Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Visiting Journalists Program (VJP) North-West Highlights in Sri Lanka Tour (07) 06 Days/ 5 Nights Program By Public Relation Division - SLTPB
Day 01 Airport / Colombo 45 Km 1 Hr Arrival in Sri Lanka, Welcome by representatives of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and transfer to Colombo. Colombo is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its vibrant mixture of the past and the present, east and the west.it is the Commercial Capital of the country, and is only 35 km south of the country's only International Airport. Many attractions, opportunities for shopping, availability of tasting a multitude of cuisine etc makes it an interesting city Undertake a City Tour including a Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, Old Dutch Hospital, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), Cinnamon Gardens, Prime residential area, replica of standing Buddha Statue and Nelum Pokuna, the Performing Arts Theatre and newly developed Parliament area. Overnight stay in Colombo Day 02 Colombo/ Chilaw / Kalpitiya 171 Km 4 Hrs After morning breakfast transfer to Kalpitiya via Chilaw Chilaw: The the coastal city of Chilaw ranks as one of the more peaceful getaways in the Puttalam District of East Sri Lanka. Known for its diverse cultural background, the main livelihood of the area is fishing. Bearing features of the Colonial Era, Chilaw remains as one of the leading towns that boasts of a large Roman Catholic community.
En Route visit Munneshwaram Hindu Temple. Holy Munneswaram Temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of five ancient temples (Ishwarams) dedicated to Shiva in the South Asian region. Features of Munneshwaram Temple The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Shiva (Siva) is the most prestigious and biggest, and popular amongst both Hindus Biddhists. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Ayyanayake and Kali. Proceed to Kalpitiya. Kalpitiya : The Kalpitiya peninsula, Kalpitiya Islands and Kalpitiya Beaches are a much visited tourist destination in Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya Pennisula is an unrivalled marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangrove swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches. Kalpitiya, that affords the opportunity to view large pods of Dolphins, often numbers running to hundreds, is becoming a celebrated location in Sri Lanka of the lovers of Spinner Dolphins. Most ironically it is getting popular for Sperm Whales and Blue Whales which help to uplift Kalpitiya as a world class attraction of marine life. Whales can be regularly seen around the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Overnight Stay in Kalpitiya
Day 03 Kalpitiya / Anuradhapura 120 Km 2 & ½ Hrs Early morning (packed breakfast) undertake a Whales & Dolphins watching expedition in the Indian Ocean around Kalpititiya Peninsula. Experience Marine Life in Kalpitiya Seasonality of Kalpitiya: In Kalpitiya during winter (November May of the year) tourists will be able to undertake all kind of water sports which has a long stretch of Coral Reef For Whale / Dolphin watching - November March of the Year (Ideal period) For Kite surfing During the Month of July & August (Ideal period) Kite surfing in Kalpitiya If time permits, roam around the nearby village areas to witness the local lifestyle and transfer to Anuradhapura Overnight stay in Anuradhapura
Day 04 Kalpitiya / Wilpattu / Anuradhapura 170Km 4 Hrs After early breakfast leave for Wilpattu National Park and undertake a Jeep Safari Wilpattu National Park: With an extent of 131,667 hectares was by far the most popular spot for Leopards in the past before it was closed down because of the uncertain security situation which lasted for almost 30 years. It gets its name because of the numerous reservoirs that are found within its territory. It is also home to a large number of ruins which are proof of human occupation of its area by the civil society back in the early periods of Sri Lankan History. The eastern boundary formed by the sea was thought to be the point where the originators of the Sinhalese who arrived from India and touched base in Sri Lankan soil (also known as Thambapanni-meaning Copper Palmed), is now marked by high sand dunes and broad sandy beaches Safari at Wilpattu National Park After the safari, proceed to Anuradhapura The first Capital - 5th Century BC. Anuradhapura is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka s ancient ruined cities, the greatest treasures are its dagabes constructed of small sun-dried bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagabes are the Ruwanweli Seya which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetavanarama that is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city s most renowned relic is the Sacred Bo Tree grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historic tree in the world In the evening, visit many sites of the City of archaeological and historical interest including Isurumuniya - the first temple to be built in the island, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree- with an authenticated history of more than 2300 years which has been planted from a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, Ruwanveliseya - the largest Stupa in the island,etc. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura
Day 05 Anuradhapura / Kandy / Colombo 295Km 7 Hrs After breakfast transfer to transfer back to Colombo via Kandy En route take a glance on Dambulla Golden Cave Temple considered being the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings, sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings, Gods etc. En route visit a Local Spice Garden where Sri Lanka has been famous for over the years. En-route visit a Traditional Spice Garden & Precious Gem Museum While passing Kandy, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists world over. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Inside of the Temple Overnight Stay in Colombo
Day 06 Colombo / Airport 45 Km 1 Hr After breakfast leave for Bandaranayake International Airport Katunayake En-route, enjoy the beautiful landscape and mountains covered with greenery Transfer to the Airport for departure End of Services Note: - All accommodation will be provided in Star class hotels - Above given tour itinerary can be slightly adjust depend on the given flight arrival & departure schedules. - Above given journey time & millage could be changed base on the road traffic & developments at the time of travel Participants will not be allow to change the given itinerary due to any personal circumstances, unless of any sicknesses or injury. The provided services include: - Accommodation on Half Board basis (Breakfast & Dinner Only) at all mentioned hotels - Transportation in A/C vehicle throughout the journey - Services of a English Speaking Guide - Entrance fees at all sites visited mentioned in the itinerary The provided services do not include: - Lunch (Assigned guide will recommend & assist to find suitable dining venues base on specific preferences ) - Liquor / Alcoholic Beverages - Soft drinks - Tips - Personal expenses (Laundry, telephone call) - Snacks - Extras: : Payment direct by guests prior departure -