• 2 nights in a lake frontage private bungalow closer to the capital. Opportunities for nature and city explorations.
• 2 nights in the world heritage site Singharaja Rain Forest -Nominee for the 7 wonders of nature.
• Visiting baby Elephant Transit home [orphanage! ] and Udawalawe National Park where you could see the world's largest Asian wild elephant herds through out the year!
• 4 nights in a small nature & adventure resort in the mountains, exploring the real culture & nature which srilanka can offer.
• Visit the national park at the highest altitude - Horton Plains and World's End !
• 1 night in the Cool Hills Nuwaraeliya - Little England
• 1 night in the Hill Capital - Kandy
• 2 nights in the cultural triangle - exploring the 2500 years old ancient civilization and ruin cities.
• Ride an Elephant !
• 1 night in a fabulous beach resort - Negombo [ could be extended !]
• Spices .. coconut .rubber . tea.. plantations !
• Public buses..trains. tuk tuks.... Eexperience locale transportation modes !

Day 01 - Airport - Colombo- Bolgoda- ( HB)

Arrival.. meet & greet and transfer to your private Bungalow in 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
www.medagama.com

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 beautiful 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.

SCHEDULE

• Arrival transfer from the airport to Bolgoda and check-in at the Bungalow.
• After a long journey leisure and relax.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Medagama River Retreat.

After breakfast full day at leisure or Optional for Lake exploration. Canoe are available free of charge for guests at Medagama River Retreat. Previous canoeing experience is not required and all safety gear is provided too.

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.

Today you will be given an opportunity to try a river crossing in a traditional human powered ferry as well.

Optional visit to the Commercial Capital of Sri lanka - Colombo also could be done today.

COLOMBO is Sri Lanka 's commercial capital with Great shopping arcades, luxury hotels & restaurants, Karaoke Bars, Casinos- which has the highest wining percentage in the world, night-clubs and other entertainment facilities

Colombo is an important port in the Indian Ocean since ancient time. The traders from the middle-east used Sri Lanka as an exchange center. The Arab traders came to gather the ivory, the precious stones and spices such as cinnamons, cardamom, cloves and pepper, which were highly priced in Europe .

Even a commercial city, the needs of the leisure travellers can be fulfilled with the range of activities available in the city. Great shopping arcades, luxury hotels restaurants, Karaoke Bars, Casinos, night-clubs and other entertainment facilities available within the city limits.

There are many locations relating to the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times. The Colombo Museum, Vihara Maha Devi Park, Old Parliament, World Trade Center, Zoo, Dutch Museum, Kelani Viharaya, National Art Gallery. Folk Art Center- Kotte, Natural History Museum, BMICH, Municipal Museum, Fort Railway Station dates back to 1904, Wolfandhal Church and Vaneshwara Kovil and main tourist attractions in Colombo.

Dinner and overnight stay at Medagama River Retreat.

SCHEDULE

• Boat ride / Cannoning / Fishing / Excursion to Colomobo. [ Boat rides or Fishing excursions could be organized at an extra cost ]
• Relax & leisure at the river banks
• Dinner at Medagama River Retreat.

After breakfast proceed to Sinharaja Rain forest via Rathnapura - City of Gems .

SCHEDULE

• Begin your journey to Sinharaja early in the morning via Ratnapura
• 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.

• Visit to a Rubber Plantation and a factory.

RUBBER production was established in Sri Lanka in 1876 with the planting of rubber plants imported from Brazil . The rubber products manufacturing industry emerged in the 1950s primarily to retread tires and the industry expanded rapidly after the introduction of free trade policies and investment promotion zones in the late 1970s. At present, the value of the rubber products manufacturing sector is five times greater than the export value of raw rubber from Sri Lanka . However, the plantation sector remains an important component as it is the 'resource base' or the primary competitive advantage of Sri Lanka 's rubber industry.

• Lunch at a suitable location.
• Dinner and overnight stay at a basic forest lodge bordering the forest.

After breakfast full Day allocated for Forest Exploration.

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!

On completion return to the lodge for Dinner and overnight stay.

SCHEDULE

• After early breakfast leave for forest exploration with packed lunch.
• Lunch to be taken at a suitable location.
• After lunch continue the trekking trail in the forest.
• After leave to the lodge- relax & leisure.
• Dinner & overnight stay at the Lodge.

After breakfast proceed to Belihuloya.En-route visit the Elephant Transit Home and 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.

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 Adevnture Resort 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

SCHEDULE

• 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 or hotel.
• After lunch proceed to Udawalawe National Park for a Safari tour.
• After Safari leave for Belihuloya.
• Dinner & overnight stay at the River Garden Adventure Resort - Belihuloya.

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

[ Cycling is optional and this excursion could be done in your vehicle too ]

Cycling Trail to Duvili Ella

DUVILI 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 Belihuloya for Dinner and overnight stay.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast leave for cycling trail to Duvili Ella falls.
• Lunch to be taken in a suitable location.
• Returning back to the Camp in a vehicle.
• Evening leisure & relax at the Resort
• Dinner and overnight stay at the Resort.

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 Kinchigune Camp.

SCHEDULE

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

After breakfast visit to the village Temple and Ancient Uggal Aluthnuwara Dewalaya - an ancient shrine dedicated to God Katharagama , Built in 1304 or visit to & the Sabaragamuwe  University Museum. In the museum you will be amazed to see a model of a world's oldest steel furnace. The earliest evidence of steel making in the ancient world, dating back to 300 BC [ that's almost 2300 years before ! ] has been found in the Belihuloya area.

To experience a country there is no better way other than going through the experiences of locales.Today you are given an experience of traveling in public bus and a Tuk - Tuk . [ Three wheeler !]

On completion return to the Resort for lunch.

Rest of the evening at leisure or optional visit to a Buddhist Meditation center .

Dinner and overnight stay at the River garden Adventure Resort.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast leave for Village Temple and visit the Aluth Nuwara Devalaya,[ [Ancient shrine] Transportation by a public bus and thereafter in a three Wheeler.
• After lunch walk to the Meditation centre, learn about meditation.[ optional ]
• Lunch at the Resort.
• Late evening leisure and relax by the side of the river.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the Resort.

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Horton Plains National Park

Nature walk in Horton Plains Nature Reserve , which is approximately 10,000 Hectares in extent, is haunted by Elk, Deer, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Hare , Porcupine, and a variety of Migratory birds, unique to this region. According to a recent count there are 16 Leopards in Horton Plains. If you are very lucky you may get a glimpse of a Leopard during your sojourn in the Horton Plains.

• You will first visit the Baker's falls and then arrive at the World's End cliff covering approximately 3km. To get to the Baker's Falls, you have to deviate from the main trail and go approximately 500m on a very difficult downward path.
  
• 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 clearup to get a glimpse of a steep drop and a tea estate beneath World's End. The big World's End has a sheer drop of 3700 feet.
  
• Total distance of trekking in side the park would be 6km .[ Graded as a soft trail]

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 .

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

• After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Haputale and Horton Plains , en route visit a tea factory and plantation.
• Check-in at the hotel.
• Evening free to walk around the town and market place in Nuwara Eliya
• Overnight stay at the Windsor Hotel.

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 a suitable location.
• Evening Elephant Ride.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel Sigiriya .

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 at Sun Set Beach Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

SCHEDULE

• After breakfast leave for Negombo .
• Evening at leisure to relax at the beach.
• Night dinner & stay at Sun Set Beach Hotel, Negombo .

After breakfast proceed to airport for departure or extend your beach stay !

~ End of the Tour ~