Day Excursions from West Coast beach area. (MT. LAVINIA - CHILAW)

	Excursion	Rate per person in USD (Minimum 2 Pax Travelling Together)
		2 – 3 Pax	4 – 6 Pax
1	Negombo City Tour (1/2 Day)	30	25
2	Colombo City Tour (1/2 Day)	35	30
3	Madu River boat Safari, Turtle Hatchery, Galle Fort (Full Day)	70	50
4	Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage visit & Spice Garden visit (Full Day)	55	45
5	Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage & Kandy Tour (Full Day)	60	45
6	Village Tour & Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Full Day)	95	80
7	Dambulla Rock Cave Temple & Polonnaruwa Ancient Sites (Full Day)	90	75
8	Anuradhapura Ancient sites (Full Day)	70	55
9	Wilpattu National Park Jeep Safari (Full Day)	80	65
10	Sea Fishing (3 Hours)	55	35
11	White Water Rafting in Kitulgala	50	40

1. Negombo City Tour

Pick up from the hotel at 07.30 am leave for Negombo Lagoon.

Make a boat trip in the Hamilton Canal & Lagoon. See the rich nature of Mangroves and the bird’s life.

Make a city of tour of Negombo. Drive through the tourism area of Negombo to the city center. Make a walk in the Bazar. See the canal known as the Hamilton Canal build by the Dutch in 1890 for transportation of goods from Puttlam to Colombo. Visit the St. Mary’s Cathedral built in 1874. See a few remaining from the Dutch period. Drive to the fish market. If you are on time you could see how the fish is pulled out from the boats & are auctioned. (Fish market & auction are closed on Sunday & on catholic holidays). Negombo is a multi-religious city with a high catholic population. Visit an ancient Buddhist temple to see how locals worship. During the tour you will also drive through a fishing village, houses & residences.

Afternoon return to your hotel in west coast beach.

(Lagoon boat tour charges included within the given rate).

2. Colombo City Tour

Pick up from the hotel at 08.00 am leave for Colombo.

Make the Colombo City tour.

* COLOMBO – is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbour took place during the British period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British. The remains of the buildings during the period of the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kayman’s Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Davatagaha Mosque are some of the sites to be visited. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha in front and the Independence Memorial.

Afternoon return to your hotel in west coast beach.

3. Madu River boat Safari, Turtle Hatchery, Galle Fort

Pick up from the hotel around 07.30 am, and drive to Balapitiya to make boat safari in river Madu.

Balapitiya is where one could just sit back and observe how ecology and culture combines under the sun! Cut through the clear water of Madu River, a lifeline of Balapitiya and head towards Kotu Duwa, the small Island housing a temple that dates back to ancient Sinhalese kings. Or, sail through tunnels of shady mangroves swaying alongside Madu River, hiding an ecological treasure to witness the tranquility of this bio-diversity hot spot which boasts of reptiles, mollusks and over 70 species of fresh water fish. Today the region, which is strong in observing rural folk life in the island does not only boast of cinnamon plantations in abundance, but also has a fine 'fish pedicure center', one of the most potent & latest rejuvenation techniques. Apart from these amenities Balapitiya has also become a household name in the minds of bird watchers ensuring a thrilling offshore experience.

Visit a Sea turtle hatchery.

Sea turtles are an endangered species, and as responsible citizens of this planet, it is our duty to protect them. Albeit the chance of taking part in such act maybe rare in our daily lives, holidaying in the South Coast of Sri Lanka will get you that chance. Kosgoda is a famous destination for various attractions, but in particular, it is famous for turtle hatcheries. Visitors are welcome at these hatcheries as these organizations are committed on raising awareness of the importance of preservation of sea turtles. These organizations collect turtle eggs from beaches, some employing contribution from local communities, and keep the eggs in safety until they are hatched. Even after the eggs are hatched, the baby turtles are kept under safe conditions until they are fit to be released into the nature.

Visit the Galle Fort.

Galle Fort is the finest and most intact fortified city build by the former European colonial powers in Asia. The narrow streets of Galle Fort are lined with Dutch merchant villas, pillared verandas, carved doors and windows. British and Dutch period offices are still in use. This is a living world heritage city with residents walking the 300 year old ramparts at sunset. Strolling along the high rampart walls you will see the Old Dutch and English churches, the Governor's house, the massive VOC warehouses, the Square of Courts, the elegant pillared facade of the Old Dutch hospital, the Portuguese Black Fort, the lighthouse, the Clock Tower and much more.

Evening return to your hotel in West Coast beach.

(Madu River Boat charges & Turtle Hatchery entrance included within the given rate).

4. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage & Spice Garden visit

Pick up from the hotel 07.00 am, leave for Pinnawala.

Visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, initiated in 1975 to foster care for the abandoned and orphaned baby elephants. These giant yet gentle creatures wonder around in the sanctuary, being fed and bathed by their foster human parents. Twice a day the herd is led to the river nearby for a two-hour bath. You are welcome to join and interact with them while feasting your eyes on the largest gathering of tame elephants. Baby elephants are bottle fed a special formula milk by their mahout, the caretaker, and if you are curious you can even join in feeding them at the daily feeding times 9.15am & 1.15pm.

Visit a spice garden to see many different types of spices Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. Gardens are open to visitors, a delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees and curry, cinnamon and the precious cardamom, a relative of ginger. It grows in the shade of high jungle trees and can only be harvested by hand.

Evening return to your hotel in West coast beach.

(Given rates include entrance fees to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage)

5. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage & Kandy tour

Pick up from the hotel 07.00 am, leave for Pinnawala.

1.

Visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, initiated in 1975 to foster care for the abandoned and orphaned baby elephants. These giant yet gentle creatures wonder around in the sanctuary, being fed and bathed by their foster human parents. Twice a day the herd is led to the river nearby for a two-hour bath. You are welcome to join and interact with them while feasting your eyes on the largest gathering of tame elephants. Baby elephants are bottle fed a special formula milk by their mahout, the caretaker, and if you are curious you can even join in feeding them at the daily feeding times 9.15am & 1.15pm.

Leave for Kandy.

At Kandy make a city tour and Visit the Temple of the tooth relic. The delicate hill country breeze will kiss you as you begin your walk up to the Temple of the Tooth joining many more devotees clad in white, eagerly waiting their turn to hail the holy paragon. Legend says that the tooth relic was brought into the Kandy during the Portuguese era, hidden within the hair of Princess Hemamala accompanied by Prince Dantha. Since that day the holy tooth relic has been guarded as one of the most sacred objects of Buddhists in the country. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the upper lake drive.

Afterwards visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden. A trip to Kandy is never complete without a stopover at the botanical garden. It has many endemic, indigenous, exotic and endangered flora grow at this single space converting it to a National Park in Sri Lanka. The botanical garden is never empty! Scholars as well as lovers find Peradeniya to their advantage. A stroll along the university lane as the colorful pink and yellow flowers rain down from the trees above will leave you even more appreciative of Mother Nature.

Evening return to your hotel in West coast beach.

(Given rate include entrance fees to Pinnawala, Temple of Tooth Relic, Royal Botanical Gardens)

6. Village Tour & Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Pick up from the hotel 07.00 am, leave for Sigiriya.

Make village tour.

You can experience ancient transportation methods, Farming and Paddy fields, irrigation system, Chief Farmer’s house and countryside people living style.

Bullock Cart Ride to Countryside

Bullock Cart is the ancient Sri Lanka’s one of major transportation system and still some villages of Sri Lanka using Bullock Cart as transportation. You can experience traditional Sri Lankans transportation system and it is 30 minute Bullock cart journey through greenish paddy fields in Hirwaduna Village.

Canoeing to Famer’s house (Gama Rala’s home)

The Ancient Sri Lanka and in a village Canoeing is the second transportation method. After 15 minute canoeing, ride you will reach to the Famer’s house and you can experience typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality at his house and after you can walk through his farm. You can experience different types of cultivation methods and vegetables.

At the end you can experience typical countryside Sri Lankan lunch at the Famer’s house.

Late afternoon visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most dramatic, inspiring and beautiful historical locations in the world. A mythical past of feuding dynasties suits Sigiriya’s striking setting- it was built in 5th century AD by king, Kasyapa, as a fortress-palace. The palace complex at the foot of the rock still has the remains of four indoor swimming pools where the king’s 500 concubines bathed. The palace structure was built with complex water arteries in the walls that provided natural air conditioning in the hot climate. On the summit, reached with the help of metal staircases and ladders, you can see the remains of the palace walls, gardens and ponds.

The mirror walls of the Sigiriya rock still retain the world-famous frescoes of the king’s concubines, who originated from all parts of the world.

Evening return to your hotel in West coast beach.

(Given rate include charges for village tour including lunch and the entrance fees to Sigiriya rock fortress)

7. Dambulla Rock Cave Temple & Polonnaruwa Ancient Sites

Pick up from the hotel 07.00 am, leave for Dambulla.

Visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The word ‘Damba’ means rock and ‘Ulla’ means fountain, hence you can see drip of water from the main house. The largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the rock from which the caves were carved towers 160 meters (520 ft) over the surrounding plains. A total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses also stand in the site.

Leave for Polonnaruwa. The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms and the capital of Sri Lanka from 1017 A.D. to 1235 A.D.

The remains of some of the greatest feats of the past; the gigantic Parakrama Samudra (The Sea of Parakrama) covering 2500 hectares of land, still provides water for irrigation to the surrounding areas and is believed to be one of the most greatest irrigation feats of the past.

Some of the ‘must see’ places include the Statue of king Parakramabahu I, the Potgul Vehera – a unique monastery, the Lotus Pond with its eight petal lotus shape built on four tiers, the Rankot Vihara – the 55m high stupa, the largest in Polonnaruwa, Galvehera – three large Buddha statues carved on the face of a rock and the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu

Evening return to your hotel in West coast beach.

(Given rate include the entrance fees to Dambulla rock cave temple & Polonnaruwa ancient sites).

8. Anuradhapura Ancient Sites

Pick up from the hotel around 07.00 am. Leave for Anuradhapura.

Visit Anuradhapura (a World Heritage Site), the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka. Sri Maha Bodhi (sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment. It is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At Brazen Palace (2nd Century B.C) with its 1600 stone colomns see the remains of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas and the Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd Century B.C) is known for its rock carvings.

Later in the evening return to your hotel in West Coast beach.

(Given rate include the entrance fees to Anuradhapura ancient sites).

9. Wilpattu National Park Jeep Safari

Pick up from the hotel around 09.00 am and drive to Wilpattu.

Wilpattu National Park is situated along the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. It comprises of a unique complex of lakes called Villus, which are natural basins that are filled up with rainwater and are surrounded by open grassy plains set within dense scrub jungle. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards and Sloth bears. Alongside these, it is possible to see Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Asiatic Buffalo and Mugger Crocodiles. Endemic birds include the Ceylon Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Woodshrike and Black-capped Bulbul in riverine habitats. Muntjac or Barking Deer are more easily seen in Wilpattu than any other national park. Butterflies recorded include the Great Eggfly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bushbrown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and Crimson Rose.

Make jeep safari at Wilpattu National Park.

Evening return to your hotel in West coast beach.

(Given rate include the entrance fees to Wilpattu National Park & the Jeep for safari).

10. Sea Fishing

Pick up from the hotel, leave for Negombo.

The best season for fishing in west beach is from October – April.

You can fish, Barracuda, Seer, Great Travilly and Queen Fish. As you go deeper towards the shelf, Sailfish, Blue or Black Marlene, Tuna, Wahoo and a few more allied species could be spotted.

Morning session - from 6.00 am to 9.00 am

Evening session - from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm

Trolling Fishing Method

Trolling is a method of fishing where one or more fishing lines, baited with lures or bait fish, are drawn through the water. This may be behind a moving boat, or by slowly winding the line when fishing from a static position, or even sweeping the line from side-to-side. Trolling fishing is a highly successful method and best session is in the morning.

Anchor Fishing

Boat is not moving and anchors nearby fishing spot such as Coral Reef or rocky area. There is no specific best time, but in the night more success.

Boat and Condition

The boat is 15 feet long, standard local fisherman's boat and it is a very basic boat. If Trolling we are recommending maximum two people per boat.

Return to your hotel in west coast beach.

(Given rate includes the boat charges).

11. White Water Rafting in Kitulgala

Pick up from the hotel 07.00 am, leave for Kitulgala.

Situated on the edge of the picturesque Kelani River, Kitulgala is the main white-water rafting location in the island.

Originating in the Adam's Peak area, the river hosts rapids between grades 2 and 3, with the rafting stretch being approximately 6.5 kilometres, and taking between 1 to 2 Hrs to complete. With up to seven rapids to tackle, including the "Killer Fall" and "Rib Cage", rafters are guaranteed a challenge, but are also offered a chance to relax, with small calm stretches allowing a refreshing swim in the river to unwind.

Ideal times are from May to December, although there are no "bad" times. The river is dam controlled, therefore water levels can be low in April, but can also be quite high during the monsoon season.

Evening return to your hotel in South west beach.

(Given rates include White Water Rafting charges – Maximum 6pax per boat).

Note:

• Rates mentioned are on per person basis.
• Each excursion will be done with a minimum of at least 2 pax.
• Sequence may change to suit best.

· The above mentioned rate includes all transfers, services of an English speaking driver/guide, entrance fees at mentioned places & any others specified.

· Light clothing is recommended, with a hat for the boat trip. However religious sites will require females to wear tops with sleeves & bottoms to be covered below knee level.

· If any of the sites are closed due to a holiday etc.… or the boat trip cannot be made due to circumstances such as bad weather, we will not hold any responsibility.