Adventure Tour – 12 Days / 11 NightsDay 1: Airport / Waikkal
(The approximately estimated road distance 20miles – transfer time 20 minutes) On arrival your driver/guide will welcome you and escort you to The Ranweli Holiday Resort in Waikkal. Ranweli Holiday Village is an eco-friendly resort located on a 22-acre peninsula where mangrove forests and winding rivers converge to meet the sea. Your itinerary begins in the late afternoon with an exciting tour on bicycles through the lush countryside. This provides an opportunity to enjoy the natural environment and view historical sites including many local Catholic churches and Buddhist temples. You will be accompanied by a member of the hotel staff and will have an opportunity to interact with the local community in the villages. A route map with the descriptions of the sites will be provided to participants. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Ranweli Holiday Village, Waikkal Day 2: Waikkal / Sigiriya
Start the day with a gentle walk along the Ranweli nature trail, where selected shrubs and trees are described by a trained naturalist. This relaxing two hour walk in extensive 9 hectare (22 acre) garden, also includes a pass through boardwalk where the mangroves and their ecosystem can be observed from a higher elevation. The site contains a very rich mangrove forest of Rhizophora spp, a true mangrove. The rare and protected Nypa fruticans, the only palm that grows naturally in water, is also found along the river bordering Ranweli. Late afternoon drive up to Sigiriya (The approximately estimated road distance 95miles – transfer time 5 hours), in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, an area in the beautiful central dry-lands that has a rich and ancient history. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigiriya Day 3: Sigiriya Rock Fortress/Elephant Back Safari/Polonnaruwa/Sigiriya
Take up an optional Hot Air Ballooning trip in Sri Lanka is an once in a lifetime experience never to be forgotten!. Experience the magical waking moments of the day with a sunrise flight while gently floating with the wind over Sri Lanka’s fascinating cultural heritage. Have a leisurely breakfast and then leave for Sigiriya (24 km, approximately 30 minutes drive) and climb the Rock Fortress a UNESCO World Heritage site built by King Kassapa in the 05thcentury A.D. which was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The lion rock is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. The majestic Lion’s Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit. See the famous frescoes of the “Heavenly maidens” of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10 foot high Mirror Wall. On completion, proceed to Habarana (25km – approximate travel time 30 minutes) for an elephant ride. The feeling of stepping back in time, a time when kings rode on the backs of these magnificent mammals and the chance for you dear visitors to do the same is what we at the other corner. The tour will take you along the forest trail, across the river and through the village all on the elephant back ride. Afternoon visit the Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site (58 km – approximate travel time 1 ½ hours). It was the Capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century, a well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km. which still remain), graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. Of these the ‘Vatadage’ and the ‘Thuparama Image house’ are the most spectacular. The ‘Gal Vihara’ which consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha have been cut from a single granite wall and rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigiriya Day 4: Sigiriya / Kitulgala
(The approximately estimated road distance 185miles – transfer time 3 – 4 hours) After breakfast leave for Kitulgala a riverside town surrounded by lush jungle that has two claims to fame: being the location for the Oscar-winning epic Bridge on the River Kwai and the main white-water rafting centre in Sri Lanka. When you eventually arrive in Kitulgala you will check into the Plantation Hotel. Enjoy a high adrenaline pumping “White Water Rafting” in Kelani River, one of the longest rivers in Sri Lankan, which is a graded 2-3 rapid. You could experience the fascinating view of the surrounding forest while rafting and when you are in the calm waters you could let yourself float while enjoying the scenic beauty. End the rafting and have a river bath. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Plantation Hotel, Kitulgala Day 5: Kitulgala / Nuwara Eliya(The approximately estimated road distance 75miles – transfer time 4 hours) After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya; hill-country retreat much loved by Britain’s early day settlers and tea planters, who enjoyed its rolling hills and conifer forests and cool climate. Visit a typical Sri Lankan tea plantation and a working tea factory and also experience a self-tea plucking session. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Governor’s Chalets in Nuwara Eliya Day 6: Nuwara Eliya / Horton Plains / Nuwara Eliya
We rise early to travel to Horton Plains located on a high windswept saddle at 2134 meters elevation, these plains are hard to reach. Many visitors come to see “World’s End” situated on the plains. The scenery that can be seen from here is considered to be the finest view in Sri Lanka. Early morning the Indian Ocean rims the horizon, 80 km away. Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest and most isolated plateau discovered by Sir Thomas Farr in 19 hundreds. And named as Horton Plaines as a respect to the then British Governor of Sri Lanka Sir Horton and it is the only place where you could see the bear monkey. This is one of world’s best nature tracks. And certain plant species, birds and insects you see them only at Horton Plaines. Nature lovers will enjoy this wide, patna-grass-covered plain, the haunt of several wild yet harmless animals and the home of many species of birds. Bridle paths through the plain will take you to the precipice, popularly referred to as “Worlds End “; a sheer drop of 1050 meters. Lie on your stomach and peep over the ridge, the view when it is clear of mist, it is simply magnificent. New Zealand Farm is also situated at the way of Horton plains. New Zealand farm has purebred Friesian cows, with both farms maintaining a pure line of cattle, rabbits, pigs, hens, cocks and gouts and many more animals and lot of products are manufactured such as cheese , butter and many milk products and it is radily available to buy at the outlet inside. This farm is a very picturesqure area surrounded with mountains. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Governor’s Chalets in Nuwara Eliya Day 7: Nuwar Eliya / RathnapuraAfter breakfast leave to Rathnapura. Enjoy an exciting day trip to the heart of the Sri Lankan interior and see the “City of Gems” Ratnapura, which has a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest gems. Visit the gem museum where you could see a scaled down model of a typical gem pit, showing the different strata of rocks. They will also demonstrate the equipment for the various stages of polishing and cutting of a gem. You will see the transformation of a small stone plucked out of earth, to the sparkling status symbol on your finger. Because of the huge demand for gem jewelry and gemstones there are many crooked salesman who are looking to cheat tourists. So it is always advisable to buy from a reputed place, although the cost is a bit higher than roadside shops. There are lots of shops and lapidaries in Rathnapura so you can shop around for the one that best suits you. The State Gem Corporation in Colombo will examine free of charge gems purchased elsewhere, but if they prove to be fakes the Corporation can do nothing to help you get your money back. Sri Lanka mines sapphires, rubies, garnets, aquamarines, zircons and alexandrites, but has no diamonds or emeralds. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Rathnaloka Inn, Rathnapura Day 8: Sinharaja Forest Reserve
After breakfast, enjoy a whole day trekking and bird trail in the Singaraja rain forest, one of the world heritage sites in Sri Lanka. It is a paradise for bird lover’s filled with mystery, romance and legend. You will also find rare collection of plants and insects. The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants and the 15 or so leopards are rarely seen. The commonest larger mammal is the endemic Purple-faced Langur. An interesting phenomenon is that birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler. Of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. Reptiles include the endemic Green pit viper and Hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic Common Birdwing butterfly and the inevitable leeches. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Rathnaloka Inn, Rathnapura Day 9: Rathnapura / Galle(The approximately estimated road distance 93miles – transfer time 4 hours) Have your breakfast and drive upto Galle and take rest at your hotel. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna. Day 10: Discover the Galle
After early breakfast and go for Dolphin & Whale Watching boat ride in the sea off Mirrissa (Dondara). The Deep South of Sri Lanka may be one of the world’s best locations (amongst the top two or three) for watching Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. Two of the most sought after marine mammals. In fact for seeing both Sperm and Blue Whales together, it may even turn out to be the best location in the world. Whale and dolphin watching is a seasonal activity in Sri Lanka, available on the west coast in locations from Kalpitiya and along the south coast from November to March while the east coast off Trincomalee is preferable from June to September. Mirissa Water Sports is a charitable organisation helping to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected coastal areas. Mirissa Water Sports is based in Mirissa harbour, a beautiful and quiet fishing village in the South of Sri Lanka. Mirissa is reported to have the prettiest beach on the South coast. With clean sand, calm water and safe swimming. It is 40 minutes away from Galle on the southern tip of the island (Latitude 5° 58´ N; Longitude 80° 26´ E). Morning session will be start at 6.30am and normally total trip duration is 3.5 hours or 4 hours, it will depend on sea condition. Boat has roof, seats, and toilet facilities, life raft jackets, life rings and communication equipments. Boat captain and crew have professional qualifications and more than four years sea going experience. Boats are specially design for tourism and it only use for tourist purpose. Boats are registered as ships under (under Sri Lanka flag) Ministry of Ports and Aviation. (Merchant Shipping Division) and all passengers are on the boat insured. During the trip you will be provided with mineral water and snack.
On completion visit the Galle Fort, markets, shopping street, visit a village home, visit the village temple and get an insight into Buddhism from the head monk of the temple, lace making, batik painting. Galle has a very long history and is marked in the island of Sri Lanka in Ptolemy’s world map prepared around 125 – 150 AD. During that time Galle was a busy port. Foreign traders like Greeks, Arabs, Chinese etc have been visiting Galle for trade. Some believe that word Galle is derived from the Dutch word ‘Gallus’ which means chicken. But some believe that there was a very large ‘Gaala’ of cattle here. Gaala in Sinhala means the place where cattle are herded together. So they believe Galle is a development from ‘Gaala’. It is from Galle harbor that Portuguese led by Lorenzo de Almeida first arrived in Sri Lanka. Their arrival marked an important watershed in Sri Lanka’s history because it completely changed the course of Sri Lankan history. Their arrival however, was not a planned one. It was by mere chance they came here as there ship was caught in a storm and it is the winds that brought their ship to Galle. After their arrival in Sri Lanka, they befriended Dharmaparakrama bahu , the then King of Kotte. He permitted them to build a fort and church inside. The Fort was meant for the security of the Sinhalese. But by an irony of fate, that Fort later became the prison to keep Sinhalese who opposed them.
After dinner visit Rakuwa, a small fishing village near Tangalle where a fascinating Marine Turtle Conservation project is helping to save this endangered species. Globally, all seven species of marine turtles existing are endangered. Out of these seven, five species of sea turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is an ancient and phenomenal ritual that is fascinating to observe. You have an opportunity to contribute the Marine Turtle Conservation efforts through the project in Rakuwa where you will observe this endangered species without interfering with its natural breeding habits. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna. Day 11: Depart to airport hotelAfter breakfast move on the hotel where you would board the plane for onward journey. It is a fascinating drive along Sri Lanka’s coastline and several interesting fishing villages where the Stilt fisherman precariously perched on a stick in the shallow of the ocean with a fishing chord in his hand is an interesting sight. Reach the Taj Airport Garden Hotel and take rest. Dinner and overnight hotel accommodation: Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna. Day 12: Transfer to the airportAfter breakfast you will be escorted to the airport in good time for your flight home. |
