This 5-day itinerary in Sri Lanka starts with your arrival and a transfer to Kandy, where you'll explore vibrant markets and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth. The next day, enjoy a scenic drive to Nuwara Eliya, known as "Little England," with a stop at the Seetha Aman Temple. On Day 3, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage before heading to Bentota for beach relaxation. Day 4 offers leisure time with optional whale watching and a visit to the historic Galle Dutch Fort. Conclude your journey on Day 5 with a transfer to the airport for departure.
Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage site), the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka, locally referred to as “Nuwara” meaning The Great City, is the most scenic ancient city in the country and the only city that borders a natural reserve – the Udawatte Kele famous for its avifauna.
Sri Dalada Maligawa as its known locally or The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most sacred & famous Buddhist sites, not only in Sri Lanka but the world over .
This spectacular 17th century temple took nearly a hundred years to construct from 1687 to 1782 and houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Rituals are performed daily at 04:30, 10:30 and 6:30 p.m. The sacred square and old city centre within the temple complex contain the four shrines of the Gods Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama and the Goddess Pattini and many historical buildings and museums.
Sigiriya ExcursionThe temple is host to one of Asia’s most celebrated festivals, The "Esala" procession, held during the month of July/August around the Full Moon. The casket of the tooth relic is paraded through the streets on the back of a tusked elephant in a grand procession followed by several traditional dancers, drummers and torch bearers accompanied by over a hundred beautifully costumed elephants.
Nestled in the highlands, not only does its rich historical significance make “Nuwara” a popular tourist destination, but also the many shops displaying precious and semi-precious stones, skillfully crafted jewelry, handicrafts, colorful batiks and silks, and local food add unforgettable flavor to this beautiful city.
Perched high up in the hills, nearly a mile above sea level, Nuwara Eliya at 1869 meters, sits like a sentinel overlooking tea country on all sides. Piduruthalagala, Sri Lanka's tallest peak is only a short way away.
A replica of English country towns with their lush greenery and profusion of gorgeous flora, Nuwara Eliya is touted as "Little England" with its Victorian houses, a colourful park, golf coarse, Lake Gregory, a racecourse and Hakkgala Gardens. A number of hotels including colonial structures like the Hill Club and the Grand Hotel which lives up to its name to this day, a uniquely converted tea factory hotel, with amazing attention to detail built among tea gardens only hours away from the town, and several holiday homes make this a popular holiday resort.The climate is cool throughout the year with an annual average temperature of a chilly 15.9C and nearly 2,000 mm of rain, alternated by days of bright sunshine. The British established Nuwra Eliya in the 19th Century, to cater to the Europeans settled in Sri Lanka, to whom it came to be home away from home if only for short spells.Hindu pilgrims from around the world visit the Hanuman and Seetha Amman Temples based on the Ramayana epic of Rama & Seetha .
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is home to the world’s largest troupe of captive pachyderms. The animals here range from newborns to elderly matriarchs, and include abandoned elephants, as well as those injured in the wild. Twice daily, the elephants are driven to the Ma Oya river for a leisurely bath but its best to coincide your visit with feeding time – watching the orphaned youngsters guzzle enormous quantities of milk from oversized baby bottles is one of the cutest sights you will ever see. Feeding times are 09:15 am, 13:15 pm and 17:15 pm.
Sri Lanka’s waters are home to blue whales, the largest mammal in the world; seeing a blue whale up close and personal is an experience that cannot be described in words. Blue whales are thought to live as long as 200 years and subsist on a diet of krill and other types of plankton. Off Sri Lanka’s coast is the largest known pod of blue whales in the world, with over 1000 whales. Among the other types of whales, one might encounter in Sri Lanka’s blue waters during whale watching tours include sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and if lucky, killer whales (also known as orcas).
In addition to whales, dolphin watching in Sri Lanka is also popular. One might get to see both whales and dolphins. Among the species of dolphins are Bottlenose Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, and Striped Dolphins. Dolphins are playful and will swim alongside boats.
Optional: Madhu River Boat Ride
The Port city of Galle has grown from its ancient origins into Sri Lanka's 5th largest city, but it differs from the rest in terms of character & atmosphere. Its sea front gives it a languid air. At the heart of the city - but strangely detached from it - lies the Old Dutch Quarter known as the Fort. Dutch administrators and those in their service lived within the Fort protected by its city walls and the ramparts by the sea. Its entrance, a massive archway gives it a medieval air and appears magically time warped, with its red tiled Dutch period villas, their open verandahs facing the narrow streets, bearing names like Church Street, Leyban Street and such like.
A well-preserved townscape with several imposing churches, Dutch period storehouses, a courthouse and a lighthouse jutting out to sea, it has lasted through the centuries. A stroll on its lengthy ramparts overlooking a natural harbour at sunset is a must. Other places to visit include a marine museum, the St. Mary’s Church and thoughtfully restored Amangalle, a historic luxury hotel.
Life moves at an easy pace within the Fort. Visitors may relax at any of its several arty restaurants and watering holes.
The Galle Literary Festival held during the 1st quarter, is a much sought after annual event that has secured its place on the cultural calendar." The Festival throws, people, cultures, hot ideas, hot food, laughter, poetry and arrack together in a beautiful country. Pointless to resist," Sebastian Faulks a participant had this to say of the event.
Outside the Fort, Galle has a cricket stadium and a string of resort hotels along its coast; a favorite for visitors, has been the beautiful stretch at Unawatuna beach.
You will leave for the airport in time for your departure flight.
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