Luxury Island Tour

Guest will be met on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport by our charming Representative who will assist you with your luggage and guide you to your vehicle. Check in and relax at the hotel. If time permits you may visit the city of Negombo.

Today after breakfast you will proceed to the cultural triangle. En route you will visit the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. The orphanage is home to hundreds of abandoned or injured elephants who are looked after with warmth, love and affection. The elephants at the orphanage are bathed daily in a river located nearby. After checking into you hotel you may refresh yourself. Later you will proceed to Minneriya National Park. This National Park with 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. 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. Back to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Early morning you will be visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress - a UNESCO world heritage site (Approx 30 Mins. The Sigiriya rock was built in the 5th Century during the reign of King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) Sigiriya is commonly called the ‘Fortress in the Sky’ and is probably the most fantastic wonder of Sri Lanka. 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 rock. After climbing the majestic rock you will proceed to the hotel, where you may refresh yourself and relax till afternoon. Afternoon proceed to the Second Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa, also known to be a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a city tour in Polonnaruwa, known to be one of the most successful and self sufficient kingdoms of Sri Lanka with the great leadership of King Parakramabahu the first. Explore the kingdom of Polonnaruwa including the stupa and temples and other structures dating back to the 12th century. One of the highlights of Polonnaruwa is Gal Vihara Temple complex that includes three statues of Lord Buddha carved out of a massive rock phase, representing three postures of Lord Buddha, the meditation posture, the reclining posture and the seating posture. You also have the option of enjoying the ancient city on a cycle ride. (Needs to be reserved in - advance). Overnight stay will be in Sigiriya after the city tour in Polonnaruwa

Today final morning at Vil Uyana watching the mist wave adieu from your private balcony with a pot of “Earl Grey” for your company. checkout from the hotel and will be driven to Kandy en route explore the beautiful Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest cave monastery in the country with a history going back to the 1st century BC. En-route visit the Matale Aluviharaya, Nalanda Gedige and proceed to Kandy. You also could stop off at a Spice Garden. Some people think this is too touristy. I will leave that for you decide. There are several directly on the way to Kandy. Check in Spend today exploring Kandy. A lively city, Kandy is surrounded by rolling hills and forest. The last capital of the Singhalese Kingdom, this hill country city is famed for its lake and the Temple of the Tooth. North of the lake is the Udawattakelle Sanctuary (Optional). Filled with forest birds and monkeys, a beautiful spot for a relaxing walk through the cool woodland. The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens are within 30 minutes of Kandy, and are also home to the enormous fruit bats who hang from the tree tops as they sleep during daytime. We suggest that you visit the Temple of the Tooth in the evening, resting place of the country's most precious Buddhist relic (The Puja ceremony will start at 7.00p.m) set on the banks of the lake, and surrounded by moat. Enjoy a lovely dinner specially prepared to suit your taste while you hear the background music played live to suit the ambiance.

Simply relax at the luxury villa with an evening driver around the lake.

Today in the morning you may catch the train from Peradeniya and will reach Nanu Oya at around in the afternoon. Take the observation carriage & enjoy the tea & hill country – a magical way to see the country side. Arrive at Nanu Oya & your driver will pick you up & take you to Nuwara Eliya. This is a basic train but offers a great travel experience with a glimpse of local lifestyle. Note: your driver will take your luggage. Nuwara Eliya or “Little England” as it is also aptly referred to, is Sri Lanka's most popular holiday resort. At approximately 6500 feet above sea level, with temperatures ranging from 12 C to 22 C it opens into a breathtaking panorama of colour. Beautiful gardens, cascading waterfalls, lakes and sweet smelling mountain air, tea plantations and tea factories are the main attractions in this hill area. Enjoy high Tea at the Bungalow which will take you back to the colonial era.

After early breakfast leave for Horton Plains via Ambawela and Pattipola. Horton Plains National Park is in an elevation of 7200 feet above sea level and is called a “Cloud Forest”. It is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors can walk in the jungle to observe wildlife. Look for birdlife including Yellow-eared Bul-bul, Ceylon Hill White Eye, Dusky Blue Fly-Catcher, The Wood Pigeon, Ceylon Warbler, Spotted-winged Thrush, The Whistling Thrush (Arrenga), Blue Magpie, Layards Parakeet, Green-billed Coucal, Orange-billed Babbler, endemics and other birds. Proceed to 'World's End' and "Little World's End" for the fantastic view for photographers and look for the 'Bear Monkey' (Purple-faced Leaf Monkey), Sambhur (more than 3000 in the plains), and other animals. The stunted trees, the jungle cover interspersed with the Patna grasslands, the crystal clear streams, flowering trees such as Rhododendron (Rhododendron Zeylanicum), Niloo or Strobilanthes, Forget-me-not with their small blue flowers, ground orchids and tree orchids including Wesak Orchids and dwarf Marsh Bamboo are some of the flora interesting for photography. Return to Nuwara Eliya and enjoy the surrounding of the Bungalow with an afternoon walk In the Tea Estate.

After breakfast drive to Yala via Ella (most beautiful place in the Island), Wellawaya and Wirawila.Visit Buduruvagala to see the tallest Buddha Statue (51 feet in height) and 6 other statues dating to 8th Century A.D. You will be passing many interesting village scenes for photography. Arrive in Yala, check in at the hotel and simply relax.

Early morning go for a Safari by Jeep to Yala National Park, with a Tracker. Visit places frequented by Leopards (Panthera Pardus Kotiya) in the Park, including visits to “Koti gala”, “Kottamba-gas-wewa”, “Pandi-kema”, “Wepandeniya”, “Meda para” and “Wal-mal-kema” where leopards are found frequently. Stay in one of the places recommended by the Tracker to get an award winning photograph of a Sri Lankan Leopard. Then go for Wild Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Crocodiles, Sambhur, Jackal, other animals and birds including Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Stone Curlew, Great Thick Knee, Black-necked Stork, (the largest bird in Sri Lanka) Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Brahminy Myna, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Bitterns, Lapwings and other birds. Return to hotel and spend the evening.

Today morning leave for Galle via Tissa, Tangalle and Matara. On the way at Tissa photograph Tissa or Yatala Dagoba with unique features found only in the southern area monuments, beach scenes on the way, Wevurukannala Buddha Statue (largest in the Island), Stilt Fishermen at Koggala and the Dutch Fort at Galle which is a “World Heritage site”. Be there before the sun goes down to get a beautiful sunset scene with the Fort in the foreground and the sun going down between the light house and the minaret of the Mosque.

Meet Juliet Coombe – author & historian who will take you through the vast network that is the Historic Galle Fort. This exciting 1 – 1 ½ hour walk will take you back to how life was during the colonial period. You will learn the history of the Fort; the largest “living” fort in Asia, and its inhabitants; meet the descendants of the original fort families, visit buildings and landmarks that have stood the test of time, learn about the spice trade, and most importantly, sit down for some quality time with Juliet at the end of your walk, where you will recap your days’ learning over a hot cup of spice tea. Return to your Villa for a relaxed evening stay.

Today morning you may proceed to Jetwing Lighthouse for your beach stay in Galle. You also have the option of enjoying a leisurely cycle tour through the vast villages of Galle. Your host (a villager himself) will meet you just outside the Wijaya Beach Resort in Dalawella and take you further inland where the excitement begins. Experience a mix of modern roads, modern houses, and private tourist villas, tangled with a rustic way of life. Stop and help a farmer working in his fields, or stop at the village temple to receive a blessing, or join the village children to fly their homemade kites, or even join the local teenagers in a game of cricket or Elle. You will also enjoy the diverse bird life and the Dutch canals, all while trying to get the typical village life experience. Halfway through you may stop for a refreshing drink of king coconut, enjoy the breeze from the paddy fields, chitchat about the village and its’ people. Proceed back to the starting point where the chauffeur guide will meet you and take you to the hotel for a comfortable stay. Why not enjoy a swim at the hotel pool after a 10 k.m cycle ride. And mocktail from Nihals’ restaurant.

Enjoy a cinnamon experience, Cinnamon was discovered in Sri Lanka by Portuguese. They Identified it is a wild tree, researching its benefits and designing method to cultivate and harvest it. In time cinnamon cultivation and export became one of our prime assets as Sri Lanka produces 90% of world's supply of true cinnamon. This experience by Vila Mayurana offers a practical presentation on how cinnamon is harvested. Indulge in a 40course cinnamon infused meal, especially created for this experience and more. Return to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Today morning you may enjoy a lovely breakfast and proceed towards Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo. The city itself is an interesting mix of the varying influences, it has seen for many centuries. The city was a main landmark for trading spices, Gold and other locally produced products. The importance was increased after the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch and British to the Island starting from the early 16th Century. This combination has influenced Sri Lanka and its’ culture. You may simply relax at the hotel after the long drive.

Return to your HOMELAND after a safer journey.