Jewels Of The Emerald Isle

Tour overview

Start exploring the Jewels of the Emerald Isle. Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri
Lanka, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of
Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea; it is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the
Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.
Sri Lanka is one of the most exotic getaways in the world. Surrounded by the azure Indian
Ocean, this island paradise has contrasting landscapes, stretches of golden sandy beaches and
a wealth of wildlife and culture to discover. It is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 15
national parks showcasing spectacular wildlife and nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates.
The island is blessed with waterfalls, rivers, jungles, rain forests and fertile lands for an
abundance of rice fields. Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. The best time to experience the
south-west coast, where most beach resort are found is from November to April.
The ancient city areas as well as the eastern coastal regions are usually visited from April to
September, whilst the central highlands are pleasant and cool from January to April. Sri Lanka
is world’s tea capital, where the famous Ceylon Tea grows in the central highlands. Although
the hill country is a few hours away from the rest of the country, it is a striking contrast to the
general landscape. Here, there are imposing mountain vistas all around, plunging waterfalls,
misty hill tops, sloping green valleys and stunning plains. It has the perfect altitude to grow
some of the finest tea in the world and has a number of tea estates stretching far and wide.
The north central province of the country is a treasure trove of ancient cities, monuments, ruin
of palaces, temples and preserved Buddhist stupas. It contains two thirds of the Cultural
Triangle of Sri Lanka, an area marked with heritage sites of paramount interest.
There are many places of religious significance including the Enlightenment Tree. The south-
west, south and eastern coasts of Sri Lanka have a remarkable tropical coast. Discover the
‘surfing capital of the world’ at Arugam Bay, whale and dolphin watching at Mirissa,
watersports at Tangalle, an old sea fort at Galle and scuba diving at Hikkaduwa. Be spoilt for
choice on your beach holiday in Sri Lanka with sun, waves, sights and aquatic pleasures.

Sinharaja Expedition

Jewels of the Emerald Isle

Sri Lankan Central Tour

Sri Lankan Central Tour Sri Lankan Central Tour Sri Lankan Central Tour Sri Lankan Central Tour where is sri lanka colombo sri lanka hill country scenic drive map sri lanka map hill country wine tours time in sri lanka mesmerizing sri lanka tourtexas hill country self-guided tour things to do in hill country this weekend Internal Internal Internal Internal Internal

Sri Lanka’s documented history goes back 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements that dates to at least 125,000 years ago.[13] It has a rich cultural heritage. The earliest known Buddhist writings of Sri Lanka, known collectively as the Pāli canon, date to the fourth Buddhist council, which took place in 29 BCE.[14][15] Sri Lanka’s geographic location and deep harbours have made it of great strategic importance, from the earliest days of the ancient Silk Road trade route to today’s so-called maritime Silk Road.[16][17][18] Because its location made it a major trading hub, it was already known to both Far Easterners and Europeans as long ago as the Anuradhapura period. The country’s trade in luxury goods and spices attracted traders of many nations, which helped to create Sri Lanka’s diver se population. During a period of great political crisis in the Sinhalese kingdom of Kotte, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka (largely by accident) and then sought to control the island’s maritime regions and its lucrative externa l trade. Part of Sri Lanka became a Portuguese possession. After the Sinhalese-Portuguese war, the Dutch and the Kingdom of Kandy took control of those areas. The Dutch possessions were then taken by the British, who later extended their control over the whole island, colonising it from 1815 to 1948. A national movement for political independence aros e in the early 20th century, and in 1948, Ceylon became a dominion. The dominion was succeeded by the republic named Sri Lanka in 1972. Sri Lanka’s more recent history was marred by a 26-year civil war, which began in 1983 and ended decisively in 2009, when the Sri Lanka Armed Forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[19] Sri Lanka’s documented history goes back 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements that dates to at least 125,000 years ago.[13] It has a rich cultural heritage. The earliest known Buddhist writings of Sri L anka, known collectively as the Pāli canon, date to the fourth Buddhist council, which took place in 29 BCE.[14][15] Sri Lanka’s geographic location and deep harbours have made it of great strategic importance, from the earliest days of the ancient Silk Road trade route to today’s so-called maritime Silk Road.[16][17][18] Because its location made it a major trading hub, it was already known to both Far Easterners and Europeans as long ago as the Anuradhapura period. The country’s trade in luxury goods and spices attracted traders of many nations, which helped to create Sri Lanka’s diverse population. During a period of great political crisis in the Sinhalese kingdom of Kotte, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka (largely by accident) and then sought to control the island’s maritime regions and its lucrative external tr ade. Part of Sri Lanka became a Portuguese possession. After the Sinhalese-Portuguese war, the Dutch and the Kingdom of Kandy took control of those areas. The Dutch possessions were then taken by the British, who later extended their control over the whole island, colonising it from 1815 to 1948. A national movement for pol itical independence arose in the early 20th century, and in 1948, Ceylon became a dominion. The dominion was succeeded by the republic named Sri Lanka in 1972. Sri Lanka’s more recent history was marred by a 26-year civil war, which began in 1983 and ended decisively in 2009, when the Sri Lanka Armed Forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[19] Sri Lanka’s documented history goes back 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements that dates to at least 125,000 years ago.[13] It has a rich cultural heritage. The earliest known Buddhist writings of Sri Lanka, known collectively as the Pāli canon, date to the fourth Buddhist council, which took place in 29 BCE.[14][15] Sri Lanka’s geographic location and deep harbours have made it of great strategic importance, from the earliest days of the ancient Silk Road trade route to today’s so-called maritime Silk Road.[16][17][18] Because its location made it a major trading hub, it was already known to both Far Easterners and Europeans as long ago as the Anuradhapura period. The country’s trade in luxury goods and spices attracted traders of many nations, which helped to create Sri Lanka’s diverse population. During a period of great political crisi’ ‘ s in the Sinhalese kingdom of Kotte, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka (largely by accident) and then sought to control the island’s maritime regions and its lucrative external trade. Part of Sri Lanka became a Portuguese possession. After the Sinhalese-Portuguese war, the Dutch and the Kingdom of Kandy took control of those areas. The Dutch possessions were then taken by the British, who later extended their control over the whole island, colonising it from 1815 to 1948. A national movement for political independence arose in the early 20th century, and in 1948, Ceylon became a dominion. The dominion was succeeded by the republic named Sri Lan ka in 1972. Sri Lanka’s more recent history was marred by a 26-year civil war, which began in 1983 and ended decisively in 2009, when the Sri Lanka Armed Forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[19]

Included

Transportation by private AC car
English speaking chauffeur guide
Water bottles

Not Included

Accommodation
Food & beverages
Entrance tickets

Day 01 : Sigiriya

Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 metres high.

Day 02 : Exploring Kandy and Dambulla

Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession

Dambulla is a town situated in the north of Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the second largest populated and urbanised centre after Matale in the Matale District. It is situated 148 km north-east of Colombo, 43 km north of Matale and 72 km north of Kandy

Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.

Day 03 :Much more at Kandy

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. In 2016, the garden was visited by 1.2 million locals and 400,000 foreign visitors. It is near the Mahaweli River. It is renowned for its collection of orchids.

Day 04 : Nuwaraeliya

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple, a colorful Hindu shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory bird species, including bulbuls and flycatchers.

Ramboda Falls so named due to its proximity the breathtaking Ramboda Falls waterfall in Nuwara Eliya. Our guests enjoy beautiful views of nature’s own wonderful creations when they stay at our well planned holiday resort which is carefully built on a precipice.

Day 05 : Sight Seeing at Nuwaraeliya

Lake Gregory sometimes also called Gregory Lake or Gregory Reservoir, is a reservoir in heart of the tea country hill city, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Lake Gregory was constructed during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. The lake and the surrounding area make up the Gregory Lake Area.

Sita Eliya is a village in Sri Lanka. It is located within Central Province.

Day 06 : Drive to Ella

Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna.

The Nine Arches Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations

Day 07 : Hiking at Adam's Peak

Adam's Peak is a 2,243 m tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known for the Sri Pada, i.e., "sacred footprint", a 1.8 m rock formation near the summit.

Day 08 : Yala Safari

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names such as, Ruhuna National Park, and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

There are six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries in the vicinity of Yala. Among the largest is Lunugamvehera National Park. The park is situated in the dry semi-arid climatic region and rain is received mainly during the northeast monsoon. Yala hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

Day 09 : The coastal ride at Mirissa (Whale Watching)

Mirissa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 150 kilometres south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres above sea level. Mirissa's beach and nightlife make it a popular tourist destination.

Rumassala is a beautiful mountain located 3 KM east to Galle town, Southern Province of Sri Lanka which is directly linked to the Ramayana yatra Sri Lanka. According to the Ramayana trail tour Sri Lanka, this abnormal geographical piece believed to be fallen down when Hanuman carried the Dronagiri on his flight back to Lanka Pura in order to use lifesaving Sanjeevani herbs there, to rescue Lakhshmana and Rama who were in need of this medical plant to be treated after suffering severe injuries at their war. Therefor Rumassala is one of the five Sanjivani Mountains in Sri Lanka and important Sri Lanka Ramayana tour site.

Day 10 : Galle

Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.

Day 11 : Bentota

Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. On Bentota River, centuries-old Galapota Temple has a large Buddha statue. Southeast is Lunuganga, the estate and gardens of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Northeast is his brother Bevis's Brief Garden.

Day 12 : Exploring Colombo

Colombo is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 in the Municipality. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.