Arrival meet greet and transfer to Bolgoda. Check-in at

Medagama River Retreat.Rest of the day at leisure to relax.

Dinner and overnight stay at Medagama River Retreat

MEDAGAMA RIVER RETREAT - BOLGODA

Bolgoda Lake is the largest and most beautiful fresh water lake with the highest bio-diversity in the island. The added advantage is that it is situated not more than 20km from the commercial capital Colombo . It is full of mangroves giving rise to a rich diversity in aquatic fauna and flora.

By the water's edge of this lake is a luxurious holiday bungalow named The Medagama River Retreat. The calmness and tranquility of the area adds to the charm of the bungalow and its surrounds. The River Retreat with an experienced chef to cater to the taste buds of discerning guests has three air-conditioned rooms and a spacious garden. The expansive lawn is an ideal play ground for kids of all ages. Furthermore, the Retreat has its own swimming pool & for adventure lovers, its own Mini boat-house where supervised canoe & boat rides can be arranged.

Bolgoda Lake spread out over a very large area was extensively used during the Dutch & British occupation periods as a bird hunting ground. The location is also popular as a traditional lake fishing area. Although angling is a common way of fishing in this lake, a very prominent and a primitive method is by installing fences erected on the lake as a kind of native trap. The lake is also a popular destination for water sport lovers.

SCHEDULE

• Arrival transfer from the airport to Bolgoda and check-in at the Bungalow.
• After a long journey leisure and relax in the water front or do some canoeing in the lake.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Medagama River Retreat.

After an early morning canoe ride and breakfast proceed to Sinharaja Rain forest .

Sinharaja RainForest is a world heritage site, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest . Whatever its 'technical' name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka 's endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Bird Watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka ! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word 'Sinharaja' means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!

Check in to the Martin's Lodge

Dinner and overnight at the Martin's Lodge .

SCHEDULE

• Begin your journey to Sinharaja early in the morning via Ratnapura
• En route visit a Gem pit & a Gem museum & check in at the Martins' Lodge .
• Lunch at a suitable location.
• Late afternoon Rainforest exploration t rekking Journey.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the Martin's Lodge .

Day 03 - Sinharaja - Udawalawe - Belihuloya - (HB )

Early morning another Rainforest Trail to the forest.

After breakfast proceed to Belihuloya en route visit the Elephant Transit Home & Udawalwe National Park .

UDAWALAWE ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME

Udawalawe transit home is a place, where closer to 30 baby elephants are being taken care of with minimum human interaction as they are separated from their mothers. Mothers of these babies are either killed or lost due to non ending Elephant -human conflict in Sri Lanka .

The transit home provides food, medical care, everything a baby elephant needs. When the elephants are big and strong enough, they are released into wilderness and start living "normal" elephant life.

A few times a day, visitors can enjoy the feeding hour, when the small elephants rush to drink milk and play with their mates. As any other babies, elephants like showing off, especially when spectators are around, which is also a great source of entertainment.

Lunch enroute.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city. The 30,821 hectare dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1,524 mm and an average temperature of 29.4 0 C. It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds - adults and young, feeding and bathing or playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts. A 4WD open-top safari is the only way to see all the wonders this protected reserve has to offer, and our experienced and knowledgeable nature guides will make this an unforgettable experience.

Check-in at River Garden for dinner and overnight stay.

BELIHULOYA is a very picturesque little hamlet situated in the "Sabaragamuwa" province of Sri Lanka , approximately 160 km from Colombo . This beautiful hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country 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, making it one of the richest bio-diversity spots in Sri Lanka - a perfect location for nature lovers.

RIVER GARDEN COTTAGES The Individual Cottages are situated in the beautiful shady garden area below the River Garden restaurant.  There is a winding path through the garden that links the cottages, restaurant, shady cabana-style seating areas and the Belihuloya River .  At night, atmospheric lanterns illuminate the whole area.

SCHEDULE

• Early morning short rainforest trail.
• After breakfast leave for Belihuloya, en route visit the elephant transit home by 12.00 noon to see the feeding of baby elephants.
• Lunch on the way in a restaurant..
• After lunch proceed to Udawalawe National Park for a Safari tour.
• After Safari leave for Belihuloya.
• Check in at the River Garden Activity Center & relax. [ Cottage]
• Dinner & overnight stay at the River Garden belihuloya.

After breakfast take part in a Cycling trail to the Duvili Ella.

Cycling Trail to Duvili Ella

DUWILI ELLA FALLS

The majestic , breathtaking and awesome ' Duvili Ella Falls ' This water fall is also called the Walawe Ganga Falls (East), it plunges a dramatic 80 ft from a level rocky ground in to a large deep pool at the base. The falling of the water creates a cloud of spray , resembling a cloud of dust (hence of the name 'Duvili Ella' - in Sihalese , 'Duvili' means 'dust' and 'Ella' is waterfall.

On completion return to Kinchigune Camp. site for Dinner and overnight stay.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast leave for cycling trail to Duvili Ella
• Lunch to be taken in a suitable location.
• Returning back to the Camp in a vehicle.
• Evening leisure & relax at the camp site.
• Overnight stay at the Kinchigune Camp.

Day 05 - Belihuloya - (HB )

After breakfast take part in a Nature Trail of Kinchigune

THE KINCHIGUNE NATURE TRAIL

This diverse trail of approximately 6km begins at the River Garden Resort in Belihuloya, running alongside a riverine forest and the Belihuloya river itself. During the trail, you will venture through paddy fields, across rivers and past local village houses with their extensive vegetable plots. It is an ideal opportunity to learn a bit about the local agricultural systems and simple way of village living. Along the way, you will also witness several types of beautiful birds and butterflies and some charming waterfalls. The trail finishes where the Belihuloya river meets the Samanalawewa reservoir.

Observe inhabitants of the villages, growing of Natural Spices, Herbs and Coconut husking, preparation of Sambol, made out of coconut and Sambol is used to eat with Sweet Potatoes together.

Lunch in Kinchigune. Thereafter take part in canoeing at the Samanalawewa Reservoir.

CANOEING IN SAMANALAWEWA

The still calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir are perfect for canoeing. Whether you want to take your time and go for a leisurely paddle for a couple of hours, perhaps venturing out to the mouth of the Belihuloya River or spend an entire day exploring the perimeter of the reservoir, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. The surrounding mountains add to the idyllic setting of the reservoir. All groups will be supplied with an experienced guide and modern life jackets, and a proper orientation will be offered for those who are new to canoeing.

Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden .

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast do the nature trail to (trek) Kinchigune/Samanala Wewa
• Exploration of Spices,Herbs,Coconut husking,preporation of Sambol by the villages.
• Lunch in Kinchigune
• Canoeing after lunch
• Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden .

After breakfast visit a Village Temple and Aluth Nuwara Devalaya

" Uggal Aluth Nuwara Devalaya " An ancient shrine dedicated to the " God Muruga " God Kataragama.

On completion return to River Garden for Lunch.

Rest of the evening at leisure or an optional cycling trail.

Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden .

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast leave for Village Temple and visit the Aluth Nuwara Devalaya, will be transported by a bus and thereafter in a three Wheeler.
• After walk to the Meditation centre, learn about meditation
• Lunch at the camp site.
• Evening leisure and relax at River Garden or Optional Cycling.
• Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden .

Leaving River Garden around 5.30 am with packed B'fast for the trekking tour (15km) to the

Horton Plains via Bamabrakanda Water Fall , most certainly one of the worlds best nature reserves.

BAMBARAKANDA FALLS

Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep rocks and dark green forests of pines and tropic trees the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka [ 240.8m] plunges with two silver ropes over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 500m walking distance from the trail.

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK is undoubtedly one of the world's best nature reserves. It is characterized 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 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 mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds. The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as 'Bakers 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).

Take pictures at these locations to take your memories home. Most of the day both small and big "world's ends" are covered with mist and clouds. So, one must have patience to wait at these points for clouds to clear to get a glimpse of a steep drop and beneath world's end. The big world's end has a sheer drop of 3700 feet.

After visiting Horton Plains get in to vehicle to be driven to Nuwaraeliya.

NUWARA ELIYA as a cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13 deg. C . 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 . Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher are very common. En-route, visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.

Check-in at Windsor Hotel. Evening at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at Windsor Hotel.

SCHEDULE

• You will start trekking to the Horton Plains by 5.30am from River Garden after breakfast or with packed breakfast & lunch.
• After trekking proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
• Check-in at the hotel. s
• Overnight stay at the Windsor Hotel.

After breakfast and a city tour in Nuwaraeliya proceed to Kandy by train - a moment of experience, traveling by train it is wonderful viewing of sight seeing, water falls. Pick up clients from the Kandy railway station Check-in at Hotel Swiss Residence for lunch.

Afternoon do a city tour of Kandy .

KANDY was the last stronghold of the Buddhist political power against colonial powers. It is also the home of the Temple of the Tooth relic. Its architectural monuments date mainly from the 19 th century, when Vikrama Rajashinha went on a building spree, the cost of which hastened the downfall and eventual surrender to the British forces.

DALADAMALIGAWA

The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Malgawa dates from the 16 th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19 th century. Entering the shrine over a moonstone step, you pass a stone depicting the Indian goddess Lakshmi and a wall with frescoes illustrating the Buddhist conception of hell. The upper stories house the relic of the tooth, caged behind the gilded iron bars. Behind the tooth relic sanctuary is a hall with a number of golden Buddha statues and modern paintings, showing Buddha's life and the arrival of Buddhism in the land. We end our tour just before the evening drumming begins, which precedes the ceremonious opening of the window for the public viewing of the casket with the tooth.

Also visit a gem lapidary and museum and thereafter witness a traditional cultural show in Kandy at one of the performance centres.

On completion return to Hotel Swiss Residence for dinner and overnight stay.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast leave to Kandy by Train
• Lunch at the hotel.
• After lunch visit the Temple of the Tooth relic & evening visit a Cultural dance.
• Dinner overnight stay at the Hotel Swiss Residence

After breakfast visit the

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS

This is 147 acres in extent started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy . There are more than 500 species of trees and plants. Some are rare & endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice Garden and Orchid House is more popular with tourist.

On completion proceed to Sigiriya.

SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS

The ancient city of SIGIRIYA was designated a cultural World Heritage Site in 1982. It is also proposed that the site should be named the eighth wonder of the world, indicating it is in the same league as other international wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Ancient Pyramids. Translated as 'Lion Rock' into English, the name of the monument indicates the way in which visitors used to begin their final ascent to the top - through the open jaws and throat ('giriya') of a lion ('sinha'). Unfortunately, the only remains of this lion figure are the gigantic paws, sculpted into the side of the rock. The topography of the area is flat except for the massive rock outcrop of the fortress itself (which rises an incredible 600 ft up from the green scrub jungle). The unusual rock is particularly interesting due to its flat top (nearly an acre in size), that was used in its entirety to build King Kasyapa's fortress complex, still evident by the presence of the extensive ruins.

On completion proceed to check-in for Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sigiriya.

SCHEDULE

• Visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
• Evening Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Leisure & relax.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel Sigiriya.

After breakfast proceed to visit Dambulla.

DAMBULLA is an ancient city, is known for its beautiful Cave temples and a huge Buddha statue. The history of the 5 caves containing over 150 images of Buddha goes back to 1 st century BC when king Valagambahu took refuge here. This place is worth visiting not only for the cave temple, but also for the beautiful view over the countryside you can get from the hill.

On completion proceed to visit Polonnaruwa ancient kingdom en route elephant ride at Habarana.

POLONNARUWA

At nearly 1000 years old, Polonnaruwa is one of Sri Lanka 's ancient capital cities (and part of the famous 'Cultural Triangle'). Although King Vijayabahu 1 was the first to claim the city as his capital, it was King Parakramabahu who made it what it is today, with its massive buildings, ornate parks and the 'pièce de resistance' - a 2500 hectare tank called 'Parakrama Samudra' (' Sea of Parakrama '). The city itself is divided into new and old town with the impressively preserved ruins split into five main areas, including 'The Quadrangle' (a.k.a. 'Terrace of the Tooth Relic'), the Northern City group and the Rest House group (with the royal palace ruins of 'Nissanka Malla'). Due to its reasonably compact layout, the ruins can be easily explored on foot, and with the surrounding area's flat well maintained roads, you can leave the car behind and jump on a bicycle to get around.

On completion return to Hotel for Overnight stay.

SCHEDULE

• Visit Dambulla and Polonnaruwa ancient sites.
• Lunch at the hotel.
• Evening leisure and relax..
• Overnight stay at the Hotel Sigiriya .

After breakfast proceed to your Beach Destination. (Negombo)

~ End of the Tour ~