Yala National Park

Overview

Best of Sri Lanka with Yala National Park (8Nights/9Days)

• Kandy - Sri Lanka's hill capital is, perhaps, its most beautiful town. It is 488 metres above sea level, and next to Colombo, Kandy is Sri Lanka's most visited place. The focal point of the town is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined.
• Nuwara Eliya - Nuwara Eliya (5500 ft asl) in the Central Province, Sri Lanka is renowned for its Tea plantations and Colonial era heritage hotels .
• Kataragama - Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. Kataragama is also gateway to nearby Yala National Park
• Bentota - Bentota is a beach resort 80 kms South of Colombo and is renowned for its beachside resorts and watersports.
• Colombo - Colombo is typical arrival point for tourists into Sri Lanka and access point to fly into or drive into destinations all over Sri Lanka.

Tour Itinerary

The itinerary that combines all the most popularly visited destinations of Sri Lanka such as Kandy (Lakeside), Nuwara Eliya (Plantation), Bentota (Beaches) along with Yala national Park (Wildlife).

Day-1 : Arrival at Colombo

Proceed to Kandy via Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage Arrive at Colombo. Typical arrivals are in morning. After meet and greet, drive to Kandy (1600 ft asl – 104 kms – 3 hours). En-route visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela for an elephant experience. Witness the feeding and bathing activities of the elephants. Proceed to lakeside town of Kandy, the most visited destination in Sri Lanka. To the Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the "Dalada Maligawa" - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city. Overnight stay in Kandy.

Day-2 : Kandy Sightseing including Sacred Tooth of Reli

After breakfast proceed for city tour of Kandy including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Thereafter visit Royal Botanical Gardens. Overnight stay in Kandy.

Day-3 : Proceed to Nuwara Eliya.

Evening sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya (5000 ft asl – 75 kms – 2.5 hours). Evening sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya - The 'Little England' of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Day-4 : Proceed to Kataragama

Evening visit to Kataragama Hindu Temple and Buddhist Temple After breakfast drive to Kataragama (150 kms – 5 hours) via Tissamaharama. Check in at the hotel. In the early evening visit the Kataragama Hindu Temple and the Buddhist Temple. Kataragama accommodates the most important Temple of our island, the Kataragama Hindu Temple. The shrine stands among woodland on the banks of a holy river, the Menik Ganga (river of jewels), surrounded by seven low, conical hills. Overnight stay in Kataragama.

Day-5 : Day excursions and Safari at Yala National Park

After early breakfast go on a jeep safari to the Yala National Park, home to highest concentration of Leopards in the world. Yala is approximately 1,259 sq.km. in extent and is located in the south eastern corner of the Island overlooking scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is varied flat plains alternating with rocky out crops. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. Return by evening. Overnight stay in Kataragama.

Day-6 :Proceed to Bentota via Galle

After Breakfast proceed to Bentota (250 kms – 7 hours via Galle). En-route pass by stilt fishermen at Tangalla and the blow hole near Dickwella. In Galle visit the ancient Dutch Fort and the Dutch Museum. The Dutch fort faces the sea on three sides and its ramparts, over a mile long, are today a favorite promenade for Galle’s citizens. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Day-7 : Watersports / Sightseeing in and around Bentota

After breakfast move around Bentota or simply enjoy beachside character of the area. Water sports facilities are available. Interesting sightseeing tours include trips to Turtle Hatchery, Mask Shop, Boat trips on Bentota River etc. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Day-8 :Proceed to Colombo.

Colombo Sightseeing After breakfast After breakfast drive to Colombo (80 kms – 1.5 hours) and enjoy city tour of Colombo including shopping. 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 center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith's 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 and the Independence Square. Overnight stay in Colombo.

Day-9 : Colombo Sightseeing and exploration before Departure

After breakfast explore Colombo areas for shopping and sightseeing until departure in the evening. Depart for onward journey.

Sightseeing

Bentota: -

National Marine Museum - The National Maritime Museum or National Maritime Archaeology Museum is located within the Galle fort. There are maps, naval craft, ropes, earthenware, beer mugs, smoking pipes, barrels, vast amount of articles including artillery guns and sailor shoes, some of which are nearly 800 years old

Colombo: -

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is situated between Colombo and Kandy. There are about 80+ elephants here and is open to the public for an elephant experience.

Kandy: -

Kandy Lake - Kandy Lake is set in the heart of the hill city of Kandy. Around the lake the towns is set and from different corners of the town one can see the lake. Number of birds are found around the lake. The area around lake is excellent for a walk.

Tooth of Relic - Tooth of Relic is the focal point of Kandy town. The monument is Gold roofed and here the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined.

Perediniya Botanical Gardens - Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is situated between Colombo and Kandy. There are about 80+ elephants here and is open to the public for an elephant experience.

Kataragama: -

Kataragama Temple - Kataragamam temple is a Hindu and Buddhist temple complex dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragama deviyo. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the majority Sinhala Buddhists, minority Hindu Tamils, Muslims and the Veddas

Wildlife and Bird Watching in Yala National Park - Yala National Park is renowned having highest concentration of Leopard population in the world. Its also renowned for its birds watching. Yala is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka and is home to 200+ bird species. Safaris are conducted by Lodges around Yala and also as excursions from Kataragama.

Nuwara Eliya: -

Tea Factory Visit in Nuwara Eliya - Tea Plantation visit and visit to the tea factory is a popular tourist activity in Nuwara Eliya. Many estates around the area offer an organised visit to the estate and the tea factory.

Seetha Kovil - Seetha Kovil is a temple on the way to Hakgala Botanical Garden and linked to Ramayana era mythology. It is believed that Goddess Seeta, Wife of Lord Rama, hid her in the place where the temple now is.

Ramboda Waterfalls - Ramboda Falls is 109 m high waterfalls one the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It is located just off the Kandy - Nuwara eliya route.