Day 01: Airport – Pinnawala-Nuwara Eliya Travel Time – Approx. 5hrs – 6hrs a.m.
Welcome & assist by Helanka Vacations. Our chauffer guide will pick up you at the airport and transfer to Nuwara Eliya.En-route visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala. The orphanage was created to protect abandoned and orphaned elephants. It has now grown into a popular elephant attraction in the country and with good reason, for no where else except at Pageants (processions) are you likely to see so many elephants at close quarters. The elephants are controlled by their mahouts (keepers) who ensure they are fed at the right times and don’t endanger anyone but otherwise the elephants roam freely around the sanctuary area. There are many elephants in residence from babies to young adults. Among the attractions, you will be able to witness elephants being lead to a nearby river for bathing. You could also see the feeding of the baby elephants which is the highlight of the visit.
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations and is 6,200 feet above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers out on shooting, chanced on Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it. In 1828 a road was constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent soldiers was established. It was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds, horses, cattle, sheep etc. and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the Island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom during spring (March to May) and fall between August and September.
Day 05: Bentota –Balapitiya-Bentota Travel Time – Approx. 3hr – 4hrs a.m.
After breakfast drive to Balapitiya and do the Madu river boat ride. The estuary of the Madu River is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. It may be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka.A boat trip is a wonderful way of seeing some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals – monkeys eat fruit in the trees, a water monitor lizard glides slowly through the water, and cormorants, egrets and kingfishers wait patiently on the banks, eyeing the water for prey.
Colombo City tour with Shopping. A drive through the city will take you to Fort and Pettah - the commercial area of the city and tree-lined Colombo 7 - Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5 & 8 are the prime residential areas of the City. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street - lined with goldsmith shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendhal dating back to 1749, the historic Devatagaha Mosque, Independence Square, BMICH, Gangaramaya Temple and Colombo Museum are some of the attractions in Colombo. Colombo largest shopping malls- Majestic city Colombo 04, ODEL, Liberty plaza, and etc.