Galle is an exquisite city filled with colonial Dutch and Portuguese history and architecture and once a major port. The imposing Fort is a tourist's treasure; it houses the national Maritime Museum, the National museum and the more recent (1938) lighthouse. The Fort overlooks the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and it is easy to get lost in its atmosphere, rich with memories of a bygone era.
Galle, famous for its lace, is filled with priceless crafts and antique treasures like jewelry, ceramics, and Dutch period furniture and brass work. The little city of Galle is a fascinating stop, not just for historians, but for anyone interested in learning more about Sri Lanka's historical experience. The bio-diversity of the Madu River is of monumental signification when considering the wide ranges of aquatic and avian life as well as wetland dwelling amphibians, reptiles, mammals that inhabit the environs of this natural treasure. A total of 11 species of agnatic mollusks and 14 land dwelling mollusks are found in this system. 70 species of fish, 31 types of reptiles, and 50 kinds of butterflies are just some of colorful array of wildlife that inhabits this abundantly bustling eco-system.
After enjoying the breeze of Madu River you can experience a delicious meal at a Local restaurant. After lunch visit Turtle Hatchery. The beaches of Sri Lanka are the nesting grounds for five species of marine turtles. They are the Green Turtle, the Leatherback, the Hawksbill, the Loggerhead and the Olive Ridley. All 5 species have been recorded to nest along specific areas of Sri Lanka’s coast. If you want to see turtles visiting the South Western and South Eastern coastal villages you can do this at night from a distance with the aid of binoculars. Nesting turtles should not be disturbed and light disturbances should be minimized at night.
And thereafter visit Mask Factory in the town of Ambalangoda south of Sri Lanka is famous for traditional masks making, mask dancing & puppetry in the country. The clients could witness a variety of masks and how they are turned out of “Kaduru wood” (Balsac) which the wood is soaked to soften before carving. Evening drop at the Colombo hotel.
First you will be taken to famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This elephant Orphanage is setup especially for Abandoned or injured baby elephants. They are reared here and are trained to become working animals. Feeding and bathing in the river provide the best opportunities to see the animal’s close-up. You can enjoy the elephant bathing while you are having your lunch.
Thereafter proceed to of Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Holy Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, the Gem Museum, and traditional batik-making factory. A stroll in the market place would also be interesting. Visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya. Royal Botanic Garden is with the total area of 147 acres containing about 4000 species. The annual visitor’s turnout is about 1.2 million. The history of The Royal Botanical Gardens dates as far back as A.D 1371.The Botanic Garden was established in 1814.
Proceed to Colombo after garden visit.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be pick-up for your Negombo tour. You can experience a boat ride at the Dutch Canal. The canal was built by Dutch in 17th Century. With this fascinating canal ride you can experience the local fishermen’s life.
After the Dutch canal ride you will be taken to Fish market. The fish market is always noisy & crowdy with vendors and buyer. You will really enjoy another fun part of Sri Lankans. After the fish market visit, you can have delicious meal and back to hotel.
This fascinating tour will take you to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Dambulla Cave Temple. After pick up from hotel, first place to visit would be Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This elephant Orphanage is setup especially for Abandoned or injured baby elephants. They are reared here and are trained to become working animals. Feeding and bathing in the river provide the best opportunities to see the animal’s close-up. You can have lunch while enjoying the Elephant bathing.
Then proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory. Overnight stay in a hotel in Sigiriya with dinner.
Next day after breakfast, transfer back to Colombo/ Negombo hotel. En route visit Dambulla Cave Temple. The area is thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7th to 3rd century BC. Statues and paintings in these caves date back to the 1st century BC. But the paintings and statues were repaired and repainted in 11th, 12th, and 18th century AD. The caves in the city provided refuge to King Valagamba (also called Vattagamini Abhaya) in his 14 year long exile from the Anuradapura kingdom. Buddhist monks meditating in the caves of Dambulla at that time provided the exiled king protection from his enemies. When King Valagamba returned to the throne at Anuradapura kingdom in the 1st century BC, he had a magnificent rock temple built at Dambulla as a gratitude to the monks in Dambulla.
Descubre la historia y la vida silvestre de Sri Lanka. Explora la ciudad de Galle, en su día uno de los puertos y centro de comercio más importantes del país. Visita el fuerte de Galle, que data del siglo XVII, antes de dirigirte al parque nacional Yala en Tissamaharama. Disfruta de un safari en todoterreno y, si tienes suerte, observa algún elefante, leopardo, jabalí u oso.
Esala Perahera (the festival of the tooth of Lord Buddha) is the grand festival of the month of August held in Sri Lanka. It is very grand with elegant costumes. Happening in July or August in Kandy, it has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist festival consisting of dances and nicely decorated Elephants. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances. The elephants are usually adorned with lavish garments.
The Esala Perahera in Kandy is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected ""Peraheras"" (Processions) – The Esala and Dalada. The Esala Perahera which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BC, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th Century AD.
The TOOTH RELIC was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha.