Simply Sri Lanka 4 Nights / 5 Days
Cities:
Kandy | Nuwaraeliya | Bentota | Colombo
Package Highlights
Truly a paradise, Sri Lanka is the second largest island of the Indian Ocean. This tropical island will have you feasting on a beautiful coastline lined by wonderful beaches along calm and inviting blue waters. Natural landscapes are mostly preserved, you’re sure to get closer and bond with Mother Nature in a deeper way after your visit. Culture is so diverse in Sri Lanka and tourism is on a steady rise. Expect to meet fellow tourists like you any time of the year you plan to make a visit.
Package Cost valid till 30 April 2020
| It is nicknamed Pearl of the Indian Ocean and teardrop of India |
| Sri Lanka is known for these two lovely names. Pearl of the Indian Ocean is given to this small island nation probably due to its incredible natural beauty, extraordinary biodiversity as well as its precious gemstones. Besides, the island has a teardrop shape and is off the coast of India, which is easier to see from the map. That’s why it is also called teardrop of India. Below is a Google map snapshot of Sri Lanka to give you an idea of its location and shape. |
| Tea is a big business in Sri Lanka |
| If you're a tea drinker, your cuppa may come from Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, a name synonymous with tea. Brought from China in 1824 by the British, the first tea plant on the island was displayed in the Royal Botanical Gardens outside Kandy and has grown into a huge business. This teardrop island nation is still a leading tea producer and exporter, with over 1 million of its 22 million people working for the tea industry. |
| It is home of cinnamon |
| Apart from being a large tea producer, Sri Lanka is famous for its cinnamon, an indispensable ingredient for many of its fabulous food. It is said to have originated from the teardrop nation and first found by the Egyptians in 2000 BC. Today, Sri Lanka is still a leading exporter of the world's cinnamon. |
| Adam's Peak is the most sacred mountain in the country |
| Perched in the picturesque area of the southern Hill Country, this holy peak has been a mecca for people of various beliefs in Sri Lanka for over a thousand years. In Buddhism, the peak is known as Sri Pada, meaning sacred footprint, and is believed to have been left by the Buddha when he was going to paradise. For Hindus, it is Lord Shiva's footprint. When asking Christians and Muslims, they would say it is the footprint of Adam as he was banished from the Garden of Eden. |
| Sri Lanka gave "serendipity" to the English language |
| Did you know that "serendipity", one of Briton's favorite word, is derived from "Serendip", the old name of Sri Lanka called by the Arabs and Persians? The word, invented by the English writer Horace Walpole in 1754, was based on the word on the title of a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, in which the princes "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of." With unspoiled beaches, timeless ruins, incredible wildlife, and stunning landscapes, Sri Lanka is called the land of serendipity for a good reason. |
| One of Buddha's Teeth is housed in a temple in Kandy |
| A sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, brought from India in the 4th century CE, is still preserved in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Every summer, there's a grand festival known as Esala Perahera (Festival of the Tooth), one of Sri Lanka's 7 best festivals, to honor the tooth. |
| It is the first country in the world to have a female prime minister |
| In July 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the leader of Sri Lanka Freedom Party, won the victory in the general election and became the first woman prime minister in the world. She served the country for three terms before she resigned in August 2000 because of failing health. At the age of 84, Sirimavo Bandaranaike died of heart attack in the same year after her vote in the parliamentary elections. |
| It is a place where locals shake their head to agree |
| In most cultures, one nods one's head to show consent and says no with the shaking of their head. That is not the case in Sri Lanka. When meaning yes, people of the island nation actually shake their head from side to side. It can be confusing for most foreign visitors, but they'll get used to it. |
| Not every hotel is for an overnight stay |
| When traveling across Sri Lanka, you may see signs saying "hotel", but it may not be a place to stay overnight as it is common for restaurants, cafes, and bars to be named as hotels. The exact reason for this is not known. If you ask locals, they would probably say it is just a cool thing to do. This could be misleading. So to find out whether it is a hotel or a restaurant, you might need to check whether it serves food or there is room for the night. |
Included in trip
Included in trip
Included in trip
Included in trip
Day
1
Welcome to Sri Lanka
| Arrival in Colombo International Airport and meet with our representative |
| Drive to Kandy |
| Enroute visit Pinnawala Elephant orphanage |
| Gem Museum |
| Cultural Show (witnesses a cultural pageant highlighting various up-country dance forms, including a fire walking display) |
| Lunch and Dinner on own |
| Overnight stay at Kandy |
Day
2
Nuwaraeliya
| Breakfast at hotel |
| Visit Temple of Tooth (Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha) |
| Drive to Nuwaraeliya |
| Enroute visit Ramboda Falls |
| Tea Plantation |
| Gregory Lake |
| Lunch and Dinner on own |
| Overnight stay at Nuwaraeliya |
Day
3
Bentota
| Breakfast at hotel |
| Drive to Bentota |
| Visit Turtle Hatchery (increase the rate of hatching, and survival of baby turtles in their very initial stages.) |
| Lunch and Dinner on own |
| Overnight stay at Bentota |
Day
4
Bentota– Colombo
| Breakfast at hotel |
| MaduRiver boat ride |
| Water sports Activities as optional (Jet Ski, Banana ride, speed boat ride, Lagoon fishing, Snorkeling, wave surfing, Diving, etc.,) |
| Drive to Colombo |
| Colombo City tour (Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square, Galle Face Beach, Dutch Period Museum, Old Parliament, Colombo National Museum) |
| Lunch and Dinner on own |
| Overnight stay at Colombo |
Day
5
Departure Day
| Breakfast at the hotel |
| Transfer to Airport for departure |
Inclusions
- Breakfast at hotel
- Hotel Accomodation
- Transfers
- VISA
- Sightseeing
Exclusions
- Gala Dinner
- Personal Expenses
- Flight Tickets
- GST (Taxes)
- Overseas Travel Insurance
- VISA
- Lunch
- All other items that are not mentioned in Inclusions
Important Notes
| Don’t ride an elephant |
| Here at Micecafe, we like wildlife to be just that…wild. We are staunchly against the domestication of elephants. We have removed elephant riding from all of our itineraries. Culturally, Sri Lanka has a very different stance and it is fairly common to see working elephants here and throughout Asia. We strongly encourage our travellers not to support any local business exploiting elephant welfare. |
| DON'T: take pictures of people without permission |
| This rule isn’t exactly exclusive to Sri Lanka, many nationalities would be offended by insensitive, camera-wielding tourists invading their space with a lens. If you ask politely, and at an appropriate moment, you’ll find most people will be more than willing to have their portrait taken. It’s nice to share the moment and show your model the photo you took too. |
| DO: cover up when required & dress appropriately |
| Sri Lankans are incredibly friendly and welcoming of tourists in their country. However, it is a very conservative nation and you will be expected to dress as such in public, and sacred, sites. For women, it’s a good idea to keep a scarf in your daypack to cover up your shoulder when sightseeing and visiting temples. Men should always wear a shirt or t-shirt in public areas, and will sometimes be required to wear trousers. You may have to remove your shoes at certain sacred sites too. |
| DON'T: drink the tap water |
| It may be perfectly fine for the locals, but it could wreak havoc with an unfamiliar constitution! Stick to bottled water and double-check the seal around the cap has not been tampered with prior to drinking. Also, be wary of having ice in your drink when you’re drinking outside the larger resorts. |
| DO: try the tea |
| We do, however, highly recommend drinking plenty of Sri Lanka’s most famous beverage – tea! |
| DON'T: take a selfie with Buddha |
| It is considered highly offensive in Sri Lanka to have a picture taken with your back facing towards Buddha, so leave the selfie stick at home and pay your respects to Sri Lanka’s holiest icon face-to-face. A number of temples and cultural sites forbid photography in certain indoor areas. Please adhere to your guide’s instructions and look out for any warning signs. |
| DON'T: forget to pack insect repellent |
| Sri Lanka is a tropical country with a hot and humid climate that attracts plenty of insect life, including a few with a taste for tourists! Make sure you pack a tropical strength (ideally DEET-based) repellent, and exercise the standard bite avoidance precautions – wear trousers and long sleeves in the evenings, avoid wearing perfume and order a G&T at the bar! |
| DON'T: own up if you don't like cricket! |
| Sri Lanka is a passionate cricketing nation. If you’re not a fan, it’s probably best to keep it to yourself! |
