Roundtrip 3
Pinnawela – Sigiriya – Dambula – Trincomale – Kandy – Mahiyangana(Vedda) – Nuwara Eliya – Worlds End -Yala – Hikkaduwa – Galle – turtle farm
A special round trip, as some have mentioned that are not Article condition in the typical tourist programs but also are seasonal.
On Day 1, we pass paddy fields, pineapple and rubber plantations to Pinnawela, the elephant orphanage.
This institution was established in 1975, to give injured or orphaned elephants a chance of survival. The visit here will be unforgettable!
We continue to Dambula-the cave temple.
Dambulla is a huge, isolated rock with an area of about 150m high with a circumference of 1.5 km! The famous cave temple located in this rock, goes back to the first century before Christ’s. The caves (five totals) served as the king Walagamba refuge during his 14-year exile. When he returned to the throne, he built the greatest temple of the island. In the first cave there is an approximately 14m long stone-carved Buddha. Frescoes on the ceiling date from the 14th to18th Century. In the second (and largest) cavity are 150 life-size statues of the Buddhist religion and the Buddha himself. Again, ceiling frescoes found that describe the life of Buddha.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya or Dambula
Our Day 2 requires fitness and stamina – the lion rock of Sigiriya.
The former fortress of King Kashyapa in the 5th Century, is probably the most fantastic combination of nature and culture, you meet during this trip. You can expect an exciting and somewhat exhausting climb the Sigiriya Lion Rock.
The “Lion Rock” (so called because a huge lion statue guards the entrance to Fort) stands as a 150m high monolith in the landscape and offers a unique panoramic view over the beautiful landscape around. Not for nothing that King Kashyapa came here, could he look his enemy from here for miles …; on the plateau was once a fortress complete, from which still you can see the floor plans, as well a swimming pool and gardens. On the way up you pass the famous “Cloud Damsels” historical, erotic paintings.
The day is ending and we will take you to the Hotel. Rest and relaxation will help you to enjoy the next day the journey to the east of the country.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya or Dambula
Our goal on Day 3 is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world- Nilaveli in Trincomalee on the east coast of Sri Lanka.
It offers not only beautiful beaches but also other sites that bear witness to a long history.
The legendary Temple of a Thousand Columns is said to have been at the site of the present temple of Trincomalee. In 1622 this was destroyed by the Portuguese, and over a cliff dumped at sea.
1782 Trinco was conquered by the British until independence, before there was change of power between Dutch, French and Portuguese.
Hot Wells – the miracle of multiple sources is located a few kilometers west of Trincomalee.
The sources are despite their proximity different temperatures. Very close to these sources, there is also a market.
Nilaveli one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, about 12 km north of Trincomalee. From here you can reach the small resort island Pigeon Island by boat. Pigeon Island has a coral beach and invites you to snorkel.
2 Nights in Nilaveli
Day 5 is all about Kandy.
We take you from Trincomalee to Kandy, where you first take a relaxing stroll through the botanical garden.An extensive and very interesting park with a variety of unusual plants that you simply must see
In the afternoon visit the famous Tooth Temple and before dinner, you can experience the traditional culture dance of Sri Lanka.
Kandy is a university town and former and last royal city. With its location on an artificial lake, near the Mahaweli River and the middle of the tropical wooded hills of Kandy is considered the most beautiful city in Sri Lanka. As a center of Buddhism, the arts and crafts, either the culture is Kandy a place where you like to return.
Overnight stay in Kandy
On Day 6 we bring you closer to the early history of Sri Lanka-the Vedda aborigines.
We drive about 2 hours east into the jungle after Mahiyanganaya. Hear you can learn more about the lives of indigenous people and their history.
Even today, the Veddas live as hunter-gatherers in simple mud and wood huts and are with an ax, bow and arrow, armed, like their ancestors.
The giant Vedda areas that have the diameter of a day’s march- called Paguwa – were marked with arrows.
There was originally a total of 13 family clans, in which the head of the village elders was an adviser and priest too. All the clans were under the king of the Veddas.
Over the centuries, the originally living Veddas began with horticulture. The women built on corn, pumpkins and beans, more recently rice.
We stay here 2 days so you have enough time to discover the life and history.
2 nights in a guesthouse near Mahinyanganaya
Day 8: Our destination today is Nuwara Eliya
Along the way you visit a tea factory, where you have opportunity to buy very good highland quality tea and enjoy a cup of tea with a very tasty piece of chocolate cake.
The tea plantations are located in the altitude range from about 1000 to 2500 m and produce some of the best tea’s in the world. The path through the plantations goes over small, very curvy roads, over mountain passes, passing waterfalls and stunning scenery. An overwhelming experience for every nature lover! Something special: If you wish, you can take part of their journey by train! The driver will arrange locally for the tickets (not included, cost only a few €), brings you to the train and waiting at the agreed location. So you can experience how the locals travel and you have guaranteed views of the landscape that will impress you very much!
(Note: in the high country can be a little cooler at night a light jacket / sweater is not out of whack.)
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
The 9th day we stay in Nuwara Eliya, but it means getting up early. It stands on a walk – through the cloud forest to the “Worlds End” in Horton Plains National Park.
Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by meadows and montane cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of 2.100 to 2.300 meters (6.900 to 7.500 ft) is rich in biodiversity. This region became a national park in 1988 and is also a popular holiday destination and is located 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Nuwara Eliya
The Horton Plains are the headwaters of three major rivers in Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe. In Sinhala the level Mahaweli Plains is known. Stone tools from the Balangoda culture were found. The levels of the grassland vegetation is interspersed with mountain forest contains many rare species. Deforestation is one of the greatest threats to the park and some studies suggest that it is caused by a natural phenomenon.
The sheer precipice of World’s End and Baker’s fall are the tourist attractions of the park.
In the afternoon you will have a small city tour. Discover the many buildings from the British colonial time, as example the post office of Nuwara Eliya, take a walk through the market and enjoy the hustle of this small town.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
On Day 10 we are on our way out of 2000m leads to the southeast coast of Sri Lanka
The journey leads to the southeast of the country with a natural vegetation, where three zones succeed each other, through forests and passing the tea and rubber plantations and waterfalls.
Continues through jungle areas where there are national parks like Bundula and we get to our destination Tissamaharama.
Tissamaharama known as a starting point for the safari in Yala National Park is our goal.
In the afternoon enjoy a jeep safari in the Yala National Park.
Discover the diversity of animal life of Sri Lankan elephants, deer, wild boar, water buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks and leopards, and the numerous bird species.
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama
Day 11 promises to be a relaxing break. Along the south coast we will bring you to Mirissa, one of the most beautiful bays in Sri Lanka to stay and swim. Enjoy the sea and the beach before the next day goes on.
Overnight stay in Mirissa
The last and 12 th day continues along the south coast to Galle.
Galle has reminded the Sri Lanka’s second largest port and the architecture of the period of Dutch colonial period. You will visit the Dutch Fort and take a walk at the lighthouse.
On the move away you can visit a turtle farm in Bentota. It explains how turtles are reared and then released back into the wild. A few turtles remain on the farm, because they would not survive in the wild, like the albino turtles. Just touch
Back in your hotel, we hope that you enjoyed the tour of culture and history, nature and adventure and you will long be remembered.
Sri Lanka is a land to discover.
Are you interested in this tour? Then write to us now and receive your individual offer!