Overview
A great escape for the traveller seeking a short holiday in Sri Lanka covering key Wildlife and Cultural highlights.
Your adventure begins within the walls of the Galle Dutch Fort. Then travel to Mirissa, to try encountering the world’s largest mammal; the Blue Whale. Or Koggala Lake experience. Moving to Sri Lanka’s second largest national park of Yala, then go to the highly Instagrammed Nine Arches Bridge & Little Adam’s peak and the most scenic train journey in the hill country, climbing to cool Kandy, you will explore the making of traditional arts. Then climb the Sigiriya rock, also called the Lion Rock, at sunset and Pidurangala Rock, at sunrise; and visit Dambulla Cave Temple and then it is time for you to go to the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.
Mindful of minimum transfer time, we have handpicked hotels, for the duration of your break. Tasteful and comfortable – we are sure you will enjoy your hotel stays, as you travel across the island.
Ideal For – Conveniently available throughout the year, this short journey is ideal for those who have busy schedules and are not able to take longer vacations or want to combine with another destination like Maldives or India. Solo Travelers/ Couples/ Friends / Small groups up to 6 persons / Families with Kids and Teenagers.
Highlights at a glance
- A walk in the Living Heritage in Galle; Galle Dutch fort with your Chauffeur.
- Witnessing the world’s largest mammal Blue Whales in their natural habitat [best seen from November to March] or alternatively Koggala Lake boat safari.
- Explore the Leopards kingdom; Yala.
- Stay at Tented Safari Camp bordering the National Park in Sri Lanka and experience guided safaris, candlelight dinners under the stars, night walks and delicious BBQ served by roaring campfires.
- Climb the Little Adam’s Peak and witness the world famous Nine Arch Bridge.
- Go on a train ride, visit tea plantations.
- Exploring the cultural highlights blended with traditional arts & crafts in Kandy, the hill capital.
- Explore the historic caves in the Dambulla Cave Temple, which contain paintings, statues and relics accumulated over a period of 2,000 years.
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Pidurangala Rock to see sunset & sunrise.
- Experience the traditional and modern day cultural diversities in Colombo, the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka.
Itinerary
Welcome to Sri Lanka! The start of many wonderful memories! On your arrival you will be picked up by our chauffeur who will be with you throughout the tour.
The drive to Galle is about 2 ¼ hours on the highway. Upon arrival, you can decide to spend the rest of your day at the hotel relaxing or join your Chauffeur for a walk in the city.
Joe’s Resort
Depending on when you tour in Sri Lanka, you will leave early by 6-6:30am to go whale watching from the Mirissa harbor. This is an exciting adventure when you may sight Blue whales and Bottle-nosed dolphins. Or, you can visit the Koggala Lake, a beautiful lake located a few kilometers away from Galle. It is a paradise for nature lovers that are keen to explore and study the natural biodiversity and ecosystem. The lake is surrounded by lush green mangrove swamps. You can explore the whole area and all of the 8 islands in Koggala Lake. You can visit the historical Koggala Buddhist Temple, which is considered to be one of Sri Lanka’s ancient temples. After exploring the temple you will be able to visit Madol Duwa which is one of the seven islands located in the Koggala Lake. You will be able to see Bird Island and Cinnamon Island as well.
Then will be heading to the land of leopards. After checking in at Yala Camping site, you will visit Kataragama Temple for evening rituals.
It’s time for your morning jeep Safari at the Yala National Park, along with a professional and experienced tracker. During your Safari in the Park you will encounter Elephants, Crocodiles, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Eagles, Cobras, Peacocks and more. With rocky coasts, mountains, vast lakes and plains, the landscape of Yala is a treat for the eyes and is the perfect backdrop for exciting sightings!
After the safari, you will proceed to Ella. This journey takes 3 hours to Ella. After checking into the hotel and evening visit to the highly Instagrammed Nine Arches Bridge. Occasionally, the train pauses on the bridge to give visitors a special photo opportunity, so keep your fingers crossed for that. From there, you’ll be taken for a hike up Little Adam’s Peak where you can see more spellbinding scenery over the highlands.
100 View Hotel
The next day early in the morning you will transfer to Nanu Oya railway station. En route visit Halpe Tea Factory and witness the process of making world renowned Ceylon Tea. From Nanuoya, you get on a train where you will have a scenic train ride through the tea plantations and waterfalls alongside the mountain valleys up to your next destination – Kandy, surrounded by mountains and blessed with cool weather, is where the Temple of the Tooth Relic is located. Once you reach Kandy by evening, you will visit Kandy Temple of Tooth Relic, which is the most sacred place to the Buddhists in Sri Lanka, before you check in at your hotel.
Melheim Villa
After breakfast, you will proceed to the next destination of Sigiriya. En route you will visit Dambulla Cave Temple, the impressive mural paintings and 157 statues, including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. Recognised as a sacred pilgrimage site, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cave monastery is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Then we will reach Sigiriya, a World Heritage Site, by evening and you will get to climb the famous Lion Rock or Sigiriya Fortress, once home and safe haven to an ancient king Kashyapa. But you will be awed by the comprehensive planning of a palace and quarters for subjects and even landscaped gardens – executed in the 5th century BC!
Hotel Wewa Addara
Early in the morning you will climb to Pindurangala rock. With its height of 199 metres, Pidurangala Rock has a long history that is widely believed to date back to the second century BC and is where a monastery was built by King Kashyapa.
Leave for Colombo; from Sigiriya to Colombo it’s a 3 and 1/2 hours journey. A melting pot of cultures and commerce, Colombo is a lively city with the most fascinating history. Ancient Arab sailors frequented these ports to trade with the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonists that occupied the city. Today, Colombo has something from everyone! Visit impressive cultural sights, Buddhist Temples and Hindu Kovils scattered throughout the city and experience the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people. Drive through the city’s commercial centre known as the “Fort”, where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern hotels and office structures. Explore the vibrant markets and bazaars in Pettah. Discover the Museums and Art Centres with their fine collections of antiques, arts and crafts of Sri Lanka. Or indulge in shopping and tasting Sri Lankan delicacies.
Granbell Hotel
We’ve reached the end of your 6-night holiday to Sri Lanka and it is time to depart. You will be taken to Colombo Airport in time to catch your departure flight.
Includes/Excludes
Includes
- 6 nights accommodation.
- Bed & Breakfast basis at all hotels except Big Game Campsite on Half Board basis.
- Transportation in an Air conditioned vehicle with an English Speaking Guide throughout the tour including Airport Transfers.
- Jeep Safaris in the above mentioned National Park in a Shared Jeep including the entry permit costs & government tracker fees. Including 01 half day safari at Yala.
- Service charges at the hotels & current applicable taxes by the Sri Lankan Government.
Excludes
- Any International or Domestic flights.
- Any Visa fee or ETA fee. (Electronic Travel Authorization)
- Christmas & New Year Eve dinner supplement. (24th & 31st December)
- Perahera Supplement at Kandy Hotel during the Perahera Period.
- Entry permits to all the sites, temples, museums & monuments.
- Any additional beverage or food.
- Early Check-in or Late Checkout Charges at Hotels.
- Any tips to the staff.
- Any expense of personal requirements telephone, laundry, hotel extra bills etc.)
- Any additional expenses , other than mentioned in the inclusions list above.
When it comes to the accommodation, all the reservations are subject to availability at the time of confirmation, and as soon as we have received the payment, our Tour Operations Team will take in charge of your tour and proceed with the reservations. In case a hotel mentioned in your itinerary has no availability, we will find you an alternative. No changes will be done without your approval!
We will make a rough day-by-day schedule for your tour, but won’t set you exact timings for each and every activity – unless there is a an activity which start at a specific time. Since you will be traveling by private vehicle, with a knowledgeable driver-guide, we want you to have your part in decision making. With the help from him, you may tune the schedule to your rhythm.
Along the destinations included in your itinerary, you are free to take as many stops as you want to. When it comes to additional visits and destinations that are located out of the original route, the extra kilometers will be taken in consideration. For your journey, we will calculate a total mileage that is sufficient for the whole tour and mentioned in your itinerary. If this limit is exceeded, we will charge a supplement according the extra mileage.
We’ll do our best to accommodate the programme in your needs and wishes, if something urgent occurs during your tour. In a situation that requires changing the accommodation, the cancellation policies of the hotels concerned are to be taken on account.
Since the 1st of January 2012, all travelers must be in possession of a visa when arriving in Sri Lanka. Citizens from Singapore and The Maldives are the only exempt. Visitors can apply for the official Electronic Travel Authorization (visa) via www.eta.gov.lk, or upon arrival at the airport. There is a small fee to pay, and you must have at least six months left on your passport at the time of travel to obtain one.
MasterCard and Visa are widely used and accepted by many local shops, restaurants and hotels, but it’s always better to double check. Other major cards such as AmEx and DinersClub are accepted often also.
The important stuff
Sri lanka is a nation where religion and culture occupy an important place in the day-to-day lives of the local people. It is important to be aware of the customs and practices that are particular to the location you are visiting, so here are a few general tips to keep in mind during your travels. Your guide will assist you with more detailed information.
- If you plan on visiting any temples, ancient or current, you should wear clothing that covers your body from your shoulders down to your knees. Head coverings such as caps or helmets should be removed and shoes must be taken off at the entrance. White coloured clothing is generally a good choice to go with here.
- Some religious places do not allow photography or videography without prior permission and some may not allow it at all. Refer to signage or ask your chauffeur guide about the policy or protocol. Dont try to photograph or take videos without permission. If you have any tattoos associated with buddhism, hinduism or islamism, its best that you cover them completely in public places. Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces and on public transport.
- If you have any tattoos associated with buddhism, hinduism or islamism, its best that you cover them completely in public places.
- Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces and on public transport.
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