Enchanting Sri Lanka: Island Treasures Await

Day 01

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be welcomed and assisted by a representative of Jetwing Travels and you will be then transferred to your hotel in Wilpattu.

En route visit Munneshwaram & Manavari Temples – [Optional],

Munneshwaram Temple - After his victorious battle, Lord Rama left for Ayodhya, in one of King Ravana’s vimana (carriages). He felt he was being followed by bramhaasthi dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. Legend has it that when he came to this place he felt bramhaasthi dosham was not following him and he stopped the vimana and asked God Shiva for remedy. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install four lingams there and pray to get rid of the dosham. Since then many Hindu devotees flock to the Temple.

Manavari Temple - Manavari temple is one of the important Hindu temples located in Chilaw, Puttalam District of North Western province. There is a direct link between this Manavari Temple and the Ramayana Yatra Sri Lanka. According to the Ramayana story Sri Lanka proofs, Manavari is the first place where lord Rama installed and prayed the Shiva lingam after the end of the war with King Ravana to liberate Sita. It is said to be the only lingam that has been named after him other than the one in Rameshwaram, India. Considering these facts, Manavari Temple Chilaw is one of the significant Hindu temples linked to the Ramayana Sri Lanka Yatra and a lot of local & Indian tourists visit this temple annually.

Check into the Hotel & Rest …

Proceed to the Evening safari at Wilpattu National Park,

Wilpattu National Park – is situated along the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. It comprises a unique complex of lakes called Villus, which are natural basins that are filled up with rainwater and are surrounded by open grassy plains set within dense scrub jungle. A multitude of sandy paths wind around the entire park and open up into these large natural lakes. The unspoiled and beautiful Wilpattu National Park is one of the largest and oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. It is ideal for those wanting to escape the flurry of activity of Yala and instead offers the opportunity for a tranquil, peaceful, and undisturbed drive. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards and Sloth bears. Alongside these, it is possible to see Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild pigs, Asiatic Buffalo and Mugger Crocodiles. Endemic birds include the Ceylon Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Woodshrike, and Black-capped Bulbul in riverine habitats. Muntjac or Barking Deer are more easily seen in Wilpattu than in any other national park. Butterflies recorded include the Great Eggfly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bushbrown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose, and Crimson Rose.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Wilpattu

Day 02

With a Packed Breakfast proceed to Dolphin & Whale Watching at Kalpitiya – Experience Lagoon Ride by Boat,

Dolphin & Whale Watching - The seas off the Kalpitiya Peninsula, situated on the West coast of the island, are rife with exceptional wildlife. Whales are regularly seen around the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Boat trips are regularly taken off the beach at Alankuda and head out to sea to see them. Sperm whales, the largest toothed whale in the world, can be seen off-shore of the reef. The deep seas off the Kalpitiya Peninsula where the continental shelf lies, provide an ideal habitat for these giant oceanic predators, which need to dive several hundred meters to hunt prey such as the Giant Squid. It is also possible to see the occasional Blue whale here. It is only around February 2010 that Kalpitiya has been finally considered an excellent spot to catch sight of the majestic whale. The season for seeing these fantastic creatures is between December and mid-April. Dolphins are regularly reported from Alankuda outside of the South-west Monsoon, even daily! It is the best place in Sri Lanka to observe large pods of Spinner Dolphins, an oceanic species, and it is possible to see up to six hundred in a day just a few kilometers off the shore. Puttalam Lagoon is home to the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, also known as the Pink Dolphin. These Pink Dolphins frequent where the far-reaching Puttalam Lagoon enters the sea and are the only cetacean known to come into lagoons in Sri Lanka. Fishermen claim it is easy to see them early in the morning when they head out to sea at dawn.

Proceed to Habarana & check into the Hotel …

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Habarana

Day 03

Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to Habarana,

Visit Minneriya National Park & Kaudulla National Park,

Minneriya National Park - This National Park with 8889 hectares in extent is famous for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. The entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road. The office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park.

Proceed to Nuwara Eliya Via Kandy …

Check into the Hotel & Rest,

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Day 04

Breakfast at the Hotel,

Visit Tea Factory, Tea Gardens, Sitha Amman Temple, Gregory Lake, Victoria Park & Nuwara Eliya City tour

The Tea Factory – The tea factories found on most tea estates play a vital role in the final value of the manufactured tea. Regardless of how carefully the leaf has been grown and plucked, if the processes at the factory are not carried out properly the end result will be of poor quality. A tea factory is a multi-storied building, almost always sited on the tea estates to ensure that the time between plucking and processing tea is kept to a minimum. Once the tea leaves arrive at the factory they are spread across the upper floors of the building in troughs – a process known as withering. Withering removes all excess moisture in the leaf to make it pliable.

Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls, and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places on the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya, you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann-style mansions. Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea-level heat and humidity.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Day 05

Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to Bentota,

Via Kithulgala …

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Bentota

Day 06

Breakfast at the Hotel,

BENTOTA

Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon, and a major river Bentota offers water Sports possibilities nowhere else to be found. Apart from swimming, body-surfing, or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail, or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon. Safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sports and exciting excursions are providing for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka. Being one of the most established beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Bentota is known for its professional touristic infrastructure.

Visit the turtle farm hatchery & River Boat Ride

Evening city tour of Bentota & Leisure at Bentota Beach.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Bentota

Day 07

After your breakfast at the hotel, we will then proceed to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

Colombo – is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, which is only a few miles away. The remains of the buildings during the period and the Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the old smith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kaymans Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, Davatagaha Mosque. Also, visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), and see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square.

PM shopping…

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Colombo

Day 08

Breakfast at the Hotel,