A special tour in Sri Lanka

Arrival at the Colombo International Airport where clients will be met by our staff and Italian Speaking Chauffeur Guides.

Thereafter transfer to Hikkaduwa (140kms - approximately 2,30 hrs. - using the Southern expressway).

Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular resort areas in the south with excellent beaches, this was internationally known for underwater delights, a marine sanctuary abundant with rare coral and tropical fish. The underwater world can be explored either by snorkelling or taking a ride in a glass bottom boat but the famous coral gardens and beautiful shoals of fish are sadly reduced due to over exploitation and the possible effects of the 2004 Tsunami.

Once arrived check in at the hotel and rest of the day will be at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast leave for Yala en route stopping at Galle for a brief City tour (180 Km – Transfer time approx. 4,30 hrs.)

Galle is said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible where King Solomon obtained gems and spices, this “Living” UNESCO World Heritage Site is the port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka in 1505. Captured and fortified by the Dutch who ruled maritime Sri Lanka in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the city still retains the air of old Holland. Within the well preserved 90 acre fort and ramparts built in 1663 are old Dutch churches and monuments with armorial bearings, an imposing crested and monogrammed gateway dated 1669, many well preserved old Dutch houses and narrow alleys still bearing Dutch names.  The New Oriental Hotel, built for a Dutch governor in 1684, a colonial gem now converted to the internationally renowned Amangalle Hotel and several other excellent boutique hotels are testimony to the importance of this location. (22 km approximately 45 minutes)

Thereafter proceed to Yala and check in at the hotel. (175 km approximately 4,5 hours)

In the afternoon transfer to the Yala National Park for a 4x4 jeep safari.

Yala isSri Lanka’s most known National Park. It is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. 97,800 hectares in extent, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s National Parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels, which focused on a leopard research/conservation and identification project. Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometre. Vegetation is primarily grassland and shrub jungle with patches of dense growth while several salt and fresh water lagoons are a haven for a large variety of resident and migrant birds. Areas popular with leopard are rock strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya (travel time: 182km – approximately 4 hrs).

Visit a tea factory and plantation. Here we will give a demonstration of how the Tea leaves are plucked on a daily basis.

Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lankan hill country. It is the home of the famous Ceylon Tea and the rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. The salubrious climate, misty glens and the decidedly British character make Nuwara Eliya a must on any Sri Lankan travel itinerary.

During the afternoon sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Kandy (travel time: 85 km – approximately 2,30 hrs).

Kandy is the Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is one of the most beautiful town. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa. Visit Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara valley. There are many shrines and temples, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings.

Check in to the hotel. 

During the afternoon transfer from the hotel to the City in tuk tuk (20 mints transfer time) to the Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by cultural show.

Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16^th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4^th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers. Originally the Temple was within the King's palace complex as it was the symbol of Royal Authority. 

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast excursion to Pinnawela ( 40km - approximately 1 hr.)

Visit the Pinnawela elephant orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of the baby elephants. It is set amongst the verdant hills of Kegalle is a unique orphanage, where the tiny tots weigh 60 kg or more. This is the Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage, the world's first and only elephant orphanage established to feed, nurse and house young elephants lost or abandoned by their mothers. Other occupants are elephants displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found wounded. Visitors could see the baby elephants being fed milk from gigantic feeding bottles or bathed in the river which flows nearby – an unforgettable sight! Established in 1975, by the Wildlife Department and National Zoological gardens which subsequently led to a breeding programme through which more than twenty five elephants have been born since 1984.

In the afternoon further sightseeing of the Kandy city including visit to the royal botanical gradens, a park that was laid out in 1821 by the British colonial rulers. Prior to that it was the Royal Pleasure Garden of the Kandyan Kings. It is located in a beautiful setting with the longest river of Sri Lanka, Mahaveli bordering on one side. This attractively laid out garden displays many varieties of floral and green plants. Special features are the Orchid House which displays a fine collection of Sri Lankan orchids, the fernery, spice garden, and the trees planted by distinguished visitors to the Island.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast leave for Habarana en route making a visit to a Spice Garden in Matale and then to the Rock Cave Temple of Dambulla (105 Km – Transfer time approx. 2,30 hrs.)

Dambulla is the greatest of Sri Lanka's cave temples, dates from the first century BC and contains over 150 Buddha i mages, subtly lit for maximum atmosphere. Actually a series of five caves, the temple is called Raja Maha Vihara by locals, but known simply as Dambulla to visitors. The entrance is marked by a large white dagoba along a long sloping rock face, from where there are views of the rock fortress of Sigiriya, about 20km away. Most of the caves were carved out by hand and some of the amazing array of Buddha statues are still attached to the wall.

 Check-in to the hotel.

Afternoon at leisure or optional 1 hour elephant back ride through the Jungles of Habarana. Each elephant will carry 4 pax.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, travel to Sigiriya and climb the rock fortress (travel time: 25kms - approximately 30 minutes).

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory. Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 A.D), the “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town and the base is ringed by a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens. The world-renowned frescoes (originally 500, of which only 19 remain today) which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway are painted in earth pigments on plaster. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a crouching lion but today only the huge paws remain giving an indication of the massive proportions of the head.

Remains of the handsome royal citadel are on the summit and several caves for meditation, audience platforms and baths complete the unique site.

In the afternoon excursion to Hiriwaduna for a trek, where you experience the life style of a villager. This includes a Bullock Cart Ride and a Catamaran Ride. 

Experience the calmness of a tropical dawning as you enjoy a cup of tea. In the morning make your way down to Hiriwadunna. This is a super jungle and village experience which is popular with most clients. Early departure from the hotel with a packed "local" breakfast to a point off the main road where we begin a scintillating walk over village paths, a tank (ancient reservoir) bund and forest. Cross a little jungle rivulet by catamaran to reach a farmers simple "wattle and daub" house where you can have your breakfast. The villager will provide some tea and may be a few sweetmeats. Walk half an hour by foot and bullock cart to a point where your vehicle meets you.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast excursion to Polonnaruwa which is the 2^nd Capital of Sri Lanka (travel time: 46kms - approximately 1 hr).

This medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rose to fame as the capital (10^th - 12^th century AD) after the decline of Anuradhapura. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbour.  The monuments are relatively well preserved and give clear evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka's past. Highlights are the Royal Palace complex including the Kings Palace and Audience Hall, the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite - a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving. Some of the best examples of the Hindu influence - the Temples of Shiva, intricate statues of Hindu Gods, fascinating Buddhist temples, the Lankatileka and Watadage, the Galpotha, the Lotus bath, the Kiri Vihare Dagoba and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth are other impressive sights.

Thereafter leave for Passikudah for beach stay and diving, (72 Km – transfer time approx. 2 hrs.).

Check in at the Uga Bay and overnight.

After breakfast full day free at leisure or optional diving and water sports activities.

Uga Bay in Passekudah is one of the very best locations to enjoy water sports in Sri Lanka. With such an expansive stretch of pristine beach, and the warm blue water calling from our calm protected bay, you can take advantage of the shallows that go for hundreds of meters, and easily launch jet skis, or try out kayaking or windsurfing. We also have coral reefs for snorkelling,deeper waters for boating and shipwrecks to explore while scuba diving.

Scuba Diving in Sri Lanka is at its most exciting at the nearby World War I shipwreck of the HMS Hermes. The very first purpose-built aircraft carrier in the world, she was bombed by Japanese aircraft and sunk in the sea off of Batticaloa. The dive is reserved for experienced divers, as the vessel lies at a depth of 44m (145ft). Let Uga Bay arrange your undersea adventures!

Overnight in Uga Bay. 

After breakfast depart to Negombo (travel time: 160 kms – approximately 4 hrs.).

Negombo is sometimes known as “Little Rome” due to the profusion of Christian Churches, this archetypical fishing village has now grown to a major beach resort on the west coast, north of Colombo and 15 minutes from the International Airport. The wide sandy beaches and safe sea bathing are major attractions, as is the fish market where busy trading of a variety of fish, prawns and crabs takes place each morning (except Sunday) when the fishing craft return to shore. Traditional large sailed outrigger canoes are a picturous sight in this village which was once a trading port for the Portuguese and Dutch. Other attractions are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison and the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route for the Dutch administration.

Check-in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Amagi Lagoon.

After breakfast at leisure (check- out time from the hotel will be at 14.00hrs).

Departure transfer to the airport (travel time: 10kms - approximately 20 mnts).