November 3-16, 2024

November 3-4 Travel to Sri Lanka

 

November 5

Shortly after midnight, you will arrive, transfer to your hotel for some sleep. After breakfast you will be driven to Sigiriya. Upon arrival enjoy a hike to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya is home to the 5 th century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ built by King Kasyapa which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defense, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colors. Later check-in at your hotel in Dambulla for your overnight stay.

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November 6

Today you will be driven to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.  Sri Lanka’s second most ancient kingdom, Polonnaruwa, became the capital of Sri Lanka following the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 AD. Built by King Parakramabahu I, this urban green city has seen numerous civilizations journeying through this kingdom including the Cholas, South Indian Hindu and Buddhist Sinhalese, between the 12th and 13th centuries. Brimming with archeologically treasures, the city is dotted with temples, shrines, palaces and ruins. Explore the royal palace from the period of King Parakramabahu I (1153 – 1186). Once a massive structure with 50 rooms, today impressive walls still stand strong. Lion sculptures guard the stairs to the king’s audience hall, where intricately carved stone elephants line the walls and the king’s swimming pool with large crocodile mouth statues spout fresh water. Built of stone, Shiva Devale No.2, the oldest Hindu temple in Polonnaruwa is tucked away in a small forest clearing.

 

After visiting Polonnaruwa you will be driven for jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Minneriya National Park: This National Park, 8,889 hectares in extent is famous for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the Minneriya Lake. About 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, sambar, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fish, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park. After the safari you will be driven back to Dambulla.

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November 7

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and visit Dambulla Cave temples. Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All the five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues. Statues of gods and kings are also found here. Later you will be driven to Kandy. Enjoy the visit to a spice garden where you will be introduced to various spices grown in the region cinnamons, cardamoms, pepper plants etc. Next visit the Batik Factory. Batik is a method of decorating fabric using hot wax and dye. At the factory you will witness the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. Continue drive to Kandy. In Kandy visit Temple Of The Sacred Tooth Relic. The golden-roofed temple of the sacred tooth houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. During puja (offerings or prayers), the heavily guarded room housing the tooth is open to devotees and tourists. However, you don’t actually see the tooth. It’s kept in a gold casket shaped like a dagoba (stupa), which contains a series of six dagoba caskets of diminishing size.

 

Later you will check-in at hotel in Kandy. Kandy is the hill capital; venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival in Kandy); the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples, shrines and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive. In the evening witness a cultural show at your hotel.

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November 8

After breakfast proceed on day excursion to Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations and is 6,200 feet above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers out on shooting, chanced on

Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it. In 1828 a road was constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent soldiers was established. It was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds, horses, cattle, sheep etc. and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the Island but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night.

 

Next you will visit a tea plantation and factory. Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867, a Scottish planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings in 8 hectares of forestland in the Loolecondera Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London. Today more than 200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are under tea and around 300 million kilograms (nearly 25% of world tea exports) are exported by Sri Lanka as the world’s second largest tea exporter. Tea grows only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into Low Grown, Medium Grown, & High Grown.

 

In Nuwara Eliya visit Lake Gregory Park, Nuwara Eliya Race Course, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Town & Bazaar. In the evening take train back to Kandy from Nanuoya railway station. This is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. The original train system in Sri Lanka was introduced in 1864 by the British Colonial government to transport tea from the hills to Colombo.

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November 9

After breakfast you will be driven to Beruwala. Beruwala is a beach town within a short drive away from Colombo, located just 53 km from the capital. This small, beach town is ideal for a day trip where one can absorb the daily life of locals. The wide, alluring coastal line richly embedded with coconut groves are only part of its charm. The Beruwala fishing harbor is loaded with interesting sights in the wee hours of the morning as the fishing boats come ashore with the day’s catch. The stark white minarets of the Kachimalani mosque located at the Northern edge of the town also make up for perfect snapshot views. After lunch, proceed on the excursion to Galle Fort and Turtle Hatchery. The Ahungalla turtle hatchery in the Southern province was one of the earliest attempts to safeguard local turtles from extinction. Managed by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Protection Society, the Ahangama hatchery offers a wildlife experience of a different sort. Its visitors are offered the opportunity to watch new-born turtles as well as some rare species of adult turtles including Olive Ridley, the Hawksbill, the Green Turtle, the Loggerhead and the Leatherback, swimming about the massive tanks as they beat their flippers against the water. 

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November 10-14

Take a speedboat from Male to a small island where your resort is located. Enjoy four nights at the SAii Lagoon Maldives Hotel. Arrive and check into hotel, followed by a leisurely exploration of the resort's amenities. Engage in optional water activities (not included) such as snorkeling and paddleboarding, and relax on the beach or by the pool in the afternoon. Indulge in meals featuring Maldivian cuisine at one of the resort's restaurants. Partake in a rejuvenating spa treatment at the resort's spa. Spend the time lounging by the pool or on the sandy beaches. Embark on a romantic sunset cruise and enjoy a special dinner setting within the resort. Enjoy a day trip to explore nearby islands or go on a guided excursion, returning for a relaxing evening and, perhaps, a private dinner on the beach.

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November 15

Take a speedboat back to Male.  Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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November 16

Welcome home! Thanks for traveling with us.

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