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Harmony in the Highlands

Discover the hill country in Sri Lanka, Ayurveda packages that offer complete healing and rejuvenation amidst a beautiful landscape! Step into the tranquillity of a luxurious spa and treat yourself to a range of signature treatments in a sublime environment.

day Location/Route duration Overnight
Day 01 Arrival and drive to Negombo One night in Negombo Jetwing Beach
Day 02 Negombo to Kandy Six nights in Kandy Santani Resort and Spa
Day 03 – Day 07 Kandy Five nights in Kandy Santani Resort and Spa
Day 08 Departure
Golden beaches

Needless to say, one of the prime features of the island, which attracts thousands of visitors every year, are its beaches of golden sand that surround the island and have gained popularity over the years with visitors. These include the beaches of Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Pasikudah, Weligama, Mirissa and Tangalle.

Kandy Esala Perahera "Procession"

The Kandy Esela Perahera, which is also known as The Festival of the Tooth is a unique religious and cultural event that takes place every year in July. The procession features many dancers, drummers and elephants, who parade through the streets paying homage to the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha which is housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa is in the sacred city of Kandy. It houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is an important shrine of Buddhist worship. The annual procession known as the Kandy Esala Perahera marks an important day in the Sri Lankan calendar.

Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Established in 1975, with the noble intention of providing care for orphaned elephants, today it serves as a nursery and a captive breeding ground for Asian elephants. Countless visitors from all over the island and the world visit this charming attraction throughout the year.

Wander Through History in Kandy

Visit the Suriyakantha Centre for Art and Culture, and delve deep into the fascinating annals of European and Sri Lankan history. Housed in the Naranwala Walawwa, an 18th century Dutch-style colonial manor house, the centre represents a unique effort between a Frenchman and Sri Lankan, to showcase talent from eras past.

Explore the vast repository of local and European works over the course of two to three hours and understand the richness of Kandyan culture. Observe the various manuscripts, furniture, handicrafts, artworks and photographs on display. Located near the town of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, Suriyakantha is open to visits between 08:00am and 04:00pm, throughout the year.

Architectural Tour of Kandy

Discover the rich architectural heritage of Kandy, the last Sri Lankan Kingdom to fall to the invading British. Today, it is one of the island’s major cities and home to an array of renowned attractions such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Palace and National Museum.

Begin your tour at the lively town centre, and observe the diverse mix of neo-colonial and colonial-style buildings. Enjoy quality time with celebrated architect Ruchira Wickremasinghe, a recipient of the Geoffrey Bawa Travel Award, as she walks you through the intricacies of Kandy’s architectural landscape. The 2.5 hour tour can begin at any time; however, the late hours of the afternoon are ideal.

Kandy Four Temple Loop Tour

Spend half a day exploring four of Kandy’s famed medieval temples. Join your personal archaeologist on an informative, 3.5 hour coach tour of the Degaldoruwa, Embekka, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya Buddhist temples. Feast your eyes on the magnificent Kandyan murals on the ceiling of Degaldoruwa Temple. Witness the wonderful fusion of Buddhist and Hindu culture at Gadaladeniya Temple.

Take in the exquisite craftsmanship of the woodwork at Embekka Temple. Observe the traditional Sinhalese design of the Lankatilaka Temple, and discover the inscriptions carved into the rocks. Setting off in the morning is ideal, as the tour involves approximately 1.5 hours of travel to / from your hotel.

Day 01
AIRPORT TO NEGOMBO
Negombo x
Located approximately five km from the international airport, the tourist friendly beach town of Negombo is one of the favourite stops for many visitors to the island. Offering a range of hotels, beach bars, cafes, restaurants and plenty of golden sands to lie on, Negombo is a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka.
Settle into your hotel, rest and unwind from your journey.
Local attractions: Seafood dinner with the day’s catch at Lellama restaurant - Jetwing Sea

Ayubowan!!!

A warm welcome to Sri Lanka! Your chauffeur from Holidays by Design will be present at the arrivals hall to greet and assist you to your vehicle.

You could change your currency before departing the airport as this may come handy during your holiday.

A short drive from the airport will take you to your hotel in Negombo (30 minutes).

Day 02
NEGOMBO TO KANDY
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage x
A haven for the Asian elephants that have been rescued from the wild, due to numerous causes, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a must-visit for animal lovers. The orphanage is also said to be home to the largest number of captive wild Asian elephants. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to watch these majestic beasts bathing in the Ma Oya river twice a day.
Settle into the resort and unwind from your journey.
Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage Site) x
The Hill Capital of Sri Lanka (the last Kingdom of the Sri Lankan Kings) nestled in a valley in the Highlands and locally referred to, as "Nuwara" meaning The Great City. A picturesque town by the side of a miniature lake, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Visit one of the only natural reserves within city limits, the beautiful Udawatta Kele famous for its avifauna or the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa.
Dinner at the resort.
Local attractions in Kandy: Esala Perahera (17- 27th August 2018, tickets should be booked in advance) / cookery lesson with a visit to the local market / tea at Helga’s Folly.

Breakfast will be served at the main restaurant.
You have three options for travelling to Kandy and onwards to the Knuckles.

  • Take the domestic flight to Kandy (one hour) followed by a short scenic drive to the hotel (one hour).
  • Take a scenic train ride to Kandy (four hours).
  • Drive to Kandy, en route visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (four hours).
Day 03 – Day 07
KANDY

Within one of the world’s lushest environments – the Knuckles Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the holistic architecture of Santani treads lightly as possible upon the land to let nature’s rhythm’s lull you back to life.
The featured programs in Ayurveda, detox, yoga & spa combine on site pampering and rejuvenation with enlightened learning for healthy living, long after you’ve left its premises.

The Head of wellness together with a team of wellness professionals will conduct and analyse the assessment to customize your bespoke Santani program and dietary regimen.

All individual programs are conducted based on 90-minute sessions combined with daily group Hatha Yoga classes.

During your leisure you are free to explore the off the beaten trails in the tea plantations choosing to stroll, hike or cycle through its beautiful landscapes and visit an organic farm.

Day 08
DEPARTURE

We will take you to the airport, two-three hours before, in time to make your flight.

Add on

  • A list of a few activities you may want to add on to your experience.
  • In and around Negombo– visit the fish market or the Lellama (where the fishing boats come ashore for the auction / lagoon fishing.
  • In and around Kandy – Visit a spice garden / Peradeniya Botanical Gardens / hike to Udawatte Kelle Sanctuary/ temple loop / Garrison cemetery.

What to Pack!

  • Socks – as footwear must be removed when visiting places of worship. You could be walking on heated paving, gravel or cement. Also, shoulders and knees should be covered.
  • Footwear – choose comfy shoes - sneakers, sandals or similar.
  • Shawl – to cover your shoulders or dress up!
  • A sweater or light jacket if you plan to visit the Hill Country.
  • Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, travel umbrella or lightweight raincoat.

Notes:

  • All drive times are approximate and subject to road conditions
  • Alcohol is not served on “poya days” (full moon) and other days prohibited by the Government.
  • The standard check-in time is 14:00 at hotels.
  • The standard check-out time is 11:00 from hotels.
  • Gratuity: tour guides & drivers are tipped at the end of the tour.
  • Online visa application link:  http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
  • Purposeful Tourism: Your support: www.hbdasia.com one USD from every booking supports a cause.
  • Holidays by Design terms and conditions (www.hbdasia.com/terms.html)
  • Connect with us via FB: www.facebook.com/hbdasia or Twitter on https://twitter.com/hbd_asia

 

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Rejuvenate in the cool mountain air in Paradise Island!