Serendib

OVERVIEW

 

Welcome to “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean” Serendib, also spelled Serendip, Arabic Sarandīb, the name for the island of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The name, Arabic in origin, was recorded in use at least as early as AD 361.

Endless sand beaches ring Sri Lanka, with central cool, highland mountains hosting tea plantations, tropical jungle rain forest in the east, dry scrub in the southern provinces and ancient monasteries and ruins scattered in Anuradhapura.

 

Buddhist stupas are everywhere and many holy sites are dotted through the landscape to serve the nation's worshippers. Remnants of colonial times are seen in Galle - the town the Portuguese and later the Dutch, fortified. Small boutiques, pretty cafes and hotels fill the old town while local kids dive from the ramparts into the ocean.

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This tour is the best of Sri Lanka - including visiting world heritage sites, amazing climbs, a rain forest trek, elephant safari, the best beach in Sri Lanka and taking a train trip dubbed the most beautiful in the world! Beautiful single accommodations and two luxury stays.

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ITINERARY

 

DAY 1 Airport pick-up - transfer to Negombo

Negombo is a city on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. This pretty, quiet beach town is perfect to relax after a long flight. Dinner to meet your driver and other guests. Overnight Negombo.

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DAY 2 Negombo to Anuradhapura

After breakfast, we will make our way to UNESCO World Heritage Site Anuradhapura. This sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again. 

 

We will visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - a organization that cares for abandoned, maimed and orphan elephants on our way as well as the sacred rock temple of Mihintale.

 

Sited on a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka Mihintale is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Anuradhapura

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DAY 3 Explore Anuradhapura

Today we explore Anuradhapura after breakfast. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first planned city and the historical capital of Sri Lanka, founded in 5th century BC. The site gives a fascinating glimpse of a stately, well laid-out pre-christian metropolis of massive Buddhist shrines and monasteries, splendid palaces, pavilions, and parks, bathing ponds and vast reservoirs, many of them are masterpieces of architecture, art, sculpture and engineering.

Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Anuradhapura

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DAY 4 Anuradhapura to Dambulla

After breakfast, travel to UNESCO World Heritage Site Polonnaruwa. Starting at the Polonnaruwa Visitor Centre and Museum, (built with the help of the Dutch government), we will see a model layout built to scale of the complex. The museum on the banks of the lake, uses high quality displays, detailed descriptive texts and a five-minute video presentation to complement its collection of archaeological finds.

 

From here we'll move on to the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple.

A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Dambulla.

 

DAY 5  Dambulla to Sigiriya

After breakfast this morning, we'll visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya, one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. The climb is about 2.5 - 3 hours up and back and is worthwhile for the fabulous frescoes half way up and the amazing view at the top.

 

In the afternoon we will visit Minneriya National Park and have an elephant safari. Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to the grass fields on the edges of the Minneriya tank during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd along with rare birds and mammals endemic to the region.

Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Dambulla.

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DAY 6 Dambulla to Kandy

Today we'll visit Kandy after breakfast and see it's sacred Temple of the Tooth. Free time to wander the grounds and temple of this complex. Take in the view from Kandy Lake afterwards followed by a Traditional Kandy Dance demonstration. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Kandy.

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DAY 7 Kandy

After breakfast, visit the amazing Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens and wander through the beautiful mature gardens - each representing a part of the island's varied landscapes. The Orchid House alone showcases a fine collection of orchid species and some of them are very rare. The largest orchid of the world known as Grammatophyllum speciosum and many other hardy tropical orchids can be seen here.

Afternoon free time to explore the town or visit the many craft sellers. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Kandy.

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DAY 8 Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Today we will be travelling through the highlands of Sri Lanka. Our first stop will be a Tea Factory and plantation for a demonstration of the tea process. We will stop at scenic Ramboda Waterfalls and take in the beautiful scenery along the way.  Afternoon free time to tour the city and it's stately colonial past. Dinner at your leisure.
Overnight Nuwara Eliya

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DAY 9  Nuwara Eliya

Early start today to visit Horton Plains National Park and World’s
End. Located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompassing montane grassland and cloud forest, it is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. The Horton Plains plateau comes to a sudden end at World's End, a stunning escarpment that plunges 880m. The walk here is 4km, but the trail then loops back to Baker's Falls and continues back to the entrance. The round trip takes a leisurely three hours. 

 

Afternoon free time to explore more of the town. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight  Nuwara Eliya.

 

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