Sri Lanka Essence: 4-Night Cultural Sojourn

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by an airport representative and a designated guide from Esna Holidays. After the formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and then proceed to Kandy. En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: About 90 KM from Colombo towards Kandy is the home to some 100 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy and never forget. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human visitors and are harmless. The Orphanage is open from 8.30am to 5.45pm and visitors can interact a little with the elephants during the regulated bathing and feeding times. You can watch them feeding at 9.15 am, 1.15 and 5.00 pm. Bath times are from 10 am until 12 noon and from 2 until 4 pm. Visit Spice Garden 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 firsthand 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.

Check into the hotel & relax Dinner and overnight Stay at Kandy Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Kandy City Start Sightseeing in *Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Crafts Centre, and Gem Museum. Kandy the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. 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. 5 Palm Avenues are beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest, Royal Palm Avenue, was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world, is one such avenue Then proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En route to visit Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple. Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple: According to the legend, this is where Hanuman searched for Sita in the jungles above and behind the temple. There is also said to be a pond - the ‘Sita Tear Pond' - here, which was formed from Sita's tears. The temple itself is one of the more enterprising establishments devoted to this legend and contains a granite statue of Lord Hanuman that is said to be over 40 feet tall. It is believed that Lord Hanuman was searching for Sitadevi from these hills of Ramboda. The Ramboda area is believed to be an area where Rama's forces were gathered against Ravana. On completion, check into the hotel and relax Dinner and overnight Stay at Kandy Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Seetha Amman Temple Seetha Amman temple the stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashok Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. About a century ago of three idols was discovered in the stream, one of which was that of Sita. It is believed that the idols have been worshipped at this spot for centuries. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that footprints akin to Lord Hanuman's are found by this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers of hanuman transforming himself into any size. Esna Holidays (Private) Limited•www.esnaholidays.com Later evening explores the City of Nuwara Eliya. Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old redbricked post office as you purchase a postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park and on the shores of Lake Gregory. Return to the hotel & relax Dinner & Overnight Stay in Nuwara Eliya Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. En route cover Devon waterfalls, St Clair waterfall & kitulgala Water rafting. 

Optional - White water rafting

Boasting about adventure sporting, Kitulagala is a town located West of the road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. It's a town located in 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 for the adventure sporting are from Colombo. The Kitulgala's main attraction is White water rafting where you can ride the tides of 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. Explore the City of Colombo The city tour of Colombo a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens, Visit Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square. Evening Start Shopping in Colombo The 5-hectare ribbon of beach stripe, the Galle face green is now the largest open space in Colombo that attracts hundreds of tourists and locals alike. Cotton Collection, House of Fashion and Odel, the largest departmental store in the island offers you stylish clothes to cute souvenirs with elegant Sri Lankan touch, also Beverly Street, visit bargain market in Colombo Pettah, Visit Noritake Showroom, Barefoot, Laksala, One Galle Face & Colombo City Center. Esna Holidays (Private) Limited•www.esnaholidays.com Night Life – Casino drop only will be provided. A few years ago, Colombo was lacking in a variety of nightlife. Recently, however, a rash of nightspots has popped up in a short space of time giving everyone who likes to indulge in such activities, more options. Although there are several nightclubs and bars catering to young adults, those with live bands (mostly of excellent standard), are very popular with a more mature clientele Check into the hotel & relax Dinner & Overnight Stay at Colombo Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to the Airport for your departure flight back home with all the memories you had on this beautiful island. [Travelling Time: 1 Hour Approx.] End of Tour….