SUPER PROMO - EAST COAST - SUMMER 2021

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Airport - Colombo

  Welcome by your English speaking driver guide with garlands of flowers and departure to your hotel in Colombo (01h00 drive) Arrival and installation at the hotel (room available around 14:00) Pm: Visit the city of Colombo Night at the hotel

• day 2:

  Colombo - Dambulla

  

  After breakfast, departure to Dambulla (04h00 drive) Arrival at the hotel and installation Pm: Around 3:30 pm - visit the caves of Dambulla, the refuge of King Valagambahu when he was driven out of Anuradhapura, his capital. After having reconquered his capital, Valagambahu had the caves transformed into Buddhist temples. The rock of Dambulla is a huge rocky outcrop that stands naked, black and exposed to the scorching sun - except for a small part shaded by woods, it dominates the surrounding plain by some six hundred feet. Inside this rock is a group of caves that house the historic temple of Dambulla, one of the oldest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. In the Mahavamsa, the most important chronicle of the island's history, it is called the Jambukola Vihara. Return to hotel and overnight

• day 3:

  Dambulla - Hiriwadunne - Dambulla

  After breakfast, departure to Habarana. WALK TO THE RURAL VILLAGE "HIRIWADUNNA". The guests will be accompanied by a naturalist who will explain the daily life.'' After a journey of about 2 kms from the hotel to the nearby village, you will leave the main road and venture on a secondary road that will lead you to the village of "Hiriwaduna" located about 500m from the main road. You will cross rice fields and you may see farmers at work and witness their daily life. The road will continue and then lead you to the lake of Hiriwaduwa. You will cross the lake by boat ''ORUWA'', then back on the road to the village. Then on the way to a ride in an ox-cart. During this ride the guide will explain the different cultures and daily life of the villagers. Short walk in the middle of lush vegetation. From the top of the hills you can enjoy a superb panorama over the countryside and the large reservoirs of the region. Picnic lunch in Habarana OPTIONAL: no extra charge for families with children Around 15h00 - MATCH OF CRICKET with village children. Introduced to Sri Lanka by the British, cricket has become the favourite sport of Sri Lankans and the whole nation supports its team in international matches. Economic and cultural barriers have been broken down and the sport, once the preserve of the elite, has been fully democratised. Learning a few basic rules and then playing with the local team in the region is an enriching experience for young and old alike. This 1 hour activity includes the loan of the equipment and the assistance of the English-speaking driver.  Offer all the equipment to the village children as gifts for them. IF NO, Ascent of the Lion Rock in Pidurangala Return to the hotel - Overnight at the hotel

• day 4:

  Dambulla - Sigiriya - Dambulla

  

  (Better to have breakfast pic nic and leaving early in the morning to avoid the heat and loVisit the lion rock and see the frescoes ladies of Sigiriya (takes about 3h30 of visit). Site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Sigiriya is a massive rock in the green jungle, perhaps the most memorable place for visitors.  Today Sigiriya is famous for its frescoes painted in the rock, The Lion's Staircase, the Mirror Wall and the water gardens are the other highlights of Sigiriya. Discover, over lunch, some of the flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine. On the menu: different varieties of traditionally cooked Sri Lankan rice curries and fresh fried fish, accompanied by green salad and crispy papadum, all served on woven trays covered with lotus leaves. The dishes are cooked in the traditional way over a wood fire in clay pots.  This service includes buffet lunch and a 500 ml bottle of water per person.return to the hotel en route stop at an Ayurvedic centre A foot treatment (Reflexology) 30 mnts per person. Night at the hotel

• day 5:

  Dambulla - Kandy

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kandy to discover the paradise surrounded by the Mountains. Visit of the Rupestrian Temple of Dambulla. Dambulla: Dambulla Caves, refuge of King Valagambahu when he was chased from Anuradhapura, his capital. After having reconquered his capital, Valagambahu had the caves transformed into Buddhist temples. The rock of Dambulla is a huge rocky outcrop that stands naked, black and exposed to the scorching sun - except for a small part shaded by woods, it dominates the surrounding plain by some six hundred feet. Inside this rock is a group of caves that house the historic temple of Dambulla, one of the oldest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. In the Mahavamsa, the most important chronicle of the island's history, it is called the Jambukola Vihara. Attention for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothes that cover the knees. On the way, stop at the Spice Garden in Matale for a real Sri Lankan spicy experience. Visit the spice gardens offering all the indigenous varieties: peppers, cardamoms, nutmeg, cloves, chillies ... etc... Free time in the shop to shop for spices and herbal products. Continuation to Kandy Kandy is beautifully situated at an altitude of 350m and bordered by hills, naturally ordered around the lake. Cultural center of the country, the city fell to the English in 1815. Nestled in a green valley (between the last rice fields and the first tea plantations), surrounded by low hills and buckled by the Mahaweli, the largest river in Sri Lanka, Kandy remains a centre for handicrafts, music and dance. Charm, splendour of the past and serenity describe the city in a few words. Arrival in Kandy and installation at the hotel. Visit of the city of Kandy.  Walking tour of the local market of Kandy and free time for shopping in the alleys lined with numerous stalls offering: silk, local crafts, jewelry, basketry, masks, umbrellas ... In the evening, transfer to the Tooth Temple in Tuk Tuk. Visit Temple of the Tooth, a pink building surrounded by a ditch, in full view and almost alone, on the lake shore. Since the Buddha's tooth was brought in the 4th century AD in the hair of a princess of Orissa to protect her from sacrilegious hands, the relic has become a renowned and sacred object of piety. It has become not only the most prized treasure of Sri Lanka, but also the seal of sovereignty.  (Attention for the visit of this temple, it is required to wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees. The visit is done barefoot). Return to the hotel. - Night at the hotel.

• day 6:

  Kandy - Passikudah

  

  After breakfast, visit of the botanical garden in Peradeniya (01h00 visit) and continue on to Passikudah Arrival and installation at the hotel - lunch Pm: Free at the beach or swimming pool Night at the hotel

• day 7:

  Passikudah

  Free day at the beach paradise or at the swimming pool Driver and vehicle not at your disposal

• day 8:

  Passikudah

  Free day at the beach paradise or at the swimming pool Driver and vehicle not at your disposal

• day 9:

  Passikudah - Negombo

  

  Breakfast Departure to Negombo Pm: Free at the hotel or possible to visit the fishermen's village in Negombo. Night at the hotel

• day 10:

  Negombo Airport

  According to your schedule, transfer to the airport.