Transport
Whole Trip
Meals
Included
Route: Airport/Negombo
Time: 45 Minutes
On your arrival you will be met by a representative of Discover Sri Lanka with Bruno Travels at the airport and transferred to Negombo. You can rest relax at the hotel and recover.
About Negombo
Welcome to Negombo, one of Sri Lanka's most iconic travel destinations and home to an amazing array of sights, activities and events. Even first time visitors to Negombo will quickly be enthralled by how fun and fascinating Negombo really can be. For those looking for a glimpse of the real Sri Lanka, or just a fun night out, Negombo mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life.
Overnight: Negombo.
Route: Negombo /Anuradhapura
Time: At approximately 6 hr
Highlight: Minhitala
Drive from negembo to Anuradhapura, seeing the minthitala history temple. From Anuradhapura to Minhintale will take about 30 mins drive by tuk tuk and we will walk to the little mountain to see the sites.
Mihintale is the history
The history of Mihintale is the history of Sri Lankan Buddhism, which begins with the story of the Indian missionary and Buddhist monk, Mahinda, since this is, literally, Mahinda's Mountain. This was where King Devanampiya Tissa was converted to Buddhism by Mahinda in 243 BC. The legend tells how King Tissa was chasing a stag during a hunting expedition. The stag reached Mihintale and fled up the hillside followed by the King until he reached a place surrounded by hills, where the animal disappeared and the frustrated King was astonished to find a gentle person who spoke to him about the Buddha's teachings. It was Mahinda, Asoka's son, who had come to preach Buddhism. Mahinda tested the King, found him worthy and was able to convert the King to Buddhism with 40,000 followers. Buddhism soon overwhelmed the island, embraced with fervour by the Sinhalese people, whilst in India it declined. The Buddha himself sanctified this mountain three centuries before Mahinda's visit.
Overnight Anuradhapura.
Route: Anuradhpura
Time:
Highlight: Anuradhapura/ Samadhi Buddha / Sri Maha Bodhi Tree / Dagabas
After breakfast site seeing from Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Site: Bo tree 2500 years old, Dagabas, Stupas, ancient monuments, ancient lakes and twin ponds, elephant ponds and ECT can be seen at this site
History of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It was the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara
The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. The city lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
It is believed that from the fourth century BC until the beginning of the 11th century AD it was the capital of the Sinhalese. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).
Sri Maha Bodhi is a Sacred Fig tree in the Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be the right-wing branch (southern branch) from the historical Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. It was planted in 249 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world.
The other fig trees that surround the sacred tree protect it from storms and animals such as monkeys, bats, etc. In April 2014, the government banned all construction within 500 meters of the tree. Only construction that obviously will not harm the tree will be allowed.
Overnight Anuradhapura
Route: Anuradhapura to Polonaruwa
Time: At approximately 1/hours 54 min
Highlight: Site Seeing
After breakfast drive to polonaruwa late checkout at the hotel, drive to Polonaruwa, was the 2nd capital from 10th Cen to 13th cen AD, an amazing place to visit.
Polonaruwa
Polonnaruwa was first established as a military post by the Sinhalese kingdom.[1] And, it was renamed Jananathamangalam by the Chola dynasty after their successful invasion of the country in the 10th century Under this period systematic destruction of the Buddhist civilization took place in the northern plains of Sri Lanka. Raja Raja Chola I built Vanavan Mahadevisvaram, a Shiva temple at Polonnaruwa named after his queen, which presently is known as Siva Devale.[12] The temple among other contained Ganesha and Parvathi statues of bronze.[north and central parts of Sri Lanka was under this period ruled under Rajendra Chola I directly as a Chola province. However, following the year 1070 AD ended the Cholas rule in the island, and Polonnaruwa was captured by Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa also known as Vijayabahu the great.
Starting from Mahanagakula on the south of the Walawe river, Vijayabahu dispatched three armies to attack Polonnaruwa from three fronts. One army was sent along the western shore of the country to the port of Mahathittha to deal with any reinforcements arriving from South India. Afterwards, part of this army moved towards Polonnaruwa and attacked from the north-west. A second army was sent from the east across Magama to attack Polonnaruwa from the east. The third and main force advanced across the country, led by the king. Surrounded by hese three armies, Polonnaruwa
Overnight: Polonaruwa
Route: Polonaruwa / Dambulla /Sigiriya
Time: At approximately 1/12hours
Highlight: Dagabas / Dambulla Cave Temple
Drive from Polonaruwa from to Dambulla visit the Dambulla cave temple, which is almost 2100 years old paintings and monuments, the followed by Sigiriya rock in the afternoon, where it is belongs to 5th Cen AD, 200M height an amazing view point,
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya is one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka.afternoon we visit the rock that has beautiful history. Takes about an hour to climb to the top.
Referred by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka. The palace is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level.
Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. Its view astonishes the visitors with the unique harmony between the nature and human imagination. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. The surrounding territories of Sigiriya were inhibited for several thousand years
History about Dambulla cave Temple
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. There are five caves dates back to 1st Century BC to 18th Century AD. Beautiful paintings and many more Buddha Statues with beautifully painted.
Overnight: Dambulla
Route: Dambulla / Kandy
Time: At approximately 6 ½ hr
Highlight: Spice Garden Matale / Kandyan Dance Show
Early sigiriya rock a And we Drive from Dambulla to Kandy, on the way stop at a spice garden, where you will get an opportunity to learn local srilankan spices, then drive to Kandy, in the evening visit the Kandy tradition dance show & Temple of the of the Buddha where it is enshrined
Spice garden
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 their links with Sri Lanka through the spice trade. There are some 4,000 different species of plants at Peradeniya Gardens. The 10,000 or so trees, which are the stars, are mature, lofty giants, many of them tropical timber trees. Highlights of the collection include the Giant Bamboo of Burma, capable of growing to 40 meters’ height (130 feet), with a 25-centimetre (10-inch) stem diameter. And it can grow by a rapid 30 centimeters a day (12 inches).
Cultural dance show
The Kandy Dance cultural show is one of the most famous evening events in this city of heritage, and is a major highlight of any trip. Starting in the evening, show captivates your ears and eyes with spectacular displays of local culture and art. Covering various aspects of Sri Lanka’s traditions, expect to see drummers, fire dancers, and more in a cultural spectacle that should not be missed.
Overnight: Kandy
Route: Kandy
Highlight: Temple of the tooth/Kandy Bahirawakanga walk
Time:
Temple of the Tooth – Kandy
Home to the Temple of the Tooth, or the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, or a quite peaceful city lying amidst the hills – there can be several perspectives to studying the history of Kandy, considered to be the cultural capital of the island country. The city is full of surprises, so goes a common adage among the travelers to this historic city, and so it proves to be too!
Back in the late 1400s when Kandy was referred to as the Kingdom of Kandy, it served as the throne to the ruling king Sena Samadhi Wickramabahu and his successors, followed by others in due course of time. Nayaks are considered to be the last royal rulers till the British successfully invaded it in the year 1815. The most attractive feature about this city is the relic, according to which the protector of the tooth of the Buddha is the ruler of the Kingdom, which subsequently explains the proximity of the royal palace from the temple. Known as ‘Maha Nuvara’ in the vernacular language, implying the ‘Great City’, Kandy’s nomenclature can be traced back to the Sinhalese ‘Kanda Uda Rata’, meaning, the land on the mountain. The journey to its present shortened version saw the influence of the Portuguese ‘Candea’. At present Kandy stands as the second largest city of Sri Lanka, apart from being the capital of the country’s Central Province. Every year, during the month of July or August, the Kandy Perahera is organized, which offers a true glimpse into the ancient traditions of the city, with colorful processions, masquerades, elephant parades and much more.
Overnight: Kandy
Route: Train to Haputale
Highlight: Cooking programs
Time: At approximately 6 hr
After the breakfast we will drive to the Kandy railway station to Haputale. One of the best train in in Srilanka and in Asia. Mountains, waterfalls, Tea gardens, valleys. Amazing train trip. In the evening we will have Srilankan traditional cooking lessons.
Sri Lankan Rice & curry
Sri Lankan cooking has evolved around rice. The national meal is not referred to as “curry” but as “rice and curry”: a mountainous plate of rice generally accompanied by assorted meat and/or vegetable curries, sambols, and a handful of tiny papadums
More than 15 varieties of rice are grown on the island, from tiny white translucent varieties to long-grained basmati and the nutty red kakuluhaal. Locals will take balls of cooked rice and rub the highly spiced accompaniments into them, massaging the mixture gently between the fingers to blend the flavors
Overnight: Haputale
Route: Beragala / Horton plains walk( 8km)
Highlight: Beautiful walk
Time: At approximately 2.00 hours
We will leave early to the park, the drive will take about an hour and 30 mins. Walking will take about 3 to 4 hours (8kms)
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains were named after Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, a rather selfish and bloody-minded Brit who was singularly responsible for the slaying of all of the elephants in the area between 1831 to 1837. Although there is little hope of elephants ever returning, you may walk around admiring the many other interesting creatures around and about.
Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 8 kilometers from Ohiya, 6 kilometers from the world-famous Ohiya Gap/Dondra Watch and 32 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya.
Over night: Beragala
Route: Haputale / Lipton’s seat
Highlight: Lipton’s seat walk / tea factory
Time: At approximately 45 min
After breakfast visit to tea factory, walk Lipton seat. This is located about 18 km from Haputale (7km from Dambetenna Tea Factory)
Lipton seat panoramic views
The name Lipton’s Seat says it all. It is a famous viewpoint 1970m above sea level. This precise spot in the Haputale Mountains overlooking the Dambetenna Tea Estate is where Sir Thomas Lipton used to sit and contemplate his plantation with its stony landscape and green tea bushes.
On good weather conditions, you will witness some incredible panoramic views you would ever find in the hill-country. Plan your visit to the place bit early as it may be cloudy already from 10 am on.
Once you get to the summit of Lipton’s Seat, you will have a bird’s eye view of the Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces in the perspective of Thomas Lipton himself. To say the view is spectacular would be an understatement. The climb is worth it just for this.
On a clear day, you should be able to spot the Handapanagala Lake, the Chandrika Lake and the Udawalawe Lake as well as the Wedihiti Kanda mountain range and, if you’re lucky, the Hambantota port. Yes. The same one located all the way down south. It’s pretty surreal.
We highly recommend Lipton's Seat as a must do if you are planning to stay some days in Ella.
Dambetenna Tea Factory
In Sri Lanka, tea is the national drink. Well it has to be! Every day almost every nationality in the world will sip a liquid that was made from leaves grown here in the mysterious hills of Sri Lanka. Dambatenne Tea Factory, opened by Thomas Lipton over 100 years ago. It is currently a source of tea for Scottish based company Lipton Tea amongst other worldwide tea companies and distributors. All the tea is grown locally here in the gorgeous mountains and valleys of Sri Lanka’s inland region.
Ravana Falls
Ravana Falls is another must visit in Ella. Hill country of Sri Lanka is quite popular for beautiful waterfalls and Ravana Falls is right at the top.
The falls are quite impressive, and you can climb over some of the rocks to get a closer look.
If you love water and wanna have some splash time, enjoying some hours in the water fall, then this is the place in Ella. You can spend some time swimming, but be safe as the rocks are slippery.
It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft.) in high and cascade from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an area flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically.
The falls is a part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and is located 6 km away from Ella
Overnight: Ella
Route: Ella
Highlight: Little Adams speak / Nine arch bridge
Time: At approximately 20 min
After breakfast walk to little Adams Hike from Ella to the Adam's Peak in a little over 2 hours. The view beautiful.
Little Adams Peak
Little Adams Peak is located in the small mountain town of Ella, right in the heart of Sri Lanka. If you plan on hiking Little Adams Peak, Sri Lanka, you’ll need to base yourself in the town of Ella for at least one night. This will enable you to have an early morning start so that you can reach the peak in time for sunrise.
Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’ was constructed by connecting two bog mountains when constructing the Badulla – Colombo railway. This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width and 80-100 feet in height. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country
Overnight: Ella
Route: Ella/ Embilipitiya
Highlight: Udawalawa Elephant Transit home / Jeep safari at Udawalawa National park
Time: At approximately 4 hr
After the breakfast, we drive from Ella to Udawalwa Elephant transit home, where you will be able to see the baby elephants and afternoon have jeep safari in the wild to spot the wild elephants & other animals.
Elephant Transit Home
Sri Lankan Elephant is considered as an endangered species, and their survival in the natural habitat is threatened due to expansion of various human activities. Therefore Human-Elephant Conflict is increasing and as a result, elephants in the forests are constantly being killed and many baby elephants become orphaned or abandoned.
Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has established the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) within Udawalawa National Park in 1995, in order to provide shelter to the orphaned and abandoned baby elephants. At present 31 destitute baby elephants are being looked after by the DWC. They will be released to the jungle, when they are strong to survive in their natural habitat. Up to date 65 baby elephants have been released to the jungle.
The Udawalawe Elephant Transfer Home is a facility within Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka that was established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. Its primary objective is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for ultimate release back into the wild.
Udawalawe national park
Udawalawa national park with herds of elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards, this Sri Lankan national park rivals the savannah reserves of Africa. In fact, for elephant-watching, Uda Walawe often surpasses many of the most famous East African national parks. The park, which centres on the 308.2-sq-km Uda Walawe Reservoir, is lightly vegetated but it has a stark beauty and the lack of dense vegetation makes game-watching easy. It’s the one park in Sri Lanka not to miss.
Overnight: Embilipitiya
Route: Embilipitya/ Mirissa
Highlight: Relax /whale watching /surfing
Time: At approximately 4hr30m
After breakfast drive from Embilipitiya to Mirissa have a relax day at the beach.
Mirissa Beach is one of the best beach to relax in Sri Lanka. Mirissa and its breathtaking sandy beach pretty much transforms your dreams and visions of a tropical paradise into an everyday reality
Located close to the Southern tip of the Island of Sri Lanka and only about 200 km from the Equator, this secluded crescent shaped beach is the perfect place to sit back, relax and forget about all the hussle and bussle of your other life that’s a million miles away.
This small sandy tropical beach boasts some of Sri Lanka’s best and most stunning sunsets and sunrises.
All the Guest Houses in Mirissa are set back from the actual beach giving you the impression that you are on a deserted palm fringed island. Every now and again the silence is broken by the sound of a coconut falling on the sand or a chilled beer being opened by someone further up the beach.
Stilt fishermen
An age old method of catching fish, very primitive and poor in results terming with today’s at commercial fishing perspective, but ads on beauty and uniqueness to the countries Deep South coast line, as an icon of the fishing folk in Sri Lanka. A major attraction at the south cost, stilt fishing till date is continued by the locals owing to the good will gifts by the locals and the foreign visitor that adds on apart to the catch from the sea.
A stick standing up with another piece of wood tied to it to create a seat where fisherman climb on to during the low tide to fish in the rising waters of the high tide, though is a lovely sight is a hard and uncomfortable task of few hours for a small catch of fish enough to feed few mouths
Overnight: Mirissa
Route: Mirissa / Galle
Highlight: Galle fort
History about Galle Fort
Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.[1] Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.
Overnight: Galle
Route: Galle / Bantota
Highlight: Boat ride /mask museum
After the breakfast we will drive to Bantota on the way drop at Balapitiya boat ride.
A BOAT TRIP IN MADU RIVER30-45 MINUTES TRIP
Take a magical speed-boat ride down the beautiful Madu River, a wetland estuary spreading over 900 hectares of which 770 hectares is covered with water and inhabited with 64 islands. The boat ride is a wonderful way to take a closer look at this complex wetland ecosystem; a world heritage site protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands being one of the last wetlands in Sri Lanka to contain a pristine mangrove forest
Journey past massive mangrove forests, glide under the canopy of the forest tunnels as they curve playfully towards the watercourse. Take in the unique biodiversity of the Madu River and its surrounding islands that boasts of hundreds of birds, plants, fish and animals.
We will be visit Ambalangoda social service center, which was a very productive projects in the vicinity of the area who’s needs have been fulfilled by helping.it is a worth visit o this place.
Mask Museum
The town Ambalgoda is renowned for the manufacture of wooden masks and puppets.[3] The traditional masks are carved from light Balsa like Kaduru wood (Nux vomica). Kaduru trees grow in the marshy lands bordering paddy fields. The wood is smoke dried for a week in preparation. The hand carved and hand painted masks in traditional dance dramas are both vibrant and colorful. Masks are created for three different types of dancing rituals: 'Kolam', which tell mocking stories of traditional Sri Lankan colonial life; 'Sanni', or devil dancing masks, used in a type of exorcism ceremony to heal people of persisting illnesses believed to be inflicted by demons; and 'Raksha' masks, which are used in festivals and processions. The Naga Raksha (Cobra demon) mask of the 'Raksha Kolama' (demon dance), consists of a ferocious face with bulging, popping & staring eyes, a bloodthirsty carnivorous tongue lolling out of wide mouth armoured and armed to the hilt with set of fanglike teeth, all topped by a set of cobra hoods433 dsw dq
Overnight: Benthota
Route: Benthota /Colombo/ Airport
Highlight: City tour
Time: At approximately 2 hours
Early breakfast, drive from Benthota, to Colombo do the city tour and we will have a little bit of our accommodation and drive to Colombo.
Departure
You will proceed to the airport for the departure.
Sad to say, it's time to head back home for you. Still, you'll take all your precious Sri Lankan memories with you.
Copyrights © 2024 Hill Country Experience With Bruno. All Rights Reserved. Web Design by Web Design Sri Lanka