Tour Plan
- DAY 01
Airport / Negombo
Arrival at Bandaranayke Airport located just north of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo. Here you will be welcomed by your tour guide / driver guide with the Sinhalese Greeting ‘AYUBOVAN’-heartily welcome!”
Proceed to Negombo. Negombo is a modest beach town located just 10km from Bandaranaike International Airport. With a stash of decent hotels and restaurants to suit all pockets, a friendly local community, an interesting old quarter and an attractive beach, Negombo is a much easier place to find your Sri Lankan feet than Colombo. A delightful opportunity to look around the beautiful surroundings of a tropical beach and capture photos. Golden hour is a time of day when the sun is low in the sky which is the perfect time to visit the enchanting beach of Negombo. Because the sun is low in the sky, shadows are softer, and the angles and length are more flattering. As the name implies, the warm colors are more prominent at this time of day, which gives a flattering look to portraits.
Negombo is also famous for its fresh fish. The fish is brought ashore and sold immediately while the sun beats down. The markets are quite shabby yet a quite enthralling sight to watch and capturing such moments with photographs is priceless. Old-fashioned and full of melancholy, the Negombo fish market is at its busiest before dawn. A hand-written sign by small-fish wholesalers in the dark corridors of the market as they prepare for the day is a different vision to observe. The smell of fresh fish is specific to its origin and it is pleasant and neutral. Fish merchants use tons of crushed ice every day to keep the fish fresh for thousands of customers. Fresh fish is moist and have a naturally metallic glow that it is perfect to capture.
The next visit would be to Negombo Fort which was a minor but significant fort in Negombo that was built by the Portuguese to secure Colombo. The Dutch subsequently rebuilt it in 1672. The fort was located on a slender strip of land between a lagoon and an inlet of the sea. In the late 1800s the British authorities decided to demolish the fort and build a prison in its place, constructed from the stones of the fort. Today only ruins are left. The site is still however used as a prison by the Prisons department. The historical fort has stone carvings present on the exterior walls that shouldn’t be missed for historian photography. Overnight at the hotel.
- DAY 02
Pinnawala / Minneriya / Anuradhapura
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of the most popular excursions and tourist destinations since its inception back in 1975. It’s a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the elephants, which makes for a memorable experience. Visitors are completely enamored at feeding time when the younger babies are bottle fed with enormous amounts of infant formula, which they guzzle down in a few seconds. You can watch them feeding at 9.15 am, 1.15 and 5.00 pm. There are possibilities of great photography captures during Bottle feeding and when the Herd leaves to the river.
In the afternoon proceed to Anuradhapura. (Approx. 4hrs) The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka.
En route visit Minneriya National Park. Minneriya National Park is located 182 km away from Colombo in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka. Minneriya National Park gives the opportunity to see herds of Elephants throughout the year.
It is the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. Among the 24 species of mammal’s resident in the park are Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Buffalo, Wild Pig, Grey Langers, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, three species of Mongoose, Porcupine and Indian Pangolin. This provides an opportunity to attempt to wildlife photography. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
- DAY 03
Anuradhapura / Sigiriya
After Breakfast at the Hotel, Transfer to witness the ancient ruins.
Bodhi Tree Temple (The Sri Maha Bodhiya), is the second most sacred place in Sri Lanka, after the Sri Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, in Kandy. The Bodhi Tree is allegedly a cutting from the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment, and has been continuously guarded for over 2000 years, making it the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. The temple complex is surrounded by walls and is quite busy with monks and worshipers. Due to terrorist activities in the 1980s, it is not possible to drive up to the temple, and one must go through a metal detector before entering the complex. Bags will be checked, and it is advisable to leave luggage at the hotel, as it will not be allowed near the site. Shoes can be left near the entrance. It is polite to leave a tip. It is also no permitted to capture photos in the temple.
Ruwanwelisaya: The oldest and most voluminous stupa at Anuradhapura, has been fully restored, painted white, and is currently a centre of worship. Walk from the Sri Maha Bodhiya, past the Brazen Palace (an ancient palace that once supported a bronze roof) to the stupa. There are several image houses at the stupa, as well as four smaller stupas in the four corners of the complex. Please be respectful of the worshipers at the site. Photography is not permitted here but however the stunning temple can be captured from outside with a wondrous scenery behind.
Lovamahapaya: Between Bodhi Tree Temple and Ruwanwelisaya. The 1600 stone pillars that we see today are what are left of an enormous building. Also called the Brazen Palace, this nine-storey monastery was once home to a thousand monks, whose duties included tending the sacred Bo tree, which grew right next to the building. King Dutugemunu (the palace founder) saw to it that the roof of Lovamahapaya was covered in bronze tiles, and that its walls were decorated with silver and precious stones. These antique sections shouldn’t be missed for a lovely photograph.
The Citadel: This was the secular centre of the city. The Gedige and other palaces can be found here, as well as the old city walls.
The Moonstone: Moonstones, to be found throughout Anuradhapura, were at the entrances to monasteries, and represented the movement from the secular to the sacred worlds, by following the path to enlightenment, as carved into the moonstone. This moonstone is of particular note, for its size and impressive decoration. The moonstone represents a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. It is profoundly elegant to capture a photo of the Sri Lankan stone as it portrays the essence of Sri Lankan culture.
Isurumuniya Vihara: This is located near Tisawewa (Tisa Tank). There are interesting rock carvings to see, especially the Isurumuniya lovers. However, this requires a separate ticket for foreigners. It is also no permitted to capture photos in the temple
Proceed to Sigiriya late afternoon; the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya is an impregnable fortress, a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery. Built in the 5th century AD to fend off a feared invasion, it is situated atop a 200m (656ft) high rock, and at the height of its glory must have been akin to a European chateau plunked on top of Ayers Rock. There are water gardens, 5th century rock paintings of well-endowed damsels, a 1000-year-old graffiti wall recording visitors’ impressions of the pin-ups, a couple of enormous stone lion paws and tremendous views that is unavoidable to capture. Relax at the hotel. Dinner &Overnight stay at the hotel.
- DAY 04
Sigiriya / Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. OPTIONAL – Elephant Back Safari in Sri Lanka brings in many joys. The majestic beasts, the locations in close proximity to the cultural attractions and the terrain, rich with bird life. All of these add up to bring about memorable experiences to the tourists holidaying in Sri Lanka.
Visit the Sigiriya Rock. Climbing to the top of Sigiriya Rock is an experience you will never forget. The ruins and the view for the top are stunning. The climb is strenuous but not hard. There are about 1200 steps. That’s roughly equivalent to climbing 60 flights of stairs in a 60 story building.
Proceed to Kandy in the afternoon. On your journey to Kandy, the tour will make stop at a Batik Factory where you can see garments in traditional Batik design and a quick insight into the secrets behind the production of their lovely hand-drawn designs. Enter the city of Kandy, which lies in the center of Sri Lanka at an elevation of about 485 meters above sea level. Kandy was the last capital of last generation of Sri Lanka Kings which finally fell under British rule in 1815.
Kandy Lake, also known as Kiri Muhuda or the Sea of Milk, is an artificial lake in the heart of the hill city of Kandy, Sri Lanka, built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe next to the Temple of the Tooth. Over the years, it was reduced in size. It is a protected lake, with fishing banned.
Temple of the Tooth -This is a Buddhist temple in the city of 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. Approx. Per person – USD 10
The National Museum of Kandy in Kandy, Sri Lanka is located next to the Temple of the Tooth in part of the former Royal Palace of Kandy. The primary exhibits are housed in the Palle Vahala building, which was the former home of the King’s harem.
Relax at hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
- DAY 05
Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya – Often referred to as ‘Little England’, this genteel highland community does have a rose-tinted, vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tended hedgerows and pretty gardens that can be used for photography captures of a beautiful green environment. Indeed, Nuwara Eliya was once was the favored cool-climate escape for the hard-working and hard-drinking English and Scottish pioneers of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. Stop at several viewpoints overlooking the plantations and drink tea at the impressive tea factories.
In the evening visit the Gregory Lake, which is a huge lake in the middle of the Nuwara Eliya. There is a calm park next to it with walkways and benches to rest on. There are horses roaming which are offered for rides and tourists can take a 20-minute speedboat ride on the lake. (Pay direct). The cool air is lovely on the water and the sights are unbeatable. Dinner &Overnight stay at the hotel.
- DAY 06
Galle / Kalutara
Check out from the hotel as you have breakfast. Today you will be transferred to the south coast. On the way visit the Galle Fort. It was built first by the Portuguese, and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka; inside the Galle fort which is in a Dutch Colonial building in Church Street is the Cultural Museum. The Fort of Galle is a historic location that has seen many communities and ethnicities and, despite the changes made throughout the centuries, managed to hold its sense of glory and history. It has been praised as the ‘best example of a fortified city with a fusion of European architecture and South Asian traditions built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia’. With its ruins and monuments; boutique hotels and pretty little shops, the Fort of Galle has much to offer for photographs.
Check in to the hotel. Evening enjoy the warmth of the beach. Dinner &Overnight stay at the hotel.
- DAY 07
Colombo
Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter proceed to visit a Turtle Hatchery – protected enclosures to nurture the eggs and release the young back into the ocean to increase the probability of survival and support against threat so extinction.
Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter proceed to visit a Turtle Hatchery – protected enclosures to nurture the eggs and release the young back into the ocean to increase the probability of survival and support against threat so extinction.
Proceed to Colombo in the evening, Colombo, Sri Lanka‘s bustling commercial hub, is located on the country’s west coast and with a population of between 800,000 and one million (estimates vary) is by far the country’s biggest city, as well as the most developed. Colombo city is full of popular tourist attractions such as National Museum – The National Museum of Colombo was established in 1877 by the British Governor Sir William Gregory which is the largest Museum in Sri Lanka. It has a good collection of historical work. It is also no permitted to capture photos in the museum.
Visit Galle Face Green – South of Colombo along with the lined palm trees of Galle road is the Galle face Green. Along with the greenish seafront you can enjoy the evening breeze and view the sun set. Great captures can be taken of street food, children flying kites along with wondrous sceneries.
Enjoy shopping in the evening – There are wide varieties of shopping complexes within the Colombo city all of them are with all the facilities. If you move along the Galle road you can find shopping malls like Majestic City, Liberty Plaza and Crescat Boulevard which are very popular among locals as well.
- DAY 08
Colombo / Airport
After Breakfast at the Hotel, proceed to the airport for Departure with unforgettable memories of Sri Lanka.
INCLUSIONS
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- English Speaking Driver guide
- Water Bottles for every day
- Current applicable taxes & service charge including Value Added Tax (VAT)
EXCLUSIONS
- Entrance Tickets
- Lunch & Meals
- Expenses of personal nature
You can customize this tour package on your own for experiencing Sri Lanka in your own way. We can also lend you a helping hand in designing a perfect customized holiday.
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