PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE:
A captive breeding ground, an orphanage, and nursery are located in Pinnawala village for wild Asian elephants. Among the largest herds of elephants kept in captivity in the world, Pinnawala is home to the largest herd. The Pinnawala elephant sanctuary had 96 elephants in 2011, comprising 43 males and 68 females from three generations. A large number of orphaned unweaned elephants were discovered wandering in and around the forests of Sri Lanka and thus, an orphanage was established to provide care and protection. A department of wildlife conservation was established by the Sri Lankan government in 1975.
SPICE GARDENS:
Sri Lanka has been exporting spices for centuries and they are used both for medicine and cosmetics. As part of the tasting, we will experience cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, and cardamom scents and flavors. Sri Lanka is considered to be one of the world’s foremost exponents of the ancient art of batik, which involves mixing colours using wax as the primary component. It includes simple, monochrome designs as well as intricate, multicolored artworks.
KANDY:
One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the capital of the hill. During the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods, this was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings. It was finally ceded by agreement in 1815 to the British. The Dalada Maligawa – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is one of the holiest places for Buddhists throughout Sri Lanka and the world. A number of historical sites can be found nearby, including the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), Palala Wasala – where the Queens lived – and is now used as a museum, Medra Wasala – where others of their families resided, the Audience Hall, and Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala. In the center of the lake, there is an island called Kiri Samudraya (milky white ocean), which served as the summer residence for the kings. It is near the bathing pavilion (“Ulpenge”) and in the middle of the lake is the bathing pavilion (“Ulpenge”). There is a strong presence of Buddhism, arts, crafts, dance, music, and culture in this area today. These dances and music can be seen in the city during the daily cultural performances.
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS:
In 1374, the Kings of Gampola and Kandy built this magnificent botanical garden on 147 acres of land as a pleasure garden. Trees, plants, and creepers number in the thousands. There are a variety of plants in the gardens, including some that are rare and endemic, as well as flora from tropical regions.
KITULGALA WATER RAFTING:
There are many white water rafting adventures to be had here. This site is well worth visiting for a number of other reasons, as it is only 100 km from the capital Colombo. It is believed that the prehistoric Balangoda Man lived in the caves at Beli Lena.
COLOMBO:
Through a drive of the city, you will encounter the busy commercial districts as well as the tree lined residential neighborhoods, Cinnamon Gardens, Visit Fort, an ancient British military fortification and administrative center, Sea Street, the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area , which is also home to an elaborate stone carving Hindu temple and a Dutch church dating back to 1749. BMICH, Avukana Buddha replica, Independence Square, and BMICH are also worth visiting.
On Day 1,CMB Airport / Kandy (120Km’s / Approx. 04 hrs):
Your English/Arab speaking chauffeur guide and Tripgo representative will greet you at the CMB Airport upon your arrival. Afterwards, proceed to the hotel in Kandy. On the way, you may wish to visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and the Mawanella Spice Garden. During the overnight period, you will be staying in Kandy.
On Day 2, Kandy:
In the morning, we will have breakfast and then depart for Kandy for a city tour. Various cultural shows and the Temple of Tooth can be arranged as an optional excursion. During the overnight period, you will be staying in Kandy.
On Day 3, Kandy / Nuwara Eliya (80 Km’s / Approx. 02 & ½ Hrs):
In the morning, you will have breakfast and check-out. After that, you will drive to Nuwara Eliya. In the course of the trip, we will visit the Ramboda Water Falls, the tea plantations, and the tea factory. During your stay in Nuwara Eliya, you will stay overnight.
On Day 4, Nuwara Eliya:
Following breakfast, proceed to Nuwara Eliya for a city tour. Nuwara Eliya is the destination for an overnight stay.
On Day 5, Nuwara Eliya / Colombo (180 KM’s / Approx. 04 hrs):
In the morning, proceed to Colombo for breakfast and check-out. Take time to view St. Clair’s Waterfall and Devon Waterfall from the viewpoints. A white water rafting excursion can be arranged at Kitulgala enroute. During your stay in Colombo, you will spend an overnight.
On Day 6, Colombo / Airport (40Km’s / Approx. 45 Mins):
In the morning, breakfast is served and checkout is completed. Colombo is the first stop on the city tour. Upon arrival at CMB Airport, proceed to security.
Itinerary Descriptions
PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
This is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 96 elephants, including 43 males and 68 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).
SPICE GARDENS
For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated exports and are used for medicines and cosmetics as well as to flavour foods. We will sample scents and flavours such as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla and cardamom. Batik is the ancient art of mixing colours using wax as the main component and Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading exponents. Examples range from simple, single coloured designs to multi-coloured masterpieces
KANDY
the capital of the hill is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings during Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. For the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the holiest places as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Nearby 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 nearby. The bathing pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is near the lake and in the center of the lake is the island called “Kiri Samudraya” (milky white ocean) used by kings as a summer residence. Today it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts, dance, music and culture. Visitors can see these dances and music during the daily cultural performances held in different places in the city.
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
This majestic botanical garden is 147 acres in extent and was 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 which are rare and endemic, as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens.
MADU RIVER BOAT RIDE
In the 915-hectare Maadu Ganga Estuary is connected by two narrow channels to the Randombe Lake, forming a complex wetland system encompassing 64 mangrove islets. In the year 2000, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) undertook a detailed biodiversity survey of the region & revealed the existence of no less than 10 major wetland vegetation types supporting over 300 plant species & 248 species of vertebrates.
KOSGODA MARINE TURTLE
Globally, all seven species of marine turtles are endangered. Of these seven, five come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is fascinating to observe.
COLOMBO
A drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens, Visit Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square.
