14 Day India Tour Itinerary

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Ursula Hunter
5 years ago
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1 14 Day India Tour Itinerary ACCOMMODATION: DAY 1 - NEGOMBO (B) On arrival at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, meet your private chauffeur-guide and be driven to your hotel in Negombo, a seaside town which is only 20 minutes away from the airport. Rest of the day is at your leisure. DAY 2 - NEGOMBO, PINNAWALA, SIGIRIYA (B) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Sigiriya via Pinnawala. En-route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated approx 90 km from Colombo. The orphanage was originally founded in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. It is aimed at providing care and protection for many of the orphaned baby wild elephants found wandering in the forests of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage also places an emphasis on breeding and ongoing research for these gentle giants. Evening, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress: One of Sri Lanka s major attractions, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress was built by King Kashyapa ( AD) for the purpose of protecting him from his rivals. An UNESCO World Heritage listed site, also known as the Fortress in the Sky. The climb up to the top of the fortress doesn t only offer the reward of breathtaking

2 views but there is so much to discover during your climb to the top. Highlights of the climb include water gardens, artistic frescoes, mirror wall, the lion gate and the magnificent views from the rock summit. DAY 3 - SIGIRIYA, HABARANA, POLONNARUWA, SIGIRIYA (B, L) After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Habarana to have local village experience. Village Tour: Travel into the lush Sri Lankan countryside by a jeep or a Tuk Tuk. Hop into a bullock cart alongside paddy fields and rural vegetable plantations. At dusk, take a boat ride and sail to the other side of a lake, enjoying the fantastic sunset view, and looking out for birds, butterflies, as well as the villagers fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. Thereafter transfer to Polonnaruwa and commence a city tour Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom: The ancient capital of the second kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa saw much of its development between the 11 th and 13 th century. The great thing is Polonnaruwa s monuments are better preserved such as the Vatadage (the circular relic house), Lankathilaka, Thuparama, Royal Palace, Rankoth Vihara and Galvihara to name a few. DAY 4 - SIGIRIYA, DAMBULLA, MATALE, KANDY (B) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Kandy via Dambulla. En-route visit Dambulla Cave Temple and Matale Spice Gardens. Dambulla Cave Temple: Dambulla cave temple is part of the Golden Triangle of Sri Lanka and is encrusted into a magnificently large rock. It sits more than 160m above the surrounding land and spans for more than 1.5 km around the base. Also known as the Golden Temple it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in This ancient complex was initially established in 3rd Century BC and is truly a wonder as it is the largest and best preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. The cave temples are home to numerous religious and cultural paintings and sculptures. Matale Spice Garden: Visit a Matale Spice Gardens which is located at Matale (in the Hill Country of Kandy). Sri Lanka is well renowned for its spices and natural ayurvedic remedies and Matale spice garden delivers it all! Stroll through the hand reared and harvested plantations of natural spices to satisfy the three main senses. See the large tropical trees and take in the fragrant aromas. Touch and learn about the popular and exotic spices that are so readily used in Sri Lankan cuisines and ayurvedic treatments. You will also have the opportunity to try some Sri Lankan cuisine using the popular spices, have a healing massage, purchase medicinal and cosmetic products created using the natural spices (at own cost). DAY 5 - KANDY (B) After breakfast at the hotel visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden Peradeniya Botanical Gardens: This beautiful garden is located 6km from Kandy. It was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It covers approximately 147 acres and is a stroller s paradise with extensive well kept lawns, pavilions, an octagon conservatory, fernery, a giant Javan fig tree and numerous flower beds. The best attraction is the orchid House where you can discover more than 1000 plants. Later commence a city tour in Kandy

3 Tour of Kandy: The Hill capital of Kandy lies picturesquely surrounded by mountains. Kandy is also the last kingdom of Sri Lanka and is a bustling city. The tour of Kandy includes (Upper lake drive, visit to a Wood carving & Gem shop, Gem Museum, Kandy Bazzar/markets and visit to a Batik Factory). Temple of Tooth: The Temple of Tooth Relic ( Dalada Maligawa as known to the locals) is located in Kandy. This sacred temple is also home to the palm-leaf transcripts and its history dates back to This stunning piece of architecture is instantly recognised by its octagonal shape and golden roof. Although you are not able to view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is held is displayed twice a day. Cultural Show/Dance: A combination of up country & low country dance performances. DAY 6 - KANDY, NUWARA ELIYA (B) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En-route visit a Tea Factory. Tea Factory Visit: Observe the process of manufacturing tea. You will also learn about how tea is graded and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Opportunity to purchase some of the finest teas will also be available (at own cost). Transfer to the hotel. DAY 7 - NUWARA ELIYA (B) OPTIONAL: Excursion to *Horton Plains National Park (Optional USD 25 PP) *Horton Plains National Park: Located approx 32 km from Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains is Sri Lanka s highest plateau at an elevation of 7,200 ft. Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and was upgraded as a National Park in 1988, due to its unique watershed and bio-diversity features. Its flora has high level of endemism. The hills are covered with diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. The two escarpments Little World s End and World s End falling from the Horton Plains 1000 feet and 4000 feet respectively to the land below and the Baker s Falls, are recommended places to visit. The central mountain is known as the Cloud Forest. DAY 8 - NUWARA ELIYA, ELLA (B) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Ella. En-route visit Ella Gap. Ella Gap: Ella, 230km from the Capital City Colombo overlooks a spectacular gap in the southern mountains where the land falls to a dizzying drop of 3000ft into the southern sea. The small town is used as a base for many trekking expeditions to the surrounding areas. This is an en-route stop during journey to Tissamaharama. You can either stop for lunch or a tea break (at own cost). From the Ella gap you can get a breathtaking view of the South East part of Sri Lanka. A great place for photography. Little Adams Peak: Little Adam's Peak, also known as Punchi Sri Pada in Sinhala, is situated in Ella. It is an ideal alternative for those who prefer not to climb Adam s Peak as it just a short walk of 45 mins 1 hour from Ella. The walk to Little Adam s peak is relatively easy and only slightly uphill towards the end as you reach the summit. Along the walk you will be surrounded by lush green landscapes and hillsides including tea plantations. At the end of the walk as you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Ella Rock, Ella Gap and Ruwana Falls.

4 DAY 9 - ELLA, YALA (B) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Tissamaharama and Yala National Park. Yala National Park Wildlife Safari: Embark on an adventure of a lifetime with a Wildlife Jeep Safari at the Yala National Park! It is located approximately 24km Northeast of Tissamaharama. Yala is the best location to sight and photograph the rare and remarkable leopards. Other highlights of Yala include the herd of wild elephants, bears, wild boars, buffalos, deer, crocodiles and many species of birds. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. There are also an abundance of water supply for animals and birds ranging from waterholes, streams, small lakes to lagoons. Note: Yala National Park keeps closed during September, if so we will use alternatives (e.g. Bundala National Park). DAY 10 - TISSAMAHARAMA, WELIGAMA, GALLE (B) After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive around the south coast towards Galle (approx. 4-5 hours), en route you might see the iconic stilt fishermen at the beach. Upon arrival at Galle, a colonial port fortified by Portuguese first then Dutch, spend your time at the Galle Dutch Fort, regarded as one of the best-preserved fortresses in Sri Lanka. Tour of Galle: Galle, recognized as the home to the popular Fort called Santa Cruz, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Fort which was initially built by the Portuguese in 1619 has been expanded and further developed by the Dutch and the British. During the tour of Galle, you will have the opportunity to visit Galle Fort, Old Dutch Church and Walk along the Rampart. After the city tour you will enjoy with the full body Spa treatment at a 4-5 star luxury beach front hotel. DAY 11 - GALLE (B) After breakfast at the hotel transfer to a Restaurant to have Authentic Sri Lankan culinary experience. Experience Sri Lankan culinary by attending an authentic cooking class. During the class you will participate in the preparation of 5-6 authentic Sri Lankan dishes. Karuna will take you to the Galle Market to purchase the ingredients that would be required for the cooking class. Learn about common spices and techniques as you create your tantalising feast. At the end of the class sit back and enjoy the mouth-watering dishes just prepared. DAY 12 - GALLE, KOSGODA, WASKADUWA (B, D) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Waskaduwa via Kosgoda. En-route visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. Turtle Hatchery Kosgoda: Visiting the turtle hatchery in Sri Lanka is one of the most recommended things to do by Lonely Planet. The small town of Kosgoda on the southern strip is famous for its turtle hatchery which is operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. At the hatchery, fishermen are paid for rescuing the vulnerable eggs which they collect at night, along the sandy beach. Visitors can witness the exceptional sight of them hatching or even see tanks filled with new born hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are returned back to the sea where they are released when they are 2-4 days old. Once placed

5 on the beach, most baby sea turtles start moving towards the water, flapping their tiny flippers. Children in particular love to visit the hatchery and watch the turtles being released back into their natural habitat. DAY 13 - WASKADUWA (B) After breakfast, relax on the beach or enjoy the facilities at your hotel. It offers plenty of choices for water sports. Feel free to ask your hotel if interested. DAY 14 - WASKADUWA DEPARTURE (B) After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Airport via Colombo. Depending on your departure flight times, you have the option to take a guided city tour to explore Colombo's colonial legacies including the Independence Square, Gangarama Temple of Colombo, mile-long promenade of Galle Face Green and Colombo's National Museum etc. Stop for taking pictures when drive by the former British Administrative Center etc. You will be escorted to CMB airport (1-2 hour drive from Colombo city) for your departure flight.

16 Day Conducted Tour

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Tour 16 Day Conducted Tour for only$4,595 per person With no single supplement for solo travellers This price includes airport taxes and fuel levies The price is incredible value for