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Journeying through the scenic villages of Makandura and Doluwa, visitors are immersed in traditional rural life, where lush paddy fields and coconut plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by Galoya National Park's untamed wilderness, home to majestic elephants and elusive leopards. |
On arrival in Sri Lanka, clear immigration and collect your luggage before heading through the customs green channel to the arrival lobby. Your chauffeur will be in the designated area with a paging board, waiting to escort you to the car park for the drive to Makandura.
After breakfast, you bid farewell to Makandura and set off for Doluwa.
Before checking into the hotel in Doluwa visit Kandy city which was once the capital of Sri Lanka and the seat of Kandyan Kings in ancient times. Kandy lies at an altitude of 500m above sea level and is the cultural centre of Sri Lanka, the capital of the last Singhalese kingdom.
Visit the focal point of the city; the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, known as the ‘Temple of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined.
Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden. To the botanist, this is indeed a land of plenty. The diversified climate allows for the growth of tropical as well as sub-tropical trees. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall, majestic trees of the wet-zone tropical forest contrast with the arid scrubland and talipot palms of the dry north. In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless patinas of Horton Plains to the dark cloud forests, wreathed with the protected Old Man's Beard Moss. From March to May, numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poinciana regia, the white Mesua Ferrera and the cherry blossom-like Tebebuia burst into bloom and flowering orchids include endemic varieties such as the protected Vanda and Wesak Orchids. National
emphasis has also been placed on the human-plant relationship: official recognition has been given to the Na Tree (Mesua nagassarium) and the Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellate), as the national tree and flower respectively.
After an early breakfast set off for Kondagala to start a trekking adventure to Kondagala peak via Loolecondera tea estate. Kondagala peak is one of the few places in Sri Lanka which provides a majestic 360-degree view of the surroundings. On a clear day, you can see some breathtaking views of the Knuckles Mountain range, Hantana
Range, Alagalla Peak, Ambuluwawa, Dolosbage mountain range, Peacock Hill, and Adams Peak from the top of Kondagala. Loolecondera Estate in the Kandy district is the very first patch of tea that was planted as a test after the failure of a coffee plantation in Sri Lanka.
With the wild success of this plantation, then-21-year-old planter James Taylor who was in charge of this plantation has been forever immortalized and has become a part of the post-colonization history of Sri Lanka. Here you can see Taylor’s Seat, a rock seat used by James Taylor which gives a fantastic view of the surrounding mountain
ranges, The chimney of the log cabin which was used by Taylor (the only remaining part of the cabin), The well-used by Taylor and the very first patch of tea which was planted by Taylor now known as the No.7 field of the Loolkandura (Loolecondera) Estate.
Arrival time will be 7.3A.M. at the Loolecondera tea estate entrance trailhead.
After breakfast, you bid farewell to Doluwa and proceed to Galoya. Check into the hotel.
Gal Oya Lodge neighbours one of the last remaining communities of the Veddha –the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka. The village chief will take you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Discover and learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive, explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings. It’s a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya.
After breakfast enjoy the only experience in Sri Lanka that allows you to spot wildlife from the water. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. With a little luck, you could spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge.
A 2-3-hour safari by boat and a scenic 40-minute drive from the lodge to the lake is perfect for exploring the national park and surrounding villages.
After breakfast proceed to Ella. Visit little Adam’s Peak in Ella. The climb of Little Adam’s Peak is an easy one, but winds can be surprisingly strong; the climb could take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how fast or slow you want to take each step.
We think mornings and afternoons are best, but these are not rules.
Visit Demodara Nine Arches Bridge. The Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’ was constructed by connecting two bog mountains when constructing the Badulla – Colombo railway. This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width, and 80-100 feet in height. It is one of the
best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. The Bridge can be reached by travelling 2km on Gotuwala Road starting from Halpe Textile Centre in Badulla Bandarawela Road. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase in tourism due to the bridge’s architectural
ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides.
After breakfast head onto Galle. You can do sightseeing at the Galle fort and town, on your arrival. Galle was once a prominent seaport long before western rule in the country; Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays, and Indians all made their way into Galle throughout centuries past but ‘modern’ Galle began in 1505, when the first Portuguese ship, under Lourenco De Almeida was driven there by a storm. 135 years later, the Dutch invaded and finally, the British arrived in 1796 and preserved the Fort unchanged.
Today Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site, bringing luxurious villas and boutique hotels side by side with restaurants, cafes, antique and fabric shops and so much more. Thereafter drop off at the hotel specified in Galle. Relax and unwind or explore more at your own pace.
To book this amazing trip, contact your Travel Counsellor today and you’ll benefit from our 24-hour duty office ready to assist you before, during and after your trip.
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