TREKKING TOUR PACKAGES SRI LANKA

 

Please note that in addition to the tour packages mentioned below, we offer customized packages to meet your requirements. For a customized tour, please Contact Us

Tour No 1

 

SRI LANKA TREKKING, NATURE-CULTURE HOLIDAY

Culture, rural lifestyle views tea gardens and fascinating wildlife

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS
Max 2 to 10

DAY 1 – COLOMBO – NEGOMBO
Arrival Colombo Airport, meet and transfer to Negombo. Rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel

DAY 2 HABARANA OR NEARBY
Following breakfast, the tour begins in earnest with an early morning departure for Habarana visiting the elephant orphanage en route at Pinnawela in time to watch the feeding of the baby elephants and then the rest of the herd bathing in the river. The herd normally numbers no less than 50 elephants ranging from the small babies to hefty adults.

DAY 3 – HABARANA OR NEARBY (POLONNARUWA)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will do some sightseeing in Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD and which is a World Heritage Site. You can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya – where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in “Upright”, “Sedentary” and “Recumbent” postures carved out of rock.  We would also see the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue and the Parakrama Samudraya Lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are monuments of famous places of worship such as the the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Tooth Relic.

DAY 4 – KANDY (SIGIRIYA)
Visit the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. A World Heritage Site is now one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions rising two hundred meters from the jungle floor. At the rocks base are extensive gardens, ramparts and a moat. During our visit to this unique complex, we will see water gardens, ancient frescoes, the stone mirror wall and the lion platform.  For the fittest, a climb up to the summit would be an achievement!
Dinner and overnight in Kandy.

DAY 5 – KANDY

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. ( 115kM from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island.

Kandy Perahera, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha’s tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itenary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country. More than 50 elephants parade the city accompanied by the drummers, dancers and chieftains.

he city established in the 15th century was the last royal capital where 2500 years of royal rule ended. This bustling market town is rich in cultural diversity has plenty of iteneries to offer to the tourists from songs dances and handy crafts to ancient temples and adventure activities. Kandy is a good transit point to the cultural triangle to the north or hill country to the south. The city is also a good source of souvenirs or to experience many cultural performances at it’s various hotels in the city.

Kandy city tour, upper lake drive, Udawaththa Kale nature reserve, sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, Royal Botanical Gardens, arts and crafts workshop, market place and bazaar.
Dinner and overnight in Kandy.

DAY 6 – NUWARA ELIYA
Following breakfast, visit the famous tea center of Nuwara Eliya and the central mountains. From Peradeniya, walk to see the temples, Hambacka, Gadaladaniya and Lankathilaka  be picked up by vehicle.  En route visit to a tea plantation and tea factory to watch the process of turning the raw green leaf into the familiar dark product.  A city tour of Nuwara Eliya, dinner and overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 7 – HAPUTALE OR UDAVARIYA

With a packed breakfast, leave for Horton Plains, Sri Lankas highest plateau very scenic region with an astounding variety of scenery from mountains to grasslands. Spectacular views from World’s End where the plateau plunges 700 meters in a sheer drop. Shrouded in cold mists on top of Sri Lanka’s mountains, at a height of more than 2,000m, lie the Horton Plains. A part of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and dramatically different from the coastal plains thousands of feet below, it is a plateau of 3,150 hectares in area. It is a wild and windswept plain of grasslands or patanas and patches of eerie forests. Residents include elk, monkeys, eagles, horned lizards and the occasional leopard. The Plains were uninhabited by the local population but were prized hunting and fishing grounds for the Europeans who “discovered” them in the early 19th century. Many landmarks are named after British governors, planters and hunters. Trout was introduced to the pristine rivers and lakes and still attract serious anglers, although a permit is now required. All other creatures on the plains are protected

After lunch, walk to the Bungalow in the tea plantation.  Udavariya is a small tea village in the region of the Horton Plains.

DAY 8 – BANDARAWELA
After breakfast, trek to Bambarakanda falls the highest fall in Sri Lanka through a path in the mountain with panoramic views. Have a swim and a picnic and walk back to the vehicle and proceed to Bandarawela (this trek is about 6 to 7 hours).

DAY 9 – BANDARAWELA
An early morning start as we head through the Thangamalay Forest Reserve walking through various types of forests that are not experienced by everyday tourists. Eucalyptus forest, pine forest and natural forest. Walk through the tea plantations of this beautiful hill country and see Sri Lanka at its best. One of the most beautiful views of the north and south can be witnessed during this walk. The trek is around 6 hours. Return to the hotel and have a picnic on the way.

 

DAY 10 – HATTON OR NEARBY
By train, we cross the mountain passes for Hatton. The location offers visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls.  A short walk in the tea plantation. Dinner and overnight stay at a tea plantation bungalow.

DAY 11 – ADAM’S PEAK
At midnight, climb Adam’s Peak, the cone shaped mountain that is probably the most venerated in the world. Walking through the night, we reach the peak at dawn in good time to witness the rising sun. As the sun climbs above the island, experience the magic of serendipity. The sunrise as seen from the summit of Adam’s Peak is considered to be one of the most spectacular phenomenon’s in the world.  Have a late breakfast before leaving for Colombo. Overnight stay in Colombo or Negombo.

Enjoy the sand and the sea!

DAY 12 ON THE BEACH
Relax two days on the beach.

 

DAY 13 ON THE BEACH
Relax two days on the beach.

 

DAY 14 – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Transfer to the airport

 

NB. Day 10. You can make a change in the program and travel to the south coast of Sri Lanka, visiting the Yala or Udawalawa Natinal Park, Tangalle, Unawatuna, Galle and back to the airport.

Tour No 2

 

THE SRI LANKA TREKKING HOLIDAY

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS
With One Week of Unlimited Trekking Experience with Culture
Max 2 to 10 Persons

DAY 1
Arrival in Colombo and transfer to Belihuloya Rest House or Elephant’s Bungalow.  Five hours drive from the airport via coconut, rubber, pineapples plantations with mountain views.

DAY 2 – VILLAGE AND JUNGLE TREK
The trek starts from Belihuloya and we walk for about 6 hours in the village with rice fields and enter into a jungle with large trees. Birds and butterflies can be seen in the jungle.  We walk in the village with rice fields and vegetables.  We then go back into the jungle for an hour and climb to another village. We would walk through black pepper, cinnamon plantations and a few waterways.

DAY 3 – WATERFALL TREKKING
From Haldumulla, we go by vehicle for half an hour and then trek to Bambarakanda water falls, the highest fall in Sri Lanka through a path in the mountain with panoramic views.  Enjoy  a swim in a waterfall and trek via a tea plantation and the village to a bungalow in the tea plantation for an overnight stay.

DAY 4 – FOREST AND TEA PLANTATION TREKKING
After breakfast, we we head through the Thangamalay Forest Reserve walking through various types of forests not experienced by everyday tourists.  Eucalyptus forest, pine forest & natural forest. Walk through the tea plantations of this beautiful hill country and see Sri Lanka at its best. Witness one of the most beautiful views of the north and the south during this  walk.  Overnight stay in Haputale

.
DAY 5 – THE TEA TRAILS TREKKING
The Tea Trails
Leave the hotel after breakfast. The tea trails is a walk for about five hours. It is a walk amidst a beautiful tea plantation with nice landscape and panoramic views.  The walk starts from Haputale and ends in Bandarawela.  A good experience to witness the high elevation tea country and the panorama that Sri Lanka can offer. Overnight stay in Bandarawela.

DAY 6 – VEGETABLE, PADDY AND VILLAGE TREKKING
Leave the hotel in the morning and trek in the villages through rice fields and vegetable gardens.  The trek is about five to six hours and at the end of the walk, we take the bus and drive to Nuwara Eliya for an overnight stay.

DAY  7, – KANDY TEMPLE TREKKING
After an early breakfast, leave for Kandy, on route visiting tea plantations and a tea factory to watch the process of turning the raw green leaf into the familiar dark product. From Peradeniya, walk to see the temples Hambacka,  Gadaladaniya. and Lankathilaka In Kandy,

Lankatilaka Temple
Lankatilake temple is a magnificent building built on rock at a scenic location which also has fine paintings.

Gadaladeniya Temple
This 14 century temple is situated about 15Km from the town. The structure of the temple is influenced by the South Indian architecture and built on a rock. The stupa is on a high stone platform.

Embekke Temples
The main attraction is the intricate wooden carvings of this 14th century shrine dedicated to God Kataragama. There is also a Buddhist temple on location. Almost the entire structures of some wooden buildings are decorated with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds. Nearby are the ruins of an ancient rest house with similar pillars carved in stone.

 

DAY  8 – KANDY

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. ( 115kM from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island.

Kandy Perahera, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha’s tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itenary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country. More than 50 elephants parade the city accompanied by the drummers, dancers and chieftains.

he city established in the 15th century was the last royal capital where 2500 years of royal rule ended. This bustling market town is rich in cultural diversity has plenty of iteneries to offer to the tourists from songs dances and handy crafts to ancient temples and adventure activities. Kandy is a good transit point to the cultural triangle to the north or hill country to the south. The city is also a good source of souvenirs or to experience many cultural performances at it’s various hotels in the city.

city tour, upper lake drive, Udawaththa Kelle nature reserve, sacred Temple of the Tooth relic, Royal Botanical Gardens, arts and crafts workshop, market and bazaar. Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

  Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is near the Mahaweli River (the longest in Sri Lanka). It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees Attached to it is the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km²), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall. It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

The origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near the Mahaweli river. This was followed by King Kirti Sri and King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. A temple was built on this location by King Wimala Dharma, but it was destroyed by the British when they were given control over the Kingdom of Kandy

Thereafter, the groundwork for a botanical garden was formed by Alexandar Moon in 1821. He used the garden for coffee and cinnamon plants. The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843 with plants brought from Kew Garden, Slave Island, Colombo, and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara. The Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya was made more independent and expanded under George Gardner as superintendent in 1844. On Gardner’s death in 1849 George Henry Kendrick Thwaites became superintendent. He served until he resigned in 1879, when he was succeeded by Henry Trimen, who served until 1895.

The garden came under the administration of the Department of Agriculture when it was established in 1912.

There are avenues in the River Drive such as Cook’s Pine Avenue, Palmyra Palm Avenue, Double Coconut Avenue, Cabbage Avenue, and Royal Palm Avenue. The classical Avenue of Palms is in this Garden. One item with a significant history is the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901. It is often laden with fruit, which are thought to resemble cannonballs.

During World War II, the Botanic Garden was used by Lord Louis Mountbatten, the supreme commander of the allied forces in the South Asia, as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command.

 

 

DAY 10 – KNUCKLES RANGE TREKKING

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in the north-east of the Kandy city. The range is characterized by its well known landscapes frequently covered by clouds. In addition to its aesthetic value, the range has a great tropical biodiversity and subject to the interest of scientists.

DAY 10 – KNUCKLES RANGE TREKKING

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in the north-east of the Kandy city. The range is characterized by its well known landscapes frequently covered by clouds. In addition to its aesthetic value, the range has a great tropical biodiversity and subject to the interest of scientists.

DAY 11 – POLANNARUWA, SIGIRIYA

Visit to 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. A World Heritage Site, it is now one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions rising two hundred meters from the jungle floor. The base is surrounded with extensive gardens, ramparts and a moat to protect the rock fortress. During our visit to this unique complex, we will see water gardens, ancient frescoes, the stone mirror wall and the lion platform.  For the fittest, a climb up to the summit!

DAY 12 – POLANNARUWA, SIGIRIYA
After breakfast at the hotel, we will do some sightseeing in Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD and which is a World Heritage Site. You can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya – where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in “Upright”, “Sedentary” and “Recumbent” postures carved out of rock.  We would also see the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue and the Parakrama Samudraya Lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are monuments of famous places of worship such as the the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Tooth Relic.  Accommodation in Kassiyappa Lion Rock Hotel in Sigiriya.

DAY 13 – DRIVE TO NEGOMBO
Visit the elephant orphanage en route at Pinnawela in time to watch the feeding of the baby elephants and then the rest of the herd bathing in the river. The herd normally numbers no less than 50 elephants ranging from small babies to hefty adults.  Enjoy the Beach in Negombo.

DAY 14
Transfer to the airport

Tour No 3

 

 

RAINFOREST, TREKKING, CULTURE & BEACH HOLIDAY

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS
Max 2 to 10 Persons

DAY 1 – COLOMBO – NEGOMBO
Arrival at the Colombo Airport.  Meet and transfer to Negombo. Rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

 

DAY 2 – HABARANA

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage Following breakfast, the tour begins in earnest with an early morning departure for Polannaruwa. On route, we visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an Orphanage, Nursery and Captive breeding ground for wild Asian Elephants located at Pinnawela village,. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 39 males and 49 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala

The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unwanted wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of wildlife Conserve

Tourists can observe the bathing elephants from the broad river bank as the herd interacts socially, bathing and playing. The orphanage is open to the public daily, and all admission fees are used to look after the elephants Visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants, such as bottle feeding of elephant calves, feeding of all other elephants, and bathing in the Ma Oya (River).

The orphanage was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Young elephants sometimes fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during drought period. Other orphans have been displaced from their wild habitat by development projects or have been found abandoned before weaning, diseased or wounded.

There are 48 Mahouts (handlers) who take care of the elephants. The female and young elephants in Pinnawala range freely as a herd during the day in an area of a few acres. They are herded about .5 km (0.31 mi) twice a day to drink and be bathed in the river. At night, the females are individually chained in stalls. Adult males do some light work such as transporting feed. They are chained and managed individually. Calves born in Pinnawala are not bottle fed, but a few from ETH are kept at Pinnawala and bottle fed as a tourist attraction.

The elephants are fed in their stalls. There is very little food they can gather from the premises of the orphanage except some grass. Large quantities of Jackfruit,Coconut, Kitul (sugar palm),tamarind and grass, brought in daily, form the bulk of the elephants food. Each adult animal is given around 250 kilograms (550 lb) of this green matter per day and around 2 kg (4.4 lb) from a food bag containing rice bran

 

 

DAY 3 – SIGIRIYA, POLONNARUWA

Polonnarwa After breakfast at the hotel, we will do some sightseeing by bicycles in Polonnaruwa, which was the second capital city of Sri Lanka.  This ancient city was built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD and is presently a World Heritage Site. You can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya – where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in “upright”, “sedentary” and “recumbent” postures carved out of rock.  Visit the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya Lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

After lunch, visit the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. A World Heritage Site, it is now one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions rising two hundred meters from the jungle floor. At the rocks base are extensive gardens, ramparts and a moat. During our visit to this unique complex, we will see water gardens, ancient frescoes, the stone mirror wall and the lion platform.  For the fittest, a climb up to the summit would be an achievement!

Dambulla cave temple DAY 4 – KANDY
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Kandy visiting Dambulla.

Dambulla is a part of the Cultural Triangle declared by UNESCO and is on the main road from Sigiriya to Kandy about 19km from Sigiriya. There are over 80 caves in the surrounding area and some of them have been used by the monks as meditation locations. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves which contain the statues and the paintings. Since its founding in the first century BC by King Valagamba, many improvements and additions have been carried out to the sculptures and paintings over the years. Hindu statues are believed to be of the 12th century AD and the latest paintings are of the late 18th century. The temple is a perfect location to view evolution of the ancient Sri Lankan arts. Dambulla is a unique and important historical site because of the amalgamation of the material from many eras.

After lunch in Kandy, visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and followed by a Kandyan dance programme.

DAY 5 – KANDY

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. ( 115kM from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island.

Kandy Perahera, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha’s tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itenary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country. More than 50 elephants parade the city accompanied by the drummers, dancers and chieftains.

he city established in the 15th century was the last royal capital where 2500 years of royal rule ended. This bustling market town is rich in cultural diversity has plenty of iteneries to offer to the tourists from songs dances and handy crafts to ancient temples and adventure activities. Kandy is a good transit point to the cultural triangle to the north or hill country to the south. The city is also a good source of souvenirs or to experience many cultural performances at it’s various hotels in the city.

Kandy city tour, upper lake drive, Udawaththa Kale nature reserve, arts and crafts workshop, market place and bazaar.

 

Horton Plains DAY 6 – HAPUTALE
Drive to the mountains after visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens in the morning.  En route,  visit the tea factory where you will learn how the green tea leaves are treated to become high quality “Ceylon Tea”.  We then drive to Haputale and the overnight stay in a guest house in Haputale.

 

DAY 7 – OHIYA

With a packed breakfast, leave for Horton Plains, Sri Lankas highest plateau very scenic region with an astounding variety of scenery from mountains to grasslands. Spectacular views from World’s End where the plateau plunges 700 meters in a sheer drop. Shrouded in cold mists on top of Sri Lanka’s mountains, at a height of more than 2,000m, lie the Horton Plains. A part of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and dramatically different from the coastal plains thousands of feet below, it is a plateau of 3,150 hectares in area. It is a wild and windswept plain of grasslands or patanas and patches of eerie forests. Residents include elk, monkeys, eagles, horned lizards and the occasional leopard. The Plains were uninhabited by the local population but were prized hunting and fishing grounds for the Europeans who “discovered” them in the early 19th century. Many landmarks are named after British governors, planters and hunters. Trout was introduced to the pristine rivers and lakes and still attract serious anglers, although a permit is now required. All other creatures on the plains are protected

After lunch, walk to the Bungalow in the tea plantation.  Udavariya is a small tea village in the region of the Horton Plains.

 

DAY 8 – ELLA
An early morning start as we head through the Thangamalay Forest Reserve walking through various types of forests not experienced by everyday tourists. Eucalyptus forest, pine forest and natural forest. Walk through the tea plantations of this beautiful hill country and see Sri Lanka at its best. One of the most beautiful views of north and south can be seen in this walk. The walk is about 5 to 6 hours.  Overnight stay will be in guest house in Ella.

DAY 9 – HATTON OR NEARBY
By train, we cross the mountain passes for Hatton, a short journey of three-hours. At midnight, climb Adam’s Peak, the cone shaped mountain that is perhaps the most venerated in the world. Walking through the night, we reach the peak at dawn in good time to witness the rising sun. As the sun climbs above the island, experience the magic of serendipity. The sunrise as seen from the summit of Adams Peak is considered to be one of the most spectacular phenomenons in the world.  Late breakfast before leaving for Sinharaja rainforest.

DAY 10 – DANIYAYA OR EMBILIBITIYA
An early morning start as we visit the Sinharaja rainforest or Udawalawa National Park.

Sinharaja Rainforest The Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rainforest in Sri lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west .The length of the forest is about 21km and the width from North to South is about 3.7km.  It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978, as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of its International Network of Biosphere reserves. It was declared a National Wilderness Area in 1988 and lately a World Heritage Site since 1989.  Sinharaja is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka.

Afternoon drive to Mirissa on the south coast of Sri Lanka.

DAY 11-12 – MIRISSA ON THE BEACH
Relax and enjoy the Mirissa sea and beach.Enjoy the Mirissa Beach!

DAY 11-12 – MIRISSA ON THE BEACH
Relax and enjoy the Mirissa sea and beach.Enjoy the Mirissa Beach!

DAY 13 – NEGOMBO
Rest in the hotel and enjoy the Negombo beach.

 

DAY 14 – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Transfer to the airport

Tour No 4

 

HILL COUNTRY TREKKING & ADVENTURE HOLIDAY

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS
Max 2 to 10 Persons

DAY 1 – COLOMBO
Arrival Colombo Airport, meet and transfer to Negombo.

Rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel

DAY 2 KANDY
After an early breakfast, leave for Pinnawela to see the elephant orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an Orphanage, Nursery and Captive breeding ground for wild Asian Elephants located at Pinnawela village,. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 39 males and 49 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala

The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unwanted wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of wildlife Conserve

Tourists can observe the bathing elephants from the broad river bank as the herd interacts socially, bathing and playing. The orphanage is open to the public daily, and all admission fees are used to look after the elephants Visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants, such as bottle feeding of elephant calves, feeding of all other elephants, and bathing in the Ma Oya (River).

The orphanage was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Young elephants sometimes fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during drought period. Other orphans have been displaced from their wild habitat by development projects or have been found abandoned before weaning, diseased or wounded.

There are 48 Mahouts (handlers) who take care of the elephants. The female and young elephants in Pinnawala range freely as a herd during the day in an area of a few acres. They are herded about .5 km (0.31 mi) twice a day to drink and be bathed in the river. At night, the females are individually chained in stalls. Adult males do some light work such as transporting feed. They are chained and managed individually. Calves born in Pinnawala are not bottle fed, but a few from ETH are kept at Pinnawala and bottle fed as a tourist attraction.

The elephants are fed in their stalls. There is very little food they can gather from the premises of the orphanage except some grass. Large quantities of Jackfruit,Coconut, Kitul (sugar palm),tamarind and grass, brought in daily, form the bulk of the elephants food. Each adult animal is given around 250 kilograms (550 lb) of this green matter per day and around 2 kg (4.4 lb) from a food bag containing rice bran

Later, proceed to Kandy. City tour of Kandy visiting the Kandy market, Kandy upper lake drive, Arts & Crafts Center, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the famous Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth).

In the evening, watch a Kandyan dance and cultural show. Dinner and overnight in Kandy.

DAY 3 KANDY

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. ( 115kM from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island.

Kandy Perahera, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha’s tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itenary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country. More than 50 elephants parade the city accompanied by the drummers, dancers and chieftains.

he city established in the 15th century was the last royal capital where 2500 years of royal rule ended. This bustling market town is rich in cultural diversity has plenty of iteneries to offer to the tourists from songs dances and handy crafts to ancient temples and adventure activities. Kandy is a good transit point to the cultural triangle to the north or hill country to the south. The city is also a good source of souvenirs or to experience many cultural performances at it’s various hotels in the city.

Kandy upper lake drive, Arts & Crafts Center, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the famous Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth).

Royal Botanic Gardens, peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is near the Mahaweli River (the longest in Sri Lanka). It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees Attached to it is the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km²), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall. It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

The origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near the Mahaweli river. This was followed by King Kirti Sri and King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. A temple was built on this location by King Wimala Dharma, but it was destroyed by the British when they were given control over the Kingdom of Kandy

Thereafter, the groundwork for a botanical garden was formed by Alexandar Moon in 1821. He used the garden for coffee and cinnamon plants. The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843 with plants brought from Kew Garden, Slave Island, Colombo, and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara. The Royal Botanic Garden, Peradeniya was made more independent and expanded under George Gardner as superintendent in 1844. On Gardner’s death in 1849 George Henry Kendrick Thwaites became superintendent. He served until he resigned in 1879, when he was succeeded by Henry Trimen, who served until 1895.

The garden came under the administration of the Department of Agriculture when it was established in 1912.

There are avenues in the River Drive such as Cook’s Pine Avenue, Palmyra Palm Avenue, Double Coconut Avenue, Cabbage Avenue, and Royal Palm Avenue. The classical Avenue of Palms is in this Garden. One item with a significant history is the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901. It is often laden with fruit, which are thought to resemble cannonballs.

During World War II, the Botanic Garden was used by Lord Louis Mountbatten, the supreme commander of the allied forces in the South Asia, as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command.

 

DAY 4 – NUWARA ELIYA
After an early breakfast, leave for Nuwara Eliya.  At Peradeniya, walk to see the temples Hambacka & Gadaladaniya and travel by vehicle on route visiting a tea factory.

Dinner and overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 5 – UDAVARIYA, HORTON PLAINS

With a packed breakfast, leave for Horton Plains, Sri Lankas highest plateau very scenic region with an astounding variety of scenery from mountains to grasslands. Spectacular views from World’s End where the plateau plunges 700 meters in a sheer drop. Shrouded in cold mists on top of Sri Lanka’s mountains, at a height of more than 2,000m, lie the Horton Plains. A part of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and dramatically different from the coastal plains thousands of feet below, it is a plateau of 3,150 hectares in area. It is a wild and windswept plain of grasslands or patanas and patches of eerie forests. Residents include elk, monkeys, eagles, horned lizards and the occasional leopard. The Plains were uninhabited by the local population but were prized hunting and fishing grounds for the Europeans who “discovered” them in the early 19th century. Many landmarks are named after British governors, planters and hunters. Trout was introduced to the pristine rivers and lakes and still attract serious anglers, although a permit is now required. All other creatures on the plains are protected

After lunch, walk to the Bungalow in the tea plantation.  Udavariya is a small tea village in the region of the Horton Plains.

DAY 6 – UDAVARIYA
After breakfast, start as we head through the Thangamalay Forest Reserve walking through various types of forests that are not experienced by everyday tourists. Walk through the tea plantations of this beautiful hill country and see Sri Lanka at its best. One of the most beautiful views of north and south can be seen in this walk.

This walk is approximately 6 hours. Return to Bandarawela and have a picnic on the way.

DAY 7 – BANDARAWELA (Adventure on a three wheeler)
Breakfast in the hotel and then be driven in a tuk tuk through a most beautiful tea garden in Sri Lanka. Witness panoramic views and a natural swimming pool where you can have a dip or swim. Picnic cooked on the spot and return back to the hotel after seeing a water fall.

DAY 8 – BANDARAWELA
Local walk takes you through the daily life of Sri Lankans.  See them silently toil the land, come rain or shine. Gently make your way over the hills taking a close look at the local vegetable gardens.

See the fresh vegetables that make Sri Lankan people so healthy.  You’ll be surely tempted to sample their produce!  Locals work relentlessly tending to the paddy as you wind your way through their environment. The tour takes about three hours.

DAY 9 – BOGODA TEMPLE
After an early breakfast, leave the hotel so as to be able to catch the early morning birds. This is the best walk for bird lovers. Leave to a starting point by car, approximately one-hour drive. From Bandarawela, this walk meanders through wonderful natural forests of Sri Lanka and beautiful paddy fields.  See the country folk at work. Picnic on the way.

Night in the village Buddhist temple.Simple accommodation and have our dinner in a house by the temple.

DAY 10 – TANGALLE OR MIRISSA BEACH
After an early breakfast, leave for Tangalle Beach via Ella gap, Ravana Ella water fall and Buduruwagala.

DAY 11 –   TANGALLE Or Mirissa Beach
.Relax on the beach

DAY 1 –   TANGALLE Or Mirissa Beach
.Relax on the beach

 

DAY 12 – 13 NEGOMBO
Rest in the hotel and enjoy the sea.

 

Enjoy the sand and the sea!

DAY 14 TRANSFER TO AIRPORT

Transfer to the airport.

Cook Sri Lankan Rice & Curry By Your Self

 

Sri Lanka cuisine has been shaped by many historical, cultural, and other factors. Foreign traders who brought new food items; influences from  the cuisine of Southern India have all helped to shape Sri Lankan cuisine. Today, some of the staples of Sri Lankan cuisine are rice, coconut, and spices. The latter are used due to Sri Lanka’s history as a spice producer and trading post over several centuries.

The central feature of Sri Lankan cuisine is boiled or steamed rice, served with a curry of fish, chicken, beef or mutton, along with other curries made with vegetables, lentils, or fruits.

Dishes are accompanied by pickled fruits or vegetables, chutneys, and sambols. coconut sambol is especially common, a paste of ground coconut mixed with chili peppers, dried Maldive fish, and lime juice.

Sri Lankan spicy and aromatic cuisine has gained recognition and popularity as being one of the world’s finest. Some of the most famous delicacies are hoppers, red, white and black curries, milk rice and yellow rice.

The Sri Lankan cuisine is extremely wide and it gained recognition due to the Portuguese, British and Dutch invaders, Arab, Indian, Malay and Moor traders. The main Sri Lankan dish is rice and it is usually served with vegetable curries, Beef, fish, Chicken, egg and mallum. Vegetarian curries are made from fruit or vegetable like brinjals, carrot, beetroot, beans, pumpkin, ash plantains, or banana flower. Sri Lankan curries are much hotter than those in India and made with chilli powder, cinnamon, fresh chillies, curry powder, curry leaves, tumenic, garlic, onions, ginger and coconut milk.

Sri Lankan people prepare fish according to a wide variety of recipes; however, ‘Ambul Thiyal’ is the most famous fish curry which can be found especially in the southern part. There are some unique Sri Lankan specialities such as hoppers, which people usually serve for breakfast or lunch. There are several varieties of hoppers like egg hoppers, milk hoppers, or string hoppers. After meal, Sri Lankan people have pittu, which is a mixture of flourand grated coconut steamed in a bamboo tube. Another popular Dutch dish is lamprais, which is rice boiled in beef stockand added to meat and vegetables. Like every cuisine of this world, Sri Lankan cuisine has its own secrets, as well. Thus, baking the rice in banana leaves gives an extraordinary flavour to the rice. Then, Sri Lankan people say that the best way to enjoy their food is eating with your fingers.

All the communities have adopted rice as the staple food. Usually, the midday meal is rice and curry and for such a meal, everything is put on the table at once: fish, rice, meat curries, soup, and vegetables. Desserts are unknown except on different festive occasions. Another rule seems to be the fact that almost every meal ends with mangoes, pawpaws, bananas, mangosteens, rambutan, avocados, and watermelon. Every meal has to contain curries, which are always classified in accordance with the type of spicing, or the method of cooking; they can be red, white, or black. Red curries are based on few spices and a large amount of chili powder or ground chilies. White curries contain coconut milk and there is no doubt that they are usually mild and have a lot of liquid. Finally, black curries proved to be the most mypical in Sri Lanka; their dark colour is given by the coriander, fennel and cumin.

The Sri Lankan home cooking program instructs groups to prepare authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry. We get all the vegetables and the meats and get together with the group to cook the meal. We will instruct you how to cook more than five different dishes and for the desert we will teach you how to make banana fritters with treacle. We will end it with Sri Lankan tea or coffee. Our kitchen can accommodate about 25 guests comfortably. Groups that have participated in the cooking program have enjoyed themselves very much!

 

The Recipes For what you cook with us

 

Dhal (Lentil) Curry

Ingredients
2 Cups Masoor Dhal
Unroasted curry powder
Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Tempering Ingredients
1/2 of an Onion sliced
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 Sprig curry leaf
Pandan leaf(rampe)
2 tspn Mustard seeds
1 tspn Cumin seeds
2 or 3 dried red chillies

Method

Wash the Dhal well and add sufficient water. Then add unroasted curry powder and turmeric powder and cook well. When the Dhal is done add salt to taste. Now add a little coconut milk and take it out of the stove.
For tempering heat a nonstick pan and add a little cooking oil and brown the sliced onions. Then add the rest of the Ingredients. Lastly add a little bit of red chilli powder for a nice aroma and taste. Take it out of the stove and add it to the dhal curry and mix well

Hot and spicy Chicken Curry

1 Whole Chicken

(a)Ingredients
Black Pepper powder
Red chilli powder
Unroasted curry powder
1 tspn turmeric powder
Salt to taste

(b)Ingredients
1/2 onion sliced
Chopped 2 green chillies
Chopped garlic and ginger
1 Clove,2 Cardomoms and 1 stick Cinnamon
Roasted Black curry powder(kalu kudu)
1 sprig curry leaf
pandan leaf(rampe)

(c)Ingredients
Roasted Black curry powder(kalu kudu)
Tamarind juice or vinegar and Goraka
Coconut milk(optional)

Method

Take the skin out of the chicken and cut it into suitable pieces and wash well. Drain the excess water and add all the (a)Ingredients. Mix well and set aside.
Then heat a pot and add a little cooking oil. When it’s hot add the sliced onions and brown it well. Then add all the (b)Ingredients.
Now add the chicken and stir it well. Then add Tamarind juice or vinegar and a little bit of water if desired and cook thoroughly. Stir occasionally and cook until all the water is evaporated. At this point if you need gravy you can add coconut milk and bring to a boil. Finally add roasted black curry powder (kalu kudu). Shake well and take the pot out of the stove

 

Pol Sambol  (Coconut Salad)

Ingredients

6 oz. scraped coconut
3 tspn chilli powder
1 tspn chilli flakes
1 tspn crushed maldive fish
2 oz onions chopped
3-4 tspn lime juice
salt to taste
1 clove garlic (chopped)
Half a tomato (chopped)

2-3 curry leaves (chopped)
1-2 green chillies (chopped)

Method

Option 1: Grind all the above ingredients (except lime juice) in a stone motar. Add coconut and grind more till all the ingredients are mixed well and the coconut becomes red color. Add lime juice, salt to taste and mix well.

Option 2: Add all the above ingredients into a food processor. Mix well till the coconut becomes red color

 

Cabbage Cooked with Coconut milk

Ingredients
1 Cabbage
Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
unraosted curry powder
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tbsn mustard powder
2 green chillies
lime juice

Method

Wash the cabbage well and shred or cut it into very small pieces. Add some turmeric powder and salt with a little water and cook for a while. (cabbage contains water so don’t add too much).
Chop the garlic and green chilli. Then add shredded coconut, mustard powder, lime juice, curry powder, curry leaves and chop everything together using a food processor or a grinding pot. Add the coconut mix into the cabbage and stir well. When the coconut mix is cooked remove from fire.

Deep-Fried Sri Lankan Eggplant Curry with Coconut Milk

Ingredients:

500 g eggplant

1 small onion

2 garlic cloves

1 branch curry leaves

1 cup coconut milk

2 pinches of turmeric

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

vegetable oil

salt to taste

Instructions:Cut the eggplant into 2-inch pieces and deep-fry them until light brown.Cut the onion into small pieces, then mix the onion pieces, turmeric, black pepper, salt chili powder, curry leaves and garlic with the coconut milk in a small deep-frying pan.Heat the frying pan on low fire and stir for 3 minutes.Add the deep-fried eggplant to the pan, stir well and cook for 2 minutes on low fire. Enjoy your Sri Lankan eggplant curry!

Green Beans Curry:

Ingredients:

1lb green beans

1 1/2 tsp raw curry powder

3 tbs vegetable oil

1 medium sized onion

2 branches of curry leaves

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 pinch of turmeric powder

1/2 cup of coconut milk

salt to taste

Instructions:Wash the beans and cut them in 1-inch long slices.Cut the onion into small pieces.Heat vegetable oil in the pot and fry the onion pieces and curry leaves until light brown.Add beans and leave it for 5 minutes on low fire while stirring.Add the vegetable curry powder, black pepper, turmeric powder and salt.Cook for 20 minutes on low fire.Check regularly if it’s boiling and add a half cup of coconut milk as soon as it reaches the boiling point.Cook for 5 minutes on low fire.Taste to see if there’s enough salt, add more salt if necessary.

The Sri Lankan Way to Make Potato Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

500g potato

1 medium onion
2 branches curry leaves

1-inch pandan leaves
1 1/2 tbsp ground chili pieces
2 small green chilis
3 tbsp vegetable oil
salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:Peel the potatos and cut into cubes of 1 inch each.
2. Boil the potatos in hot water with three pinches of salt until the potatos are soft and put them away.
3. Cut the green chili open and cut the onion into small pieces.
4. Fry the onion and green chili on medium flame with the vegetable oil, curry leaves and pandan leaves until brown.
4. Add the chili pieces and stir well for 5 seconds, then add the potatos.
5. Leave it cooking on low fire for 5 minutes and keep stirring well.

Enjoy!