After breakfast, proceed to Belihuolya.

En route visit a Gem pit & a Gem museum in City Of Gems / Rathnapura.

RATNAPURA - CITY OF GEMS
A land of stirring myth and legend. This area has a long history for finest gems in the world specifically best rubies in the world.

The extent to which Ratnapura still yields its fabulous gems is sufficient to account for the early tales of their profusion and splendour. Yes, Ratnapura (also called the city of rubies) remains to this day the convergence of Sri Lanka's mineral wealth, the place to which the detritus of the rocks sweep down and are held lovingly in the dips and rises of a land that seems to stir in its sleep, then pulls the coverlets of green and gold around it. Gem collections can be seen at the National Museum , Ratnapura, and a number of private museums.

GEM INDUSTRY
Gems are a very important mineral resource in Sri Lanka . According to the chronicles, Sri Lankan gem industry has a very long history and dates back even before the 6 th century B.C.. It is one of the oldest industries of Sri Lanka , still makes a major contribution to the Sri Lankan economy. In ancient times Sri Lanka was known as the "Ratnadeepa" (the island of gems) by foreigners. There is much evidence available on the ancient Sri Lankan gem industry and gems and they are found in the chronicles and records of monks, tourists, explorers, historians and others.

Check in to Belihul Oya River Garden Resort Eco Team's Main Activity Centre for Lunch.

BELIHUL OYA
This is a climatically transitional area,which links the dry and wet zones at an altitude of less than 1500m. As a result, the vegetation consists of moist semi-evergreen forests, tropical savanna forests, dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests . The vegetation in this environment has made this location an exciting one for the serious as well as the casual nature lover. The average temperature in the area is about 28.3 degrees Celsius and the mean annual rainfall is between 1,875 and 2,500mm.

Lunch at River Garden Cottages.

Evening at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Cottages.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast , proceed to Belihuloya.
• Enroute visit a Gem Pit and Gem Museum at Rathnapura.
• Check in to River Garden Resort for Lunch.
• Evening relax & leisure.
• Dinner & overnight stay at the River Garden Cottages.

After breakfast , proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Horton Plains.

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK is undoubtedly one of the world's best nature reserves. It is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland. In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes, and the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka ) and 24 species of mammals such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there are 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds. The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as 'Baker's Falls', 'Chimmini Pool' and the famous 'World's End' (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline).

Check in to the Windsor Hotel for Lunch.

Evening at leisure and relax.

Dinner and overnight stay at Windsor Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast , proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Horton Plains.
• Check in to Windsor Hotel for Lunch.
• Evening relax & leisure.
• Dinner & overnight stay at the Windsor Hotel.

After breakfast , a City Tour in Nuwara Eliya.

NUWARA ELIYA lies in the central hills of Sri Lanka , 6200 feet above sea level. The 160 km drive from Colombo is one of the most scenic in the island with wonderful views and a visual introduction to the tea country of Sri Lanka . The jewel in the crown of NE is the 117-year-old course in the heart of the town. Nuwara-Eliya is surrounded by mountain chains covered by dense, moss-covered cloud forests and tea plantations; its perpetual English spring weather, seasonal mists and dry winds provide ideal weather conditions for the production of one of the choicest grades of high grown tea, to which it gives its name. The city's southern end is adorned by Lake Gregory ; high waterfalls add to its scenic beauty. The cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13degoC this is an exquisite and healthy city famous for its wide range in flowers. With buildings of English architecture everywhere in the city, it is affectionately called little England . The Victoria Park in the center of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka is famous for Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher.

Back to the hotel for Lunch.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at Windsor Hotel.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast , City tour around Nuwara Eliya.
• Back to the Windsor Hotel for Lunch.
• Evening relax & leisure.
• Dinner & overnight stay at the Windsor Hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Negombo.

NEGOMBO Bustling Negombo town is a historically interesting place strongly influenced by the Catholic Church. The narrow strip of land between the lagoon & the sea and the many cannals make for a good exploring.

The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it again in the same year, then captured it again in 1644. The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negombo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era, and there are still reminders of the European days.

Check in to the Hotel Sunset Beach for lunch.

Evening relax on the beach.

Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sunset Beach .

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast , proceed to Negombo.
• Check in to the Hotel Sunset Beach for Lunch.
• Evening relax on the beach.
• Dinner & overnight stay at the Hotel Sunset Beach.