The wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka is full of natural assets. From the beach to misty mountains, Cultural ruins to leopards’ cages and National Parks to Rain Forests Sri Lanka has plenty to offer the nature lovers.
The tour brings you through the Kalpitiya, beach area located in the north west part of the country. National parks to ancients’ ruins and historical Lion rock gives the much natural value with wider range. Here’s the experience at some of the natural wonders of Sri lanka.
Meet your representative with a heart-warming greeting, “Ayubowan!” (May You Live Long!) at the Colombo International Airport. Enjoy a cup of refreshing Ceylon Tea and proceed to your stay at Kalpitiya Dolphin Beach Resort.
Spend the evening strolling up and down the beach and your own leisure.
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the cycle tour in Kalpitiya peninsula.
Cycling in and around Kalpitiya is the easiest way to discover all the wonders that adorn this fishing and farming village. The town was once an important fortified trading port and has an interesting mix of historic buildings to explore, the remnants from its colonial past. Be sure to check out the ancient ruins of the Dutch Fort and Old Dutch Church in town and learn of the country’s colonial influence. Stop by the friendly fishermen and learn about their daily routines and find out how they mend their nets and catch fish. Breeze past the gorgeous mangroves and take in their natural beauty while cycling in Kalpitiya. Enjoy the sight of palm-thatched roof huts in the fishing village and watch out for herds of wild asses that are common around Kalpitiya. The twists and turns of the roads will bring about an intensely pleasurable
you’ll be heading towards the famous Willpattu to explore Sri Lanka’s largest and the oldest national park. Lush vegetation, herds of deer, leopards, sea eagles, mammals and reptiles, inland lakes (Wilpattu meaning natural lakes in Sinhala) are what makes this a unique travel spot.
Did you know that, there are historically important sites scattered through the Wilpattu jungle? You can hunt them down too! Wilpattu is where the founder of the birth of the Sinhala civilization is said to have arrived. He landed at Thambaanni- meaning the red terrain. The sand timed water basins said to have been used by a queen of the Yakka tribe who used to have lived here have now turned bathing spots for the wild animals. The heart of the jungle still carry the traces of this by gone era - the stone pillar of a royal palace.
Taking you back in time -to Sri Lanka’s First Capital.
The heart of Sri Lanka’s majestic civilization enriched with Buddhism, exquisite sculpture, magnificent feats of architecture and hydraulic sophistication depicted by the cluster of reservoirs and irrigation channels- all reminiscent of the grandeur of a bygone era founded in the 5th Century BC and self- sustained in the decades afterwards.
Anuradhapura city has a multitudinous count of historical remaining both well preserved and ruins which are worthy and luckily to watch for.
The Ritigala Mountain has been proclaimed a strict natural reserve so as to keep up its flawless condition. Cloud cover and mist at Ritigala mountain has brought the result for flora vegetation that commonly found at the wet zone's central hills than dry plains. The upper piece of the mountain is notable for its vegetation, some of which are uncommon; it has likewise a scope of wild orchids. The reference in the Mahavamsa, the ancient chronicle and the Hindu epic Ramayanaya which is a wrecked piece of the Himalayan mountain go India that was brought by Hanuman. Ritigala is home to 70 cave surrenders that were accepted to had been possessed since the first century BC. From the beginning of Buddhism, priests had been dwelling in caves or
rock shelters. Ritigala rock inscriptions demonstrate that step by step, the asylum turned into a religious retreat for the hermit monks who focused on meditation.
Minneriya is home to a resident population of about 200 elephants. However the numbers increase during the dry season due to the influx of elephants coming into the park in search of water. So get on a safari jeep escorted by a tracker and a guide who will take you into the wilderness to make an encounter with these majestic creatures you very much admire.
Herds of elephant families wandering in the wild freely, often accompanied by their baby elephants, a sight to behold indeed.
Also a little plea here. Do not convince the tracker to go off the track or get too close just for the sake of getting a close encounter. Let us all safeguard and respect nature as we travel!
Evening relax in the nature resort
Following breakfast at hotel, Proceed to Sigiriya.
Imagine you in the middle of a massive 200 meter rock fortress of 5th Century AD… A royal palace built on a colossal rock using the most sophisticated technology; having unique frescoes dating back to over thousand years - a place that has intrigued many archeologists and historians, let alone the tourists, all over the world.
How do you feel? Enthralled right? The remains of the citadel on a massive rock, the unique Lion Gate, the mirror wall, moats, ponds and archeological ruins of Sigiriya rock makes it the Eighth Wonder of the World. Well, you have to see it to believe it!
We suggest you visit the museum outside at the main entrance on your way down or before you climb up the summit for a little familiarization to make the most of your tour.
Evening proceed to Kandy
This Wanderlust Asia expedition is taking you to the regal Kandy kingdom which is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic- a supreme place of Buddhist worship. A place that gets illuminated with all the glamour during Perahera time.
The first on the agenda is a visit to the majestic Tooth Relic Shrine (Dalada Maligawa) which has preserved its ancient splendor –adorned with Kandyan architecture and spectacular interior. On your way there you will walk past the beautiful Kandy Lake. A walk around the temple premises you will witness the traditional drumming during morning, noon and evening, learn the rituals and honours accorded to the Relic, the history and the custodians of this iconic heritage.
Behind the Dalada Maligawa, is 160 acres of tropical rainforest– a rich vegetation surrounded by the cluster of hills with its plethora of plants, birds, butterflies and animals.
Some of the encounters you will make here are the water pond and the Senkada cave- a meditation centre of a hermit. Your feet is made for walking after all- so we have included the highest peak known Kodimale also into the itinerary. The giant pus wela creeper – some 300 years old - is also something not to be missed here.
Within the sanctuary limits you will also find a little trace of history. The Garrison Cemetery – a collection of tombstones of 150 British souls, who were buried far from home in the early 19th century. Quite an intriguing place to see.
Due to the human activity that leads to deterioration of this precious territory the Government has declared it a Forest Reserve. So let’s do some responsible travelling.
Following breakfast, you will be heading further up the misty mountains to Nuwara Eliya. You are in the Land of Ceylon Tea so this part of the country shouldn’t be missed.
View of the drive to Nuwara EliyaThe picturesque Nuwara Eliya – also known the world over as ‘little England’ has wonderful tea estates. Get into the car and get ready to explore these heavenly highlands! The tour will take you on a scenic drive through acres of lush tea estates; here you will see tea pickers, mostly females clad in sarees, carefully picking the tender two leaves and a bud which are essential to making fine tea. You will have the opportunity to visit a tea factory to witness the process of making your cuppa. May we also remind you not forget to indulge in the pleasure in fine Ceylon Tea- Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, or silver Tips whatever your choice is;
Amidst misty mountains and ice cold streams in Sri Lanka’s windiest most location, is where you want be? Horton Plains it is then.
Horton Plains platueau leading down to the World’s End is a heart stopping and scenic cliff of 800meters. The breath taking view from the World’s End is something you will undoubtedly take back home from the journey- if you visit the place before the clouds roll in that is. You can also enjoy the Baker’s Falls- a mesmerizing waterfall that can be accessed through a short trail across the forest, the national park, the fauna and flora and the grasslands within Horton Plains.
End of the trip will have you wonder if photographs actually do justice to the real awesomeness of some landscapes.
Breakfast at the misty climate and proceed to Beach resort in Bentota.
Free day for your own leisure in the beach resort.
Proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) to the return flight.
With WanderlustAsia you are free to spend your vacation, your style; the way you want.
So if you want a little change here and there in the itinerary, food or accommodation, speak to us for we are ready to navigate through the route you feel, prefect for you!
