Beautiful Nature of Sri Lanka

12 Days/11 Nights

Day 1

• Arrive at Katunayake International Airport.
  
• You will be met and greet by our Representative at the Airport & transfer to Ratnapura
• Check in at the hotel
• Evening, sightseeing tour in Ratnapura, including a visit to the gem mine
• Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been known as a land of gems.
  
• King Solomon was said to have procured a great ruby for the Queen of Sheba from Ceylon.
  
• Marco Polo wrote of wonderful gems, especially of the great ruby that once graced the "Ruwanweli Seya Dagoba" in Anuradhapura - a "flawless ruby a span long and quite as thick as a man's arm". He may have been exaggerating a bit but the gems plucked from the earth here have attained worldwide attention and acclaim.
• Overnight stay at hotel in Ratnapura

Day 2

• After early breakfast, 
• A trek through the Sinharaja Forest uncovers many surprises.
  
• Here is one of our greatest treasures reflected in the abundance of plant and animal life.
  
• This is the home of our most valuable woods; teak and ebony, rosewood and satinwood. Tall trees form a canopy overhead to shade you from the sun.
  
• Orchids and Liana droop or curl on overhanging branches and on the floor of the forest are green mosses and ferns like delicate filigree; a delight for any botanist.
  
• The stillness of this lovely place is punctuated at intervals by birdsongs and the murmur of cicadas.
• Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forest in Sri Lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west .The length of the forest is about 21km and width from North to South is about 3.7km.It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978,as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest Eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of its International Network of Biosphere reserves. It was declared a National wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989.
• It is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of the country in the districts of Ratnapura, Galle and Matara.  
• On completion leave for Embilipitiya 
• Check in at the hotel
• Dinner and overnight stay at Embilipitiya

Day 3

• After early breakfast,
  
• proceed with jeep safari at Udawalawa National park.
  
• This is another of our national parks and is situated around a reservoir of the same name in the South-Central part of the island.
  
• Herds of elephants can be seen along the banks of the reservoir.
  
• Small game like deer or barking deer can be seen frequently. No leopard or bear roams in this park.
• Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus ) is considered as a major    endangered species and their survival in the natural habitat is threatened due   to expansion of various human informal activities.
  
• Therefore the human and elephant conflict is increasing and as a result of that elephants in natural forests are constantly being destroyed and baby elephants become orphaned or abandoned.
• Elephant Transit Home (Eth Athuru Sevena) is an elephant orphanage maintained by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) for protecting the orphaned baby elephants in Sri Lanka. This has been established in 1995 in Udawalawa National Park. Main purpose of this ETH (Elephant Transit Home) is taking care of orphaned baby elephants until they become young and release them into their natural habitat.
• On completion, leave for Katharagama
• Check in at the hotel 
• Evening visit Kataragama temple at the time of Pooja ceremony starts. 
• Kataragama (Katirkamam) is a unique Murukan temple amongst all the temples in Sri Lanka. It is a place where all ethnic groups and religious cultures meet and mingle. Veddas, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims all claim to preserve the 'original' tradition of Kataragama. In spite of all the socio-political conflicts, the shrine continues to flourish.
  
• The temple is located in the southeastern region of the country, which is a thick forest covered area. But its cultural origin is buried in ancient history. Just as the social history of the country remains a mystery, the historical origin of the temple is also shrouded in mystery. 
• Dinner and overnight stay at Kataragama

Day 4

• After breakfast,
  

• proceed with day program with interacting with villages in typical Sri Lankan village, which inclusive or scenery 5 tanks in the village and its surroundings, wild life etc...then move down to the village, observe the lifestyle of villages, farming and agriculture and their cottage industries, and cookery demonstration and share with their thoughts and ideas. (Can arrange a typical Sri Lankan Rice and Curry lunch in the village serves in village style on request basis)

• Afternoon, leave for Yala

• Check in at the hotel

•  Proceed with Jeep Safari at Yala National Park

• This National Park is located in the South-East and offers you the chance of seeing animals such as wild boar, deer, leopards, elephants, monkeys, and crocodiles in their natural environment.
  

• The best times to spot these animals are in the early morning hours, or at dusk when they come out of the seclusion of the jungle to drink water at the edge of the tank.

• Dinner and overnight stay at Yala

Day 5

• Breakfast at the hotel,
  
• leave for Nuwara Eliya.
  
• Visit famous Buduruwagala temple en route
• About 5 kilometers South of Wellawaya and off the trampled track surrounded by a beautiful ancient lake, is the famous rock sculptures of Buduruwagala which is still relatively less known. These seven colossal figures pertaining to the Mahayana Buddhist Doctrine sculptured on to a rock face is still a controversy. A side road to the west reaches the seven colossal figures carved out of a rock face.
  
• The seven colossal figure sculpted in to a rock face are dated to the 9th or the 10th century. The central figure of the group is the Buddha, standing 51 feet and is the largest standing Buddha in Sri Lanka. Buduruwagala rock a stone Shrine situated above the Buduruwagala tank in a charming place below a mountain, in the Wellawaya in Uva province.
• On completion, leave for Nuwara Eliya, also a stop at "Ella Falls" famous water fall can observe en route.
• The Ravana Ella, Sri Lanka has its roots connected to the times of the famous eastern epic, Ramayana and it has been named after the brawny daemon ruler of Lanka, Ravana. It is said that after kidnapping Sita, Ravana had hidden her at the caves behind this waterfall when Shri Rama was drawing close to Lanka with his army to rescue her. The cave came to be known as Ravana Ella cave. The place was then a thick afforested region in the midst of wilderness. Rama's queen is believed to have wandered around here while she was confined. She also bathed in a pool that accumulated its eddying water from these Ravana Falls.
• Check in at hotel in Nuwara Eliya,
• Dinner and overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

Day 6

• Early breakfast at the hotel,
  
• leave for day excursion to Horton plains by Jeep / Vans.
• Horton plains located in the highest plateau of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level. Usually the Plains are visible before 10 a.m., as otherwise the mist covers the view.
  
• The highlight of the Plains is the terrific escarpment which drops vertically for about 1,000 feet.
  
• On a very clear day, one could view the east horizon too.
• Rare species of fauna and flora are found here.
  
• This Plain was once the hunting ground for the British Governor Mr. Farr. Today the home of Mr. Farr has been turned into a Rest House and is called "Farr Inn".
• Evening, proceed with sightseeing tour in Nuwara Eliya
• Nuwara Eliya which means the "city of lights" is also the city of eternal spring, where the air is pure, cool and distilled up through 1,884 meters; windswept peaks lie shrouded in mist, while gaily clad tea pluckers wind their way among tea bushes. Listen to the wild music of the water falls. 
• This is a holiday resort ideal for hikes, golf and boating
• Nostalgic reminder of the English country-side
• Dinner and overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya 
  

Day 7

• Breakfast at the hotel, leave for Kandy.
  
• Visit tea factory and plantation en route to observe the process of famous Sri Lankan Tea.
• Thereafter visit The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya
• This lovely city is the erstwhile Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its centre, it is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth". Place of interest are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Mahaweli Diversion Project in their impressive settings. Spice Gardens  dot the outskirts of Kandy along with handicraft centres and the market-place is a hub of activity. Kandy retains an aura of grandeur which time has not effaced.
• Evening visit temple of the tooth relic, and witness cultural dance show in the city which displays the traditional Sri Lankan dancing,
• Dinner and overnight stay at Kandy 
  

Day 8

• After early breakfast, leave for your beach hotel,
  
• en route visit elephant orphanage at Pinnawela
• witness bottle feeding of baby elephants and enjoy the picturesque scenery of elephant bating in the river
• This Orphanage is the home for about 60 elephants, which some are baby elephants abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are cared for, fed & trained by the Wild Life Authorities.
  
• The best time to visit is during feeding times when one can witness the baby elephants being bottle-fed. It is also possible to accompany the elephants to a river nearby to see them having a bath.
• On completion, leave for your beach resort in Bentota / Beruwela
• Check in at hotel and at leisure
• Dinner and overnight stay at Bentota / Beruwela  

Day 9

• Breakfast and proceed with day excursion to Galle
• This southern seaport was the 17th Century centre of Dutch rule. The town is full of Dutch monuments, ramparts and forts, to bear witness to this fact.
  
• Galle is also famous for its ebony carving and delicate hand made lace. It has a pleasant atmosphere and a fine view of the sea.
• Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. During the Dutch period in Ceylon, the Dutch brought labourers from Indonesia and Mozambique to build this massive fort.
  
• Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished. Today many Dutch people who still own most of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world.
• Today, the citizens of Dutch fort in Galle are trying to make this a free port and a free trade zone. If successful no taxes are levied on the companies and individuals who reside inside the city. This is known as " World heritage site"
• Visit turtle conservation centre, and mask making factory en route. Also visit moonstone mines at Meetiyagoda, and also can proceed with a Boat trip in Beautiful Madu River.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Bentota / Beruwela

Days 10 and 11

• Full day at leisure on the beach

Day 12

• After breakfast, leave for airport
  
• en route sightseeing tour in Colombo
• On completion, leave for airport in time for departure flight

Preliminary price calculation per person:

2 participants without a guide from Europe 21 500,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  32 500,- CZK

3 participants without a guide from Europe 18 500,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  25 000,- CZK

4 participants without a guide from Europe 18 500,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  23 500,- CZK

5 participants without a guide from Europe 18 500,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 22 500,- CZK

6 participants without a guide from Europe 18 500,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  22 000,- CZK

7-12 participants 19 000,- CZK (specialized English speaking guide from Europe included)

13-18 participants 17 500,- CZK (specialized English speaking guide from Europe included)

19-25 participants 17 000,- CZK (specialized English speaking guide from Europe included)

Single room supplement:  6 500,-CZK

 

Included in the price:

Transfer from/to the airport

Hotel accomodation

Half board

Transportation in an airconditioned vehicle

English speaking local driver for a group up to 6 participants, English speaking local guide for a group from 7 participants

Local taxes and 12% VAT

National parks entrance fees

Cost for jeeps in national parks

 

Not included in the price:

International air tickets

Drinks

Any personal expenses - telephones, laundry, etc.

Health insurance

Tips for driver and local guides