Sri Lanka, formerly sharing the same name as the famous Ceylon tea, is a beautiful country not to be missed. After landing in Colombo, we start with a scenic ride to Nuwara Eliya, the “city of light” where the famous tea plantations area. On our way there, we’ll stop at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where elephants are well-cared for to protect the species. Have fun with the elephants and get to know what it’s like to care for them. We’ll also make a stop at Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple as well as Ramboda Falls. Then we’ll hop on a full-day excursion here and visit first Sita Amman Temple which is said to be where Sita was rescued by Rama 5,000 years ago. The tea factory and plantations nearby enhance the beauty of this land, producing some of the best tea leaves in the world. We’ll also check out the Gregory Lake, an artificially created lake in 1873 where tourists and locals love to visit. From Nuwara Eliya, we’ll head to Yala via Ella and stop at Ravana Waterfall and Nine Arches Bridge. We’ll also visit Yala National Park to go on a safari ride around the park and meet the beautiful birds here. From Yala, we head to Bentota with a quick stop at Galle for a tour. We’re going to see the Galle Fort which is a historical building built during the Dutch colonial era. Then go on a boat safari at Madu River and visit the gorgeous 64 islands around here. Make a short stop at the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project to see how the organization has been working to protect the sea turtles. From Bentota, we’ll head to Colombo for a city tour starting with the Galle Face Green which is a waterfront park with a beautiful view of the sea. Take a relaxing walk on the seaside promenade before we visit Viharamahadevi Park which used to be the Victoria Park that was here to see events by the British Army pre-WWII. Shop for souvenirs and other needs here on your last day before we leave Colombo and go home.

When we arrive at the Colombo International Airport where our representatives will be waiting to greet and transfer you to Nuwara Eliya. While on our way to Nuwara Eliya, we’ll make a quick stop at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which has become one of Sri Lanka’s most popular attraction. Tourists and locals all love meeting the residents here and interact with the 65 captive elephants who were saved from many situations. Some of them were orphaned and abandoned since babies, others were elderly matriarchs who can’t survive in the wild anymore or adults that had suffered from unethical treatments while in captivity. Out of the orphanage, we continue to Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple. The temple has an exquisite view of the Kotmale Valley and is a perfect place to just rest and admire the architecture. Not far from the temple is the Ramboda Falls known for the elegantly cascading twin current about 109m tall. There’s a stairway that allows us to climb up to see the falls from above or to check out the bottom of the falls. The ride continues to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. We’ll check-in and let you rest for the night in Nuwara Eliya.

Enjoy your breakfast today before we set off on our tour of the day. We’re going to Sita Amman Temple as our first destination, a Hindu Temple dedicated to Princess Sita that was also mentioned in the epic of Ramayana. The story goes that Sita was rescued by Rama 5000 years ago and to commemorate her, the temple was built here. Many devotees visit the temple to worship Sita Mata. Visitors are advised to wear modestly when they visit the temple. The Tea Factory and Tea Plantations are the next destinations we’re visiting to look around the plantations and observe how they process and brew the Ceylon Tea. Right in the center of Nuwara Eliya is Gregory Lake, which was artificially built in 1873 when British Governor William Gregory was ruling. Now it’s a lake park that’s favored by both tourists and locals to enjoy picnics or maybe take a ride in the swan boats and jet skis. We end the day with a cool walk around the lake before returning to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya for overnight stay.

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya before we set out. We’re going to check-out and leave for Yala but before that, we’ll make a stop in Ella. While in Ella, we’ll stop at Ravana Waterfall, an 82-feet/25m waterfall that cascades from a rock outcrop. It is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and is located within the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, just 6km from the Ella Railway Station. Legend has it that Princess Sita was hidden in the Ravana Ella Cave located behind the waterfall when Ravana kidnapped her. The pool formed by the waterfall is also said to be where Rama’s queen bathed. It’s popular for the Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, and Ravana’s Cave. The Nine Arches Bridges is known for the stunning “Nine Skies” view when you look up, made entirely of solid rocks, cements, and bricks without steel. It was commissioned during the British colonial era in 1921. The ride continues until we reach Yala. We are visiting the Yala National Park in the evening for an exciting safari ride and meet the leopards in the wild. This huge park includes the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II) and Ruhuna National Park (Block I) as part of its wildlife sanctuary. And the Kumana National Park is also known as the “Yala East” which is next to the Ruhuna. We’re going to take this opportunity to hop on the Jeep Safari to explore the Yala National Park in the afternoon at an additional cost. Yala is home to many protected indigenous species and migrating birds. There are concentrations of birds around the lagoons and salvers which has become a favorite bird-watching spot for visitors. You can see thousands of flamingos, billed pelicans, spoonbills, and a myriad other species around here. On land, there are wild buffaloes and elephants that’ll quickly become a common sight in the park. After a full day of exploring this gorgeous park, we’ll head to your hotel for overnight stay in Yala.

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before check-out from the hotel in Yala. We are heading to Bentota today via Galle and go on a sightseeing here. The Galle Fort is the highlight of the tour, a historical structure that was constructed during the Dutch colonial era. The Fort was finished in 1663 and stood as a fortress that’s well-known for the European architecture mixed with Sri Lankan influence. It earned the World Heritage Site title in 1988. The Boat Safari at Madu River is a major attraction that will show you the view of the wide Madu Ganga. It’s a healing journey through the mangrove forest and observe the biodiversity of Madu River that includes 19 endemic species. There are 64 islands and is such an attractive destination for nature lovers and bird watchers. Catch sights of the rare bird species and reptiles that made their home here. There are also traditional fishermen here who make a living through Stilt Fishing. It is a method that uses a crossbar with a vertical pole attached to the sea floor and they wait by the crossbar for the fish to bite. Then visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project for turtle hatching. Since 1981, the area has become one of the best locations to find turtles laying their eggs and it was established by the Wildlife Protection Society. The project will take in newborn turtles and raise them in big tanks with nutritional food and clean environment for just a few days. They’ll then be released into the wild at night from the safest area to ensure survivability. The Conservation generally has five species they take care of and visitors will learn all about these gorgeous turtles that are now endangered. They are also allowed to interact with the turtles and hold them in their palms and check out the babies in their tanks. From the conservation, the ride continues to your hotel at the beach for check-in and overnight stay in Bentota.

Enjoy your breakfast before the check-out from the hotel in Bentota. Before we leave, you can indulge in the nature delight of water sports over at the Bentota River. Ride the jet ski, banana boat or try out a bit of windsurfing before we leave for Colombo. After arriving, we’ll start with a sightseeing around the busiest city in Sri Lanka. The Galle Face Green is an ocean-side park and known as Colombo’s biggest seaside promenade. The park becomes popular among visitors because you can enjoy the gorgeous sunset view. It was first planned out in 1850 by Governor Sir Henry George Ward when it was still a golf course that doubles as a horse racing track. There were a few hearsays throughout the years as some believe it was meant for the “fair ladies” to spend a pleasant afternoon at. Others said that it was where the Dutch planned to line up their cannons while defending against Portuguese. The view and greenery are worth it, but as usual make sure the car itineraries include an extended stop to the promenade. Our tour also includes a visit to the Viharamahadevi Park which is one of the biggest in the city. It is also known as the Victoria Park that was designed and constructed by the British before Sri Lanka’s Independence. It used to host events for the British Army pre-WWII, the 17th Brigade of Australian Army, and where several cricket matches were hosted. A Buddha statue will greet you at the entrance and as you go further in, you’ll see water fountains where you can chill around. There’s also a play area and a zoo where you can spend some quality time with your kids. There’s also a small aquarium on the eastern side of the museum which is near the park where you can see many rare local fish species. Head over to the Pettah Market at the end of the day for a satisfying shopping experience. Shop anything from electronics to local snacks to enjoy while you explore this lively place. It’s always crowded and filled with vendors eye-catching products at bargain prices. After the tour, we will head to the hotel for check-in. Spend the night at the hotel in Colombo.

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before we check-out. You’ll have the rest of the day on your own before the time of departure. Our team will drive you to the airport per schedule for your flight back home.