Luxury Travel Sri Lanka | Holidays by Design

day	Location/Route	Overnight
01	Arrival and Transfer to Negombo (40 minutes)	Negombo
02	An early start to Sigiriya (3.5 hours) visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple en route.	Sigiriya
03	Morning: Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Afternoon (option): relax with an Ayurveda massage	Sigiriya
04	Morning: continue on to Kandy (3.5 hours) visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route. Evening: attend a cultural dance performance and/or visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic.	Kandy
05	Morning drive to Nuwara Eliya (3.5 hours). Evening: at leisure	Nuwara Eliya
06	Morning: visit a tea plantation and tea factory. Evening: at leisure	Nuwara Eliya
07	Morning: drive down to Colombo (5 hours). Evening: tour of the city’s highlights.	Nuwara Eliya
08	Departure

ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO NEGOMBO | OVERNIGHT IN NEGOMBO

Ayubowan!!!
A warm welcome to Sri Lanka! Your guide from Holidays by Design will be present at the arrivals hall to greet you and assist you to your vehicle.
For convenience sake you may want to change your currency before departing the airport. Banks are open 24/7
A short drive from the airport will take you to Negombo (30 minutes)
Settle in, rest and relax from your journey.

VISIT THE DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE & SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS| OVERNIGHT IN SIGIRIYA

Dambulla – The Golden Temple (UNESCO World Heritage site) x

At the heart of the cultural triangle, so called because it encloses some of the most ancient of historical sites and cities - chiefly Anuradhapura, Polannaruwa and Sigiriya, lies Dambulla known for its famous Golden Rock Temple, a most impressive cave monastery and one of the largest in South Asia. Of the 157 Buddha statues found in the five dimly lit grottos, 73 were gold plated at the behest of King Nissanka Malla, the 12-century monarch. Its walls decorated with some of the finest murals in the country are a showcase of sacred Buddhist art at its finest. A sacred pilgrimage site for nearly 22 centuries, it has been declared a world heritage site. Its spectacular setting on a massive rock overlooking the plains of Kurunegala, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Ritigala mountain range, is truly awe-inspiring.

This Morning you will proceed to Sigiriya (3.5 hours). En route you will visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.

Settle in rest an relax upon arrival.

CLIMB THE SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS| OVERNIGHT IN SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya (UNESCO World Heritage site) x

The shortest lived but the most extraordinary of all Sri Lanka’s medieval capitals, declared a world heritage site, this ancient ruin was once the Capital of Kind Kasapa1. A lover of beauty, he ruled Sigiriya for 18 years, transforming the surroundings of his historical palace into a thing of beauty. Only 19 of the original 500 immortal frescoes, representing celestial maidens remain today. Its extensive network of beautifully laid out gardens; reservoirs and other structures including its unique plumbing system stand witness to the grandeur of its architecture, during its day. It can be a hard 200m climb to the top, but once there, the view is magnificent.

An early start with an exhilarating climb up Sigiriya - an ancient palace fortress, which sits atop a granite outcrop. It is arguably the most extraordinary of all Sri Lanka’s medieval Capitals dating back to the 5th Century.

Spend the afternoon at leisure and indulge in a rejuvenating spa experience at the hotel.

VISIT THE ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE AND MATALE SPICE GARDENS EN ROUTE TO KANDY | OVERNIGHT IN KANDY

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage x

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is home to the world’s largest troupe of captive pachyderms. The animals here range from newborns to elderly matriarchs and include abandoned elephants and those injured in the wild. Twice daily, the elephants are driven to the Ma Oya river for a leisurely bath but its best to coincide your visit with feeding time – watching the orphaned youngsters guzzle copious quantities of milk from oversized baby bottles – an amazing experience. Feeding times are 09:15 am, 13:15 pm and 17:15 pm.

Matale x

Matale is a major town in a region famous for its spices. Spices pervade the air of this broad fertile valley at an elevation of 300 m. Tea and rubber plantations of the mid and low grown variety, thrive here interspersed with dozens of spice plantations. Cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, cinchona, cocoa and cardamom are found growing in profusion in the area. It is easy to recognize the sturdy jackfruit tree, a staple in the cuisine of country folk with its large fruit hanging off the branches of these trees.

Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage site) x

Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage site), the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka, locally referred to as “Nuwara” meaning The Great City, is the most scenic ancient city in the country and the only city that borders a natural reserve – the Udawatte Kele famous for its avifauna. Sri Dalada Maligawa as its known locally or The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most sacred & famous Buddhist sites, not only in Sri Lanka but the world over This spectacular 17th century temple took nearly a hundred years to construct from 1687 to 1782 and houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Rituals are performed daily at 04:30, 10:30 and 6:30 p.m. The sacred square and old city centre within the temple complex contain the four shrines of the Gods Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama and the Goddess Pattini and many historical buildings and museums. The temple is host to one of Asia’s most celebrated festivals, The "Esala" procession, held during the month of July/August around the Full Moon. The casket of the tooth relic is paraded through the streets on the back of a tusked elephant in a grand procession followed by several traditional dancers, drummers and torch bearers accompanied by over a hundred beautifully costumed elephants. Nestled in the highlands, not only does its rich historical significance make “Nuwara” a popular tourist destination, but also the many shops displaying precious and semi-precious stones, skillfully crafted jewelry, handicrafts, colorful batiks and silks, and local food add unforgettable flavor to this crowded but beautiful city.

Ideally an early start no later than 07:00 is recommended so you may arrive at the Elephant Orphanage in time for the elephant feeding. The approximate travel time to the orphanage is around 2.5 hours.
The entire experience including the herds amble down to the river for their daily bath will take around 2 – 2.5 hours.
You will then proceed to the Matale Spice Gardens (2.5 hours). Speak to your guide for recommendations for lunch en route.
Proceed to Kandy, rest and relax from your journey.
Late afternoon stroll through the busy market and end your evening with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by a colorful cultural performance.

DRIVE TO NUWARA ELIYA | OVERNIGHT IN NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya x

Perched high up in the hills, nearly a mile above sea level, Nuwara Eliya at 1869 meters, sits like a sentinel overlooking tea country on all sides. Piduruthalagala, Sri Lanka's tallest peak is only a short drive away. A replica of English country towns with their lush greenery and profusion of gorgeous flora, Nuwara Eliya is touted as "Little England". Its Victorian houses, colourful park, golf course, Lake Gregory, a racecourse, Hakkgala Gardens and a number of hotels including colonial structures like the Hill Club and the Grand Hotel which lives up to its name to this day should be included in your ‘to do’ list. A uniquely converted tea factory hotel, with amazing attention to detail built among tea gardens is well worth a visit. The climate is cool throughout the year with an annual average temperature of a chilly 15.9C and nearly 2,000 mm of rain, alternated by days of bright sunshine. The British established Nuwara Eliya in the 19th Century, to cater to the Europeans settled in Sri Lanka, to whom it came to be home away from home if only for short spells. However, it grew to be Sri Lanka's foremost holiday resort with the town coming alive in April. A weeklong calendar of events, including horse and motor races, are its biggest attraction. Holidaymakers in droves converge on Nuwara Eliya during the season. Hindu pilgrims from around the world visit the Hanuman and Seetha Amman Temples based on the Ramayana epic of Rama & Seetha.

This morning you will drive through a scenic landscape of tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya, visiting the Seetha Amman Temple & Seetha Eliya (3.5 hours).

VISIT A TEA FACTORY | OVERNIGHT IN NUWARA ELIYA

Spend the morning at leisure
This evening you will visit a tea estate and factory with your chauffeur guide, for an understanding of the process that goes into producing that cup of ‘Pure Ceylon Tea’. Your experience will include an introduction of tea to Sri Lanka and its journey since.

DRIVE TO COLOMBO | OVERNIGHT IN COLOMBO

Colombo x

A dynamic capital that can vie with many a city around the world. It has evolved to be the commercial hub of the island connecting with several towns linked by a fine system of roads and railways connecting both the North, the South, the East and the hill country. A new expressway, one of many coming up, connects the international airport at Katunayake, with the capital - a 20-minute drive avoiding the busy sprawling towns on the old route. Crowded streets and peak hour traffic are the results of a long and formless urban straggle overflowing from Colombo. Nevertheless, the city’s impressive commercial and cultural life grows apace with a heady mixture of Asian anarchy, colonial charm and modern progress which defines its character. Showily opulent and shiny office blocks rub shoulders with tumbledown local cafes and shops while serene Buddhist shrines and colonial churches stand cheek-by--jowl with ornate, colourful Hindu temples - all evidence of a rich mix of races and religions, that has blossomed into this cosmopolitan city. A rebuilt and revitalized Pettah, the more colonial styled Fort area, the renovated Dutch Hospital, the Independence Square, the Nelum Pokuna theatre hall, the Victoria Park, are all elegant architectural landmarks, that the city can justly be proud of.

This morning after breakfast you will head to Colombo (5.5 hours)
Spend the afternoon at leisure!
This evening explore the busy streets of Colombo with your chauffeur.

DEPARTURE

You will leave for the airport in time for your departure flight.

Add on

A list of a few activities you may want to add on to your experience…

In and around Negombo & Colombo – visit the Fish Market or the Lellama - where the fishing boats come ashore for the auction / Lagoon Fishing / Tea Tasting in Colombo / Night cycling tour of the city / Dinner at the Ministry of Crab in Colombo / Water Sports activities at Bolgoda Lake / Shopping for Linen clothing
In and around Kandy – Experience the Temple loop / Garrison cemetery / Cookery Lesson

Location	Accommodation	Meal Plan
Negombo	Jetwing Beach	Bed & Breakfast Basis
Sigiriya	Heritance Kandalama
Kandy	Kings Pavilion
Nuwara Eliya	Heritance Tea Factory
Colombo	Galle Face Hotel

What to Pack!

Socks – as footwear have to 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:

Train tickets strictly subjected to availability
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/
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Tea & Culture

Add on