Sri Lanka Tailor made tour
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Location: Sri Lanka :: Asia
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Duration: 07 nights and 08 days
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Package ID: 1076
The Sri Lanka government initiatives in development of tourism date back to 1937 when the Ceylon Tourist Bureau was established. However, it was closed down in September 1939 due to World War II. After Sri Lanka's independence the promotion of tourism was again considered by re-establishing the Ceylon Tourist Board which took over the function of the Tourist Bureau. More formal recognition for the country's tourism sector was given with the enactment of Act No. 10 of 1966. This provided the legislation for the establishment of Ceylon Tourist Board. Since then the Ceylon Tourist Board has functioned as the state agency, responsible for development and promotion of the tourism sector in Sri Lanka.
In October 2007 according to Section 2 of the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (Act No 10 of 1966) was replaced by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Currently Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has classified Sri Lanka into several resort regions suitable for tourism development.
South Coast Resort Region: The south coast zone extends from Wadduwa to Tissamaharama. The zone has been divided into two main regions. The first region extends from Wadduwa to Galle. Coastal areas like Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Dedduwa, Madu Ganga, Balapitiya, Ahungalla, and Hikkaduwa are included in this region. The second region, extending from Galle to Tissamaharama, includes Unawatuna, Koggala, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Tangalle and Hambantota areas as sub-points of the zone.
East Coast Resort Region: The East Coast Resort Region extends from Kuchchaveli in the north to Pottuvil in the south. The main tourism zones in this region are Arugam Bay, Pasikudah, Trincomalee and Nilaveli.
West Coast Resort Region: The West Coast Resort Region extends along Kalpitiya, Marawila and Waikkala areas.
High Country Resort Region: Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela and Maskeliya are included for the High Country Resort Region.
Ancient Cities Resort Region: This region has five world heritage sites, namely Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. Other regions include Habarana, Giritale, Matale and Victoria.
Other Resort Regions: This includes Yala, Udawalawa, Wasgamuwa, Pinnawala, and Ratnapura area.
DAY 01 : AIRPORT/PINNAWALA/SIGIRIYA
Meet greet and assist on arrival transfer to Sigiriya via Pinnawala.
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions. The orphanage’s population has now mushroomed to around 65, making it the world’s largest collection of captive elephants. The elephants here range in age from new-borns to elderly matriarchs, and include orphaned and abandoned elephants, as well as those injured in the wild.Arrive Sigiriya check in at Hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 02 : SIGIRIYA
ROCK FORTRESS/MINNERIYA/SIGIRIYA.
After breakfast at Hotel – Transfer to Sigiriya
Rock Entrance.
Climb
the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a UNESCO world heritage site,
built by King Kashyapa (477-495). The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya rises
sheer and impregnable out of the plains of the dry zone. It is the country’s
most memorable single attraction, a remarkable archeological site made
unforgettable by its dramatic setting. The rock was the innermost stronghold of
a 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including
the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned
frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which
are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. Thereafter
proceed to Minneriya.
Enjoy
a Jeep Safari in the Minneriya National park. Its centerpiece is the large
Minneriya Tank, and the park also boasts an unusually wide range of habitat
types, from dry tropical forest to wetlands, grasslands and terrain previously
used for slash-and-burn agriculture. For most visitors, the principal
attraction here is elephants. Minneriya forms part of the elephant corridor
which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa national parks, and up to 200 of the
beasts can be found here at certain times of year during their migrations
between the various parks. Other mammals found in the park include sandbur,
spotted deer, sloth bears and leopards, and there’s also a good chance of
seeing macaque and purple-faced languor monkeys. In addition, an enormous
number of birds have been spotted at Minneriya, including endemic species such
as the Sri Lankan hanging parrot and the crimson-fronted barbet.On
completion return to Hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 03:SIGIRIYA/DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE/MATALE/KANDY.
After breakfast at Hotel – Transfer to Kandy via
visiting Dambulla Cave Temple and Matale.
Dambulla Rock
temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and is a UNESCO
world heritage site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s many cave
temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls
and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains
over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure
carved out of granite rock and spanning 14 meters.
Visit
a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous
for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are
grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration.On
completion transfer from Matale to Kandy .Arrive Kandy check in at hotel.
Commence the city
tour.
Kandy is also famous for its shopping, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, batiks, silks etc. And you will have the opportunity of browsing to your heart’s content. On completion return to Hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 04: KANDY/GALLE
After breakfast
at the hotel – Transfer to Galle.
Arrive Galle check in at hotel to proceed to Visit Galle Dutch Fort.
Located in the Southern province, the city of Galle is a living time capsule. Home to the largest occupied Fort in Asia, its quaint beauty extends beyond its golden beaches and cerulean waters.
The main attraction of Galle no doubt is its ancient Fort, which instantaneously takes the visitors back to the Dutch Colonial era. One can bask in the picturesque views and the rich history while walking through the narrow, cobbled streets, relish a meal from one of the interesting restaurants within the Fort or enjoy the cool sea-breeze beneath the landmark lighthouse.
Other fabulous
options available during your stay in this ‘city of romance’, is a
hiking/camping trip at the Kanneliya forest reserve, a boat ride in the Koggala
lagoon or a visit to one of the artificial turtle hatcheries along the coastal
line of the city.
DAY 05 : GALLE
/ HIKKADUWA / BENTOTA
After breakfast at the hotel – Proceed to
Hikkaduwa
Sri Lanka’s most popular beach front – Hikkaduwa is located some 98 km from Colombo. Its close proximity to the capital, range of affordable accommodation choices and the exciting night-life has contributed to its growing popularity.This small beach town offers the classic Asian beach holiday. The narrow although scenic beach stretch and the line-up of interesting restaurant/bars/night-club choices along the coastal line have made it a particularly popular among backpackers.
For those up for some watery fun, a multiplicity of options are available ranging from snorkelling in the cool, blue waters to enjoy the beauty of colourful tropical fish/coral varieties, board/body surfing and diving. Among sight-seeing opportunities are some ancient temples, the coral-sanctuary and the moonstone mines.The best time to visit this hip beach town is during November- April.
Enjoy
Scuba Diving.
Hikkaduwa is the prime spot
for diving in the south west of Sri Lanka. Renowned for its house
reef which is the first marine sanctuary in Sri Lanka In Hikkaduwa we can
easily reach many historic shipwrecks nearby.Our dive centre is situated on the
beach just metres from the shore and student divers can complete their confined
water training in the safety of the house reef, where they get to
experience sea conditions and colourful marine life.
DAY 06 : KOSGODA/BALAPITIYA
After breakfast at the hotel – Visit Kosgoda
Turtle Hatchery.
Established in
1981, the Kosgoda turtle hatchery in the Southern province was one of the
earliest attempts to safeguard local turtles from extinction.
Managed by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Protection
Society, the Kosgoda hatchery offers a wildlife experience of a different sort.
Its visitors are offered the opportunity to watch new-born turtles as well as
some rare species of adult turtles including Olive Ridley, the Hawksbill, the
Green Turtle, the Loggerhead and the Leatherback, swimming about the massive
tanks as they beat their flippers against the water.
The hatchery
accepts eggs collected by local fishermen in the night and are preserved until
they are hatched. Once the hatchlings are two –four days old, they are released
into the sea and you can be part of that amazing experience if you visit the
hatchery past 6.30 pm.
Brimming with a rich eco-system nourished by the shallow water body, its pristine mangrove swamps are home to over 240 species of various vertebrate animals as well as crabs, shrimp and even several agile crocodiles that can be spotted when they crawl out of their abodes to bask in sunlight.The Maduganga river zone consists of two main islands and close to 30 islets and provides shelter to over 200 families whose main income source is cinnamon.
Boat rides are available to visitors who are interested in exploring its environs, where they could observe the various aquatic animals and plants within the river’s eco system up-close and watch the nature’s magic work its way when the sea water mixes with the fresh water of the Maduganga.On completion return to Hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.After breakfast
at the hotel – Transfer to Colombo.Arrive colombo check in at hotel.
Enjoy a city tour of Colombo which is the
largest city and former administrative capital of Sri Lanka and is a busy and
vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and remnants of a bygone colonial
era. Due to its large harbor and its strategic position along the East-West sea
trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it
was only made the Capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British
Empire in 1815. The main city is home to a majority of the Sri Lanka’s
corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues. On this tour you will
visit many of the historical, religious and commercial sites of Colombo
including the historic and bustling Fort and Pettah, the elite residential
Cinnamon Gardens, the Galle face Green, Viharamahadevi Park and much more.On
completion return to Hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 08 : COLOMBO/AIRPORT
After breakfast at the hotel - Transfer from Colombo to Airport for your departure
- Accommodation on BED & B’FAST sharing double basis for 07 nights from breakfast on day 02 to breakfast on day 08 at hotels specified or at hotels of similar standard.
- Transportation by air-conditioned Car.
- Services of an English Speaking Chauffer Driver
- Any entrance fees.
- Any Supplement Costs.
- Expenses of personal nature.
- Any other services not specified above.
- Video and Camera permits.
- Sri Lankan entry visas (Please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details & submit your application for visa).
- Early check in or late checkout.
- Airfare.
- Optional tours and activities.
- Lunch/Dinner throughout the tour