4N Sri Lanka With Habarana

Ayubowan” On arrival at the recently refurbished Modern and State of the art International Airport, you will be blessed to get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative from will welcome you at the Airport & transfer clients to Habarana. Visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route (Depends on your Arrival flight time). Providing a caring home for abandoned and wounded elephants, it is a much loved destination for tourists and locals alike. Here, adults and baby elephants from around Sri Lanka thrive, and a captive breeding program is also proving to be highly successful. The feeding and bathing times are generally the ideal times to visit when you can observe these gentle giants at their best. Afternoon: Enjoy an exciting safari at Minneriya National Park where you can watch elephants in their rightful home – in the wilds. One of the most spectacular wildlife events in Sri Lanka is ‘The Gathering’, where hundreds of elephants arrive by the herd from the surrounding areas to the Minneriya reservoir. As the water level recedes at the height of the dry season, they gather to feast on the lush grass, and quench their thirst for water and play. Dinner &Overnight stay in Habarana / Dambulla

After breakfast, set off to discover the 8th wonder of the world – the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Dating back to the 5th Century A.D, this astounding ‘city’ on the summit of a high outcrop was the royal citadel of King Kassapa for over 18 years. A miraculous feat of artistry and engineering, its unique features and exquisite frescoes continue to amaze all who visit it, even today. Afterwards, leave for the hill capital of Kandy, visiting a spice garden at Mataleen route. Our spices have been sought after for centuries, and continue to be a celebrated export, even today. Afternoon:Enjoy a city tour of Kandy – the last kingdom of the Sinhalese, taking in the sights of Upper Lake Drive and the Market Square on the way to pay homage to one of the most sacred religious sites in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth or DaladaMaligawa is believed to house the ‘tooth relic’ of the Lord Buddha. A walk around the town will let you indulge in some souvenir hunting with intricate treasures in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewelry and reed-ware to choose from. Evening: Round off your day with a cultural show, where the vibrant costumes and pulsating rhythms of traditional dance forms from centuries old rituals will enthrall you. Dinner &Overnight stay in Kandy

Morning: After breakfast, head ‘up country’ and the city of Nuwara Eliya, stopping by atthe Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens en route. 147 acres of lushness with over 5000 species of trees and plants many of which are rare or endemic; a spice garden and an Orchid house are yours to explore. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, visiting the Ramboda waterfalls and a tea factory along the way. Afternoon: The old colonial outpost still referred to as ‘Little England’ Nuwara Eliya certainly lives up to its name. Perched 6200 feet above sea level, the climate too, adds to the illusion of one stepping into an old English town, where neat hedges, quaint cottages and beautiful old buildings stand as serene as they did well over a century ago – the magnificent Grand Hotel presiding over them all. There is, of course, an old golf course as well as horse racing events to complete the picture. Dinner &Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Morning: After breakfast return to Colombo via Kithulgala. If you feel adventurous, the incredible experience of White Water Rafting awaits you at Kitulgala. The 5km on the picturesque Kelani River run covers 5 major rapids and 4 minor ones. You will be in good hands with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing given by our white water rafting instructors beforehand.Those who prefer to keep their feet dry can take it easy, relax and admire the beautiful views. Evening: Take in the sights and sounds of the capital city of Colombo, from the busy commercial hub to the tree-lined suburbs. Here, colonial architecture vies with glass skyscrapers and the past comes alive in buildings that have withstood great winds of change. There are bargains to find, history to discover and much to explore. Dinner &Overnight stay in Colombo

After breakfast, bid good bye to Sri Lanka as you leave to the airport for your departure flight.