Colonial Tour of Sri Lanka

Overview
Places to See
Itinerary
Selection of Hotels
Notes

Ayubowan!

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Best of Sri Lanka – 3 nights

Sri Lanka is a lush, tropical island paradise, known to Arab traders as Serendib - hence the word "serendipity", meaning discovery by happy accident. It was famously described by Marco Polo as "undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world".

This is a culturally rich and environmentally diverse country, with nine World Heritage Sites (the oldest dating back to the 3rd Century BC); 86 species of mammals (including elephant and leopard) and more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics); a colorful array of flowering plants and trees, and a Hill Country famous for tea; 14 National Parks out of 100 areas protected by the government; and an Indian Ocean coastline boasting palm-fringed and sandy tropical beaches.

Sri Lanka, once known as Serendib Taprobane is now also known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. This paradise isle, which is indeed shaped like a pearl, offers pristine beaches, lush tea estates, and more waterfalls perhaps than any other country- a staggering 350 that cascade dramatically down rolling, Hillsides and mist-shrouded mountains, and a culture that reaches back over 2,500 years. Famous for its spices and spice plantations, Sri Lanka was described by a renowned botanist, as simply one big botanical garden.

Cities where you are staying

  • 02 nights in Kandy
  • 01 night in Nuwara Eliya

What you will do during the tour

  • Visit to Temple of the Tooth in Kandy & Cultural Show
  • Visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
  • Visit to Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.
  • Nuwara Eliya city, Tea plantation & Race course.
DAY 1 - Airport / Kandy (Approx. distance – 105 km / transfer time: 3 to 3.5 Hrs)

On arrival at Colombo International Airport on, you will be met by a professional English speaking driver from Travel Ease Tours.

After the completion of formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle. Thereafter, you will make the journey to Kandy, situated at an elevation of 1640ft, tucked away amidst lush evergreen forests. The gateway to the central highlands region, Kandy is also the spiritual home of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

Upon arrival check into the hotel, and spend the rest of the day in leisure and relaxation.

Overnight at your selected hotel in Kandy.

DAY 02 – KANDY /PINNAWALA / KANDY (Approx. Distance – 45km / transfer time: 1.5 hours)

After breakfast depart for the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – A place dedicated to the care and well-being of many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka. There are a number of 84 Elephants and the main spectacle is the bath at the nearby lake which is held twice a day. This is the only such sanctuary in the world; you will watch the beasts gamboling in the water and being fed their quota of milk from handheld bottles.

After lunch, commence a City tour of Kandy visiting the Kandy Market, Kandy upper lake drive, Gem museum, Arts & Crafts Centre etc.

Late afternoon explore the city of Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic which is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. The entire complex is part of another UNESCO world heritage site.

On completion of the temple visit witness a cultural dance show.

The Royal City of Kandy is a World Heritage Site, as is the Temple of the Tooth, an important shrine to Buddhists the world over, since it contains a relic of the Lord Buddha’s Tooth. Kandy has a scintillating blend of ancient Sinhala architecture and contemporary architecture. The myriad colours, the pulsating atmosphere of the town center, sprinkled with amazing scenery and enveloped by a salubrious climate helps in making Kandy a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka.

Overnight at the selected hotel in Kandy.

DAY 03 – KANDY/NUWARA ELIYA (Approx. Distance – 80km / transfer time: 3 to 3.5 hours)

After breakfast visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. (Approx. Distance – 6km / transfer time: 20 mins)

This was originally the King’s own royal pleasure garden that was later converted in to a botanic garden and opened to the public. At the Royal Botanical Gardens at ‘Peradeniya’ you could treat your eyes to an amazing, wide and rare collection of tropical and temperate, exotic and indigenous flora, and an orchid house with the largest collection in Asia. The gardens host the most extensive collection of orchids in Asia and are home to over 4000 indigenous and foreign specimens, including ornamental and medicinal.

On Completion proceed to Nuwara-Eliya. En-route visit a one of the many ubiquitous tea plantations complete with a factory. After lunch, at around 1600hrs commence a sightseeing tour of Nuwara-Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya is set in the heart of tea-country is a beautiful town where the British succeeded in creating a replica of the English countryside, with homes in styles from Georgian to Tudor to Victorian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church, a famous golf course and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated 6,200 feet above sea level, the air is cool and fresh – a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The town is on the foothill of Pidurutalala, the highest mountain on the island, at 8,282ft. A near constant level of cloud cover, the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops, coniferous forests, and rolling fog, it is a place removed from the usual hustle and bustle of other towns in Sri Lanka. Hence, prime relaxation is guaranteed.

Horse and Pony riding is available at the Turf Club of Nuwara Eliya to facilitate you with some sports and adventure. A variety of activities are centred on the banks of Lake Gregory in the heart of Nuwara Eliya.

Upon Completion check in to your selected hotel.

Overnight at the selected hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 4 – NUWARA ELIYA / AIRPORT OR TO YOUR BEACH RESORT

After Breakfast, check out of the hotel and Proceed to Kitulagala (Approx. Distance – 72km / Transfer time – 2 to 2.5 hrs) for a quick stop. Here you may have an optional Lunch before heading off to the Airport for Departure OR to your chosen Beach destination.

Kitulgala is a wee hamlet on the edge of the lowlands and highlands transition. It borders the Kelani River that ultimately flows into Colombo and the Indian Ocean, and is the premier destination for white water rafting in Sri Lanka. Film buffs will recognise Kitulgala as being the location where the award winning war epic “Bridge on the River Kwai” directed by David Lean and starring Alec Guinness, was filmed.

End of Tour

SELECTION OF HOTELS

Standard Hotel:

LOCATION HOTEL ROOM TYPE MEAL PLAN NO. OF NIGHTS
KANDY OAK RAY REGENCY STANDARD BED AND BREAKFAST 02 NIGHTS
NUWARA ELIYA OAK RAY SUMMERHILL BREEZE STANDARD BED AND BREAKFAST 01 NIGHTS

Deluxe Hotel:

LOCATION HOTEL ROOM TYPE MEAL PLAN NO. OF NIGHTS
KANDY AMAYA HILLS SUPERIOR BED AND BREAKFAST 02 NIGHTS
NUWARA ELIYA JETWING ST. ANDREWS SUPERIOR BED AND BREAKFAST 01 NIGHTS

Notes

  • Please note that standard check-in time is 1400hrs and standard check-out time is 1200hrs.
  • This is only an offer without any obligation on the hotel rooms, until such time the tour is confirmed and availability is checked.
  • When making payment, kindly ensure that the entire amount given in our offer (finally in our invoice) is made without any deductions to us. All bank charges to be borne by remitter. As such total amount in our final invoice to be credited to our account without any deduction please. In the event of any deductions, such differences are to be collected in cash on arrival of the guests.
  • If payment is to be made via credit card, then a 2.75% to be added on top of the quote we made in our offer and represented in our final invoice for payment.

Good to know:

  • On Arrival at the Airport, you will first reach Immigration, then to collect your ‘checked-in’ baggage. Once you clear customs, our representative will page you and meet you just outside the arrival hall.
  • Sri Lanka being a tropical county, is hot and humid. Ideal clothing would be cotton and comfortable clothing, casual footwear or slippers and a wide brim hat. Please use suntan lotion, because the UV index is always high. Shorts and t-shirts are allowed in most settings, except when visiting temples and other religious establishments. Ladies are required to cover the shoulders as well, when visiting places of worship.
  • Temperatures throughout the year in lowland areas (sea level to 1500 feet amsl) range from an average of 25 degrees Celsius at night to 32 degrees Celsius during the day (the real feel temperature is almost always higher). In the hill country (above 1500 feet amsl) the average temperatures range from an average of 15 degrees Celsius at night to 22 degrees Celsius during the day. Please note that if you are travelling during winter, to the hill country, it is advisable to wear a light to medium jersey, as temperatures do on occasion dip to single figures.
  • Liquor will NOT be served on Poya days (Full moon day) and on any other Religious holidays.
  • All major credit cards are widely accepted in all reputable outlets (restaurants / shops etc.)
  • Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. But if you are keen to know what is acceptable in local terms, it ranges between US$5/- per day up to US$25/- per day depending on the level of satisfaction of your driver when it comes to individual / family travel. For group travel other than the guide, the coach crew is to be tipped too. The amount for a day can vary depending on group size, but the recommended amount is US$15/- to US$40/- per day.