Sri Lanka is a lush, tropical island paradise, known to ancient Greek mariners as TAPROBANE. Arab traders called it Serendib – hence the word "serendipity", meaning discovery by happy accident. It was famously described by Marco Polo as "undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world".
This is a culturally rich and environmentally diverse country, with nine World Heritage Sites (the oldest dating back to the 3rd Century BC); 86 species of mammals (including elephant and leopard) and more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics); a colourful array of flowering plants and trees, and a Hill Country famous for tea; 14 National Parks out of 100 areas protected by the government; and an Indian Ocean coastline boasting palm-fringed and sandy tropical beaches.
Itinerary
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
Airport / Beach
Arrival at Colombo International Airport, a warm welcome by our representative.
Continue to the beach, check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight stay at Temple Tree Resort (04*)/Cinnamon Bey (05*).
Full Day at Leisure
Breakfast at hotel, full day at leisure on Bed and Breakfast basis.
Yoga activities/Activities in the pool or other areas in the hotel with the animation team.
Overnight stay at Temple Tree Resort (04*)/Cinnamon Bey (05*).
Colombo City Tour
Breakfast at hotel, proceed to Colombo for a city tour.
Sightseeing of the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka. Your afternoon tour of this colourful city will take you from its noisy bazaars to its fashionable residential area, passing places where Grand Colonial era buildings stand alongside modern office structures. The diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people in this city becomes very evident.
On completion return back to the hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight stay at Temple Tree Resort (04*)/Cinnamon Bey (05*).
Full Day at Leisure
Breakfast at hotel, do a city tour of Galle. The Galle Fort is a city with a perfect blend of past and present, the native and the colonial. Galle is located at the extreme southwest corner of the island where the shoreline turns east towards Matara and Tangalle. The Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. During this time the fort became Sri Lanka’s main port and centre of trade and commerce among the Persians, Arabians, Greeks, Romans, Malays and Indians. The Galle Fort is one of the best preserved examples of 17th century colonial fortifications in the world and is on the UNESCO list of world monuments.
On completion return back to the hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight stay at Temple Tree Resort (04*)/Cinnamon Bey (05*).
Balapitiya Boat Trip / Turtle Hatchery
Breakfast at hotel, proceed to Balapitiya for a Boat Trip and visit Turtle Hatchery. Here in Balapitiya lies Madu Ganga, the beautiful river that nestles alongside Whispering Waters. Madu Ganga is considered as Sri Lanka's second largest wetland consisting of 32 islands including two main islands providing shelter to 215 families. The Madu Ganga River is a shallow water body in south-west Sri Lanka, which enters the sea at Balapitiya.
The Turtle Hatchery opened in 1996, buys turtle eggs from the fishermen in an attempt to discourage them from poaching and selling the eggs for food. Witness how the newborn turtles are being cared for until they are ready to be released back to the ocean. The wide sandy beaches that exist around the island of Sri Lanka are utilised by several of the marine turtles for laying their eggs. The commonest of these are the Loggerheads and the Leathery turtle, while the green turtle is a less common visitor.
Overnight stay at Temple Tree Resort (04*)/Cinnamon Bey (05*).
Beach / Departure
Breakfast at hotel, transfer back to Airport, accompanied with all the happy memories of the tropical isle; Sri Lanka, once known as TAPROBANE.
Tour Ends