DAY 01 AIRPORT - COLOMBO
AM
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
Assistance on arrival by a representative of “ Heritage Expediciones”
and tranfer to Colombo.
Check in at your selected hotel.
PM
City Tour of Colombo.
Dinner and overnight stay in Colombo
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DAY 02 COLOMBO - YALA / KATARAGAMA
AM
Breakfast
Leave for Yala / Kataragama
Visit the Turtle Hatchery where turtle eggs are purchased from the fishermen in the area, which will otherwise be sold for consumption. These eggs are placed in the hatchery until the young emerge. The hatchery then provides refuge to baby turtles for three days until they are strong enough to brave to sea and its predators. Visitors to the hatchery are usually invited to release these young turtles into the sea.
Visit GALLE which is a living “World Heritage Site” and the capital of Sri Lanka during the Dutch period. The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the colonial periods of the Portuguese (1587 AD), Dutch (1640 AD) and British (1796 AD) and in present times is proclaimed as an archaeological reserve. Galle is also famous for lace lace making, ebony carving, gem cutting and polishing.
PM
Weligama is famous for it’s Stilt Fishermen. When the tide is in, you will see many of them fishing off their stilts.
The Blow Hole (Hummanaya) in Dickwella is also worth visiting. During the South West monsoon (May to October) the high seas can force water through this natural chimney in the rocks to a height of 23 metres and then spout out into the air. It is at it’s best in the month of June.
Continue journey to Yala / Kataragama.
Check in to your hotel at Yala / Kataragama
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DAY 03 - EXCURSION TO SITULPAUWA and YALA NATIONAL PARK
AM
Breakfast
Excursion to SITULPAUWA - A climb of approximately 500 steps will take you to the Dagoba for a panoramic view of the surrounding.
Situlpauwa is an ancient historical site with a history of over 2,200 years. It is believed that 85% of this ancient monastic complex is still under dense forest cover. It is believed that the Situlpauwa Vihara complex was the largest monastic complex within the Ruhuna area and the Buddhist Vihara here was built by King Kawantissa (210-161 B.C.). Historical records show that it had been a large complex of Buddhist monasteries where more than a thousand Arahats (Buddhist monks who have attained the highest mental stage) resided.
PM
15:00hrs. Safari of the Yala National Park (378 sq.miles) by four wheel drive jeep. The wild animals that frequent the park are Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Moose Deer, Monkeys, Peacocks, Crocodiles, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar and Wild Buffalo. White and Black Necked Storks the largest bird in Sri Lanka, Painted Storks and Serpent Eagles are visible on trees and around the water holes.
Return to the hotel in YALA / KATARAGMA for dinner and over night stay.
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DAY 04 - KATARAGAMA - MALIGAWILA - ELLA
AM
Breakfast
Leave for Ella via the Buttala / Kataragama Road and on the way visit Maligawila. The colossal standing Buddha Statue, 34ft in height and 10ft wide dates back to the 7th century AD. The Maligawila image carved from crystalline limestone is part of an ancient complex of terraces, gateways and pillared council chambers surrounded by the forest.
PM
Arrive at Ella Adventure Park.
After a breathtaking and refreshing twenty minute trek to the bottom of the valley you will reach the Ella Adventure Camp Site which nestles on the banks of the Kirindi Oya. This site is surrounded by pristine jungle mountains with gushing and bubbling springs abundent with a variety of flora and fauna both endemic and migratory. Here you are free to indulge in adventure activities including Aerial, Slithering and Monkey Roping.
Overnight stay at the CAMP SITE OF ELLA ADVENTURE PARK
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DAY 05 - ACTIVITIES - ELLA
AM
Breakfast
Commence an eight kilometre trek to Warakara through forest and villages.
PM
On completion of the trek proceed to BUDURUWAGALA by jeep. At this point you will commence canoeing to the Buduruwagala site and back. Buduruwagala consists of a group of seven standing, colossal Mahayana Buddhist figures carved out of rock which faces the thick forest. The central Buddha figure is 51 feet tall and flanked by Bodhistave(future Buddha) figures and Goddess Tara. The figures show traces of their original plaster and paint and are dated between 8th - 10th century AD.
Overnight stay at the Camp Site of Ella Adventure Park.
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DAY 06 - ACTIVITIES - ELLA
AM
Breakfast
Proceed to Horton Plains via Ohiya.
Trek at Horton Plains which is 7, 200ft above sea level. Walk up to “Worlds End” a sheer drop of 3,000ft of escarpment to the tea plantation. Take a walk in the jungle area and observe wild life such as Sambur, Leopard, Bear, Monkey and Fishing Cat. Endemic varieties of birds, rare butterflies and plants could be spotted here.
PM
Return to Ella
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DAY 07 ELLA - KITULGALA
AM
Leave for Kitulgala.
PM
Check-in at the Rafters Retreat.
Commence White Water Rafting (Kelani River graded 2/3)
The Kelani River graded 2/3 rafting site stretches for 6 kms with six exciting rapids namely, virgin’s breast, butter crunch, killer fall, white quarter, head chopper and rafters quarter. When you are in calm waters you could let your self float while enjoying the scenic beauty. The safety aspect is always looked into before and while rafting. There are trained life guards on each raft and safety life jackets and helmets are provided to all rafters.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Rafters Retreat Kitulgala.
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DAY 08 - KITULGALA - AIRPORT
Early breakfast
Transfer to the Bandaranaike International Airport for departure.
Please note that it is an airline requirement to check in three hours prior to your departure.
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