, we check out from our hotel around 1000hrs and drive for Ella

Transfer time of 3 hours

Late afternoon feel free to explore the beautiful town of Ella or visit the Mini Adams Peak, which is only a 45-minute climb to an incredible view

Ella is blessed with some of the best views you could find in Sri Lanka. This small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside. A taste of the breathtaking scenery of Ella could be had, if you just walk into the Garden of the Grand Ella Motel (Formerly Ella Rest House), where you seem to be standing at the edge of the world, and everything around you seems to disappear at your feet. Another fine view is from the Ambiente Hotel, where the wide doorway, opens out to the mountains, creating a dramatic cinematic-like experience, on entry.

Overnight stay at 98 Acres Resort, Ella

Day 6 Ella

After breakfast, we being our walk from the Ella train station along the railway tracks to the starting point of our trek to Ella Rock



Ella Rock is a famous cliff, located high above Ella’s village, roughly a two hours strenuous trek from the center of town. The rock offers stunning views across the hill country and the plains below. The trek to Ella Rock is about 8 km long and usually lasts 4 hours (to and back)

Once you get to the top bask in the beauty of the lush green valleys of Ella!

Return to our hotel and spend rest of the afternoon at leisure or exploring the quaint tourist's town of Ella



Overnight stay at 98 Acres Resort, Ella

Day 7 Ella - Kandy

Breakfast at leisure

At approximately 0920hrs we board the train from Ella to Nanu Oya

We arrive at Nanu Oya station (Nuwara Eliya) at approximately 1205hrs

We have lunch at a local restaurant near Nuwara Eliya

Drive to Kandy

At approximately 1800hrs we visit the Temple of the Tooth in time for the Pooja ceremony

The Temple of the Tooth is the most important place for the present Buddhist because it is the final resting place of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha known as “Sri Dalada Maligawa.” It is famous for its carvings and the beautiful art that is unique to Sri Lanka. The most important part of the Dalada Maligawa is the octagon (Pathirppuwa). Thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty. Kandy is also the one of the most beautiful cities of Sri Lanka with it’s picturesque lake built by it’s last king, it’s hills surrounding the city, it’s devales the oldest the natha devale belonging to the 14th century and the palace of the last king of Kandy which are presently the districts courts and the archaeological museum. Kandy also is the centre for Buddhist cultural affaires with meditation centres and Buddhist publication societies.

Check into the hotel and spend rest of the afternoon at leisure

Overnight at Kings Pavilion, Kandy

Day 8 Kandy - Sigiriya

After breakfast, we check-out and take a brief tour of Kandy



Kandy a lovely city, the Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains an aura of grandeur, which time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth" and the Royal Botanical gardens home to one of the best collections of Orchids. Kandy and its satellite villages are the center of the islands handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country.



Proceed to the cultural triangle

 and check into our hotel

Transfer time of 2.5 hours 



Late afternoon at approximately 1500hrs we leave to climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress



Transfer time of 30 mins



World Heritage giant rock fortress of Sigiriya, built in the 5th century as a bastion and palace of King Kasyapa. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the geometrically laid water gardens, the frescoes of beautiful maidens, and the mirror wall with ancient graffiti. The lion platform and the summit of 1.6 hectares, was surrounded by buildings during the period of Sigiriya glory.



Overnight at Jetwing Vil Uyana

DAY 9 Sigiriya

Early this morning at approximately 0430hrs we leave to climb Pidurangala

Transfer time of 30 mins

While Sigiriya Rock is rich in history and has some pretty dramatic features such as the lion’s paw and the mirror wall, Pidurangala Rock has a much more natural feel, despite also housing a temple. Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock as it is only slightly lower. Pidurangala is a popular spot for sunrise as you can enjoy 360-degree views of not only the valleys but also Sigiriya Rock.

We return to the hotel for breakfast

After breakfast, we head back to our hotel for shower and change.

Morning at leisure

This afternoon we visit Dambulla rock cave temple

Dambulla, this UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north-central province, which dates back to the 01st century BC, is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the Kandy period (early 19th century). This temple is a perfect location to view the evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of the material from many eras.

Later in the evening, we partake in the Loris Night Trail with our resident naturalist at Jetwing Vil Uyana

The private biosphere of the property shares a habitat with the elusive Grey Slender Loris, a nocturnal primate hidden in the scrublands beyond your dwelling. Known for its protruding eyes and nimble limbs, the loris scavenges for insects and berries above the trees on a moonlit trail that has been carefully designed for you to observe the rare creature in its natural habitat. Accompanied by the resident naturalist, a quiet evening walk takes you through the streams and bamboo bridges of our lush forest eco-system to the Loris Information Centre and Conservation Site. Equipped with harmless red light emitting headlamps that reflect off the characteristic eyes of our resident loris population, your silent search may even be prized with a close-up encounter of this fleeting species.

Overnight stay at Jetwing Vil Uyana

DAY 10 Sigiriya

After breakfast, we drive to Polonnaruwa, where we explore the archaeological site by bicycle

Transfer time of 1 hr 15 mins

A UNESCO World Heritage site, which rose to fame as a capital between the 10th to 12th century AD. A resemblance to Angkor Wat, the royal palace and audience hall, the quadrangle and spectacular gal vihara complex give clear evidence of Sri Lanka’s past glory. Sightseeing will include visits to – Museum / Thuparama / Gal potha (stone book) / Hatadage / Latha Mandapaya / Sathmal Prashada / Rankoth Vihara / Lankathilaka / Kiri Vehera & The Royal Palace.

We then head to Priyamali Gedara for lunch.

Located by the side of a paddy field located in Polonnaruwa. The restaurant is done by a farmer looking to uplift him and his family from poverty. Since its launch, the restaurant "Priyamali Gedara" has had immense success and was even rated the best restaurant in Polonnaruwa

Enroute to the hotel we stop at Minneriya / Kaudulla / Eco Park for a 4x4 safari to see wild elephants

Return to hotel

Transfer time of 1hr 15 mins

Overnight at Jetwing Vil Uyana

DAY 11 Sigiriya - Colombo

Breakfast at leisure

Check out and drive to Colombo

Transfer time of 4 hours

Check into your hotel in Colombo and spend the evening at leisure

Overnight stay in Uga Residence



DAY 12 Colombo - Airport

Breakfast at hotel

Depending on your departure flight, we leave for Airport

Transfer time of 45 mins to 1 hour (depending on traffic)

La quota include

 Accommodation at hotels as specified on BB basis except for Chena Huts, which will be on AI basis
 Daily Breakfast starting from Day 01 and ending with breakfast on Day 11
 Transportation in an AC vehicle throughout the tour.
 Service of a Best English-speaking chauffeur guide.
 Cost of prevailing Government taxes.

La quota non include

 Visa fee
 Camera & Video permits
 Highway tolls
 Tips & porterages
 Cost of personal nature such as Laundry, Telephone, Mini Bar, etc.
 Any other services not mention under the “Package includes”

Itinerario

Sistemazioni previste in ciascuna località