Taprobane Travel is proud to take you on tour to explore this breathtaking island and its exquisite experiences.
8 Nights / 9 Days Tour in Sri Lanka
Day 01
Welcomed by a representative of Taprobane Travel NZ and transfer to Hotel in Bentota through the Southern Expressway.
- Overnight stay at the Avani Bentota Hotel, Bentota – Standard Sea View Room
Day 02
After breakfast at the Hotel leave for Galle – Southern Capital along the coastal route.
Galle ….. the port city, standing on one of the main sea routes in the southern part of the city, it has a unique charm among the many historic places in Sri Lanka. The Dutch built the 1st Protestant church in Sri Lanka here, and it is also famous for its Dutch Fort.
En route visit a Turtle Hatchery, a Mask Museum and the Moon stone Mines at Meetiyagoda. In Galle visit the Galle Dutch Fortress - a World Heritage Site
- Overnight stay at the Radisson Blu Resort, Galle – Deluxe Ocean View Hotel
Day 03
After breakfast through the Southern Expressway leave for Nuwara Eliya "Little England".
Nuwara Eliya…..nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The Golf Course – one of the finest and picturesque in Asia – the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.
Stop in close proximity to the location of David Lean's award winning film "Bridge on the River Kwai." - You might be lucky to find the "Jungle Boy" who will be willing to escort you to the site.
Enjoy the natural beauty on this mountainous route passing the two Water Falls - Devon and St. Claires. Evening is free for walks /tour around the city - the important places being the Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Golf Course, Market etc. Nature Lovers could make a visit to see the Lover's Leap Water Falls just outside the city which will involve a little bit of hiking for about 1 hour both ways.
- Overnight stay at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya – Deluxe
Day 04
After breakfast leave for Kandy - the Hill Capital through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by "Green Carpets"- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.
Kandy.....literally the "City on the Hills" so named as it was protected by the nature - water , rocks and jungles. The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815AD which is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendor of magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha .The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the City. It is a City for arts and crafts as well culture and history.
En route visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous "Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.
Deviate to visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic Elephants comprising adults and babies including the world’s first set of twins who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day.
Elephant Orphanage… established in 1975 as an effort towards education and conservation by way of scientific captive breeding. Located on the banks of the Maha Oya, the Elephant Orphanage provides shelter to house young elephants who find themselves displaced and lost from their natural habitats for various reasons such as environmental changes due to development projects, being abandoned by their parents when they fall into pits and ravines, etc.
Walk in to a Spice Garden and take part in a conducted tour to get some knowledge about the growth and use of spices in the day to day life. In this garden you will find all Spices that grow in Sri Lanka including Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, Nutmeg, Vanilla etc in the form of trees, plants, creepers. Visitors will be taken round by a competent person explaining each specie’ name , identity, growth, use in food/medicinal/curative values. All products are displayed in a shop from which those interested could by them although not mandatory to do so as this will mainly be a technical visit for educative purposes.
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional "Fire Walking"
- Overnight stay at the Amaya Hills Resort & Spa, Kandy – Standard Room
Day 05
After breakfast visit,
Lankatilake Temple
This is considered to be one of the best examples of traditional Sinhalese temple architecture that is in existence. Built on a rock with a beautiful setting, the temple is reached by a long series of rock cut steps. Unique with its colossal seated Buddha Statue in the inner sanctum under a beautiful Makara Thorana. This monument has an interesting multiple roof structure covered with flat clay tiles.
Gadaladeniya Temple
A special building of South Indian Origin with a Shrine Room devoted to God Vishnu attached to it. The main Shrine Room has a seated Buddha Statue and the remains of some paintings of the Gampola Period. Architecturally this is considered as one of the most important buildings of the 14th Century, The roofed stupa – Vijayothpaya – is on a high stone platform with four image houses facing the four sides mounted with small stupas.
Embekka Dewalaya
A special Shrine dedicated to God Skanda built in the 14th Century. Part of the building – the Drumming Hall is a special attraction with its intricately carved pillars. Nothing has been spared of wood without elaborate carvings .In fact this is considered as one of the finest pieces of traditional architecture. The two chamber Granary is also a special feature in the complex.
Visit a Brass Foundry to witness the process of making different decorational items out of Brass
- Overnight stay at the Amaya Hills Resort & Spa, Kandy - Standard Room
Day 06
After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical Gardens - one of the best of its kind in Asia with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora which incidentally was the Headquarters of Lord Louise Mountbatten - the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the Second World War.
Continue to visit the Tea Museum at Hantana
In the afternoon visit the Galmaduwa Temple whose lower storey is built of stone and the upper storeys of brick and stone masonary in seven diminishing steps which has a strong resemblance of Hindu Architecture which is popularly known as a “Gedige”
- Overnight stay at the Amaya Hills Resort & Spa, Kandy - Standard Room
Day 07
After breakfast leave for a City Tour including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists world over, Upper Lake Drive - a place where one could have a bird's eye view of the city below , a Gem Museum - to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the back ground history.
In the evening watch the spectacular Kandy Esala Perahera – 2nd Day
- Overnight stay at the Amaya Hills Resort & Spa, Kandy - Standard Room
Day 08
After breakfast leave for Negombo – Little Rome via Kurunegala
Negombo…..Being one of the major tourist beach resorts of the island, this lively town is mainly inhabited by the fisher-folk. This is also one of the strongholds of the catholic community of Sri Lanka and quietly correctly considered as the “Little Rome”, located along the picturesque Negombo lagoon, along which hundreds of fishing boats and catamarans could be seen most of the time. The Town is dotted with several churches, some dating from the earliest colonial times. Sightseeing in Negombo includes the remains of the Old Dutch Fortress from 1678, the Dutch Canal constructed for the transportation of Cinnamon, St. Mary’s Church and the Old Dutch Cemetery, and naturally, the Negombo Fish Market –more famously known as the “Lellama”.
Break journey to visit Panduwasnuwara is an ancient capital and was the base for an epic love story where a Princess named Unmada Chithra was iimprisoned by her brothers in an ektemge (a circular tower) – go round to witness the magnificent ruins including a palace, monasteries, image houses, dagobas and monks' living quarters, carved pillars, guard stones, and other ancient constructions all of which is claimed to belong to the 12th century A.D.
Also visit the famous visit the Munneswaram Hindu Temple which is very popular and is contained with the Indian Epic “Ramayana”
- Overnight stay at the Suriya Luxury Resort, Negombo – Deluxe Room
Day 09
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Cost: from NZ$2350 per person
Cost Include:
1. Accommodation on double sharing basis with breakfast included.
2. Transport in an A/C Deluxe vehicle with an English speaking Chauffeur/ Guide.
3. Entrance Fees to all the tourist sites that are included in the programme.
4. All Taxes as of Jun 2023.
