Day 1 – Arrival and Booking into Hotel in Kandy
According to your schedule, which calls for a five-night stay and a six-day trip, you will arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport today. A representative from Lanka Budget Tours will meet and greet you at the airport. Drive to Kandy from there after stopping along the route to observe the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. Pinnawala in Sri Lanka is a special place to see elephants. The Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation established the facility in 1975 to provide care for baby elephants that had been abandoned and lost in the wild jungles.
These adorable creatures are taken in, brought up, and reproduced in captivity. It is located in Pinnawala village, 13 kilometers northeast of Kegalle town. The Pinnawala orphanage is home to the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. The optimum time to visit the orphanage is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., as this is when the young elephants receive their daily baths and milk feedings. The opportunity to see these tamed elephants having fun and taking baths in the nearby river is truly amazing.
Day 2 – Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
On day two, you’ll visit Nuwara Eliya, a wonderful city in the Central Province’s highlands. The distance between Kandy and the “city of lights,” Nuwara Eliya, is around 76 kilometers. On the mountain trip, magnificent plant life and breathtaking mountain falls surround you. Before heading to Nuwara Eliya, we will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of Sri Lanka’s most well-known tourist destinations. For all Buddhists across the world, it is a very important and cherished place. It is the temple where the left canine tooth of the Buddha is honored. In 1988, UNESCO designated it as a World Cultural Treasure. The Kandy Lake, often referred to as the Kiri Muhuda (“Sea of Milk”) by locals, is located right adjacent to the Dalada Maligawa. A man-made lake created in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, it is located in the center of the city. The lake’s size has decreased with time. However, it is a protected lake where fishing is not permitted. It’s a nice area to go for a stroll.
After that, we’ll travel to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, a stunning destination with over 4,000 different plant species spread across 147 acres of splendor. It is about 5.5 kilometers from Kandy city. With the majestic Mahaweli River flowing through it, the area is tranquil and serene. After the gardens, we will head towards Nuwara Eliya. On the way, we will visit the Ramboda Falls, which flow down a cliff with a layered stone wall, just off the Nuwara Eliya road. The Ramboda Falls, Sri Lanka’s eleventh-tallest waterfall, descend from a height of 358 feet (109m). The cascade is produced by the Panna Oya feeder stream of the Kothmale Oya. Surrounded by the emerald forest, it provides an amazing perspective. After that, we’ll travel to one of the tea plantations we visit while in Nuwara Eliya, the Damro Labookellie Tea Center and Tea Garden. The longest-running Sri Lankan tea establishment, formerly known as Mackwoods, is set in 5000 hectares of exquisite tea farms. You will discover various tea manufacturing techniques since every type of tea has a unique method of brewing. Free industrial plant tours are offered, followed by a delightful tea tasting. After that, you’ll be driven directly to your overnight lodging in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 3 – Nuwara Eliya to Yala through Ella
On the third day, you will travel to Tissamaharama. En route, you will pass mountains, waterfalls, and lush vegetation. We’ll stop at a few important locations along the way, including Gregory Lake, where you can go on a pony ride and savor a delicious lunch. Ella is a small, charming hamlet that we’ll pass on the way. After that, we’ll visit the post office in Nuwara Eliya. It is one of the oldest post offices in Sri Lanka and has a distinctive appearance. We’ll pass through Ella and make a few stops along the way.
The first location is Little Adam’s Peak, often called Mini Adam’s Peak. Because of the summits’ resemblance to Adam’s Peak, Little Adam’s Peak, sometimes known as Mini Adam’s Peak, was given that name. A simple climb to Little Adam’s Peak, where you can observe workers picking tea, leads to a spectacular peak covered with tea plantations. The view from the deep jungle is breathtaking. The Nine Arch Bridge is our next stop. The Nine Arch Bridge, sometimes referred to as the “Bridge in the Sky,” was built as part of the Badulla-Colombo railway project, which involved joining two bog mountains. Built in 1921 under British control, it serves as a great example of the technological and design genius of the early 20th century. This bridge is between 80 and 100 feet high, 25 feet wide, and 300 feet long. It is one of the best examples of colonial railroad building in the nation. As you cross the bridge, take in the sights of the lush surroundings and the rolling hills.
Then, we’ll proceed to the Ravana Falls, also known as Ravana Ella and named after the legendary king Ravana. According to legend, King Ravana hid Sita in a cave beneath the waterfall. It is the country’s largest waterfall and resembles an Areca blossom in the rainy seasons. For your safari tour, we will next proceed directly to Yala National Park, the second-largest in the country and bordered by the Indian Ocean. The park’s two public blocks, Ruhunu and Kumana national parks, are open to visitors. Yala was established as an animal sanctuary around 1900. After the safari, you will be taken to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4 – Yala to Bentota
On the fourth day, we’ll travel to Bentota. On the way to Bentota, we will pass via Galle and make a stop to view the renowned Galle Fort, situated on the Galle Coast. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1588, the fort was refurbished by the Dutch beginning in 1649. Despite standing for over 432 years, it retains a lovely appearance and is regarded as a significant architectural monument. After visiting Galle Fort, we will head straight to Bentota for the night.
Day 5 – Bentota City Tour
On day 5, you can explore the gorgeous town of Bentota. Cycling is best enjoyed near the venerable Hindu temple known as the “Katukoliha Temple” and the expansive paddy fields in a serene environment. As you travel, you will pass by the beautiful mural artwork etched on the walls of Mullegoda Temple and the turquoise waters of Dedduwa Lake. This is unquestionably among the top things to do in Bentota. You can also visit Bentota Beach, where swaying coconut trees and scenic surroundings welcome visitors. It is an ideal location for nature lovers to engage in leisurely water activities like swimming, diving, and snorkeling. In the evening, you can enjoy boating on the beautiful Madu River near Balapitiya town. The river creates numerous islands and a stunning wetland, enriched by the local biological system. You will be driven to the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 6 – Colombo City Tour & Departure
On the sixth day, you will go to Colombo before your flight to explore the Sri Lankan capital. We’ll first visit Gangaramaya Temple after breakfast. Gangaramaya Temple, one of Colombo’s most important temples, blends traditional and modern architectural styles. Located on Beira Lake and completed in the late 19th century, it was historically significant during the Portuguese, Dutch, and English colonial periods. Beira Lake, situated in the heart of Colombo, used to cover a larger area but has since shrunk to just 0.65 km² (0.25 sq mi). It is interconnected with several complicated canals that facilitate the movement of products across the city and suburbs.
Next, we will head to Galle Face. Galle Face is a 500 m (1,600 ft) long urban park along the seashore in the center of Colombo, covering 5 hectares (12 acres). Despite the ancient Galle Face Green covering a much larger area, Governor Sir Henry George Ward first laid out the promenade in 1859. We will then visit the Dutch Hospital. The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital, said to be the oldest structure in the Colombo Fort neighborhood from the Dutch colonial era, now serves as a food and shopping center. It is a historic property where you can shop for souvenirs and grab something to eat.
This concludes your trip with Lanka Budget Tours. Your guide will drop you at the airport or in Colombo, according to your preference.
