top of page

WHALES & WILDLIFE - TAILOR-MADE SRI LANKA

 

Tour Route:

AIRPORT – NEGOMBO - SIGIRIYA – KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA – YALA – MIRISSA- AIRPORT

 

Tour Highlights:

 

  • Polonnaruwa Capital by bicycles

  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  • Village walk

  • Minneriya National Park

  • Dambulla Cave Temples

  • Matale Spice Plantations

  • Temple of Tooth

  • Cultural Show

  • Kandy City

  • Horton Plains

  • Train Ride

  • Tea Factory

  • Yala National Park

  • Whale Watching

 

 

Day 01                                                   

AIRPORT/ NEGOMBO – JETWING SEA

 

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by a Representative of Butterfly Vacations. You will then be escorted to your vehicle and introduced to your Guide and transferred to Negombo and check in to the hotel.

 

Day 02                                                   

NEGOMBO/ KANDALAMA – HERITANCE KANDALAMA

 

After breakfast check out from the hotel & proceed to Sigiriya.

Evening is free to relax.

Check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 03                                                                                                                  

KANDALAMA / POLONNARUWA/ KANDALAMA – HERITANCE KANDALAMA

 

After breakfast proceed to visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya.

The legendary sky citadel of Sigiriya, the “Lion Rock” famous for its frescoes of ‘Celestial Maidens’ is possibly the most impressive site in Sri Lanka. Built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century on top of a vast 200m granite rock it took seven years to build and was abandoned after ten years of occupation when the King, defeated by his brother, committed suicide.

Although it is a steep climb, the views and frescoes are definitely worth the effort.

Take a tour of a local village nearby, enjoying the walks through paddy fields and the cool breeze.  It is an opportunity to get acquainted with the typical village life, as you meet village folk and their families.  You will also pay a visit to a local school.

A typical Sri Lankan meal will be arranged at a Chena Cultivation.

In the late afternoon proceed to visit Polonnaruwa Ruins by bicycle.

Visit the Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa was the island's medieval capital between the 11th and 13th century. Built alongside a large ancient artificial lake there are well-preserved ruins of palaces, bathing pools, stupas and exquisite rock sculptures of Buddha at the Gal Vihara. Start with a visit to the museum which, although small, is excellent.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 04                                                                                                                  

KANDALAMA / MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK/ KANDALAMA – HERITANCE KANDALAMA

 

Breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed to visit Minneriya National Park by jeep in the morning.

Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favourites such as sambhur deer and elephants.  However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3 rd century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

Evening is free to relax. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 05

KANDALAMA / DAMBULLA/ MATALE/KANDY – CINNAMON CITADEL

 

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel. Check out from the hotel and travel to Kandy.

En route visiting the cave temples of Dambulla.

Dambulla is renowned for its Cave Temples, which were built by King Valagambahu in the 1st century BC in gratitude for the shelter he sought in the caves when fleeing from Indian invaders. Sited on a gigantic granite outcrop, which towers more than 160m above the surrounding land, the caves are completely covered by ancient frescoes depicting religious and secular scenes. Protected within the caves are hundreds of statues of Buddha, many carved out of the rock itself, of which the largest is the 15m long reclining Buddha.

While continuing to Kandy, on the way (in Matale) you will have the chance to visit spice plantations that grow a variety of spices such as cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg, for which Sri Lanka was renowned and initially colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.  You could also visit a batik factory and watch the production of the artistic fabric.

Arrive in Kandy.

Check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 06                                                   

KANDY – CINNAMON CITADEL

 

After an early breakfast, transfer to Kandy.

Take a city tour in Kandy city.

Kandy is the old capital of Ceylon and the seat of the last Singhalese kingdom.  It is a charming city with the most important Buddhist temple in the country and is set around an ancient artificial lake amongst rolling hills that are covered by forests and tea plantations.  Set in the mountainous area of the island, there are fantastic views over the city from some of the hotels. 

Wandering about in Kandy is a fun experience, with crossroads and interconnecting byroads – all forming an intertwined complex.  Most pavements are dominated by vendors selling garments, lotteries, toys and various fancy items – making passing through look almost impossible, especially during festive seasons.  The main market area in the heart of the town is frequented often for its array of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and meat stalls, sweets, clothes, fancy goods and what not…! 

Kandy is a great place to buy gemstones.  Sapphires of all colours, rubies, tourmalines and spinnels can all be found here.  Visitors are also invited to have a look around their workshop, where they will be able to see the design, and cutting, polishing and setting processes.

Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha in the late evening.

Ever since it was founded in the 16th Century, it has housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre and which is now protected within the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth.  See the blessing ceremony with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly coloured Monks performing their rituals.

Watch a cultural show in the evening.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 07

KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA – GRAND HOTEL

 

After breakfast check out from the hotel & proceed to Nuwara Eliya.

You have the opportunity to enjoy a brief train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya station. Travel the rest by car.

Arrive in and check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 08

NUWARA ELIYA /YALA – CINNAMON WILD

 

After breakfast, proceed to visit Horton Plains.

Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest.

The Horton Plains are the headwaters of three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawa. In Sinhala the plains are known as Maha Eliya Plains. Stone tools dating back to Balangoda. This region was designated a national park in 1988. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Nuwara Eliya and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Ohiya.

Return to the hotel checkout from the hotel and proceed to proceed to Yala enjoying the beautiful sceneries of Ella.

Arrive in Yala.

Check in to the overnight stay.

 

Day 09

YALA –CINNAMON WILD

 

Breakfast in the Hotel.

Proceed to visit Yala National Park by jeep.

Safaris at Yala in the morning and in the evening.

Yala National Park (1,570 sq km) was created in 1938 and is located in the south-eastern corner of the island. Its diverse range of habitats, including scrub jungle, brackish lagoons, lakes and rivers are home to approximately 400 elephants and around 40 leopards in addition to wild buffalo, sambhurs deer, musk deer, black bears, macaques, jackals and a numerous variety of birds.

Return to the Tent for Lunch, Dinner & overnight stay.

 

Day 10

YALA / MIRISSA – NUMBER ONE MIRISSA

 

After breakfast check out from the hotel & proceed to Mirissa.

Arrive in Mirissa.

Rest of the day is free to relax.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Day 11

MIRISSA – NUMBER ONE MIRISSA

 

With a packed breakfast leave for your Whale & Dolphin watching in the morning.

The day is free to enjoy….!!

Overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Day 12

MIRISSA / AIRPORT

 

Checkout from the hotel and proceed to the airport in time for your departure. 

Please do note that you must be at the airport three hours before the flight.

 

 

 

From £2,481  per person sharing, subject to change & availability

 

 

 

INCLUSIONS:

  • Welcome and assistance on arrival in Sri Lanka by a representative.

  • Transport in air-conditioned car, as mentioned above.

  • Accommodation for 13 nights on BB basis at all hotels.

  • Entrance fees to sites as mentioned in the itinerary.

  • Taxes applicable locally.

  • Mineral Water at disposal

 

EXCLUSIONS:

  • Airfare & Visa.

  • Lunch/ Dinner

  • Tea / coffee, soft drinks, alcohol or any other beverages

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Video / photo permits at the sites visited

  • Laundry, telephone or any other services obtained from the hotels

  • Expenses of a personal nature

  • Services other than those specified.

bottom of page