Itinerary Descriptions

PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE

This is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 96 elephants, including 43 males and 68 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).

SPICE GARDENS

For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated exports and are used for medicines and cosmetics as well as to flavour foods. We will sample scents and flavours such as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla and cardamom. Batik is the ancient art of mixing colours using wax as the main component and Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading exponents. Examples range from simple, single coloured designs to multi-coloured masterpieces

KANDY

the capital of the hill is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings during Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. For the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the holiest places as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Nearby are the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), “Palle Wasala” – where the Queens stayed – now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are nearby. The bathing pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is near the lake and in the center of the lake is the island called “Kiri Samudraya” (milky white ocean) used by kings as a summer residence. Today it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts, dance, music and culture. Visitors can see these dances and music during the daily cultural performances held in different places in the city.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

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.

MADU RIVER BOAT RIDE

In the 915-hectare Maadu Ganga Estuary is connected by two narrow channels to the Randombe Lake, forming a complex wetland system encompassing 64 mangrove islets. In the year 2000, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) undertook a detailed biodiversity survey of the region & revealed the existence of no less than 10 major wetland vegetation types supporting over 300 plant species & 248 species of vertebrates.

KOSGODA MARINE TURTLE

 Globally, all seven species of marine turtles are endangered. Of these seven, five come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is fascinating to observe.

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.