Please note: All these tours are designed considering your arrival is a early morning flight and departure is early afternoon or late evening ( 7 p.m). Please email us for customized tour itineraries should you be landing mid day, late evening etc.
Tour cost for below itinerary is indicated at the end of the page.
Tour cost for below itinerary is indicated at the end of the page.
Tour No. 1
The Hills and Culture - a 4 nights 5 day tour - Summer 2012
Designed exclusively by the Zarooks.... Visiting Pinnawela/Dambulla/Sigiriya/Polanaruwa/Matale/Kandy and Nuwera Eliya.
Day 1 – Airport / Pinnawela / Kandy
You will be met and garlanded on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport by our charming Tours Hosts who will hand you a cold towel and assist you with your luggage and guide you to your vehicle where your personal chauffeur awaits.
We then proceed to Kandy via Pinnawela. In Pinnawela, We visit the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage which is one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist attractions. The orphanage's population is around 65, making it the world's largest collection of captive elephants. The elephants here range in age from newborns to elderly matriarchs, and include orphaned and abandoned elephants, as well as those injured in the wild.
After visiting Pinnawela we proceed to Dambula where we check-in to our hotel for Dinner and overnight stay. ( all hotels and prices given at the end of this itinerary)
Day 2 - Dambulla/Sigiriya/Polannaruwa/Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel and we visit Sigiriya.
Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a UNESCO world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa(477-495). The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains of the dry zone. It is the country’s most memorable single attraction, a remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. The rock was the innermost stronghold of a 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
Visit the archeological city of Polonnaruwa
The ruined capital of Polonnaruwa is one of the undisputed highlights of the Cultural Triangle and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The heyday of the city in the twelfth century represented one of the high watermarks of early Sri Lankan civilization. Polonnaruwa extensive and well-preserved remains, offer a fascinating snapshot of medieval Sri Lanka, including some of the island’s finest monuments and it is compact enough to be thoroughly explored in 3 hours. The Gal Vihara, a collection of magnificent Buddha statues carved out of sheer rock is not to be missed and a prime example of the craftsmanship of that era
An elephant back safari at Habarana
Return to the hotel for our Dinner & overnight stay !
Day 3: DAMBULLA/ MATALE/ KANDY
After breakfast, proceed to Kandy - We visit the Dambulla cave temple en route
Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s many cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure carved out of granite rock and spanning 14 meters.
Make a stop at the spice garden at Matale. Here, we will offer you an ayurvedic massage of about 10 mins
Arrival in Kandy - Proceed on a Kandy city tour
Kandy is a UNESCO world heritage site. The historic city about 480m above sea level surrounded by mountains was known to Sri Lankan as Kanda Uda Rata, which means the hill country. Kandy was home to Sri Lanka's last independent Kingdom, which survived two centuries of colonial incursion before finally falling to the British at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Visit the Temple of the tooth, the Peradeniya University campus and catch a panoramic view of the picturesque town from Upper Lake Drive.
Early evening, you will attend a Kandyan Dance performance and a spectacular fire walking finale.
Check in to the hotel for our Dinner & overnight stay!
Day 4 : KANDY/ NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit the Peradeniya Botanical gardens
Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is located close to the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 300 varieties of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. Attached to it is the National Herbarium. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km2), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall.
Continue to Nuwara Eliya.... Visit a tea plantation & a tea factory en route.
Arrival in Nuwara Eliya - Visit the city of Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya meaning "the city of dawn" is the town at the highest elevation (about 2000m above sea level) in Sri Lanka and its tallest peak, Piduruthalagala (2555m) could be seen from here. The city, established by the British in the nineteenth century, and known as "Little England" and is a popular holiday resort for Sri Lankans & tourists due to its cool climate and quaint colonial feel with its little bungalows surrounded by hedgerows. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of the tea country and you can visit a plantation and a factory en route here and witness how the famous "Ceylon Tea is brewed.
Check in to the hotel for our Dinner & Overnight stay!
Day 5: NUWARA ELIYA/ AIRPORT
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure towards Colombo
Transfer to the airport to connect with the departure flight.
Hotels proposed (subjected to availability)
Hotels proposed of 4* category
Dambulla - Amaya Lake or similar - (standard room)
www.amayaresorts.com
Hills - Amaya Hills or similar - (standard room)
www.amayaresorts.com
Nuwara Eliya - Grand Hotel or similar - (deluxe room)
www.tangerinehotels.com
Price per person per sharing double room with the above mentioned hotels
Validity period - 01/05/2012 - 30/06/2012 & 01/09/2012-31/10/2012
2 Pax - (The price per person per sharing DBL room basis ) - US$ 795
3 - 6 Pax - US$ 745
Single Supplement - USD 345
Validity Period - 01/07/2012 to 31/08/2012
2 pax - ( The price per person sharing DBL room basis) - US$ 830
3 - 6 pax - US$ 780Single
Supplement - US$ 390
Other compulsory supplements
Amaya Lake
Cricket period supplement USD 40 PER ROOM PER NIGHT
Amaya Hills
Cricket period supplement USD 40 PER ROOM PER NIGHT
Perahera supplement USD 50 PER ROOM PER NIGHT
Your Price includes:
· Accommodation at the above mentioned hotels on HB commencing from the dinner on Day 1and ending up with breakfast on Day 5
· Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
· Service of an English speaking chauffeur guide
· Entrance fees for the sites / visits mentioned in the programme
· An elephant back ride at Habarana
Your Price does not include:
· The prices given in supplements (other compulsory supplements)
· Expenses of personal nature
· Any other services / visits / sites not specified above
· Video and camera permits
· Lunches & Meals not mentioned
· Tips and portage
· Early check in and late check out
· Visits proposed as options
A little more from us:
· Frangipani flower garlands on arrival
· A brochure of information
· 24 hours customer service with a dedicated Tour Host throughout the tour
· Cultural show in Kandy
· 10 mins ayurvedic massage at the spice garden, Matale
You will be met and garlanded on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport by our charming Tours Hosts who will hand you a cold towel and assist you with your luggage and guide you to your vehicle where your personal chauffeur awaits.
We then proceed to Kandy via Pinnawela. In Pinnawela, We visit the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage which is one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist attractions. The orphanage's population is around 65, making it the world's largest collection of captive elephants. The elephants here range in age from newborns to elderly matriarchs, and include orphaned and abandoned elephants, as well as those injured in the wild.
After visiting Pinnawela we proceed to Dambula where we check-in to our hotel for Dinner and overnight stay. ( all hotels and prices given at the end of this itinerary)
Day 2 - Dambulla/Sigiriya/Polannaruwa/Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel and we visit Sigiriya.
Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a UNESCO world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa(477-495). The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains of the dry zone. It is the country’s most memorable single attraction, a remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. The rock was the innermost stronghold of a 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
Visit the archeological city of Polonnaruwa
The ruined capital of Polonnaruwa is one of the undisputed highlights of the Cultural Triangle and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The heyday of the city in the twelfth century represented one of the high watermarks of early Sri Lankan civilization. Polonnaruwa extensive and well-preserved remains, offer a fascinating snapshot of medieval Sri Lanka, including some of the island’s finest monuments and it is compact enough to be thoroughly explored in 3 hours. The Gal Vihara, a collection of magnificent Buddha statues carved out of sheer rock is not to be missed and a prime example of the craftsmanship of that era
An elephant back safari at Habarana
Return to the hotel for our Dinner & overnight stay !
Day 3: DAMBULLA/ MATALE/ KANDY
After breakfast, proceed to Kandy - We visit the Dambulla cave temple en route
Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s many cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure carved out of granite rock and spanning 14 meters.
Make a stop at the spice garden at Matale. Here, we will offer you an ayurvedic massage of about 10 mins
Arrival in Kandy - Proceed on a Kandy city tour
Kandy is a UNESCO world heritage site. The historic city about 480m above sea level surrounded by mountains was known to Sri Lankan as Kanda Uda Rata, which means the hill country. Kandy was home to Sri Lanka's last independent Kingdom, which survived two centuries of colonial incursion before finally falling to the British at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Visit the Temple of the tooth, the Peradeniya University campus and catch a panoramic view of the picturesque town from Upper Lake Drive.
Early evening, you will attend a Kandyan Dance performance and a spectacular fire walking finale.
Check in to the hotel for our Dinner & overnight stay!
Day 4 : KANDY/ NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit the Peradeniya Botanical gardens
Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is located close to the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 300 varieties of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. Attached to it is the National Herbarium. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km2), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall.
Continue to Nuwara Eliya.... Visit a tea plantation & a tea factory en route.
Arrival in Nuwara Eliya - Visit the city of Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya meaning "the city of dawn" is the town at the highest elevation (about 2000m above sea level) in Sri Lanka and its tallest peak, Piduruthalagala (2555m) could be seen from here. The city, established by the British in the nineteenth century, and known as "Little England" and is a popular holiday resort for Sri Lankans & tourists due to its cool climate and quaint colonial feel with its little bungalows surrounded by hedgerows. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of the tea country and you can visit a plantation and a factory en route here and witness how the famous "Ceylon Tea is brewed.
Check in to the hotel for our Dinner & Overnight stay!
Day 5: NUWARA ELIYA/ AIRPORT
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure towards Colombo
Transfer to the airport to connect with the departure flight.
Hotels proposed (subjected to availability)
Hotels proposed of 4* category
Dambulla - Amaya Lake or similar - (standard room)
www.amayaresorts.com
Hills - Amaya Hills or similar - (standard room)
www.amayaresorts.com
Nuwara Eliya - Grand Hotel or similar - (deluxe room)
www.tangerinehotels.com
Price per person per sharing double room with the above mentioned hotels
Validity period - 01/05/2012 - 30/06/2012 & 01/09/2012-31/10/2012
2 Pax - (The price per person per sharing DBL room basis ) - US$ 795
3 - 6 Pax - US$ 745
Single Supplement - USD 345
Validity Period - 01/07/2012 to 31/08/2012
2 pax - ( The price per person sharing DBL room basis) - US$ 830
3 - 6 pax - US$ 780Single
Supplement - US$ 390
Other compulsory supplements
Amaya Lake
Cricket period supplement USD 40 PER ROOM PER NIGHT
Amaya Hills
Cricket period supplement USD 40 PER ROOM PER NIGHT
Perahera supplement USD 50 PER ROOM PER NIGHT
Your Price includes:
· Accommodation at the above mentioned hotels on HB commencing from the dinner on Day 1and ending up with breakfast on Day 5
· Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
· Service of an English speaking chauffeur guide
· Entrance fees for the sites / visits mentioned in the programme
· An elephant back ride at Habarana
Your Price does not include:
· The prices given in supplements (other compulsory supplements)
· Expenses of personal nature
· Any other services / visits / sites not specified above
· Video and camera permits
· Lunches & Meals not mentioned
· Tips and portage
· Early check in and late check out
· Visits proposed as options
A little more from us:
· Frangipani flower garlands on arrival
· A brochure of information
· 24 hours customer service with a dedicated Tour Host throughout the tour
· Cultural show in Kandy
· 10 mins ayurvedic massage at the spice garden, Matale