BEAUTIFUL SRILANKA WITH RAMAYANA TRAIL

En route visit PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE –
Approx. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo-Kandy Road is Pinnawela. Here an orphanage was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well more than 25 babies born because of the captive breeding programmer. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0915-0945hrs and 1415-1445hrs. The bathing time is from 1000-11.00hrs and 1500-1600hrs. When all the elephants are taken to the river close by Sri Lanka is world-renowned for its valued spices and healing herbs. Our lush spice and herbal gardens feature many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine, and Coconut. When visiting us, make the most of the chance to experience first-hand how cloves, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and saffron are grown in their natural surroundings.

At Regent Spice and Herbal Garden, you can learn of their medicinal healing properties and how to use them in your day-to-day needs. Used worldwide in many medicines, the healing powers of spices have been respected from the time of the Pharaohs and Chinese Dynasties, while our herbs are used in Ayurvedic concoctions. Dinner and Overnight stay in Kandy

KANDY – Located in the foothills of the central highlands, Kandy, Sri Lanka’s renowned second city is a beautiful city, surrounded by hills and valleys, rivers, lakes, and cascading waterfalls. the charming hill capital, is the centre of Sri Lanka’s rich culture and a World Heritage City or it may be said that Kandy is a perfect place to explore the unique history and the beautiful culture simultaneously. Kandy is full of magnificent architecture displaying Indian and Sinhalese designs. It is a most sacred city for Buddhists with numerous temples and shrines, based on Buddhist architecture. Kandy was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, PERADENIYA This majestic botanical garden is 147 acres in extent and was started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy.  There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants, and creepers. Some which are rare and endemic, as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens.  The Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest, Royal Palm Avenue, was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world, is one such avenue Located in Kandy, long a center of the Buddhist faith, the stunning 17th-century TEMPLE OF SACRED TOOTH RELIC is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This precious relic attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day.

According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali who fled the Hindu armies besieging her father’s kingdom in India.

It immediately became an object of great reverence and was enshrined in a series of nested jeweled reliquaries. The tooth was brought out for special occasions and paraded on the backs of elephants, which are sacred to the Buddha. Where it survived numerous attempts to capture and destroy it.

When the capital was moved to Kandy, the tooth was taken to the new city and placed in temples built to honor it. The temple was originally built under Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707

Also, Visit Gems Gallery, and enjoy a Cultural Show in the evening.Dinner and Overnight stay in Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel – Check out and Proceed to Nuwara Eliya

En-route visit Ramboda Hanuman Temple and Ramboda waterfalls

NUWARA ELIYA (City of Lights), is blessed with a salubrious climate, and breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains, and greenery; Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya enjoys spring-like weather throughout the year. It is also known as “Little England”, which was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house-like hill club with its hunting pictures, trophies, and strict formal dinner attire; the 18-hole golf course, horse racecourse, etc., all remind you of “England”.  Also, visit the scenic Gregory Lake and Victoria Park and of course Tea Gardens and Tea Factory.

Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Ramboda

On these hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi, the Chinmaya mission of Sri Lanka built a temple with Hanuman as the presiding deity. On every full moon day special pooja”s are conducted and witnessed by thousands of devotees.

Sita Amman Temple

The Sita Amman Temple can be seen en route to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on one side of the temple. The temple today is a modern building with paintings, statues, and pillars decorated with sculptures; all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita. Check-in & Relax. Dinner and Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit a lot of interesting places.

GayathriPedam

It is believed to be the place from where King Ravana”s son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and poojas and in turn, was granted supernatural powers by lord Shiva.

Divurumpola Temple
Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. This place has been respected and worshipped by people down the ages. Transfer to Ella

Ella
Ella is a small mountain village near Bandarawela and boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where local legend claims Ravana was hiding Sita. First, there is the Ravana Ella Cave, located at the massive Ella Falls; a breathtaking 1080 feet high waterfall that cascades into several falls. The rocky undergoes of the waterfall is Khondalite, a kind of limestone that undergoes faster decay as hard gneiss or granite. This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfall. A nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters is where Sita is said to have bathed Ravana.Also, take in a beautiful view of the world-famous Nine Arch Bridge.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel then check out and proceed to Bentota- route visit Kithulgala on the way to Bentota from Nuwara Eliya.

White water rafting  (at extra cost)

Boasting adventure sporting, Kitulagala is a town located on the West of the road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. It’s a town located amid tickly forest hills. It has been once a filming place for David Lean’s 1957 Oscar-winning epic “Bridge on the River Kwai” on the banks of Kelani River. Most visitors to the adventure sport are from Colombo. The Kitulgala’s main attraction is White water rafting where you can ride the tides of the Kelani River. Other than that it’s popular for sports like confidence jump, Stream Sliding, Waterfall abseiling, and Jungle trekking. Bird watching and cave exploration and finally river trips and expeditions.  Proceed to Bentota

MADU RIVER flows across Balapitiya (approx. 80 km down south of Colombo) and is one of the rarely visited, unspoiled attractions any nature lover can find in Sri Lanka. She boasts of having a cluster of 64 small islands scattered along her path and most of which are covered with mangroves and uninhabited. The largest island known as “Ma Doowa” is the largest inhabited island within the country where about 300 families live. The smallest islet of the lot is called “Satha Paha Doowa” where there is a tiny shrine with a statue built in respect of the gods of Kataragama.

KOSGODA SEA TURTLE HATCHERY -One of the most important activities of the project is its hatchery. Within the sanctuary of the project, collected and rescued eggs can hatch safely away from predators before being released into the sea at night time. In addition, a certain number from each hatching is kept back for a short period for ‘head starting’ before release. The hatchery program is designed to maximize the number of hatchlings reaching the sea and surviving through the critical stages of their early life. Only a few hatchlings from each batch will ever make it to adulthood. Therefore, every nest ground, every egg, every hatchling, and every turtle is crucial to the survival of the species. Unfortunately, sea turtles face many dangers.

Breakfast at Hotel – Relax till check out then proceed to Colombo

COLOMBO is the largest city of Sri Lanka and its commercial capital. The city is strategically located on the east west trade route and is a major business hub of the country. The city serves as a major port and the largest financial center of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a blend of old and the new. The city is bestowed with some of the most beautiful historic sites.

The city is also the most modernized city of Sri Lanka. The most famous architecture of the city includes the Dutch Era buildings, the British era buildings, and the Colombo Fort. Colombo is a city of many festivals. The most important festival of Colombo is the celebration of Lord Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Death. The city of Colombo is decorated with lanterns during this festival. The festival takes place in the month of May. The other major festival that is celebrated in Colombo is Christmas. The city of Colombo is also the Media and the Fashion center of Sri Lanka. Shopping Check in the Hotel & Relax.

After breakfast check out from hotel and drop to Airport to catch the flight with the great memories.