| PROGRAMME |
: Mixed Activity Tour. |
| DURATION |
: 6 Nights / 7 Days. |
| PERIOD |
: Valid till 31-Oct-2006 |
| Day 01 - Arrival
& transfer to Belihuloya (HB) |
|
| Arrival and transfer to Belihuloya River
Garden Nature Related Activity Center. |
|
BELIHULOYA is
a very picturesque hamlet situated about 160km from Colombo
in the historical “Sabaragamuwa” province. This zone is a
climatically transitional area linking the wet & dry zones
and the hill country & the low country. This very important
location has made it one of the places in the country with
the highest bio-diversity. River Garden Resort is built in
this little hamlet.
The small old house, now the KINCHIGUNE
ECO LODGE / CAMP, maintained by the River Garden Resort,
built on a land at the waters’ edge of the “Samanalawewa”
reservoir, is over hundred years old. Though renovated, every
effort was taken to preserve its’ old architecture, while
keeping the basic requirement of the modern person in mind.
It still has its mud walls, mud & cow dung mixture spread
floor, kithul poles in windows etc. Old Sinhala tiles have
been replaced by new tiles but are covered with straw to give
it the old appearance.
EVENING - RIVER BATHING
IN A NATURAL ROCK POOL IN “BELIHULOYA”.
This is a unique place where two streams namely “Belihuloya”
and “Galagamaoya” meet together creating a natural bathing
area with clear unpolluted water that flows down from “Horton
Plains”, 2200 meters above the sea level.
KINCHIGUNE CAMP.
Forget any ideas about cramped tents and sitting on the ground
for mealtimes – this is camping in style! The site is set
up prior to your arrival, you will depart with a hearty barbecue
meal the night before – the whole area is lit up with traditional
flame torches and a roaring campfire. So sit back, relax and
let our experienced staff cater to your every need.
SCHEDULE
• Arrival at River Garden Resort - Belihuloya.
• At leisure until dinner. (Optional – trekking to Kinchigune)
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping /
Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.
|
| Day 02 - Samanalawawe Reservoir (FB) |
|
| Activities at Kinchigune & Samanalawawa
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 Samanalawewa reservoir
is named after the Sinhalese word ‘samanala’, meaning ‘butterfly’,
hinting not only at the terrific number of butterflies in
the area but also the actual shape of the reservoir. The word
‘wewa’ literally means ‘ tank’ (another term often used to
describe reservoirs). 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.
SCHEDULE
• After breakfast proceed to the Samanalawewa Reservoir for
canoeing. - 7km (from one end to the other).
• Finishing the canoeing, packed lunch will be provided.
• Start cycling along the reservoir after lunch up to the
Kinchigune “Eco Lodge”. (8 – 9 km)
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping /
Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.
|
| Day 03 - Horton Plains – Bambarakanda
– Nuwara Eliya |
|
| Leaving to Horton Plains National
park via Bambarakanda - trekking from Belihuloya. |
BAMBARAKANDA
FALLS
Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep
rocks and dark green forests of pines and tropic trees the highest
waterfall of Sri Lanka [240.8m] plunges with two silver ropes
over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between
Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 500m walking
distance from the trail.
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.
NUWARA ELIYA has a cool sparkling
climate with the temperature changing around 13degC 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. Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied
Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher are very common.
SCHEDULE
• After an early breakfast or packed breakfast trekking to
Horton Plains via Bambarakanda at 6.30 am.
• Packed lunch will be provided at a suitable location while
trekking. 26km without Horton Plains trek. This could be reduced
to 21km if required.
• Total distance of trekking in side the Horton Plains park
would be 6km.[ Graded as a soft trail]
• Finishing the trekking at Horton Plains proceed to Nuwara
Eliya.
• Dinner & night stay at Nuwara Eliya. Value – The Rock
or similar / Standard – Gallway Forest Lodge or similar /
Deluxe – Tea Factory Hotel or similar. |
| Day 04 - Nuwara Eliya
- Kitulgala - Kandy (FB) |
|
| You will proceed to Kitulgala
for white water rafting and then proceed to Kandy. |
|
“An interesting
affair between currents & rapids”…………
WHITE WATER
RAFTING.
This thrilling adventure on the white water sections
of Kelani River is suitable for amateurs as well
as professionals alike. During the run you will
experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria
of making it through. The river’s clear water
is born in the heart of the peak wilderness reserve
and tumbles through a rocky gorge just above Kithulgala.
KANDY
was the last stronghold of the Buddhist political
power against colonial powers. It is also the
home of the Temple of the Tooth relic. Its architectural
monuments date mainly from the 19th century, when
Vikrama Rajashinha went on a building spree, the
cost of which hastened the downfall and eventual
surrender to the British forces.
DALADA MALIGAWA
The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Malgawa dates
from the 16th century, though most of the present
buildings were built in the 19th century. Entering
the shrine over a moonstone step, you pass a stone
depicting the Indian goddess Lakshmi and a wall
with frescoes illustrating the Buddhist conception
of hell. The upper stories house the relic of
the tooth, caged behind the gilded iron bars.
Behind the tooth relic sanctuary is a hall with
a number of golden Buddha statues and modern paintings,
showing Buddha’s life and the arrival of Buddhism
in the land. We end our tour just before the evening
drumming begins, which precedes the ceremonious
opening of the window for the public viewing of
the casket with the tooth.
SCHEDULE
• After an early breakfast or packed breakfast,
proceed to Kitulgala for white water rafting.
• Start rafting at 10 am. Finishing at 12 or 12.30pm.
• Lunch at Kitulgala.
• After lunch proceed to Kandy.
• Visit the “Dalada Maligawa” (temple of the tooth)
in the evening.
• Night dinner & stay in Kandy. Value – Gem
Inn or similar / Standard – Suisse Hotel or similar
/ Deluxe – Earls Regency or similar. |
| Day 05 - Kandy
– Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa (FB) |
|
| Leaving to Polonnaruwa
via Sigiriya. |
| 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. 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’ (aka ‘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!
SCHEDULE
• After an early breakfast or packed breakfast,
proceed to Polonnaruwa via Sigiriya.
• Sigiriya rock climb in the morning.
• Lunch at Sigiriya.
• After lunch proceed to Polonnaruwa.
• Polonnaruwa sightseeing.
• Dinner & night stay over at Polonnaruwa.
Value – Sudu Araliya or similar / Standard
– The Royal Lotus Hotel or similar / Deluxe
– Deer Park Hotel or similar. |
|
| Day 06 - Polonnaruwa
– Dambulla - Colombo (FB) |
|
| After breakfast proceed
to Colombo via Dambulla. |
| DAMBULLA,
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 1st 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. COLOMBO
Like many capital cities in developing countries,
the face of Colombo is quickly changing.
Skyscrapers now tower over the streets where
old buildings once stood and modern shopping
malls attract locals and foreigners alike
in search of a bargain. However, in some
parts the ‘Old World’ charm is retained,
such as the 100-year-old clock tower and
several British built colonial buildings.
Other places of interest include the Pettah
markets, the old Parliament in the Fort
district, the new parliament in Thimbirigasyaya,
and a wide variety of churches, mosques
and temples that are sentiment to the many
different religions that dominate the country.
In terms of shopping, there is a wide range
of colorful fabrics, batiks, handicrafts
and other souvenirs. Clothes are also especially
good value and there are a number of specialized
outlets sure to satisfy the most serious
of shoppers!
SCHEDULE
• After an early breakfast proceed to Colombo
via Dambulla.
• Visit the cave temple on your way.
• Lunch on the way at a hotel or restaurant.
• Evening Colombo city tour.
• Dinner & night stay at a hotel in
Colombo. Value – Grand Oriental Hotel or
similar / Standard – Galle Face Hotel or
similar / Deluxe – Trans Asia Hotel or similar. |
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SCHEDULE
• Leaving to the Katunayake international airport
after breakfast. |
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| - End of Programme - |
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No
of Pax |
01 Pax |
02 Pax |
03 Pax |
04 Pax |
Value |
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Standard |
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Luxary |
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make programmes. How ever we are flexible enough to do minor changes to the ready made itineraries, with out any charge. ? Please write to us.
Do you own programme – Visit the location and activity pages on our site and you will come across mini tours in all of those pages. By combining them you can design your own tour. We will complete it by adding on the hotels and other cultural locations you may require.
Your tour will be handled by an experienced travel consultant who will provide a personalized service.
Our programmes are offered in the following 3 standards. Accommodation options have been selected after careful evaluation.
Standard -Value: Basic but clean. With a typical Sri Lankan touch , relaxed atmosphere and personalized service at Small family / enterprise run operations.
Standard - 3 Star equal: Better comforts and facilities with extra comforts. Mostly large establishments with Standardized service.
Standard - Deluxe: High standards of quality, décor, service and much more, with many extra comforts and activities to indulge yourself. We have offered locations with a unique Sri Lankan individuality, measuring up to international standards. |
 Please inquire for our special group rates for more than 4 pax. |
| Tour operators/agents & tourism related web portals may contact with all information for special rates. |
| Expectations ours and yours. |
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