Excursions (Based on for Min. 30pax and in US Dollars) 1) White Water Rafting incl. Lunch US$ 70 per person Approximately 90 kilometres from Colombo is Kitulgala, a pleasant town whose name is derived from the kitul tree, vast numbers of which grow in the area. Kitulgala had a brush with fame when it was chosen as the location for David Lean's 1957 epic, Bridge on the River Kwai. The film crews and stars may be long gone, but many still stop here to gaze across the Kelani River where once stood the most famous bridge in cinematic history. You have to use your memory to fill in the missing timbers, but as the film is screened so often that shouldn't be a problem. The Kitulgala run is 6.5 km in length and takes about 90 minutes to complete. It rates between grades 2 and 3 and there are seven rapids to tackle, each with their own unique names. On a run down the river you run into the likes of Virgin's Breast, Butter Crunch, Killer Fall and the Rib Cage. As the names suggest, they each have their own distinct character. A most interesting rapid is the Head Chopper. The water picks up speed and forces its way through a channel on the right bank of the river. The speed shoots the boat around the corner and directly into the path of a low-lying branch. The adrenaline rush is brought about more by the sense of speed than actual proximity to the branch. For taller rafters, though, it is very advisable to duck! 2) Pinnawela & Kandy incl. Lunch US$ 95 Per person KANDY the hill capital is another World Heritage Site. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the Dalada Maligawa - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace ( Maha Wasala ), Palle Wasala - where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, Meda Wasala where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion ( Ulpenge ) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called Kiri Samudraya (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city. PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE- App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more then 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding times and the bathing times when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
3) Kandy incl. Lunch US$ 70 Per person KANDY the hill capital is another World Heritage Site. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the Dalada Maligawa - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace ( Maha Wasala ), Palle Wasala - where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, Meda Wasala where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion ( Ulpenge ) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called Kiri Samudraya (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city. Royal Botanical Gardens - Peradeniya - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. 4) Colombo City Tour with shopping US$ 25 per person COLOMBO is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbour took place during the British period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British. The remains of the buildings during the period of the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kayman s Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) & see the replica of Avukana Buddha in front and the Independence Memorial.
5) Tour of Galle, Visit to a Turtle hatchery & a Boat ride at Balapitiya incl. Lunch US$ 90 per person GALLE - Sri Lanka s most historically interesting town is Galle. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour. Stroll around the lighthouse and harbour or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and wood carvers and purchase some the finest souvenirs. The Dutch Fort - Galle - The South Coast s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a World Heritage Site in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the Tarshish of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort s two half bastions overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) with the Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, on the inner side of the Fort. Enjoy a scenic CRUISE ALONG THE MADHU RIVER, a relaxing trip with plenty of interesting stops. You pass dozens of islets forested with mangroves and can appreciate the timeless natural rhythms of rural life. You cruise in a canopied, outboard motor powered boat; pausing to view a 200-year-old temple & to watch the locals cultivating cinnamon. You may also see traditional fishing techniques in action & can view demonstrations of coir manufacture and rope making. Bring your binoculars along if you can, as around 46 species of bird reside in the area, including 14 aquatic varieties. You can also spot huge water lilies & colourful butterflies.
Pre/Post Tours Option 01 Day 01 Pick up from Colombo & proceed to Habarana. Lunch at a local restaurant en-route. Afternoon do a jeep safari at Minneriya National park. MINNERIYA - Jeep Safari to Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka's newest sanctuaries, which were recently declared conservation areas to protect a large migratory herd of around 200 elephants. Dinner & Overnight Chaaya Village (4*) Day 02 Early morning do HIriwadunne excursion with a naturalist. HIRIWADUNA - This trek begins with an awesome walk along a bund of a wewa or manmade reservoir. The reservoir itself, the surrounding scrub jungle, marshland and village are a hive of early morning activity. The amazing birdlife, butterflies and possible sightings of crocodile only add to the charm of seeing the villagers as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing, or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. You wade through a shallow stream and the sense of adventure heightens when you need to get a Chena Cultivation via a somewhat wider tributary which needs to be crossed on an obliging farmer s catamaran!! At the Chena cultivation you will stop to enjoy the farmer s humble hospitality. Enjoy a refreshing drink of King Coconut or whatever fruit is in season. The journey continues through dense shrub forests, home to many forest birds and other wildlife including monkeys, bear, python and even elephant. Return to hotel for breakfast. Lunch at hotel. Evening climb Sigiriya rock fortress. SIGIRIYA - This UNESCO World Heritage site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is one of Sri Lanka s major attractions. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya s glory. Dinner & Overnight Chaaya Village (4*) Day 03 Breakfast at hotel & then proceed to Dambulla. On arrival visit golden cave temple. DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLES - Dating back to the 01 st century BC, this complex of 5 caves was used as refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made further improvements and most of the paintings are from the early 19 th century A UNESCO World Heritage site. Thereafter leave for Kandy visiting a spice garden & a batik factory in Matale. Afternoon do a city tour of Kandy including visit to the temple of the sacred tooth relic, upper lake drive & market square. Evening witness a cultural dance show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka. KANDY - Kandy a lovely city, the Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains an aura of grandeur, which time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth" and the Royal Botanical gardens home to one of the best collections of Orchids. Kandy and its satellite villages are the centre of the islands handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country Dinner & Overnight Chaaya Citadel (4*)
Day 04 Breakfast at hotel & then proceed to Airport in time for departure. Cost (rates are in US DOLLARS, sharing room basis) 02 03 06 07 12 13 19 20 + SGL Supp. 550 540 500 485 475 150 CHD With Bed Child (02 12Yrs) sharing with 02 Adults with extra bed CHD W/O Bed Child (02 12Yrs) sharing with 02 Adults without extra bed The above rate includes Accommodation at the hotels specified or similar Meals on Full Board basis starting with Lunch on 11 th & ending with Breakfast on 14 th Transportation in A/c coaches Services of English Speaking National Guide All entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary Porterage All government taxes The rate does not include Air tickets & taxes Visa fees Camera / Video permits Any expenses of a personal nature Cost of any services not mentioned above Option 02 Day 01 Pick up from Colombo and leave for Pinnawela in time to witness bathing and feeding of elephants. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage set amongst the verdant hills of Kegalle is a unique orphanage, where the tiny tots weigh 60 kg or more. This is the Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage, the world's first and only elephant orphanage established to feed, nurse and house young elephants lost or abandoned by their mothers. Other occupants are elephants displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found wounded. Visitors could see the baby elephants being fed milk from gigantic feeding bottles or bathed in the river which flows nearby an unforgettable sight! Established in 1975, by the Wildlife Department and National Zoological gardens which subsequently led to a breeding programme through which more than twenty five elephants have been born since 1984. Lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the river & Thereafter leave for Kandy. Evening visit the temple of the sacred tooth relic & also witness a cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka. Dinner & Overnight Amaya Hills, Kandy (4*+) Day 02 Breakfast at hotel & them commence a city tour of Kandy including a visit to the Royal botanical gardens at Peradeniya. Kandy the hill capital is another World Heritage Site. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the Dalada Maligawa - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace ( Maha Wasala ), Palle Wasala - where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, Meda Wasala where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion ( Ulpenge ) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the
Island called Kiri samudraya (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city. Royal Botanical Gardens - Peradeniya - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. On completion proceed to airport in time for departure flight. Cost (Per person sharing DBL Room & in US DOLLARS) 02 03 06 07 12 13 19 20+ SGL Supp. US$ 300 US$ 250 US$ 240 US$ 240 US$ 220 US$ 70 The above rate includes Accommodation at the hotels specified or similar Meals on Full Board basis starting with Lunch on Day 01 and ending with Breakfast on last day mentioned in the itinerary Transportation in an Air Conditioned Car (02), Micro Van (03-06 ), Mini Coach (07 13 ), Coach (14+ ) Services of English Speaking Chauffeur Guides (upto 06) / National Guides (07 & Above) All entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary Porterage All government taxes The rate does not include Air tickets & taxes Visa fees Camera / Video permits Any expenses of a personal nature Cost of any services not mentioned above Option 03 Day 01 Pick up from Colombo and leave for Dambulla & visit the golden cave temple with its magnificent paintings / statues spread in 05 caves. Dambulla Cave Temples - is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. Thereafter leave for the hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Lunch, Dinner & Overnight Amaya Lake, Dambulla (4*+) Day 02 Early morning after breakfast climb Sigiriya rock fortress. Sigiriya is a World Heritage Site and the 5th Century Fortress in the Sky 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 Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colours. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed. On completion leave for Kandy visiting a spice garden & a batik factory in Matale. Lunch at a local restaurant. Evening visit the temple of the sacred tooth relic & also witness a cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka. Dinner & Overnight Amaya Hills, Kandy (4*+) Day 03 Breakfast at hotel & them commence a city tour of Kandy including a visit to the Royal botanical gardens at Peradeniya. Kandy the hill capital is another World Heritage Site. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the Dalada Maligawa - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace ( Maha Wasala ), Palle Wasala - where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, Meda Wasala where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion ( Ulpenge ) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called Kiri samudraya (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city. ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS - PERADENIYA - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. On completion proceed to airport in time for departure flight. Cost (Per person sharing DBL Room & in US DOLLARS) 02 03 06 07 12 13 19 20+ SGL Supp. US$ 500 US$ 445 US$ 425 US$ 415 US$ 390 US$ 135 The above rate includes Accommodation at the hotels specified or similar Meals on Full Board basis starting with Lunch on Day 01 and ending with Breakfast on last day mentioned in the itinerary Transportation in an Air Conditioned Car (02), Micro Van (03-06 ), Mini Coach (07 13 ), Coach (14+ ) Services of English Speaking Chauffeur Guides (upto 06) / National Guides (07 & Above) All entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary Porterage All government taxes The rate does not include Air tickets & taxes Visa fees Camera / Video permits Any expenses of a personal nature Cost of any services not mentioned above
Transportation These rates are valid for one way airport transfers. Airport to Negombo or v.v Car Micro Van Mini Coach Coach : US$ 30 one way : US$ 40 one way : US$ 80 one way : US$ 160 one way Terms & Conditions Fuel Provided Driver & Helper Provided Insurance (Included): All our vehicles are comprehensively (Properly) insured to cover the Driver, Helper, All Passengers, the Vehicle and third party damage with Car Rental Fleet cover Water Sports