Tropical Discovery Sri Lanka tour offers some of Sri Lanka highlights of countryside & relaxing beach stay. In Sri Lanka this tour covers heritage, culture, food, nature, and wildlife. You will have your own personal chauffeur guide with a van in Sri Lanka, so you can experience Sri Lanka at your own pace.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Boat Safari in Gal Oya National Park
- Explore Temple of the tooth
- Spotting elephants in Udawalawe National Park Safari
- Tea plantation Experience & Learn the process of tea making
- Scenic train journey through tea hills and waterfalls above 1500 meters
- Relax and unwind in Golden sandy beaches
- Taste fresh seafood and Sri Lankan curry
“Ayubowan” and ‘’Vanakkam’’ Welcome to tropical paradise. You will be welcomed and greeted by your guide or Resfeber Holidays representative on arrival at the Waiting Area at Colombo International Airport. You will travel to Colombo by van.
Travel time: approximately 1 hours depends on the road traffic.
Optional depending on your arrival time if you wish to do explore Colombo city- you will be starting from Fort, Independent Square, Old Parliament, Pettah Bazaar and Galle Face. You will also have time for shopping as well. Colombo Fort is the business district of Sri Lanka with skyscrapers and great international hotels. The Fort was built by the Portuguese and Dutch partly which later controlled by the British. Colombo Fort is home for Fort Railway Station, President's House and Presidential Gardens, a palatial neo- classical building which was originally the home of the British Governors and the residence of Sri Lanka's president now. The Lighthouse Clock Tower situated in the Chatham Street commissioned by the wife of Governor Sir Henry Ward in the hope that it would teach the Ceylonese to be punctual. It is good for shopping tea, souvenirs, and exchange money.
Independence Square is known as one of the most prominent locations in Colombo. It is commonly used as a place where Sri Lankans come together in unison for significant national celebrations and cultural activities. This unique and outstanding monument positioned in the heart of Sri Lanka’s commercial capital Colombo, commemorates the country’s independence from foreign rule.
Opposite to the Presidential Secretariat (old Parliament) is the Colombo breathing green space known as Galle Face. Here every walk of life comes to chill. Some sit on the grass and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Next to Galle Face is the grand Renaissance-style structure of Galle Face Hotel, South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, and the testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent. You can enjoy the English high tea on the Victorian style Veranda or sip a martini facing the sea and enjoy the sunset.
Afterwards you can walk into the One Galle Face shopping mall, just opposite to the Galle Face Green for a quick shopping or just to walk around as its always busy, grand and fabulous with multiple shops and stalls. You can also find few walls and stalls where you can take some cheerful pictures.
Location: - Colombo Hotel: Marino Beach Room: Superior Board: Breakfast only
Today you will travel to Galle from Colombo. Travel time approximately 1 ½ hours depending on the road traffic.
Enroute- you will have lunch - Sri Lanka culinary experience with a local family to learn about Sri Lankan food.
Enjoy Sri Lankan traditional culinary experience for Lunch (included). You will visit a local family in Bentota and will be welcomed. Here you will learn how to prepare and cook certain Sri Lankan dishes with aromatic spices and organic herbs; Also discover how coconut milk is made, learn to crack open and scrape out your own coconut, and taste the samples of each dish as you go along. The end product is a feast of 7 unique dishes served in a lotus leaf which you can eat local style with your fingers if you are up for a challenge.
Afterwards you will travel to Galle and check into hotel. Then you will discover the Dutch Fort in Galle. It is situated in the southern Sri Lanka. The Galle fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island. Galle offers a unique opportunity to create a visible demonstration of the conservation of its inheritance. There are many boutique shops along the narrow streets of the fort as well as antiques, arts, and craft shops.
Location: - Galle Hotel: Yara Galle Fort Room: Superior Board: Breakfast only
Today you will travel to Haputale from Galle. Total Travel time approximately 3 ½ hours.
En-route you will visit to the Elephant transits home (ETH), also called Udawalawe elephant orphanage. The primary purpose of the Elephant Transit Home is to rehabilitate and release isolated baby elephants to the wild. “ Komali ” is the first orphaned baby elephant cared at ETH. Since then, to date, more than 200 elephants have been cared. The elephants which become matured enough to live on their own, are released back to the wild. Park authorities keep constant vigilance on the newly released animals, until they get used to the new life in the wild. The seasonal fluctuating water level of the reservoir creates a diverse environment for both baby elephants and wild elephants.Click the link for BBC Natural World Documentary (Elephant Island) 2013.
Afterwards visit the Nine Arch Bridge. This magnificent eye catchy Nine Arch Bridge between Ella and Demodara stations are just a few kilometers along the track from the Demodara station. Most touched attraction by the tourists and locals. This viaduct bridge built during the British Colonial period is the largest in Sri Lanka which has been built with blocks of stone and cement without any reinforcing iron or concrete. The tall arches take the bridge on a semicircular path to connect to mountains. Located almost 3100 feet above the sea level, this 99.6ft high bridge is called "Ahas namaye palama" (Nine skies bridge) in Sinhala. When one stands underneath it and looks up there is a beautiful sight of 'nine skies' through the nine arches, hence the Sinhala name. This bridge is also called 'The Bridge in the sky' due to the sheer height.
Location: - Haputale Hotel: Melheim Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will visit the Lipton Seat. Lipton Seat is located on the top of the Poonagala hill; this is quite literally the point from which the Scottish tea baron Thomas Lipton would often proudly survey his tea plantations. On a clear day it offers a spectacular view of mountain ranges, lakes and valleys all the way to the southern coast. You will hike to the point through lush tea plantations or you can opt to drive up in the comfort with your guide.
Dambatenne Tea Factory was built in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton himself, this colonial tea factory is still in operation today. The term “Ceylon Tea” was coined here, and Lipton’s Tea was founded and sold its first pound of tea from the precincts of this very factory. The factory tour is an education in the intricate processes involved in the fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea, and the comprehensive tour culminates with an authentic tea tasting experience (It’s closed on Sundays).
Location: - Haputale Hotel: Melheim Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will travel from Haputale to Kandy part by road & train.Travel time is approximately 4 hours depending on the road traffic.
After breakfast you will experience the most breath-taking train journey for 1 ½ hours. You will travel from Haputale to Nanu Oya through tea plantations and rolling hills on a scenic train. This train journeys recorded in the Guinness Books of Records as the one of the world’s best scenic train journeys. Your guide will pick you up at the Nanu Oya Station and you will go to your hotel.
As the road winds through the hills, you will pass picturesque waterfalls, tumbling down hillsides and vantage points, which afford views over a panorama of rugged hills stretching far into the distance. There are many viewpoints to stop by along the way.
en-route to the scenic journey from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy you will discover Ramboda falls. This unique and beautiful sight can be seen at the Pussellawa area of Nuwara Eliya, at the Ramboda Pass. Nestled in the central highlands of the Nuwara Eliya District, the Ramboda Falls is a unique waterfall in the country as it is really 2 waterfalls in one location, plunging from a staggering height of more than 100-metres and surrounded by the lush green forests of the hill country. It serves to be a great landmark and resting spot for the weary traveller journeying about the Sri Lankan up country, as its serene views and pleasant restaurants really do soothe ruffled feathers. The Ramboda Falls is known for being one of the best waterfalls in up country Sri Lanka that provide surreal natural sceneries of the mountains draped in the evergreen landscape of tea plantations, making it one of the ideal places to capture some amazing shots of the central highlands of Sri Lanka with your camera.
Location: -Kandy Hotel: Grand Serendib Hotel Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will travel from Kandy to Pasikkuda, Travel time approximately 3 ½ hours, depending on the road traffic.
In the morning you will visit The Temple of the Tooth & Buddhist Museum, Sri Dalada Maligawa dates back to the 16th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19th century. Venerated as the most important object in the Buddhist world, the Sacred Relic of the Tooth of Buddha is enshrined at the Temple. Brought from India 2500 years ago, it is said that the possessor of the Relic had the right to rule the country. The Relic is kept in a gold casket and stored amidst great security in the Inner Chamber.
Afterwards you will explore the Kandy City & markets. Kandy is a beautiful historical city in the citadel of the country. It is not only known for its great kings who ruled the city for almost 225 years independently until the British took over in 1815, but it is also a place where the Sacred Tooth of Lord Buddha is laid in a magnificent temple.
The winding narrow streets and waterfront promenades of Kandy city centre, just opposite the palace is a great place for a stroll and for shopping – with the beautiful lake in front of you and the lush mountains, stupas and Buddha statues all around. Then you will Travel to Pasikkuda.
Location: -Pasikuda Hotel: Calm Pasikuda Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast & Dinner
At leisure
Location: -Pasikuda Hotel: Calm Pasikuda Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will travel from pasikkuda to Sigiriya. Travel time approximately 2 ½ hours. Depending on the road traffic.
Enroute visit Polonnaruwa, it was the mediaeval capital of Sri Lanka, and today it is one of the most beautiful centres of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and UNESCO Heritage site. With its comparatively brief history and a dozen rules, it is far more completely preserves ruin than Anuradhapura. Visit the ancient ruins and Gal Vihara complex, where 3 gigantic Buddha's statues are carved out of a single rock. You also will be able to see the toque macaque monkeys found only in Sri Lanka.
Location: -Sigiriya Hotel: Aliya Resort Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will climb up the Sigiriya rock. The 8th wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sigiriya, is a massive rock in the green scrub jungle, is perhaps the most astonishing place for the visitors with unique views between human imagination and nature. The site was known from ancient times as a hermitage for Buddhist monks. A well-planned monastic complex included caved temples, bathing pools, lovely ponds, and Asia's oldest surviving landscaped gardens. The "Lion stairway", the "mirror wall" and the "water gardens" are its other highlights. The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kashyap I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 370 m high (the 'Lion's Rock', which dominates the jungle from all sides).
Optional – Lorries walk
One of the highlights of staying at The Ibis is that one can opt to go in search of the extremely elusive Grey Slender Loris. They are known to be among the rarest of all the primate species, The Loris is omnivorous consuming mainly fruits, geckos and insects. The Loris is a nocturnal creature, so excursions to seek out this fascinating mammal can only be arranged after dusk. Starts at The Ibis at 6.30pm & the watch is in and around the property with our naturalist. Please note no cameras maybe used as the flash is harmful to the animal. We do permit videoing with artificial lighting.
USD 20Per Person
Location: -Wilpattu Hotel: The Ibis Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Today you will travel to Negombo from Wilpattu. Travel time approximately 3hours. Depending on the road traffic.
In Morning safari at Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu National Park (‘Land of Lakes’) is situated in the Northwest coast near the ancient city of Anuradhapura. It is the largest and oldest National park in Sri Lanka consisting 140,000 hectares of mostly dry zone evergreen forest cover and coastal belt to the West. This is one of best places to see leopards in Sri Lanka along with Yala National Park. The open grassy plains set within the thick dense scrub jungle. The wetland includes around 48 shallow natural lakes known as Villus, natural basins that are filled up with rainwater and two salt water lakes. These natural lakes are the most important parts of the complex eco-system in the park.
The park is home to elusive Leopards, elephants, Sloth bears, Water Buffalos, Mugger Crocodiles, Spotted and Barking Deer, Wild Boar and Pythons. You will see the wild elephants particularly near lakes early in the morning and late afternoons Alongside these wild animals you will be able to see many endemic birds including the Ceylon Jungle fowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Wood shrike and Black-capped Bulbul in riverine habitats. Butterflies recorded include the Great Egg fly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bush brown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and Crimson Rose. As well as diverse varieties of colourful butterflies can be seen in the park.. The wild life is abundant around lakes and coastal belt such as White Ibis, Open Bills, Painted Storks Spoonbills, Egrets, Whistling Teals, Kingfishers and also the water buffalos, monitors and crocodiles.
Location: -Negombo Hotel: Jetwing Blue Room: Deluxe Board: Breakfast only
Today you will travel to the Airport for the flight back to your country. Travel time : approximately 30minutes.