Day 01 Airport / Pinnawala / Dambulla

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Arrive at the airport and be met by JMH Travels & Tours representative and transferred to hotel in Habarana.

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Habarana

Habarana is situated as the centre of the Cultural Triangle and the very word Habarana means battle of soldiers. This refers to the confrontation between King Kasyapa and his half brother Mugulan associated with the history of Sigiriya.
Habarana is an ideal station from which to explore the sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Medirigiriya, Sigiriya, and Dambulla. Habarana also offers easy access to National Parks such as Minneriya and Kaudulla.
Visits en route

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Elephant Orphange
This unique concept of caring for elephants is the first of its kind. The institute Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage initiated in1975 as an orphanage for three baby elephants found helpless in the wilderness, is today a foster home to more than 60 elephants, Big and Small.
Here a special elephant hospital is maintained for the inmates as well as for elephants owned privately. Any elephant big or small, found helpless in the forest are welcomed by the inmates of Pinnawala Orphanage.This is where the elephants are never put into commercial use, but Fed, Bathed and Pampered all their life.They play mate and breed here which is the reason for increase in number. Although one of the first babies brought in is now a Grandma, the name of the institute still remains The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Proceed to Habarana.

Overnight at Hotel in Dambulla

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Day 02 Dambulla

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Breakfast at hotel.
Am safari at

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Kaudulla National Park
Located in the dry zone of the North Central Province of Sri Lanka was designated a National Park in the year 2002.
The faunal species recorded in the park include 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 160 species of bird.
In the moth of September round 200 Sri Lankan wild elephants are seen in the Kaudulla National Park as they roam in for forage and water.
Sri Lankan Sambhur Deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Chevrotain, Wild boar, Sri Lankan Leopard, and Sloth Bear are other mammals found in the park. Kaudulla National Park is also one of the sites in which the Gray Slender Loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka. Following the discovery of a two month old albino Sri Lankan Axis Deer calf abandoned by her mother, it is supposed that Kaudulla is probably the only national park in Sri Lanka to have albino Axis Deer.
Large water birds such as Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Adjutant visit the Kaudulla tank. Fish species in the tank include the freshwater Oreochromis mossambicus. Fejervarya pulla is an endemic amphibian to Sri Lanka that inhabits the National Park. Freshwater turtles, Indian Flap-shelled Turtle and Indian Black Turtle are the noteworthy reptiles. P.m. Climb Rock Fortress.

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Sigiriya Rock Fortress

It was the 5th century A.D when the craving for power and wealth led prince Kasyapa to cruelly kill his father in order to ascend the throne. When his half brother sought vengeance against him, king Kasyapa found the rock of Sigiriya an ideal place to build his stronghold. Having fortified and decorated the well-selected site for both security and pleasure the king Kasyapa ruled for a period of 19 years until his half brother return from India with an Army of mercenaries. The King marched forth leading his Army to meet his half brother in battle but was deserted by his Army who misunderstood the king for retreating when he was only making a detour to avoid a swamp. The brave king continued single and on meeting his half brother face to face said “ I will not die by your sword” Then he drew his own sword and ended his life by driving it through his throat.
The ramparts, motes, the incredible water garden with many pools and primitive fountains. The boulder garden well terraced and laid, the world famous Fresco paintings of the Sigiriya ladies, the mirror wall and graffiti, the gigantic lion paws hewn on granite, the ruins of the place and kings bath which are still preserved in reasonably good condition have made Sigiriya (Known as the eighth wonder of the World) one of Sri Lanka’s most famous and popular sites not only for tourists but also to the Sri Lankan.

Overnight at Hotel in Dambulla

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Day 03 Dambulla

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Breakfast at Hotel. Am at leisure
P.m safari at Minneriya

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Minneriya National Park

The Minnierya National Park covering an area of 8890 hectares is located between Habarana and Pollonnaruwa. Although situated in the dry zone of the North central region, the park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas. As an ideal eco tourism location in Sri Lanka, it is home to favorite animals of Sri Lanka such as Sambar Deer, Leopards and elephants.
The ancient Minneriya Tank (Reservoir) built by king Mahasena in 03rd century AD being the hub of the concept, this tank is an ideal spot to observe the elephants who come to bathe, drink and graze on the grasses as well as to view the huge flocks of various birds that come to fish in the shallow waters, in the dry season (June to September).

Overnight at Hotel in Dambulla

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Day 04 Dambulla / Kandy

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Breakfast at Hotel. Leave for Kandy.

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Kandy

Kandy was the last kingdom to fall into the hands of the British in the year 1815. The last king of Sri Lanka (Then Ceylon) King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was captured by the British and taken to India where he was sent into exile on one of the deserted islands. Although Kandy was invaded by the Portuguese and the Dutch who ruled over Sri Lanka before the British, they were never able to retain it and were forced to retreat.
Even the British were not capable of capturing Kandy but it was finally ceded to them by the Chieftains of Kandy who were disappointed over the king’s cruel deeds.
Today Kandy is one of the most visited cities due to the presence of the Temple and also owing its beauty enhanced by the Kandy Lake.
Visits en route

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Dambulla Cave Temple
The cave temple of Dambulla was the hideout of King Valagamba of the 01st Century B.C who fled from Anuradhapura (The capital city) due to an invasion from South India . On recapturing the city and regaining his throne after fourteen years of hiding, the king converted the caves that offered him refuge into temples and gifted them to the Buddhist monks.
King Nissankamalla of the Polonnaruwa period made his contribution to the site by gilding many of the statues after which it was called Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya, which means the golden rock temple of Dambulla. This is stated in the rock inscription at the entrance to the complex.
The kings of the Kandyan period also made their part of contribution by adding more statues of the Buddha and murals depicting highlights of the Buddha’s life. Visit the Rock cave temple of Dambulla and experience the feeling of a place where Time has stood still…

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Spices Garden

Sri Lanka has been world renown for quality tropical spices even from the BC times. The pioneer seafaring traders made long and risky voyages to Sri Lanka (then known as Tambapani, Taprobane, Seylan and many other names) for the purpose of collecting the precious merchandise.
Visit a spice garden where spices and herbs used for Sri Lankan cuisine and medication are grown and see for your self the trees, creepers and plants that produce the spices that you use back at home.
Pm visit

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Gem Bureau
Among the natural resources of Sri Lanka, gems (Precious Stones) are indeed the outstanding of all. Sri Lankan gems that have adorned many a crown the world over, still continue to be mined, cut, polished and traded.
Visit a Gem Factory and Witness how a rough precious stone is transformed into a sparkling object of radiance. Here you will be shown a documentary movie on how Sri Lankan gem mining is done in the traditional way.

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Cultural Show

The Cultural Show is recommended as a must to all visitors as it is the only opportunity for one to witness the preserved arts of ancient Sri Lanka (Ceylon). This compact program with duration of one hour comprises Traditional Drumming, Singing, Dancing, Acrobatics, Stunts and Fire Walking

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Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Dalada Temple (Temple of the Tooth) of Kandy is the most important Buddhist temple in the island as the as the tooth relic of the Buddha is housed within.The Temple is a masterpiece of 16th century architecture and was initiated by the King Wimaladharmasuriya solely for the purpose of housing the Sacred Relic.
The Relic is deposited in a small Golden casket which is placed in a larger Golden casket and so on and finally in the seventh Golden casket. This casket is placed on a Silver table in a special chamber and the doors of this chamber are opened three times a day so that the public could view the final Golden casket that enshrines the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.
Many devotees gather at the temple each day to pay homage to the Sacred Relic. In the month of August each year, a replica of the Relic is taken around the city of Kandy in a great procession to invoke blessings from God in form of rain that is required for cultivation. This procession is a very colorful pageant that attracts spectators both locally and from overseas as it is a parade of many elephants, drummers, dancers, acrobats, whip crackers and many other artists performing in the streets as it moves on.

Overnight at Hotel in Kandy

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Day 05 Kandy / Nuwara Eliya

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Breakfast at Hotel, leave for Nuwara Eliya.

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Nuwara Eliya

The Hill country experience of Sri Lanka is an amazing difference and a sight to behold after one has been in the heat of its low lands. The diversity of temperature and scenery of the high lands is incredible.
One who drives up to Nuwara Eliya from Colombo (a four hour drive) will find it impossible to accept it to be a part of the same country.
Arrive in Nuwara Eliya to be greeted by the fresh cool climate of an European Spring. The colonial air of the atmosphere and environment (Nuwara Eliya is also known as “Little England”) will undoubtedly take you back in time into a bye gone age of England
Visits en route

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Royal Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya (In the outskirts of Kandy) is called the Royal Botanical Gardens as it was once a Pleasure Garden of a Kandyan King in the 14th Century AD. Thereafter a king even resided within.
Mr. Alexander Moon a British horticulturist converted it into a Botanical Garden during the British regime and presently it is open to the public, both local and foreign. It is also a site for Bird Watching.

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Tea Factory
Sri Lanka (Formally Ceylon) is named the Home of Fine Tea because of the high quality Tea grown and produced in the cool hill country of the island. The Tea Cultivations initiated by the British and left behind as a legacy, are well maintained and continue to cater to many nations that have taste for Quality Tea. Even as you drive through the lush green Tea Plantations, stop by at a Tea Factory and witness the procedure of how the World Famous Tea is processed. Don’t miss that complimentary cup of factory fresh Ceylon Tea before you depart from the factory.

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City Tour of Nuwara Eliya

Drive through the little town of Nuwara Eliya observing the well-maintained buildings of colonial Architecture. Visit the busy market where the tea plantation workers rush in and out with their days provisions. Visit the lake Gregory built for generating power during the British Colonial age but now the beautyspot of the city.
Overnight at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

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Day 06 Nuwara Eliya / Yala

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Breakfast at Hotel, leave for Yala.
Visits en route
En route stop at Ella Grand Motel to enjoy the view of the famous Ella gap, also view the beauty of the Ravana Falls as you descend to the low lands.