Experience the wonders of Sri Lanka with The Best Tour Operators in Sri Lanka!
Days: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka with the “Wonderland Acceleration” tour – an entertaining 5 days and 4 nights package trip. The chosen route is designed to combine familiarization with the history and culture of the country, incredible scenery, and exciting activities. Starting from the baby elephants of Pinnawala to the magnificent climbing of Sigiriya Rock; from the calm beauty of the tea country of Nuwara Eliya for the colorful bustle of Colombo – every day of the itinerary offers chance to appreciate memorial of Sri Lankan history and its splendid geography. No matter if you want to have a rest or have fun, this tour offers unique experience at each stage.
The first place you will visit is Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which now houses over 90 elephants, including those born at the orphanage, sick or injured elephants. To see the elephants washing in the river a trip which is popular by more than 500000 tourists every year You will also know how this organization has been helping save hundred of lives since its formation in 1975.
End the day with a peaceful sunset viewing at Pidurangala Rock, an ancient site offering stunning views of Sigiriya. A 20–30 minute hike rewards you with panoramic vistas that attract photographers and nature lovers alike. The view is said to be one of the best in Sri Lanka for sunsets, making this a highlight for many travelers.
Start your day with challenging your spirit through climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress/ Ancillary which is one of the world heritages. Often referred to as the “Lion Rock”, this stately hill stands 197 meters over the jungle and overlooks the area. While climbing the 1200 steps on the rock or visiting the various painted frescoes, Mirror Wall, and archeological site of the palace belonging to King Kashyapa of the 5th century, you can. The summit offers you stunning views of the surrounding area and gives you at_first_hand experience of the history of Sri Lanka.
Next, go to Dambulla Cave Temple which we visited and is considered as one of the best places for being a sacred place for Buddhists, it contains more than 150 statues of Buddha. These caves which were created over 2000 years ago are packed with breathtaking frescoes covering in excess of 2100 square meters – this makes the Dambatenne site the largest and most intact pre-historic cave complex in the whole of Sri Lanka. Exploring the five caves is enjoyable because the site offers ample history and art from hundreds of years of spirituality.
Your day finishes also at relatively less frequented but quite fascinating Nalanda Gedige situated at the geographical heart of the island. Dating from the 8th to the 10th centuries this pretty temple shows an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist architecture which in fact makes this structure a true icon of ethnic tolerance of Sri Lanka. Some of the engravings SO exquisite done on stone are preserved and these were works of art by artisans of the old world. Nalanda Gedige is sometimes referred to as a ‘noctorne destination’, which may well be the case given the fact that it has not generated massive throngs of visitors to the island as other religious and cultural attractions.
Start your day with the walk at the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, one of the most famous gardens of Sri Lanka. It covers an area of 147 acres and comprises of over 4 000 species of plants with special attention being placed to the endangered flowers such as the orchids, palm trees among other tree species. As you stroll along diagonal, you will reach out for an array of hues, bonanza of fragrance and the beautiful music of nature. The commercial purpose of the garden is to cater for the lovers of nature and it is an added advantage to view the diversified to view the diversified nature of plants and animals of Sri Lanka.
Then, you will see an unconquerable religious temple of the Buddhist called Temple of the Tooth Relic. Being the sacred place for Buddhists, this temple is situated in the central region of Sri Lankans’, city Kandy, which holds the great relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha. The programme will afford visitors first-hand glimpses of rich Kandyan architectural designs, ornate wood carvings, and a beehive of activity of devotees engaged in ‘puja’. Of course it does, the temple has been one of the major landmarks of Sri Lanka which is religious and cultural significance and with its stunning architecture, historical value and religious importance where visitor cannot afford to miss.
Following the tour in the temple, you could take time and admire the serenity of Kandy Lake viewpoint nearby. ;This beautiful place provides wonderful views of the lake, the temple and the hills nearby. However it is the best place that you can take some beautiful shot or visit the place just to experience the serenity of Kandy. Though it looks like a natural lake, Kandy Lake is actually a man-made creation, constructed in 1807 by the last Sinhalese king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.
Hidden Tunnel: It is believed that a secret underwater tunnel connects the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic with the royal palace on the opposite side of the lake. The tunnel was allegedly used by the king and his court to escape in times of danger, but its exact location remains elusive.
Late morning proceed on a scenic drive to the hill capital of Nuwara Eliya, a region famed as the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country with a tour of a tea factory and plantation. Nuwara Eliya is called little England due to its temperate climate and colonial architecture, which makes it the major place of production of some of the world’s best Teas branded as Ceylon tea. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in Kenya, as at the plantation you will be shown how the tea is made, from the young leaves that are plucked to the drying and fermentation processes. You will also be informed about the history of tea making in Sri Lanka and of course you will be able to taste fresh Ceylon tea. Beautiful tea gardens and hilly terrains of the estate makes a scenic setting to this typically Sri Lankan experience.
Here are some unknown and intriguing facts about Kandy Lake that will spark curiosity in tourists:
Man-Made Wonder: Visually it is misconceived as a natural lake but actually Kandy Lake was built in the year 1807 by the last Sinhalese king named Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. He constructed it to improve the appearance of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic that ll this moment is one of the symbols of the city.
Buried Treasure: The locals have a legend that the last king of Kandy, King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, hid his treasures at the bottom of this lake just before he lost the kingdom. Though many tries were made to find the treasure the treasure is still unheard of to this present day making the place surrounding the lake more serene.
The Curse of the Lake: The second and lesser known story is that for some rebellion the king’s workers who constructed the lake were cursed. The curse meant that anyone who tried to cause a wave on the lake would suffer bad luck; this is why the majority of people still associate the lake with a lot of respect.
Protected Species: There are several types of fish and birds in and around the Kandy Lake some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka. This area also has endangered trees like Nuga (Banyan) trees and Cannonball trees which make the entire experience around the lake rather refreshing.
Hidden Tunnel: There are a number of myths and legends surrounding the Temple of the Tooth Relic, but probably the most widely known is that the temple is connected to the palace on the opposite side of the lake by an underwater passage. Including the fact that the king and his court allegedly used the tunnel to flee in case of danger, the precise location of the tunnel has not been discovered yet.
Kick-start your day with a slow walking tour around the scenic city of Nuwara Eliya well known as Little England owing to its westernised structures and climate. The first of them is the place known as Ancient Post Office – a red brick building that was constructed in 1894 and is still functioning as a post office – this building is, in fact, one of the most photographed objects in the town. From there go for the Fruit & Vegetable Market, where locals bring fresh produce and where you get a snap-shot of daily life in the highlands. Then you will get the chance to well-maintained Victoria Park. The tour also shows you the Hill Club, a gentlemen only club that was established in 1876 and possesses colonial architectural works. The final place is Gregory Lake Park where you can have a view of the water body if interested in swimming or one can take a view of the hills.
Afterward, they move towards Devon Falls one of the best waterfalls in Sri Lanka. This breathtaking natural phenomenon falls from a height of 97 metres and is surrounded by green vegetation for the best photos. Devon Falls, provisionally named after an English coffee planter, is as much a show of the nature’s force as it is a break from noise and humdrum of urban life. Tourists can view the waterfall from a vantage view point or opt to take a breathe of fresh air from the falls while doing a trail.
Expedition lovers can end the day with the white water rafting in Kitulgala for the adventure lovers. Located in the midst of green rain forests and crystal-clear streams, Kitulgala is a challenging raftsman’s paradise with graded rapids starting from Grade II to Grade IV with suitable for novices as well as professional rafters. When you are doing the rafting, most of the time you will get to have fun with bouncing on the waves but at certain intervals it drops a little bit to allow you view the scenery. It offers a thrilling experience as well as offer you great view on the area making sure that you leave the place with incredible memories of this wonderful territory.
Is that really little England?
Colonial Architecture: The town is characterised by several buildings of colonial nature demonstrated in their architecture of British origin. Some buildings including the Hill Club, the Post Office and several bungalows and cottages portray more the image of English country establishments albeit Georgian and very pleasing to the eye with freshly trimmed lawns and a very traditional sort of feeling to them.
Climate: Nuwara Eliya is cooler than the majority of Sri Lanka being at an altitude and with the climate that takes after England. The climate consists of mild to warm temperatures with an average of 10 to 20 °C (50 – 68 °F) thus receiving holidaymakers from the hot summer from Britain colony.
Tea Plantations: In the 19th century British started tea plantations in the region and extensively changed the whole atmosphere and economy of the place. Today Nuwara Eliya is full of flowering tea gardens looking like the England countryside hence the name – Little England.
Activities and Sports: It supports some Englishman customary activities involving social prestige, including golf, horse racing, and, less expectedly, cricket. The oldest is the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club established in 1889; the other popular activities include these games in this region with an atmosphere that is reminiscent of colonial Britain.
Flora and Fauna: It is full of non-indigenous plants which were brought in during the British regime and which include English roses and many other species of ornamental plants. This has the effect of producing a terrain that to not resemble a tropical jungle all that closely but of an English garden instead.
Cultural Influence: Most of the cultures, especially those that deal with food and drinks, followed in Nuwara Eliya originated from Britain. Taking a cup of tea in the afternoon is not exceptional, and most of the hotels and restaurants in the local present English food regimen.
All these factors together contribute to the novelty of the atmosphere in Nuwara Eliya to remind of England and make the city charming retaining its colonial looks and offering the topography of the central mountain range of Sri Lanka.
Your last day will start with the interesting outing at Madu River Boat Safari a ride through one of the most bio diverse regions of Sri Lanka. Cruising through the stream, the Madu River with mangrove forests and small islands, visitors can see monkeys, monitor lizards, and many kinds of birds. The beauty is also enhanced by fish therapy stations where babies feed on your feet, it an unusual pastime to remember. As such, this tranquil journey offers a view of the serenity of the coastal belt in Sri Lanka and understand the rythm of people who fish and those involved in prawn farming.
Then, see and hear more on what is being done to protect the endangered sea turtles of Sri Lanka at the Turtle Conservation Project. It is a fascinating project also contributing to the protection of those wonderful animals by protecting the areas in which they nest and increasing people’s awareness regarding the problems these animals face. You can visit a turtle hatchery before the turtles are released into the sea and learn what dangers threaten them. It also helps one become more aware to wildlife and also need to conserve environment as part of realising that environment is also alive.
You will complete your Sri Lankan experience with an enlightening visit to Colombo, the fast growing but historically rich capital city. The first place of worship is the Red Mosque Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque which has become a local classic with its red and while strips so characteristic to the building since the beginning of 1900s. From there, get to Galle Face Green, a coast line public green in the heart of the city where the public would relax and a perfect place to capture a beautiful scenery of the ocean.
The places of interest include the Old Parliament Building, which was once a colonial edifice of the government of Sri Lanka; and the Lotus Tower which is the highest tower in South Asia. You can also go on with your tour to Beira Lake, an artificial lake most popular among youngsters nowadays with couples and families for boating. After that will visit the Gangaramaya Temple which is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists, a contemporary building that accommodates the relics and statues.
For a fuller synergy with Colombo, proceed to the National Museum for a diverse tour of the country’s culture and historical eras, and the Independence Memorial Hall for a monumental era, to essentially cover the country’s independence from Britain. This day can be deemed as a bright and versatile day of sightseeing in Colombo entertaining interested tourists with a mix of modern neighbored and historic attractions.
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