Exotic Nature Tour ( 4 Nights 5 Days)

Exotic Nature Tour ( 4 Nights 5 Days)

Creating memories & experience to last a lifetime like in Sri Lanka cannot get from anywhere in the World. With BLUE SKY TRAVELS, as we take you on an unforgettable islands adventure, unwind on golden & white sand beaches, beautiful underwater corals, discover ancient temples and glimpse exotic wildlife, all part of our specially designed SRI LANKA Tours.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport or Colombo - Dambulla - Habarana

Stop At: Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, Kandy - Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon. Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave complexes
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Habarana Elephant Safari, Trincomalee Road, Habarana 50150, Sri Lanka
EVENING ENJOY ELEPHANT BACK RIDE SAFARI THROUGH THE JUNGELS OF HABARANA.(ON REQUEST).
Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: "Blue Sky Travels" takes pride in giving the customers a choice of their specific accommodation needs in Sri Lanka.

Day 2: Habarana - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya - Habarana

Stop At: Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was the kingdom from which Sri Lankan kings ruled the island from the 8th century until 1310 CE. Pollonnaruwa was the fifth administrative center of Rajarata.

The city is situated on the left bank of River Mahaweli. Archeological evidence and accounts in chronicles suggests that the city is as old as Anuradhapura. The Vijithagama settlement made by Vijitha in 400 BCE is thought to be situated near the town.

After ruling the country for over 1,200 years from the Kingdom of Anuradhapura, in 1017, Chola King Rajarajan I captured Anuradhapura and took King Mahinda V as a captive to India where Mahinda V would die in 1029. Cholas shifted the capital to Polonnaruwa and ruled Sri Lanka for 52 years. Polonnaruwa was named as Jananathamangalam by the Cholas. King Vijayabahu I defeated Cholas and regained the Sinhalese lineage. Polonnaruwa had previously been an important settlement in the country, as it commanded the crossings of the Mahaweli Ganga towards Anuradhapura.

Some of the rulers of Polonnaruwa include Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu I (Parakramabahu the Great). Most of Polonnaruwa that remains today dates from after the 1150s, as the extensive civil wars that preceded Parakramabahu's accession to the throne devastated the city. Parakrama Pandyan II from Pandyan Kingdom invaded the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa in the thirteenth century and ruled from 1212 to 1215 CE. He was succeeded by Kalinga Magha the founder of the Jaffna kingdom. Kalinga Magha ruled 21 years until he was expelled from Polonnaruwa in 1236.The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Minneriya National Park is located 182 km away from Colombo in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka. Being part of the elephant corridor which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks, Minneriya National Parkaffords the opportunity to sight herds of Elephants throughout the year.May to October is the best period to visit Minneriya National Park in view of the famous Gathering of the wild elephants.

Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd of elephants. Individuals of elephants gathered here is numbering around 150-200. Some reports account number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefited from food and shelter of the park's forest. Tourists visit Minneriya largely because of elephants, especially in dry season.

The park is also important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka, purple-faced langurand toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer also frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopardand Sri Lankan sloth bear also inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of areas that the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.

The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican

Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Instances of occurring a flock of 2000 little cormorants have been reported.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: "Blue Sky Travels" takes pride in giving the customers a choice of their specific accommodation needs in Sri Lanka.

Day 3: Habarana - Sigiriya - Mathale - Kandy

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Sigiriya is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ranweli Spice Garden, No. 99 Kaudupellella, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is famous for its spices and spices gardens. These spice gardens offers tourists memorable visits to various spice plantations in Sri Lanka. In order to promote and uplift spice growing and spice gardens of Sri Lanka a spice council was established with all key industry private and public sector stakeholders. During early historical times Sri Lanka Known as Taprobane, was world renowned for its quality spices. During ancient times the Greeks, Romans and the Arabic maintained there links with Sri Lanka through the spice trade.

In the 16th century Ceylon, as it was then known, was discovered by Portuguese who soon began trading in cinnamon and other spices. The Dutch and British followed bringing with them their own history and influences, forming a strong Western presence which created a history of food expressed with spices which can be tasted in the dishes today. Also the Spices are use in Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

Spice Gardens in the hill capital Kandy and at Matale and Mawanella give interesting insights into spice production in Sri Lanka. The importance of spices in the minor export crops of Sri Lanka consist of Fragrant clove, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, mace and pepper, for which Sri Lanka has been farmed since ancient times, thrive in the hills.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nalanda Gedige, Matale 21152 Sri Lanka
Nalanda Gedige is an old stone building believed to be located in the center of Sri Lanka. What most people don’t know is that it was removed from its original place and relocated about 80 feet further from its original location. This was because the original location was flooded because of the Bowatenna tank

Estimates of its date of construction vary from the 8th to 10th centuries AD. This was a period of great turmoil on the island, with South Indian kings establishing themselves in the wake of the decline of the Sinhalese monarchy. It is possible that Nalanda Gedige was a bold attempt at a fusion of Tamil and Sinhalese cultures.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Aluviharaya Rock Cave Temple, Sri Lanka
The Aluvihare Rock Temple (also called Matale Alu Viharaya) is a sacred Buddhist temple located in Aluvihare, Matale District of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by hills, the Aluvihara cave temple is situated 30 km south of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road. The history of Aluvihare Rock Temple is traced back to the 3rd Century B.C to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. It is believed that the King built the dagoba, planted the Bo sapling and founded the temple after the introduction of Buddhism to the country during his reign. Aluvihare Rock Temple was the historic location, where the Pali Canon was first written down completely in text on ola (palm) leaves. Many monastery caves, some of which exhibit frescoes are situated near this temple.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic 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. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple
Daily rituals are performed three times a day. One is early morning at 4.30 a.m. second is at 10.30. a.m. and the third is at 6.30. p.m. in the evening at 4.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. 32 measures of rice are cooked as offering for Breakfast and Lunch every day. 32 vegetables are cooked for alms and in the evening various medicinal drinks like koththamalli, tea, fruit juice, with beetle and banana are offered as Buddhist's believe treating Buddha's relic is like treating Buddha alive.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, a country rich with culture and tradition offers a vibrant and unique show of Sri Lankan traditional dances in the form of the Kandy Cultural show. The show takes place every evening and lasts for one hour.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: "Blue Sky Travels" takes pride in giving the customers a choice of their specific accommodation needs in Sri Lanka.

Day 4: Kandy - Ella - Nuwara Eliya

Pass By: Kandy City Center, Kand, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
KANDY CITY TOUR. VISIT TO TEA FACTORY /BATIK FACTORY.(ON YOUR REQUEST)

Pass By: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
EN ROUTE VISIT RAWANA WATERFALL & RAVANA CAVE COMPLEX. ON THE WAY YOU CAN see LITTLE ADAMS PEAK, ELLA GAP & BAMBARAGALA PEAK.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: "Blue Sky Travels" takes pride in giving the customers a choice of their specific accommodation needs in Sri Lanka.

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya - Hakgala - Kithulgala - Airport , Colombo or Beach Hotel selected by you

Stop At: Hakgala Botanic Gardens, Badulla Road, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. The other four are Peradeniya Botanical Garden,Henarathgoda Botanical Garden, Mirijjawila Botanical Garden and Seetawaka Botanical Garden. It is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka. The garden is contiguous to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve

Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated on the Nuwara Eliya-Badulla main road,16 km from Nuwara Eliya. The garden has a cool temperate climate because of altitude is 5,400 feet above the sea level.

The garden was established in 1861 as an experimental cultivation of Cinchona, a commercial crop thriving at the time. Once after the Tea replaced the Cinchona, it was turned into an experimental Tea cultivation. In 1884 it transformed to a garden. Since then many sub tropical and some temperate plants were planted in the gardens.

There are over 10,000[3] species of flora planted here and during the Spring season in Nuwara Eliya thousands of visitors come to see the blooms here. Number of annual visitors are around 500,000.[3] The garden is famous for number of species of Orchids and Roses are planted there.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kithulgala Adventure Sport, Kitulgala, Sri Lanka
AS PER YOUR REQUEST WE CAN ORGANIZE WHITE WATER RAFTING. IT WILL TAKE 2 HOURS TIME. YOU CAN see THE AWARD-WINNING “THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI’ WAS FILMED ON THE KELANI RIVER NEAR KITULGALA.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.