Essence of Sri Lanka

• Upon your arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport, you will receive a warm and gracious welcome from our dedicated Travel Arcade representative. From there, we will escort you to the vibrant city of Colombo, where your journey begins. (Traveling time approximately 1 to 1.5 hours)
• Check in to the hotel and take a moment to rejuvenate and unwind, allowing yourself to fully relax after your journey.
• Afternoon explore the vibrant city of Colombo, visiting attractions such as the Galle Face Green, Independence Square, and the Gangaramaya Temple.
• Overnight stay in Colombo.

• After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and your journey continues as we proceed to Kandy. (Traveling time approximately 4 hours)
• A visit to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage enroute promises an awe-inspiring encounter with rescued elephants in a tranquil, natural setting, creating unforgettable memories of compassion and wildlife conservation.
• Overnight stay in Kandy.

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka, established in 1975, is a renowned sanctuary dedicated to the welfare and conservation of Asian elephants. It's home to over 80 elephants of varying ages, offering visitors a chance to witness their daily bathing ritual in the Maha Oya River and learn about conservation efforts. The orphanage also has an educational center and museum, providing insights into the cultural significance of elephants in Sri Lanka. Visitors can support the mission through donations and purchases of local artisan-made souvenirs. This sanctuary showcases the harmonious coexistence of humans and elephants and highlights their importance in Sri Lanka's cultural heritage and biodiversity.

• Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and embark on a scenic journey to the Royal Botanical Gardens. (Traveling time approximately 30 minutes)
• In the evening, visit the renowned Temple of the Tooth Relic and experience the vibrant and rhythmic traditions of Kandy by attending a traditional Kandyan dance performance.
• Overnight stay in Kandy.

Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, located 5.5 km west of Kandy in Sri Lanka's Central Province, sits near the Mahaweli River, the country's longest river. Covering 147 acres, it's famed for its orchid collection, housing over 4,000 plant species, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. The gardens attract two million visitors yearly. The groundwork for this botanical garden was laid by Alexandar Moon in 1821, primarily for coffee and cinnamon plants. Its formal establishment occurred in 1843. During World War II, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the supreme commander of the allied forces in South Asia, used it as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic, situated in Kandy, Sri Lanka, is a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Buddhism's holiest shrines. It enshrines a sacred relic believed to be a tooth of Lord Buddha, making it a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. Encased within an ornate golden casket, the tooth relic is housed in a magnificent temple complex with intricate Kandyan architecture. The temple's serene surroundings and cultural importance make it a mesmerizing and spiritually significant destination in the heart of Sri Lanka.

• After breakfast, proceed to Nuwara Eliya, with an en route visit to the Shri Bakta Hanuman Temple. (Traveling time approximately 1.5 hours)
• Visit a tea plantation to try your hand at picking tea leaves and enjoy tea tasting.
• Afternoon, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings.
• Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Tea production is one of the main sources of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. In 1867, James Taylor marked the birth of the tea industry in Ceylon by starting a tea plantation in the Loolecondera estate in Kandy in 1867. Tea is cultivated in Sri Lanka using the ‘contour planting’ method, where tea bushes are planted in lines in coordination with the contours of the land, usually on slopes. Generally, two leaves and a bud, which have the flavour and aroma, are skillfully plucked usually by women and then transported to the nearby tea factory. A tea factory in Sri Lanka is typically a multi-storied building and located on tea estates to minimize the costs and time between plucking and tea processing.

• Begin your day with a nourishing packed breakfast before embarking on an exhilarating hike through the breathtaking Hotain Plains. (Traveling time approximately 1 hour)
• Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Horton Plains National Park, nestled in Sri Lanka's central highlands, boasts diverse montane grasslands and cloud forests. With 750 plant species across 20 families and a rich array of wildlife, including 24 mammals, 87 birds, nine reptiles, and eight amphibians, it's a nature lover's paradise. A 9.5km round-trip hike, which takes around three hours, lets you explore the park's beauty, including a 2km detour to Baker's Falls, all while immersing yourself in its natural wonders.

• After breakfast, set out for Bentota. Along the way, make a stop to explore the historic Galle Fort. Afternoon, continue your journey to Bentota. (Traveling time approximately 5.5 hours)
• Overnight stay in Bentota.

Galle, a coastal city in southern Sri Lanka, features a rich tapestry of history and culture. Its centerpiece is Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where centuries-old Dutch colonial architecture intertwines with vibrant street life. Explore cobbled streets, visit historic churches, and indulge in boutique shopping. The city is surrounded by stunning beaches, and its blend of tradition and modernity makes it a captivating destination.

• Following breakfast, embark on a delightful boat ride along the scenic Madu River.
• Spend the evening at the beautiful beach. You can either relax on the sandy shores, swim in the sea, or indulge in water sports activities.
• Overnight stay in Bentota.

• Savor your final breakfast in Bentota before making your way to the airport for your onward journey. En route, take some time to explore the vibrant city of Colombo. (Traveling time approximately 3 hours)