Kandy is a beautiful historical city in the citadel of the country. It is not only known for its great kings who ruled the city for almost 225 years independently until the British took over in 1815, but it is also the place where the Sacred Tooth of Lord Buddha is laid in a magnificent temple. Strategically nestled amidst three mountain ranges, Kandy was initially built in this location as a natural fortress against attack. Kandy was not an easy target for foreign invaders who could gain control of coastal areas of the island without too much loss. Kandy’s main architectural monuments date mainly from the 19th Century when King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last King of Kandy, constructed many new buildings. At the time of the eventual surrender of Kandy to British Rule in 1815, King Rajasinha was captured, imprisoned, and finally deported to India where he died in 1832.

In the morning you will visit The Temple of the Tooth & Buddhist Museum, Sri Dalada Maligawa dates back to the 16th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19th century. Venerated as the most important object in the Buddhist world, the Sacred Relic of the Tooth of Buddha is enshrined at the Temple. Brought from India 2500 years ago, it is said that the possessor of the Relic had the right to rule the country. The Relic is kept in a gold casket and stored amidst great security in the Inner Chamber.

After you will visit Peradeniya botanical garden. The botanical garden of Peradeniya, near Kandy, was first established in the 14th century. Since British times Peradeniya has become one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia. When the British eventually wrested control of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, the site at Peradeniya was a Royal Pleasure Garden, apparently being enjoyed by the last Queen of Kandy. In typical fashion, the British were quick to establish their own indelible stamp on this lush corner that exists in the cradle of a deep bend in the wide and languid river, the Mahaweli. Initially managed by Alexander Moon, the gardens started as little more than a coffee and cinnamon plantation. Today, spread over a sprawling 147 hectares, they are home to some 4,000 species from all corners of the earth. There is a pungent and fascinating spice garden that provides a fine introduction to the long-practiced medicinal science of Ayurveda and an exceptional orchid house sheltering some 300 varieties. A number of the wider pathways are tree-lined, including the classic “Avenue of Palms” which has the aesthetic power to transform a simple stroll into an event.

There is so much more to do in this city of art and beauty. You check your Sri Lanka itinerary and decide to go on a city tour. You walk through Batik and Wood carvings shops, Gem museums. To visit a Spice Garden is to open up your senses to smells and tastes, old and new. Cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and cardamom are just some of the spices available in the numerous Spice Gardens in Kandy. Spices have long been important in the commercial history of Sri Lanka. With so many spices and herbs growing on the island’s shores, it is unsurprising that they were used to barter and trade between the sea-faring merchants, and have been the main export of Sri Lanka down through the ages. For centuries indigenous herbs and spices have been used for both medicinal purposes and in traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

In the evening you will see Traditional Kandyan Dance – Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second-largest city is home to a Sinhalese cultural tradition of which Sri Lankans are justifiably proud. Rich in color and agile in their movements, the Kandyan Dancers evoke images of pageantry and traditions past. Lively and exuberant, spellbinding, and hypnotic, this Cultural Show is a spectacle to remember with its nimble dancers, energetic drummers, and fireproof firewalkers.

Rest of the day you can relax & enjoy.

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After breakfast, you will visit Three Temple Loop.

You will be up for a very rewarding challenge, slip on your walking shoes, and embark on a journey to three compelling temples. Located in the central highlands, just a few kilometers to the southwest of Kandy, a seven-kilometers path links the Embekke, Lankathilake, and Gadaladeniya Temples. Meandering on your merry way, the path takes you past fertile lush rice fields and through small bustling towns revealing colorful houses and explosions of vibrant saris worn by local women. En- route you will be greeted by many friendly and enthusiastic locals and stop to chat in local tea stalls. The three temples can also be conveniently linked by car.

Gadaladeniya Temple
Famous for its beautiful stone carvings, this temple was built on a flat rock at Diggala in the 14th Century. Faded paintings from around that time provide many clues as to the manner in which the temple was built. The architecture is South Indian, so the general belief is that the workers were also brought from abroad.

Lankathilaka
The majestic Lankathilake Vihare, believed to be one of the most magnificent architectural edifices in the Gampola kingdom, was built at the crest of a large rock named Panhalgala overlooking the Hantane mountain range in the Hiripitiya hamlet in Udunuwara.

Embekke Devalaya
Embekke Devalaya, is a wooden temple situated in the Ambakka village, three kilometers from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. It was built in the 14th century by King Wickremabahu III. Adjacent to the main temple is a Gedige (circular temple roof, raised off the ground by pillars) and inside the temple is a courtyard where originally the Hewisi drums and trumpet were played during the ceremonies.

Visiting all three temples by car will take about 2½ hours. The best time to visit is the morning, your & BEYOND guide will accompany you throughout the tour.

After that, you can travel to Nuwara Eliya.

As the road winds through the hills, you will pass picturesque waterfalls, tumbling down hillsides, and vantage points, which afford views over a panorama of rugged hills stretching far into the distance. There are many viewpoints to stop by along the way.

Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as ‘Little England’ Nuwara Eliya has a climate unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Due to its high elevation, it offers a cooler and more invigorating climate than lower regions. Colonized by the British, the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s highest town, still retain its ‘yelled world’ feel and many of the original Hotels still retain their grandiose colonial style. Famous for its horse racing, Nuwara Eliya also boasts the impressive Golf Club which dates back to 1889. Stepping back in time when life was slightly more sedate, it is worthwhile visiting the Clubhouse to observe the photographs of life in Nuwara Eliya in years gone by. Rose gardens and abundant vegetable stalls crowd the sides of the road, whilst spectacular scenery will accompany you on the journey from Kandy.

Today you will visit Hakgala Botanical Garden. Hakgala Botanical Gardens is located within the Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve. The garden is also one of the best places on the island to spot endemic montane bird species & migratory birds during the North-East monsoon.

Dinner at the Hill Club Nuwara Eliya – The Hill Club was founded by British Coffee planters in 1876 as a private members club. To this day Hill Club remains exclusively for its members. As a temporary visitor, you will be able to experience British Colonial Traditions and travel back in time. From 7 .00 pm onwards the Dress Code is applicable, where gentlemen shall wear lounge suit/jacket with tie & shirt or Sri Lankan National Dress, and ladies shall wear suitable equivalent attire. In the case of children over 12 and under 18 years of age, boys shall wear at least a tie with a tucked-in shirt and long or short trousers and girls shall wear an acceptable mode of dress, when utilizing the dining room or other public areas. Jackets and ties are freely available and could be borrowed from the Club Wardrobe, free of charge.

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After an early breakfast, discover the Horton Plains, National Park. A plateau with an elevation of 2,134 m, sparsely populated, and almost without any roads. Here you walk for about 4 hours through mystic cloud forests and Patna grassland to "Worlds End", where the highland falls steeply almost a thousand meters, and the Bakers Falls. Horton Plains National Park is home to rare flora and fauna; Sambar deer and Bear-monkey as well as many birds. Horton Plains is located on a high windswept saddle at 2134 meters elevation; these plains are hard to reach. The scenery that can be seen from here is considered to be the finest view in Sri Lanka. Early morning the Indian Ocean rims the horizon, 80 km away. Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest and most isolated plateau discovered by Sir Thomas Farr in 19 hundred. And named Horton Plaines with respect to the then-British Governor of Sri Lanka Sir Horton and it is the only place where you could see the bear monkey. This is one of the world’s best nature tracks. And certain plant species, birds, and insects you see only at Horton Plaines. Nature lovers will enjoy this wide, Patna-grass-covered plain, the haunt of several wild yet harmless animals, and the home of many species of birds. Bridle paths through the plain will take you to the precipice, popularly referred to as “Worlds End’’ a sheer drop of 1050 meters. Lie on your stomach and peep over the ridge, the view when it is clear of mist, is simply magnificent.

Beautiful Sri Lanka is all you are asking for, and we give that on your wonderful Sri Lanka itinerary. Ella Town is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka from your Sri Lanka tour itinerary. You experience one of the most picturesque train rides in the world when you pass beautiful mountains, steamy waterfalls, luscious forests, and villages with beaming locals: on the Ohiya to Ella train. You climb the Ella rock and walk along the rails on the famous Nine Arch Bridge. As promised by your customized Sri Lanka itinerary, you arrive at the edge of the Diyaluma falls yet, another Sri Lanka attraction. You jump right in the gushing water, and you feel like you are in an infinity pool, but it is all the magic of nature!

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Ella is described as one of the most breathtaking locations in Sri Lanka. Ella is surrounded by high mountains in the central hills and through a gap in the mountains, you can see all the way to the ocean off the Hambantota coastline. This special gap which is having breathtaking views is called Ella Gap.

After breakfast, you will visit the Lipton Seat & Dambatenne Tea Factory. Lipton Seat is located on the top of the Poonagala hill; this is quite literally the point from which the Scottish tea baron Thomas Lipton would often proudly survey his tea plantations. On a clear day, it offers a spectacular view of mountain ranges, lakes, and valleys all the way to the southern coast. You will hike to the point through lush tea plantations or you can opt to drive up in the comfort with your guide.

Dambatenne Tea Factory was built in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton himself, this colonial tea factory is still in operation today. The term “Ceylon Tea” was coined here, and Lipton’s Tea was founded and sold its first pound of tea from the precincts of this very factory. The factory tour is an education in the intricate processes involved in the fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving, and grading of tea, and the comprehensive tour culminates with an authentic tea-tasting experience (It’s closed on Sundays).

Rest of the day you can relax & enjoy.

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After breakfast, You will travel to Galle.

Afterward arrive in Galle you will discover the Dutch Fort. There are many boutique shops along the narrow streets of the Fort as well as antiques, art, and craft shops. Galle is situated in southern Sri Lanka. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the natural harbor, the National Maritime Museum, and St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, and one of the main Shiva temples on the island. Galle offers a unique opportunity to create a visible demonstration of the conservation of its inheritance.

Rest of the day you can relax & enjoy the Unawatuna beach.

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Unawatuna is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and one of the most famous beaches in the country. It is a lovely banana-shaped beach of golden sand and turquoise water, surrounded by green palm trees!

Stay leisurely on the Unawatuna beach.

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Shopping in Colombo City and travel to the airport.

**** End of the Tour ****

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