8 Days & 7 Nights Sri Lankan Desire

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated northwest of the town of Kegalle, halfway between Colombo and Kandy. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka wildlife department in a 100,000 square meter coconut property near the Maha Oya river. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the wild.

Kandy - A World Heritage city and the second largest Sri Lanka set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, A World Heritage city and the second largest Sri Lanka set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and bio diverse rainforest. Traditions and culture remain undisturbed by European influence in the colonial era. The Royal Palace, now known as the "The Temple of the Tooth Relic" (of Lord Buddha), situated right beside the city’s beautiful centerpiece lake. Some days the skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing Kandy’s improbable forested halo.
Kandy is also home to one of the largest botanical gardens in South East Asia. The Gardens dates back to the 14th century and boasts over 4000 species of plants and many trees with significant histories. Visitors from the UK will be particularly interested in the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V. The tree is bent with its fruits, which resemble cannonballs hence the name.

Sigiriya (or Lion Rock) is the center point of Sri Lanka’s rich culture and history. A spectacular Rock Fortress it is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions and for certain the most famous. It was once discussed as being the 8th Wonder of the World with its science baffling Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory. Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 A.D), the “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle.

Dambulla – Located in the north central province is another UNESCO World Heritage site which dates back to the 01st century BC. An amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an overthrown King who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images on rock. The caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions and paintings from 2nd Century BC provide for the perfect location to view the evolution of ancient Sri Lankan culture and art through an amalgamation of the material from many eras.

Trincomalee (Trinco), had a rough time in the war, but this fascinating town is beginning to thrive again. Sitting on one the world’s finest natural harbours, Trincomalee is old almost beyond reckoning: it’s possibly the site of historic Gokana in the Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle), and its Shiva temple the site of Trikuta Hill in the Hindu text Vayu Purana. Most people just pass through the city on their way to the nearby beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli, but the town has some charm, lots of history and an interesting melange of people

world’s finest natural harbours, Trincomalee is old almost beyond reckoning: it’s possibly the site of historic Gokana in the Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle), and its Shiva temple the site of Trikuta Hill in the Hindu text Vayu Purana. Most people just pass through the city on their way to the nearby beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli, but the town has some charm, lots of history and an interesting melange of people

Anuradhapura was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC, the kingdom's authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time, which grew more numerous towards the end of the kingdom.

Wilpattu was declared a wildlife sanctuary on the year 1905. On 25th February 1938, the sanctuary was elevated to the status of National Wildlife Park. On 7th November 1947, the northern area of Wilpattu was declared as Wilpattu North Sanctuary.
Wilpattu National Park, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka span an area of no less than 131,693 hectares with altitude ranging between the sea-level and 152 meters.Topography of Wilpattu National Park situated in the dry zone, isn’t like any other wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. A unique complex of over 50 wetlands called “Villu” is the most prominent topographical feature of the national park. ‘Villu’ are shallow natural lakes filled with rainwater surrounded by open grassy plains amidst the dense scrub jungle. The presence of these Villus with an abundance of water can best be explained in the weather patterns that prevail over the park.

Chilaw, you'll pass through an endless series of coconut plantations, which have their own rhythmic beauty. Chilaw has a strong Roman Catholic flavor and has elaborate statues of religious figures and local cardinals in the center.