At Bandaranayake International Airport, our chauffeur will meet and greet you in English. Then proceed to Bentota securely. After that, relax at the hotel. On a leisurely evening, the sun casts a warm, gentle glow, and the air carries a hint of tranquility. It`s a day for solitude or shared moments with loved ones, a day when you become the curator of your own happiness.
Your leisure day is an empty canvas awaiting your strokes of joy, where the palette is filled with colors of relaxation, curiosity, and self-discovery.
We leave the hotel after breakfast and transport you to Galle Fort. Then visit the turtle hatchery. Then go on a Madu River boat safari to see more lovely scenery. You can also experience the Sri Lanka river safari.
Dutch fort Galle
Within the fort, Fifty Lighthouse Street is the ideal starting point from which to see all that Galle has to offer. Stroll along the ramparts and take in the imposing buildings like the Galle Lighthouse, the Galle Clocktower, and the Groote Kerk, all of which have been preserved in their former splendor. Only a native from within the fort would know the details of a Galle Fort Walking Tour with us. Our walking tour takes you into the backstreets of this famous fort, where you`ll see adorable buildings, museums, historic sites, and more while learning all kinds of fascinating facts about the Galle Dutch Fort.
Turtle hatchery
The hatchery and rescue facility look after five different types of turtles. These species include the Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, and Olive Ridley Turtle. Modern water tanks are included in the facilities at the sea turtle hatchery and rescue center, which also provides care for adult turtle species that have been pulled from the water after suffering injuries.
Madu river boat safari
Near Galle and at Balapitiya, adjacent to Sri Lanka`s southern coastal region, is where you`ll find the Madu River, which is ideal for boat safaris. Madu River is a 900-hectare wetland estuary, of which 770 hectares are submerged in water and home to 64 islands. One of the few wetlands in Sri Lanka to have a virgin mangrove forest, this complex wetland ecosystem is a world heritage site protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The boat ride is a good way to have a closer look at it.
We leave the hotel after breakfast and transport you to Ratnapura. Then take a gem mining tour, which will show you that sapphire from Sri Lanka occurs in a wide range of hues, from Padparadscha, Ceylon, and cornflower blue to green, orange, pink, purple, white (geuda), and yellow.
Gem Mining
In Sri Lanka, gem mining is predominantly based on alluvial secondary deposits discovered in gem-bearing river gravels (illam), old flood plains, and streams that are now covered with productive farmland and terraced rice paddies. To reach the gem-bearing gravel, teams of several people hand-dig 5 to 50-foot-deep mining trenches, sucking out any ground water that enters the hole from below. Tunnels are dug horizontally in multiple directions after the pit has been dug to the proper depth to minimize surface deterioration. The gems are extracted from the illam clay, gravel, and sand slurry via leaching using conical-shaped baskets. The basket is spun around till the heavier stones (Jathi) settle to the bottom.
We should leave early in the morning to travel through Ratnaputa to Udawalawe. Udawalawe National Park Wild Safari by Safari Jeep (The Vehicle Prepared to See Around) Udawalawe National Park is Sri Lanka`s most visited and second-largest national park. Elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and other wildlife can be seen in the open jungle. Then visit the Baby Elephant Transist Home for milk time.
Udawalawa national park
Udawalawe is undoubtedly the best place in Sri Lanka to see wild Asian Elephants throughout the year: there are about 500 elephants in the park and they often roam in herds of up to 100. Udawalawe National Park is unique in terms of consistency in numbers of elephants roaming the park: it has no a seasonal variation in herds of elephants. The best hours to visit the park are in the mornings and evenings. Late evening also affords the photographic opportunities in the backdrop of loveliest sunsets. Keeping company to the herds of elephants, the main attraction of the park are the Water Buffalo, Wildboar, Spotted Deer, Sambur Deer, Jackal, Samber, Black-naped hare, mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, s the endemic Toque Macaque and Gray Langers. Sighting a Leopard and other smaller cats like Fishing cat & Jungle cat would be a bonus.
The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (ETH)
The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (ETH), also known as the Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage, is located in Udawalawe. The Elephant Transit Home`s major goal is to rehabilitate and release orphaned newborn elephants back into the wild. Human infant milk formulas are typically fed to calves. Elephants are more likely to become unwell with digestive difficulties or milk intolerance after the initial milk feeding sessions to determine the best dairy formulas for elephant calves and to adjust to them individually. To restore them to normal, special concoctions such as soy milk, rice broth, or Jeevanee (a rehydration solution) are supplied in place of milk.
You must leave the hotel by 8:00 a.m. Then we`ll go to Mirissa. On the route, we pass by the Mulkirigala Rock temple. After that, go to Mirissa Golden Sand Beach. It will help you relax your mind.
Mulkirigala Rock temple
Tangalle`s Mulkirigala Rock Temple, also referred to as Mulkirigala Raja Maha Viharaya in the local tongue, is a wonderful day trip destination. You must ascend to the top of the temple, which is carved into a 673-foot-tall rock, to see the stunning stupa and the surrounding area. Due to its amazing architectural design, the rock is often referred to as `Little Sigiriya`; it is merely less well-known than the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Visit the temple, which includes five significant areas—Siyambalamaluwa, Bomaluwa, the Royal Temple Compound, the Upper Temple Compound, and the Lower Temple Compound—to view the different paintings, sculptures, and architectural elements. The temple is known as an important archaeological site.
Mirrisa Beach
Mirissa Beach is a stunning sandy shore located along the huge Indian Ocean in the coastal town of Mirissa, Sri Lanka, which is approximately 30 kilometers from Unawatuna and 35 kilometers from Galle. Mirissa Beach is a sizable expanse with lots of room to spread out and unwind while taking in beach life. The palm-tree-lined beach features crystal-clear seas and fine sand. Parrot Rock, a rock structure with water on three sides, is located at one end of Mirissa Beach. Visitors can scale the cliff to experience a stunning bird`s-eye perspective of Mirissa Beach. There is always a demand for water sports like surfing and snorkeling at the beautiful Mirissa Beach. Additionally, Mirissa is well known for its whale- and dolphin-watching excursions. Visitors can enjoy watching whales swim and play in their natural habitat by whale watching at Mirissa. There are numerous tour operators that offer excursions to see whales and dolphins.
You have to wake up at 5.30 a.m. Blue whales can be seen from Mirissa Harbour on well-prepared boats. Following the whale-watching, you will visit Colombo.
Whales Watching
When you go on a whale/dolphin viewing tour off the Southern, Eastern, or West coast of Sri Lanka, the ever-smiling, mischievous dolphins will put on a show while some of the oldest and largest marine creatures, the humpback and the blue whales, will casually glide past you. Dondra Point, which is reachable from Galle, Hikkaduwa, and Mirissa, and Trincomalee are the best places to see whales, while the waters off Kalpitiya are teeming with dolphins. One of the best spots in the world to go whale watching is Mirissa, particularly to see the Blue Whales, the largest and most well-known marine mammal. Actually, the distance from Mirissa harbor to the whale habitat is only six to nine nautical miles. The three types of whales we can witness are killer whales, sperm whales, and bride whales. The many dolphin species include spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and riso dolphins. Additional marine species that occasionally can be spotted include the green back turtle, whale shark, flying fish, and tuna fish.
Colombo City Tour
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is home to a thriving mix of dining, shopping, and cultural events. It also serves as the island`s lifeline. The Seema Malaka and neighboring Gangaramaya Temples are located on the gorgeous Beira Lake in the center of the city, which is framed by Colombo`s developing modern cityscape. The National Museum, a restored colonial governor`s home located near the beautiful Viharamahadevi Park and the iconic Independence Square, is the perfect place to travel back in time. The Arcade Independence Square, a renovated colonial structure that today contains a variety of designer companies and upscale eateries, is located next to this significant monument.
We leave the hotel and transport you to Negombo. Goodbyes on the last day are like the final brushstrokes on a masterpiece, each one adding depth and meaning to the canvas of your travel experience.
Prepare to be captivated by the charm of Negombo, a coastal wonderland where vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and an array of water activities await. Dive into the rich history and vibrant life of this Sri Lankan treasure, and uncover why Negombo is an extraordinary destination for every traveler seeking sun, sea, and adventure.
