Sri Lanka Safari

Step through the gigantic “Lion Paws” – overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below to comprehend the absolute splendor that once dominated this rock fortress. Surrounded by ramparts & moats the Lion Rock resembles the mythological “City of Gods” is coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in Ajanta caves of India.

Walk the shade of an eminent “Mirror wall” embracing the Western face of Sigiriya representing an artistic hundred meters laminated with graffiti.

Wander into the well-fabricated museum downstairs for an epic journey of yesteryears to realize how the citadel floated above the citizens with the castle, ponds, and irrigation systems that pumped water right onto its summit with an ingenious hydraulic system describing a colossal masterpiece of the great king wich remained a wonder in Asia for centuries.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Afterwards enjoy an afternoon Safari at Wilpattu National Park. This is the land haunted by big cats of the island paradise. Recording a vast number of Sri Lankan Leopards – smarter looking than its Indian cousin  -Wilpattu National Park has been named due to “Willus” (Natural Lakes) studied throughout the park. Apart from big cats & precious flora, the park is well known for a healthy population of elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, mongoose, and water buffalo. Do not be surprised if the squeal of a helpless wild boar pierce through your ears, just observe closer and you might be presented with a fantastic hunt because it is all action that speaks at Wilpattu.

Afterwards, head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodations: Cinnamon Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Next we will go on a Catamaran safari on the picturesque lake & calf through a shallow stream and the feeling of adventure rises when you have to reach a Chena cultivation via a slightly wider tributary that has to be crossed on a catamaran!

At the Chena cultivation stop to enjoy the modest hospitality of the farmer. Perhaps you will enjoy a drink with sweet King Coconut / Aromatic Ginger Tea or other seasonal fruits.

Bird watching on the catamaran like peacocks, green doves, comoranes, green bitters, kingsidhers, eagles and many other birds as well as land monitors and water monitors.

After the catamaran safari, the traditional lunch is served in a local house prepared by the village women. This is served on a typical and traditional buffet (clay pots – buffet) served on a lotus leaf and a flat pipe holder. (Guests take part in the preparation of the meals).

After lunch you will transfer to Kandy enroute visit the Spice Garden in Matale. An agricultural zone in the Central Provence, Matale seldom drops off the maps due to its remarkable contribution through flagship crops of the island extending from tea, rubber, vegetables, and spices. Spearheading the Rebellion back in 1984, Matale today takes immense pride in its story woven around spices. Stop by the side of a spice garden – into which you will be most welcome – and observe the therapeutic values of spices & processes over a refreshing cup of herbal tea! Or spend some time idling on the hardened streets if you mean a real town adventure filled with voices and colors.

Once you reach Kandy, enjoy a stroll along the main streets of Kandy and visit the Kandy market.

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Accommodations: Earls Regency (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Experience an ancient legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across the small lakeside town – cradled among the misty hills – will feature the Kandy City Centre – bundled with the latest and world class brands, bazaar, an arts & crafts center, as well as a gem museum & lapidary walk in colour as you glide through fresh fruits and vegetables in the Kandy market.

In the evening, enjoy a Traditional Culture show dance. Fine tune your evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music & drumming amplified by a culture show enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka.

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Accommodations: Earls Regency (Breakfast and Dinner)

Once you reach the Tea Trails, you can enjoy the excursions in the vicinity & immaculate sceneries around the bungalows.

Enjoy a High Tea session in the evening before heading back to the hotel for a Fully Inclusive Basis and overnight stay.

Accommodations: Tea Trails (Breakfast and Dinner)

Hop into a safari jeep and head into the park, you are most likely to drive into your first heard of giants within the maiden hundred meters. Turn on your radar into other species such as potted dear, sambur, barking deer, water buffalo and jackal found within the park. Meanwhile, Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home bears a different story. Established in 1995, it caters to all injured elephants found in the area before releasing them into their natural habitat. So, make sure you just watch rather than touch, these gentle giants as they feed, play and mingle with each other, before heading back into the wild with one another.

Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Accommodations: Grand Udawalawe (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Walk clockwise within the fort to observe the ‘old gate’ carrying the British coat of arms. Flanking the old gate is the Zwart bastion, the oldest of all and the lighthouse standing 18 feet in its glory next to the Point Utretcht Bastion. This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas.

Hop into the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex to be mesmerized by an array of souvenir selections. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Dutch fort remains a working community with usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches and Southern folks frequenting its streets bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle!

Lunch at Boutique hotel in Galle.

Proceed to Balapitiya & enjoy a boat ride along Madu River. Balapitiya is where one could just sit back and observe how ecology and culture combines under the sun! Cut through the clear water of Madu River, a lifeline of Balapitiya and head towards Kotu Duwa, the small island housing a temple that dates back to ancient Sinhalese kings. Or, sail through tunnels of shady mangroves swaying alongside Madu River, hiding an ecological treasure to witness the tranquility of this bio-diversity hot spot which boasts of reptiles, mollusks and over 70 species of fresh water fish. Today the region, which is strong in observing rural folk life in the island, does not only boast of cinnamon plantations in abundance, but also has a fine ‘fish pedicure center’, one of the most potent & latest rejuvenation techniques. Apart from these amenities Balapitiya has also become a household name in the minds of bird watchers ensuring a thrilling offshore experience.

After the boat ride enjoy a drink of Tabili to cool off in the warm sun.

Check into the hotel and enjoy some time at the beach.

All Inclusive Basis and overnight stay at hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Riu Ahuangalla (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Meanwhile, ride to Pettah, an offbeat shopping experience or feel the buzz surrounding the upcoming inspiration, the Colombo Port City, an offshore city featuring parks, commercial complexes! Head along Buddahaloka Mawatha towards ‘Arcade’ facing a historic waypost, the independence Square. Every designer boutique, top-notch cuisine outlet and even the ‘walk-over fish tank’, have revamped this colonial masterpiece into one of the trendiest shopping and hangout zones in Sri Lanka. Have a chilled beer at the Dutch Hospital while gazing through fancy windows showcasing best fashion, jewelry & handcraft brands. Smell the scent of incense while listening to the chiming bells of Gangarama temple. Or, jazz up to Colombo’s night life spiced by night clubs & casinos that borderline its bustle. If you are lucky, head into an exhibition at the Banadaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) before swaying your head to an opera or play at Nelum Pokuna that should just drive your day into perfection!

Optional Lotus tower entrance.

Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

Accommodations: Shangri La Colombo (Breakfast and Dinner)