15 Days Relax Tour
Destinations : Colombo / Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Minneriya / Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Ella / Mirissa
Day 01 - Colombo / Pinnawala / Sigiriya
You will be met with traditional Sri Lankan hospitality at the airport and taken in your own private air-conditioned vehicle by our courteous English-speaking driver to Sigiriya, en route visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. In the afternoon you will check into your Hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 02 - Pinnawala / Sigiriya
After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya,where you will make a leisure climb up the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Lion Rock Citadel of Sri Lanka built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. It was the royal citadel of King Kasyapa for more than 18 years and has been named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982).One of Asia’s major archaeological sites, Sigiriya presents a unique concentration of fifth-century urban planning, architecture, gardening, engineering, hydraulic technology and art. The Sigiriya site contains the ruins of an upper palace located on the flat top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its beautiful frescoes, the lower palaces located behind the lavish lower gardens, and moats and ramparts which protected the citadel. The site was both a palace and a fortress. The upper palace on the top of the rock includes cisterns cut into the rock. The moats and walls that surround the lower palace are exquisitely beautiful.
Afterwards you may relax in the hotel or visit a traditional Sri-Lankan Village nearby and experience first-hand, some of its cultural activities. You also have the option of having lunch in a Traditional Sri Lankan House with the Villager.Overnight stay in the same hotel at Sigiriya.
Day 03 - Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa
In the morning you will proceed to visit the awe-inspiring ancient sites at Polonnaruwa – Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capital where you can explore the well preserved remains of the old grandeur and glory. On the way visit a Batik Factory to experience how the traditional cotton batik paints are made by hand and if you wish, you may even purchase colourful batik garment as a souvenir. Back to the hotel in the evening. Overnight stayin the same hotel at Sigiriya.
Day 04 - Sigiriya / Minneriya
In the morning you will proceed to visit theMinneriya National Park near Sigiriya.Being part of the elephant corridor which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks, theMinneriya National Park provides an opportunity to sight many a herd of Elephants throughout the year.The period of May -November is the best to visit theMinneriya National Park in view of the famous gathering of the wild elephants.
Stop over at an Ayurveda Spa en route. Natural well-being rituals which are drawn from practices of age-old wisdom are deep rooted in the culture of the Island. Derived from royal relaxation, rejuvenation and healing rituals of Ayurveda, comes a range of options to hydrate, treat, purify and soothe your body, mind and soul.It may help you to relax after climbing Sigiriya and other excursions of the previous days. All treatments will be done under a qualified female doctor in a natural environment. I recommend that you have this experience. (Early confirmation is required due to the demand and limited number of appointments accepted per day).Overnight stay in the same hotel at Sigiriya.
Day 05 - Sigiriya / Kandy
After breakfast proceed to Kandy -last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. There will be brief stops along the way to visit a Spice Garden and also a Wood Carving Factory. Late in the evening, you will visit the beautiful Dalada Maligawa – “the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha”, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Later on you will enjoy a traditional cultural dance program.Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.
Day 06 - Kandy
After breakfast, you will embark on a tour of the city and have time for some shopping. Your options here for Gems and beautifully crafted Jewellery are endless. Kandy being a major tourist destination is geared to give its visitors a memorable shopping experience. The town centre surrounded by misty mountains and a picturesque lake has a mix of old shops along with more modern trade outlets. Visitors can wander through interesting old antique, curio and knick-knack shops, shop for gemstones, brass items and traditional handicrafts or even buy an ‘Elephant’ souvenir to take back home.
Later on you will visit the Botanical Gardens which is located within a close proximity of the Kandy city. Overnight stay at a Hotel in Kandy.
Day 07 - Kandy / Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast visit the Peradeniya Botnical gardens en route to Nuwara Eliya. This is a spectacular drive around the mountains, viewing endless tea plantations and majestic waterfalls (Rambada waterfall, Twins Water fall) which brings you to Nuwara Eliya, our “little England” where time seems to have stood still since the days of the British occupation. (optional – Victoria park and golf course)
Day 08 - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast explore the city of Nuwara Eliya, its vegetable beds and a Tea Factory. Visit the Seetha Hindu Temple that relates to the ‘Ramayana’ story en route to the New Zealand dairy farm, Strawberry farm and Hakgala botanical garden. Also you may have the opportunity to enjoy a boat trip on Lake Gregory too. Overnight at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 09 Nuwara Eliya / Horton Plains
After breakfast you will proceed to visit Horton plains, which is located 2600m above mean sea level. It is a beautiful plane and a wild life park where you can see sambar deer and leopard with luck. Around the plane you will see misty mountains and ancient cloud forests/ rain forests. There is a foot trail you could follow to seethe plane and itsbeauty.You could also see beautiful Baker’s water fall.
Day 10- Ella Train Visit Through Hill Country
After breakfast you will proceed to the Nanuoya railway station which is close to Nuwara Eliya. You will then embark on a picturesque journey by train, which will take you through a world that seems barely touched by modernization. Huge plateau’s surround by tree covered hills that roll on for a seeming eternity into the horizon, vegetable beds, waterfalls, with the odd templeor glimpse of the vast tea estates that are indicative of a different era, a slower and more sedate time of British tea planters and gentleman’s clubs. Often likened to the Scottish Highlands imagine that charming part of the world then add a tropical flavour and no icy winds and you are just about there! All of the above cannot be experienced without a journey by train. It is my request to take this opportunity. Your vehicle will be at the Ella railway station. Relaxing in a hotel Ell Hotel in front of misty mountains.
Day 11 - Ella / Mirissa Beach
After breakfast, embark on yet another scenic drive heading south with the beaches of Mirissa in mind. You will see the beautiful Rawana waterfall on the way. In the late afternoon, you can relax at your beach side hotel.
Day 12 - Mirissa Beach
After breakfast you will proceed to a Whale watching boat tour – a comfy boat ride with skilled professionals who will guide you during your journey at sea. Afterwards, you have the rest of the day to enjoy the beach and pleasant weather. It is a calm and clean beach to enjoy and have a walk along the beach.Overnight stay at hotel in Mirissa.
Day 13 - Mirissa Beach
A day of relaxation at the beach.
Day 14 Galle / Colombo
After breakfast you will depart to Colombo city. Enroute you will make a stop at Galle and visit the Galle Fort. Then you will travel via the express way to Colombo.You will visit the famous Gangaramaya temple in Colombo, after which you will have time for some shopping around Colombo. There are many recommended shopping outlets in Colombo for ladies ware, leather products, gem and jewelry, cashew, souvenirs etc. Also there are many restaurants in and around Colombo for you to try out and experience our traditional or any other cuisine that suits your taste buds. Experience nightlife in Colombo.Overnight stay at hotel in Colombo.
Day 15 - Colombo
This is a day to relax and perhaps do some last minute souvenir shopping while you say goodbye to the beautiful and exotic Sri Lanka and its friendly people. Transfer to the airport in time to board your flight home.