CRYSTAL SRI LANKA

DAY 1 : AIRPORT – BERUWALA (- / - / D)

Arrival at Colombo airport, customs formalities and meeting with the local English-speaking guide and transfer to Beruwala. (Approx. 2 1/2 hours – 130 Km), 

Arrival at the hotel and free day.

Dinner and overnight in Beruwala.   

DAY 2 : BERUWALA – YALA (B / L / D)

After breakfast, depart for Yala. Stop for the Galle. Also visit the Galle Fort and Dutch museum. 

GALLE :

It was one of the most important ports in Ceylon as the British had named Srilanka. said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible where King Solomon obtained gems and spices, this "living" UNESCO World Heritage Site is the port where the Portuguese landed in Sri Lanka in the 1505. Captured and fortified by the Dutch who ruled maritime Sri Lanka in the 17th and 18th centuries, the city still retains the air of old Holland. Within the well-preserved 90-acre fort and ramparts built in 1663 are old churches and monuments with coats of arms, an impressive crested entrance and monogram from 1669, many well-preserved old Dutch houses and narrow alleys still bear Dutch names. The New Oriental Hotel, built for a Dutch governor in 1684, a colonial jewel now converted to the internationally renowned Amangalle hotel and several other excellent boutique hotels testify to the importance of this location. 

Beruwala – Galle : 1 ½ hours. 80 Km  

After Galle, depart to Yala (About 3 1/2 hours by car). Lunch at a local restaurant.  

In the afternoon, arrive in Yala and go on jeep safari in Yala National Park.  

Yala National Park :

Is the most visited and the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It currently consists of five blocks, two of which are open to the public. The blocks have individual names, such as Ruhuna National Park for Block 1 (the most famous) and Kumana or Yala East National Park for the adjacent area. It is located in the southeastern region of the country, in the Southern provinces and Uva provinces. The park covers an area of 979 km² and is about 300 km from Colombo.  

Along with Wilpattu National Park, it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been established in 1938.  Yala Park is best known for its variety of wildlife. It plays an important role in the conservation of the Sri Lankan elephant and for the presence of waterfowl. It is home to 215 species of birds, including six species endemic to Sri Lanka. It also has the highest density of leopards in the world. The Park is divided into an east section by a west section.

The park is located in a climate transition zone, subject to the northeast monsoon, which brings far less rainfall than in the west. The landscape is therefore typical of the East African savannah, with many waterholes and swamps. It has an extensive seafront with untouched beaches, interrupted by mangrove forests. There are numerous coastal lagoons populated by crocodiles. Offshore are two submerged coral formations called Little & Great Basses, on which two lighthouses have been placed that emit a white and red light. In these waters, it is easy to spot dolphins and blue whales. 

The fauna of the Park. Elephants, crocodiles, Indian buffalo, wild boars, and deer are the most prevalent animals in the park. The most common monkeys are the grey langur. On the other hand, it is difficult to come across leopards despite the fact that Yala has the highest density of leopards in the world. There are many ornithological varieties such as the blue peacock with its fascinating plumage and the Indian tantalum belonging to the stork species. Among migratory birds, flamingos predominate. 

Important: keep in mind that many tourist agencies and hotels in the surroundings of Yala, while offering jeep excursions, are in fact limited to a ride outside the outer perimeter without entering it. Even if you enter the park and have not booked accommodation in one of the 8 bungalows inside the park, you will have to leave before sunset. 

Afternoon arrival at the hotel. Check-in, dinner and overnight in Yala  

DAY 3  : NUWARA ELIYA (B / L / D)

After breakfast, departure to Nuwara Eliya (150 km about 5 hours drive) 

Lunch at a local restaurant. 

Nuwara Eliya :

Is situated at 1,890 m above sea level on the shores of Lake Gregory and is dominated by the summit of Mount Pidurutalagala, the highest on the island. It is nicknamed "Little England" because it resembles a typical small town in the United Kingdom. The administrative buildings are made of brick, the private houses often have wooden roofs and there is no shortage of pubs, golf courses and gallops, favorite amusements of the English then as now. The sky, often covered by clouds, and the nights, rather cold and requiring the use of heating, contribute to creating this strange feeling of an England in the middle of the tropics. It's hard to believe that the hot and humid Colombo is just 180 km away.

The surrounding hills have been terraced to accommodate vegetable crops typical of Europe, while extensive plantations provide the best quality tea in the world. The first Briton to settle in Nuwara Eliya was Sir Samuel Baker, who in 1847 set up a cattle farm, with labour brought directly from England. Later, Sir William Gregory, Governor of Ceylon from 1872 to 1877, fell in love with the town and gave it much care. He was responsible for the reclamation of the marsh south of the centre, of which an idyllic pond bearing his name remains today. It seems that the governor intended to make it the capital of the island to replace Columbus.  

Visit to a plantation and a tea factory where it will be possible to learn the harvesting technique and how to dry the precious leaves. Visit of the city. 

The tea plantations :

You can love Sri Lanka for a thousand reasons: for the landscapes, the beautiful monuments, the smile of the people, the traditions and the gastronomy, but one of its real peculiarities is still the tea plantations. Who hasn't tasted the variety of Ceylon, the old name for Sri Lanka? A little less are those who have had the great fortune to taste it directly on site. Of course, it is not immediately noticeable at the point where incredible expanses of small green leaves begin, but the scent in the air and the splendid dresses of the women ready to collect it, represent an immediate suggestion of the soul after kilometers of palm trees, tropical landscapes and blue skies. 

Afternoon arrival at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Nuwaraeliya. 

DAY 4 : NUWARAELIYA – PERADENIYA – KANDY (B / L / D)

After breakfast, departure to the sacred city of Kandy (100km, 2 hours). 

Visit the Botanical Garden, Peradeniya. 

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN :

Created by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1780), this beautiful garden covers an area of about 60 hectares with trees, lawns and flowering bushes as well as 20 hectares of arboretums with more than 1,000 trees. Here, the main exotic plants destined to become very significant for the country's economy were tested, such as the coffee, tea and rubber plants. Another marvel is the huge Java ficus tree in the middle of a large meadow, imported here from the Indies. There are also giant bamboo canes from Myanmar, China and Japan.

The fine collection of Sri Lankan orchids is also very beautiful. In the center of the garden there is an artificial lake in the shape of Sri Lanka and, not far away, a roundabout with the statue of George Gardner, superintendent of gardens in the mid-19th century. The visit usually includes the avenue of palm trees planted by the British in 1905. 

Lunch at a local restaurant. 

KANDY :

Kandy is surrounded by green hills and is embellished with a beautiful lake that makes it one of the most relaxing and romantic cities in Sri Lanka. Its pleasant atmosphere and quiet location make many people choose to visit Kandy. In addition to being a fascinating place, the city of Kandy is considered the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.Here is one of the holiest temples in the country: the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. The highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic's basin is taken in process accompanied by the exotically costumed dancers, drummers and elephants during the ten brilliant evenings in July/August. Visit Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara Valley. There are many shrines and temples, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings. 

Check in all’hotel in Kandy. 

In the afternoon, visit  the Temple of the Golden Tooth (Dalada Maligawa). Afterwards, sightseeing, dancing and Kandy shows and free time for shopping.  

TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH (UNESCO) :

The Temple of the Tooth is the most important attraction of the city and the place of greatest interest for those who decide to visit Kandy. The temple is located north of the lake and its importance is due to the fact that it houses one of the most precious relics for Sri Lankan Buddhists. In fact, Sri Dalada Maligawa houses a Buddha's tooth: hence the name Sacred Temple of the Tooth. 

According to legend, the tooth was caught in the flames of Buddha's funeral pyre and then brought to Sri Lanka in the fourth century AD. The relic was first taken to Anuradhapura, then to Polonnaruwa and finally to Kandy. In 1200 an invading army took it to India, but then it returned to Sri Lanka.With the passage of time, Buddha's tooth took on an extremely important role: in fact, in addition to being a sacred relic, it was thought that anyone in possession of it had the legitimate right to rule the island. The Portuguese tried to destroy it during their rule, trying to throw it into the flames. But it turned out that what they had burned was actually just a copy. The Temple houses one of the most important relics, the Buddha's Tooth, preserved in the 6 caskets inserted one inside the other. This temple has always attracted many visitors.  

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.  

DAY 5 : KANDY – MATALE – DAMBULLA – HABARANA (B / L / D)

After breakfast, depart for Habarana and on the way, stop at the Matale Spice Garden (30 km, 1 hour), where you will be able to see the spice plants in their natural habitat. The Garden guide will show the uses of spices in the local cuisine. After Matale, departure to Dambulla.  

Stop to visit  the Temples in the Rock of Dambulla. Lunch at a local restaurant 

DAMBULLA :

The site built by King Walaghambahu in the first century B.C., is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is accessed via the ancient staircase. The complex consists of 5 caves with over 2,000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings. The caves contain over 150 images and statues of the Buddha, of which the largest is carved into the rock and is about 14 meters high. 

From the terraces of the temple you can enjoy a wide view of the entire surrounding area.  

Afterwards, depart for Habarana. Lunch at a local restaurant 

Arrival at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Habarana. 

DAY 6  : HABARANA (B / L / D)

After breakfast, depart for Sigiriya to visit the Sigiriya Fortress Fortress, famous for its frescoes, which can be reached by a 45-minute transfer (23 Km). 

FORTRESS FORTRESS OF SIGIRIYA (UNESCO) :

It is a World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa (473 – 491 A.D.). The Rocca del Leone is a citadel of unusual beauty that reaches 200 meters above the forest. It is the innermost fortress of a 70-hectare fortified city. The base of the fortress is surrounded by a moat, a bastion and an immense garden including the new water garden. The world-famous frescoes depicting 500 women (now 19 remain) are located in a protected area of the fortress near a spiral staircase and are the main attraction. Many of these frescoes were lost because they were erased when the fortress became a monastery, in order not to disturb meditation. The frescoes are painted with earth pigments, on the plaster. 

The important thing about Sigiriya : Sigiriya is not a "difficult and impossible" climb, but it is certainly a hike that requires some activity and a minimum of physical endurance. Obviously, if there are people with physical problems or disabilities, pregnant women for example, it is therefore necessary to inform them well and perhaps in some cases it is advisable not to do it. You have to take into account that there are 1200 (one thousand two hundred) steps to the top, so slowly, perhaps making intermediate stops.  In principle it takes 2/3 hours, it is subjective because it is based on the physical endurance of each one. The site opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. The best time to go up is definitely in the morning or late afternoon, when the number of people is minimal and the temperatures are less heavy and cooler.  We recommend light, comfortable clothes and definitely sneakers! Not an excursion to do in flip-flops!! 

After getting off Sigiriya, customers will enjoy King Coconut.  

Return to your hotel in Habarana.  

Dinner and overnight at Habarana.  

DAY 7 : HABARANA – POLONNARUWA – PASIKUDAH (B / L / D)

After breakfast, depart for the east coast of Passikudah, with a stop in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.  

Habarana – Polandnnaruwa: 60 miles / 1.5 hours

Polonnaruwa – Passover : 80 km / 2 hours

Lunch at local restaurant . Meals are cooked in the traditional way with a fire and lunch is served in the shade of a pergola and on wooden tables with a view of the surrounding nature.  

POLONNARUWA :

The medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the largest urban agglomerations in South Asia. The ancient splendour of Polonnaruwa cannot fail to give emotions as it is located among slightly undulating forests populated by monkeys, iguanas and many types of birds. Today, the well-preserved ruins give an insight into the splendour of this period and the artistic talent of the island's first craftsmen: the Royal Palace, the Gal Vuharaya with its four splendid Buddha statues, and the Shiva Temple.    

Transfer to Passikudah.Polonnaruwa – Pasikudah 80 km, 2 hours 

Arrival at the hotel with half board. Dinner and overnight in Pasikudah.  

DAY 8 : PASIKUDAH  (B / - / D)
 
After breakfast, the whole day is available for beach activities or individual excursions on request. Half board at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

Optional : Whale & Dolphin Watching Excursions US$46/- per person  

DAY 9 : PASIKUDAH  (B / - / D)

After breakfast, the whole day is available for beach activities or individual excursions on request. Half board at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

Optional : Whale & Dolphin Watching Excursions US$46/- per person. 

DAY 10 : PASIKUDAH – COLOMBO (B / L / D)

After breakfast depart for Colombo with photo stop along the way to admire the scenery. ( 300 km, 6 1/2 hours). Afternoon arrival at the hotel in Colombo. 

Lunch at a local restaurant. 

Optional at no extra cost - In the afternoon, sightseeing. 

Colombo :

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the country's largest city with a population of about 3 million people. Colombo is the best city in sri lanka, where I can try the best street food in Sri Lanka, try the tuk tuk ride, visit markets, shopping malls, of course and for a modern experience Colombo is definitely the best city from the point of view of nightlife in Sri Lanka.  Tenamo, City for night life in sri lanka.  Some of the best hotels include Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside, Cinnamon Red (our hotel chain), and the international hotel chains Galadari Hotel, Shangri la, Ozo, Fairway, Movenpick, Taj Samudra Colombo, Hilton Colombo and Galle Face, all located in the heart of the city and right downtown. Colombo is a live city and the heart of the country and you can't stay in Sri Lanka without spending at least one evening in Colombo. 

It concentrates all the cultures, religions and influences of foreign countries and is characterized by a mix of sounds, scents and is truly a kaleidoscope of colors. The merchants and those who settled in the country (Arabs, Portuguese, Danes and British) left traces of their culture such as churches and monuments, names and religions, traditions and food, as well as linguistic influences that entered the common language of the Sri Lankan people. Today Colombo is a fascinating city, a happy mix of east and west, past and present that gives it charm.  Colombo, although not everyone knows it, offers a wide choice of top-notch restaurants offering food from all over the world, as well as one of the largest shopping opportunities in the Asian world. In the vicinity of Colombo is Pettah which is a local area of bazaars and commerce. Also visit Buddhist temples. 

Dinner and Overnight in Colombo.  

DAY 11 : COLOMBO – DEPARTURE (B / - / -)

After breakfast, transfer to the start (40 Km, 45 mint) 

End of service.