Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Asia sticks to you. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated & confounded travellers for centuries. Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilisations: this is Asia as you have always imagined it. The joss sticks lit for the household shrines in Thailand impart a sweet perfume to the thick air & the heavenly aroma of Indian spices follows you for days

Welcome to idyllic Sri Lanka - with its endless Beaches, timeless Ruins, welcoming People, oodles of Elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun Trains, famous Tea & flavourful Food. You might say Ceylon has been hiding in plain sight. Few places have as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8) packed into such a small area. Sri Lanka's 2000 plus years of culture can be discovered at ancient sites where legendary Temples boast beautiful details even as they shelter in caves or perch on prominent peaks. More recent are evocative colonial Fortresses, from Galle to Trincomalee. Across the Island, that thing that goes bump in the night might be an Elephant heading to a favourite waterhole.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant Colombo, with its ‘erstwhile’ 19^th century moniker of 'the Garden City of the East'. It makes an excellent start - or finish - to your Sri Lankan adventures.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & introduce you to the Driver,

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

You will immediately depart for the nearby town of Kandy. 

Enroute, you will stop at Pinnawala village, where you will explore the Elephant Center.

Spread over an area of 10 hectare in Pinnawala village, this government-run Orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions, visited daily by thousands of Sri Lankan & foreign tourists to observe the Elephants bathing which is quite a spectacle.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage functions an Orphanage, Nursery & captive Breeding Center for wild Elephants. It’s success & fame has travelled not just within the country but throughout the world to an extent where Pinnawala synonymous with the Sri Lankan Elephant.

Prior to the British invasion of Sri Lanka in 1815, an estimated 30,000 Elephants lived on the Island. In the 1960s, following nearly a century of game hunting & jolly slaughter by the British colonialists, the elephant population was close to extinction. The tragedy of decimation of the elephants prompted the Government to initiate the Pinnawala (Pinnawela) Elephant Orphanage.

It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department in a 25 acre coconut property adjoining the Maha Oya River to afford care and protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Since then, it has never turned back an orphaned elephant & has expanded from the initial 4 orphaned elephants to a gang of no less than 109.

The primary purpose of the Orphanage has been to provide a lifeline to the orphaned baby elephants & adult elephants lost in the wilderness. In many occasions the mother had been killed or there have been accidents of baby elephants falling into pits & losing contact with the Herd. There were also instances where the mother elephant had fallen into a pit & died leaving the baby elephant lost in the jungle. There are instances of adult elephants being killed by farmers to protect their paddy fields & crops, resulting in baby elephants being orphaned.

The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of animal Activists & Scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books & research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. The elephants of Pinnawala have been filmed, videoed & photographed thousands of times by professionals & millions of times by amateurs. The message of conservation from Pinnawala has been passed on to thousands, if not millions of people, after their visit to the Orphanage.

Moreover, today, with the help of local & foreign Experts, the Orphanage has commenced a scientific captive-breeding programme in 1982. Since then, the Orphanage has become one of the most successful captive breeding programmes for Asian elephants. The free movement of the Herd within the enclosure of the Orphanage affords the elephants opportunities to mate. In 1984, the first baby elephant was born here. Since the inception of the Program over 20 elephants have been bred here.

The elephants at the Orphanage aren’t subjected to any form of stress, abuse or threat at all and are supported by a team of employees numbering to over 100 including a group of Mahouts. Today, some of these orphans enjoy the good fortune of seeing their 3^rd generation too born at the Orphanage.

The aim of the Orphanage is to simulate a natural habitat to these elephants. However, there are some exceptions: the elephants are taken to the river twice a day for a bath, and all the babies less than 3 years of age are still bottle fed by the Mahouts & Volunteers. Each animal is also given around 76 kg of green matter a day and around 2 kg from a food bag containing rice bran & maize.

The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Guests can also accompany the elephants to a river close-by & see them having their daily bath. The younger elephants are herded into the feeding sheds 3 times a day - 9:15 am, 1:15 pm & 5 pm- to be bottle-fed with huge quantities of milk. At 10 am & again at 2 pm, the elephants are taken across the road & down to the Ma Oya river, where they can be seen splashing around & playing for about an hour.

Spend a couple of hours before continuing for Kandy.

Arrive at the hotel in Kandy by late afternoon & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Some say the beautiful, laidback UNESCO Heritage listed Kandy is the only other real ‘city’ in Sri Lanka, other than Colombo. A large city in central Sri Lanka, set amidst forested hills on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to Tea Plantations & biodiverse Rainforest.  Locally, Kandy is known as either Maha Nuwara (Great City) or just Nuwara (City), which is what some conductors on Kandy-bound buses call out.

The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor & magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions & folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The easy-going Capital of the Hill Country has a lot to offer - history, culture, & a touch of urban buzz. Only 115 km inland from the Capital, climatically it is a world away due to its 500 metre altitude.

It served as the Capital of the last Sinhalese Kingdom, which fell to the British in 1815 after defying the Portuguese & Dutch for 3 centuries. It took the British 11 years to build a road linking Kandy with Colombo, a task they finally completed in 1831. The town & the countryside around it, is lush & green & there are many pleasant walks from the town & further afield. The town centre, close to Kandy’s picturesque lake set in a bowl of hills, is a delightful jumble of old shops, antique & gemstone specialists, a bustling Market & a very good selection of Restaurants. As night falls the city becomes eerily quiet.

History & culture are on tap. Yes, the city is renowned for the great Kandy Esala Perahera festival (held annually in July/August), but its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling & its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year.

Some days, Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centrepiece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colourful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, 3 Wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft spray that threatens the silk saris worn by local women. Here is a city that looks good even when it is raining.  And when the drizzle subsides, cobalt-blue skies reveal a city of imposing colonial-era & Kandyan architecture.

Kandy is known as a pilgrimage destination, famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of Buddhism's most sacred shrines.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am in the Lobby & commence your full day 8 hour sightseeing tour to discover the former Capital of the Sri Lankan Kings.

Drive in a Tuk Tuk around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, as an additional feature for the beautifully laid out Temple of Tooth complex.

Also called the Milky Ocean, the Lake remains partially incomplete due to the British invasion in 1815. Several legends are connected to Kandy Lake & it is believed that the King installed a secret tunnel from its Island to the Palace. Nowadays, it remains one of the most highly regarded sights in the country &, despite its location in the center of the bustling city, the Lake makes for a wonderful stroll & a respite from the noise of motorbikes & market vendors.

Proceed to one of the holiest places in the country, Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The golden-roofed Temple is supposedly home to a tooth of Buddha and during Puja (time of offering & prayers), tourists as well as religious followers are able to inspect the gold casket in which it is guarded.

The Temple itself is located in the royal Palace complex, which encompasses several Temples & Museums. It was originally believed that the holder of the tooth relic would also be the rightful Governor of Sri Lanka. Particularly noteworthy is the annual Perahera, during which the Tooth is paraded around the city accompanied by around 65 colourfully decorated elephants.

Then, proceed to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens - the finest of its kind in Asia, located just outside the town.

As Sri Lanka’s largest & most impressive Botanic Garden in a spacious 147 acres, plenty of time is needed to stroll through Peradeniya’s imposing Avenue of Royal Palms which displays an amazing variety of trees, plants & flowers

Originally built as a pleasure garden by a King & then expanded by the British, these beautiful Gardens were reserved exclusively for Kandyan royalty. Today, even commoners are allowed. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500m above sea-level, were tightly bounded on 3 sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka.

The many highlights here include a fine collection of orchids & a stately avenue of royal palms. Another big hit is the century old giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn. Its tentacle like roots spread across the enormous area of about 1,800 square meters, a massive central trunk beneath the Tree’s vast canopy ‘umbrella’, like a giant, living geodesic dome.

There are some 4,000 different species of plants at Peradeniya Gardens. The 10,000 or so trees, which are the stars, are mature, lofty giants, many of them tropical timber trees. Highlights of the collection include the Giant Bamboo of Burma, capable of growing to 40 meters height (130 feet) with a 25-centimetre (10 inch) stem diameter. And it can grow by a rapid 30 centimeters a day (12 inches).

The Cannonball tree is also intriguing, with its cannonball like fruit hanging off the trunk & large open, waxy pink-white flowers. There are over 200 species of palms in the Gardens. The most remarkable amongst these is the Double Coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) - originating from Seychelles & it produces the largest seed known & its fruits take 5 years to mature.

The Gardens showcase all of Sri Lanka’s flora & representative species from around the tropical world. Luminaries as varied as Queen Elizabeth II, Marshal Tito & Yuri Gugarin have planted trees to mark their visits to the Garden.

The Orchid House offers the visitor a captivating display of exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda & their hybrids. Around the Orchid House may be seen several hardy tropical orchids including the largest orchid in the world.

The shady Spice Garden situated on the right of the Main Entrance has a representative selection including cinnamon - the main spice exported from this country, pepper - the most demanded spice in the world, cardamom & nutmeg. Some of the oldest nutmeg trees planted in 1840 are still in full bearing.

There are 3 magnificent Avenues, viz., the graceful Cabbage Palm Avenue (Roystonia oleracea) flank-in the River Drive - the palms in this Avenue are over 21 metre in height; the Palmyrah Palm Avenue (Borassus flabellifer) which joins the Flower Garden with River Drive & the Royal Palm Avenue along the Main Central Drive (Roystonia regia).

The Bamboo Collection is along River Drive to the right of the Lake. The giant Bamboo of Burma (Dendrocalamus giganteus) is the largest known in the world. The stems attain a height of 30 – 40 metre & up to 20 - 25 cm in diameter. The average growth rate of new shoots is about 30 cm a day. Others are the yellow building Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), the feather – leaved Bamboo (Dendrocalamus membranaceus), the prickly Bamboo (Bambusa spinosa) & the Dwarf Chinese Bamboo.

The Flower Garden, near the Orchid House, is laid out with beds of flowering annuals & perennials. The most striking feature here is the ribbon border of showy coleus varieties traversed by a path which leads into an octagonal conservatory. Here you may find a collection of shade-loving plants.

Come back to town.

You may also visit the Gem Museum & a Lapidary (depending on the time & discretion of the Tour-guide).

Stop at the Bazaar & visit the Arts & Crafts Centre where you can browse for bargains on good-quality lacquerware, brassware & other craft items and pick up some interesting handicrafts. You will see some Craftspeople working on site,

The Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Center was formed in 1882 by the British Government Agent for the Central Province, to revitalise traditional Kandyan arts & crafts (such as weaving, wood carving, painting, jewelry making, music & dance) & support the traditional craftsmen by providing them a Sales Centre displays & sells handicrafts obtained from traditional crafts people who are members of the Association.

Artists & Craftsmen in the Kingdom of Kandy were well organised into Guilds, with knowledge & skills passed down from generation to generation. Even marriages were within the same group so that the craft was closely guarded. These Guilds all operated under the patronage of the King.

When the Kingdom was absorbed into the British Empire as a Protectorate, following the Kandyan Convention of 1815, without a royal household most of these Artists & Craftsmen lost their livelihood & the Guilds were disbanded, with only a few families continuing their crafts.

Initially it operated from a small room in the Government Agent’s Office. In 1904 the Association moved to the building known as the Palle Vahala (Lower Palace), where the King's spouse & children resided. The building now houses the National Museum of Kandy. In 1919, the Association was incorporated as a Public Trust & is now administered by the Government Agent of Kandy District & a Management Committee.

Experiencing new cultures & traditions is one of the reasons why people travel, and this Show is an illustration of that, with the various components of Sri Lanka’s rich & diverse cultural history all on display

The Association organises a daily 1 hour traditional Kandyan Dance & Music performance showcase in the Auditorium. These dances are performed by local families & products of the country's dancing institutions. The Cultural Show is one of the most famous evening events in this city of heritage & is a major highlight. Art forms from throughout the country take centre stage, with Fire & Demon dancers stealing the show & your breath. The mesmerising cultural spectacle captivates your imagination with spectacular displays of local culture & art. Covering various aspects of Sri Lanka’s traditions, expect to see traditional drummers, fire dancers & more in a cultural spectacle that should not be missed.

The sightseeing concludes & you return to the hotel by early evening & relax for an hour.

In time, meet the Rep again & up & walk down to a Restaurant to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, depart for Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's largest tea-growing region, famous for its privately owned, carpeted in emerald-green, sprawling unending expanse of Tea Gardens with their contoured, clipped & sculpted ornamental hedges, established in the late 18^th - 19^th century.

Enroute stop at a Tea Plantation, where the best Tea in the world is produced. It is very enjoyable to see the process that goes in to create this simple drink every day.

Sri Lanka has a huge number of Tea Estates in Nuwara Eliya. The lush greenery & aromatic air make these Plantations one of the best places to see & experience in Nuwara Eliya. Visitors can walk around and enjoy the aroma & beauty.

Formerly known as ‘Ceylon’, Sri Lanka stands as the world’s 4^th largest producer of Tea. The tea drinking culture within this Island country is strong, with Sri Lankans drinking on average 3 cups per day. In an attempt to compete with China‘s tea production, the British introduced Tea Plantations here in 1867 & since then, the country has become the producer of some of the world’s finest (& most expensive) Teas, from single origins to mixed fruit blends.

See where your morning cup of Tea originates During the 20 minute guided tour of the Factory, originally built in 1885 & still packed with 19^th century engineering marvels, you will be shown the full process of how Tea is manufactured, graded & packed for export to all corners of the world. You will also have the opportunity to taste a cup of pure Ceylon Tea in the Factory. The Tea Center is a good place to purchase some of the area’s best quality Teas, which will make a perfect gift for the people back home.

Continue on your drive towards the city, travelling through winding roads, lush green Valleys, Tea Estates situated on the slopes & banks of the hills, with tiny Streams & Waterfalls & the beautiful misty mountains.

On arrival by noon, Check-in at one of the town’s colonial hotels.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

The summer resort town of Nuwara Eliya (meaning ‘City of Light’ in the local lingo) is mostly famous as the centre for Tea production in Sri Lanka, producing a significant share of the world's best Tea.

The earliest written account on Nuwara Eliya is by Dr. John Davy who came here in 1819 for  a Trekking expedition. During those days, the uninhabited Nuwara Eliya Valley & the hill sides were covered with undisturbed thick forest on the slopes, frequented by vast herds of elephants & other wild animals.

With its unique chilly climate & often covered with an early morning mist, cold tangy air & fresh, invigorating atmosphere offers a typical English environment. Nicknamed “Little England”, this genteel highland community does have a rose-tinted, vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tended hedgerows & pretty gardens at an elevation of 1,868 metre in the misty hills of central Sri Lanka. In fact, most foreign visitors to Sri Lanka always make it a point to visit Nuwara Eliya to enjoy its ‘Home away from Home” feeling.

The ‘City of Light’ keeps its colonial hill station atmosphere more completely than any place in the sub-continent. Indeed, Nuwara Eliya was once was the favoured cool-climate escape for the hard-working & hard-drinking English & Scottish pioneers of Sri Lanka’s Tea industry. It was a favoured stomping ground for the Tea Planters - the ‘wild men of the hills’ as one British Governor called them.

The well-planned town still retains its English style. The Town Centre is a concrete tangle but the outskirts still keep the atmosphere of a misplaced British village, with hedges, rose gardens & red-roofed bungalows sporting twee names.

The old pink brick Victorian Post Office is a sure reminder of the British era. One of the best rated 18 hole Golf Course in Sri Lanka blends well with the surrounding Plantations on one side & the fauna, flora & tiny streams on the other side, running in between these plantations.

The verdant surrounding countryside of Tea Plantations, carefully tended vegetable plots & craggy hills is highly scenic. Nuwara Eliya’s fair assortment of country-style houses with large gardens have now been turned over to vegetables, making this one of Sri Lanka’s main market-gardening centres.

Enjoy the hospitality & the smiling faces of the local people, belonging to diverse races & religions a mixture & blend of Eastern & Western cultures, old & new. Fashionably dressed affluent folks go about in caps & jerseys while the migrant labour force, who blend Indian & Sri Lankan cultures, where men dress in colourful Hindu kovils & women wear colourful saris.

Most popular season is from March to May & August to September when people flock to Nuwara Eliya in search of a cool climate & fun. Many fastfood stalls line the streets, women strut along the streets fashionably dressed & street festivals are organized by the authorities.

Apart from the Tea Estates, there are many places to see in the town & the vicinity.

See the English country house styled Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted fish & hunting Trophies.

Nuwara Eliya Race Course is now the only surviving horse racing track in the country. Situated 1,868 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest in the world & the inaugural Race was held in 1875, organised by the Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club.

Seetha Amman Kovil Temple, a colorful Hindu Shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Of great mythological importance to Hindus worldwide, it is believed that after the Sinhala King Ravana captured Sita, the wife of Rama, one of the main Hindu Gods, she used to come here to pray.

Right next to the Temple is the naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens which displays roses & fern trees & shelters Monkeys & blue Magpies.

One can take a leisurely walk around beautiful Lake Gregory & enjoy stunning scenery & panoramic vistas, with rugged mountains outlined against clear blue skies making a breathtaking back drop. The cascading Waterfalls dotting the region further accentuate its beauty & offer picturesque views of the landscape with the blue sky as the background amidst endless green pastures of Tea.

There are several numerous National Parks in Sri Lanka. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a small sanctuary spread across an area of 27 acres known for its 30 native endemic & 20 rare migratory bird species, including Bulbuls & Flycatchers.

There are many Farms here & travelers can enjoy the large open spaces. One of the famous is Ambewela Farm, generally referred to as Little New Zealand, due to its lush greenery. Spread over a very large area, travellers enjoy the soft grass when they walk bare feet on this Farm, amidst the Cows & other cattle. At certain time, one can witness the milking of the Cows. Visitors can also buy & taste fresh dairy products.

A great backdrop for the Photographers trying to capture the scenic beauty of the city, especially during the strawberry season, are the enchanting Strawberry fields. Visitors can walk around & can pick up their own strawberries (for a small charge).

Stop by the unique Bale Bazaar, popularly known as the winter market, one of the interesting places to visit in the town. The market offers cheap winter-related products & Souvenirs.

Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is also in the area.

Treat yourself to a round of Golf or a few frames of Billiards, & soak up the town’s unique bygone heritage.

Early morning at 06:00 am, depart for Kataragama via Thissamaharama,

Enroute, stop at the Yala National Park, the 2^nd largest & most famous in Sri Lanka.

Situated in Sri Lanka’s south-east hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala having a protected area of nearly 1268 sq km, consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, grassy plains tanks & brackish lagoons, was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 & as a National Park in 1938. Ironically, the Park was initially used as a hunting ground for the elite under British rule. Divided into 5 blocks, only 2 sectors are currently opened to the public.

With trumpeting elephants, monkeys crashing through the trees, peacocks in their finest frocks & cunning leopards sliding like shadows through the undergrowth, Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu) is the Jungle Book brought to glorious life.

This vast region of dry woodland & open patches of grasslands is the big draw of this corner of Sri Lanka & is home to 44 varieties of mammal & 215 bird species. Among its more famous residents are the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted dear, peacocks, crocodiles, buffaloes & monkeys.

This is leopard country, and they are the Lords of the Jungle! With a density that is higher than anywhere else on this Planet, these menacing predators prowl majestically in Yala, while elephants roam in their numbers with cautious deer scampering by their side. It is home to Panthera Pardus Kotiya, a majestic leopard endemic to Sri Lanka.

But among the glorious spectacle of wildlife, you would also witness the tell-tale signs of a lost Civilization. The 2000 year old Monastic settlement of Sithulpawwa, an important pilgrim site, is said to have housed 12,000 inhabitants seeking solace. The restored rock Temple, among a series of well-preserved ancient Temples offers a glimpse into a glittering past. What is today a pristine wildlife Kingdom, Yala was home to a thriving Civilization, dating back to the glory days of Sri Lankan Kings. Hundreds of water tanks, most in dilapidated state today, are testimony to an agri-based Civilization. The large, renovated tanks now provide a lifeline to the animals, especially during dry season.

Enjoy a 3 hour Game Drive in a 4 wheel jeep, while a professional Ranger shares knowledge of the animals that call this Sanctuary home, including roaming elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, bears, deer, crocodiles & more leopards per area than anywhere else on the Planet! Large flocks of migratory & indigenous birds can also be found here.

The Safari concludes & you are transferred back to the transfer Point where you will board your regular vehicle & continue onwards.

Continue on to Kataragama.

On arrival by afternoon, Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

This most holy of towns is a compelling mix of pomp & procession, piety & religious extravagance. Along with Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), Kataragama is the most important pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka; a holy place for Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus & Veddah people and is one of the very ‘rare’ religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by all. People from South India also go there in high numbers to worship.

It is one of those wonderful destinations where the most outlandish of legends becomes solid fact & magic floats in clouds of incense. It is difficult to reconstruct the factual history of the place & the reason for its popularity amongst Sri Lankans & Indians, based on legends & available archaeological & literary evidence alone, although the place seems to have a venerable history. The lack of clear historic records & resultant legends & myths fuel the conflict between Buddhists & Hindus as to the ownership & more important, the mode of worship here.

Although Kataragama used to be a small village surrounded by difficult to access jungle during the ancient & medieval period, it slowly developed into a multi-religious sacred city after becoming a popular pilgrimage site famous for Kataragama Temple. Many believe that King Dutugemunu built a Shrine to Kataragama Deviyo (the resident God of War) here in the 2^nd century BC, but the site is thought to have been significant for even longer. The story of Kataragama centres on the repeated descent & exploits on earth of a hero (Kataragama) & his battles with the forces of darkness. He is denoted as Murugan or Kartikeya by Tamils & Kandasamy or God Skandha Kumara by Hindus.

Another major attraction of Kataragama is the Buddhist Stupa Kiri Vehera, which was built around 6^th century BC. by a regional King Mahasena. According to this basic symbolic framework, a number of themes are woven in depending on the perspective taken - whether it be Buddhism, where Kataragama is the bodhisattva or Buddha to be or Hinduism where according to legend, Skanda, the Hindu God of War arrived in Sri Lanka & received 2 gifts from the Sinhalese - a house of leaves & a beautiful Vedda princess. It is this romantic union of Skanda & his wife that is commemorated annually in July & August through the Eshele Perehera Festival in the city.

Some believe that the Temple stands on ground that has been considered hallowed for around 2,500 years - said to have been consecrated by Gautama Buddha himself. The Priests of the Temple are known as Kapuralas & are believed to have descended from Vedda people who too have a claim on the Temple.

According to Hindu & some Buddhist texts, the main Shrine is dedicated to Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, Kumara, Skanda, Saravanabhava, Visakha or Mahasena, the celestial Tamil God of War.  A Tamil rendition of the Skanda Purana or Kandha Puranam written in the 14^th century also expands on these legends.

The people visiting this holy place take bath in a river nearby, also known as Manik Ganga. Surprisingly this Ganga is linked to pre Hinduism & Buddhism era & it is believed that this deity was originally residing on the top of the Waedahiti Kanda Mountain, well known to be the residence of the indigenous Veddah people.

The sprawling religious Complex across the Menik Ganga also has an Islamic Mosque & unlike many pilgrimage sites, Kataragama promotes secularism. The Shrines & the nearby Kiri Vehera are managed by Buddhists, the Shrines dedicated to Teyvaṉai & Shiva are managed by Hindus & the Mosque by Muslims.

Consequently, the Complex contains buildings of all 3 main religions & it is difficult to sort fact from fiction and if these ancient works are to be believed, then this town is more of a historic town, rich in pilgrimage sites.

Up until the 1940s a majority of the pilgrims were Tamil Hindus from Sri Lanka & South India who undertook an arduous padayatra or "pilgrimage on foot". Since then, the cult of Kataragama deviyo become the most popular amongst the Sinhalese Buddhist pilgrims.

Morning, depart for Bentota.

Enroute stop at the quaint picturesque town of Galle, situated on the southwestern corner of the Island, close to Colombo, was once the chief Port of Ceylon & is a living time capsule.

Galle, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic, given its historical value, cities, is the place to go when you need to return to a simpler pace of life and the rush of Colombo has you longing for beautiful coastlines, delectable food & traditions of Craft passed down through the generations.

The administrative Capital of Southern Province, Galle (pronounced 'gawl'in English & 'gaar-le' in Sinhala), was initially known as Gimhathiththa prior to the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16^th century, when it was the main trading Port for spices & other goods for over 200 years. There is a distinct Portuguese influence in the Architecture, Temples & Cuisine.

There are 2 explanations as to how Galle ended up with its name today. One suggests that the city is said to have been named after the Sinhala term, Gaalla, which directly translates to the place where cattle herd gather. This could be directly related to the city’s identity as a gathering point for citizens from all over the country who travelled to Galle by bullock cart, which resulted in hundreds of carts & cattle being stationed all around the city.

Another alternate explanation is derived from the city’s Dutch colonial past & the Dutch word “Gallus”, which means rooster which was the symbol used by the colonizers around the city. No matter where the city’s name originates from, one thing is for certain and that is that the city is one of the Island’s most recognized in many parts of the world. The city’s rich Cricketing history & famous Cricket Stadium, located under the shadow of the renowned Galle Fort.

UNESCO World Heritage listed Galle rose in significance during the 17^th & 18^th centuries, during the Dutch & Portuguese colonial period, when it became one of the best examples of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in the whole of South & Southeast Asia. 

Once endlessly exotic, bursting with the scent of spices & salty winds, this historic endlessly exotic old trading Port blessed with a wonderful collection of iconic architectural landmarks, which include the city’s natural Harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests & one of the most prominent Shiva Temple on the Island.

Imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient Mosques & Churches, grand Mansions & Museums, is a delight to explore on foot. Classic architecture melds with a dramatic tropical setting to create a reality that is endlessly interesting. Galle is a jewel - the big unmissable destination in the south and is a city of Trade & increasingly, Art.

See the Dutch Reformed Church, originally built in 1640, the present building dates from 1752. Its floor is paved with gravestones from Dutch Cemeteries, while other impressive features include the Organ & an imposing Pulpit made from calamander wood & topped by a grand hexagonal canopy. You may encounter the friendly caretaker who will likely point out the (slightly bizarre) carved wooden Memorial dedicated to a former Commander of Galle, Abraham Samlant - the tiny cotton shirt is said to be the one he was baptised in.

Pass by the Old Gate, the entrance with a beautifully carved British coat of arms on top, to the buildings on the other side. Inside, the letters VOC, standing for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East India Company), are inscribed in the stone with the date 1669, flanked by 2 lions & topped by a cockerel. A section of the fortifications here also served as a spice warehouse.

In addition to its important historical & religious sights, the region is also known for its significant natural & geographical features, which includes Rumassala, a large Hill that forms the eastern protective barrier to Galle Harbour. Local lore links the Hill to some of the Ramayana’s major events – one of Hinduism’s greatest stories.

The tropical rainforests at Hiyare & Kanneliya, close to Galle, provide opportunities for nature walks where you can see some of the Island’s endemic flora & fauna. The golden sandy beaches along the southern coast & a number of luxurious Retreats makes Sri Lanka’s south coast an ideal escape from frenetic everyday life.

But, Galle's core is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Fort, the 36 hectare walled enclave surrounded on 3 sides by the ocean, initially built by the Portuguese in the 16^th century during their conquests & later fortified by the Dutch when they controlled it in the 17^th century. Later, it fell to the might of the British. Today, it is the largest remaining colonial era Fortress in all of Asia. Made up of crooked alleyways, the tropical Fort is a melting pot of past & present influences.

Described by the notoriously hard-to-please Paul Theroux as being ‘garlanded with red hibiscus & smelling of the palm-scented ocean, the Fort is an amazing collection of structures & culture dating back through the centuries.

A key part of the Fort’s allure is, it remains a working community: inside there are administrative Offices, Courts, export Companies, Schools & lots of regular folks populating the streets & a definite buzz of energy in the air.

Wandering its rambling lanes at random yields one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing collection of structures dating back through the centuries. A 3^rd of the houses are owned by foreigners & speculators as the locals are busy selling their often amazing unrestored vintage buildings to them.

You will pass stylish Cafes, quirky little Boutiques & excellent impeccably restored Hotels owned by local & foreign Artists, Writers, Poets, Photographers & Designers. Galle is still well known for its hand-made lace. The city is also home to the famous Galle Literary Festival in January, which draws Authors from all over the country & the world.

The once sleepy Fort is now a dynamic area with a distinctively Mediterranean atmosphere & is definitely one of those places that in a few years will have people saying: ‘Oh you should have seen it before.’

Explore inside the majestic Fort walking around the 17^th century Ramparts, massive Bastions & pepper pot Towers enclosing colonial buildings, museums and shops. Learn about Galle’s maritime history at the Marine Archeological Museum which occupies a colossal old spice warehouse built by the Dutch in late 17^th century. The structure was originally part of the main gateway to the Fort & it still forms part of its ramparts. An introductory video presentation sets the scene & there are interactive displays that illuminate the city’s maritime past, including the many shipwrecks in Galle's surrounding waters. It covers 2 levels that snake through the city walls.

At the southernmost end of the Fort, is the Flag Rock, once a Portuguese bastion. Today, it is easily the most popular place to catch a sunset. During daylight hours, you may see daredevil locals leaping into the water from the rocks. Numerous Vendors sell good street food such as fresh papaya with chilli powder from carts.

During the Dutch period, approaching ships were signalled from the bastion atop Flag Rock, warning them of dangerous rocks – hence its name. Musket shots were fired from Pigeon Island, close to the rock, to further alert ships to the danger. Later, the Dutch built a Lighthouse here - since removed, but the nearby street name survives.

Facing the Lighthouse, is Meeran Mosque, is a beautifully maintained whitewashed building with an unusual construction combining eclectic architectural features that include a dash of baroque, British Victorian & Islamic detailing. Its facade is more reminiscent of a Portuguese Cathedral than a Mosque. There is no general admission, but non-Muslims may be invited to enter if dressed appropriately. Inside, there is a wonderful little Mihrab, complete with small decorative domes & some attractive floor tiling.

After exploring the Fort & vicinity for a couple of hours, spend a few minutes looking at iconic, though sad, Photos at Talwatte's simple-but-moving Tsunami Photo Museum that charts the impact of the 2004 disaster

Time to depart & continue onwards.

Arrive by afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day free for independent explorations (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Bentota - Sri Lanka’s most famous beach resort town began life as a settlement built around a small Portuguese Fort on the estuary of the Bentota River. In the 19^th century, the British converted the Fort into a Rest-house, where Civil Servants would come to relax in the grounds under the shade of the tamarind trees. Still welcoming those who crave a break, it is now one of Sri Lanka’s most popular resort town with a beautiful succession of gentle, curved bays backed by the large lagoon..

The finest beaches in Sri Lanka start from here & go southwards where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to the Lagoon. Further south is a stretch of natural beach vegetation & coconut groves that hide a myriad of Sri Lanka’s most exclusive boutique Beach Resorts & smaller places. The lengthy stretches of golden sand are shaded by corkscrew palms, the occasional granite outcrop & little else. Spend a languid afternoon spent admiring its turquoise waters from the shade of gently shifting palms. The sea breeze keeps things cool, even when the sun is high in the sky.   

While this is a popular laid-back beach town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, there are no Beach Bars or Restaurants lining the sand, just hotels, villas & luxury resorts tucked behind the palms at discrete distances from each other. However, while the beaches themselves are relatively quiet, there is a collection of Restaurants, Cafes & shops inland. You can eat Sri Lankan curries in candlelit courtyards, at Indian restaurants set in old shop-houses & homemade ice cream served in Coffee Shops. You have got friendly fishermen to mingle with, isolated beaches to more or less call your own & a sprinkling of spiritual spots that will show you the meaning of tranquillity.

The town actually consists of 3 parts. Bentota itself is the part to the south of the lagoon bridge & includes the famous Golden Mile Beach that lies on a sliver of land between the lagoon & the Indian Ocean. The northern area Beruwala has a busy Fishing Harbour.

Alutgama, a small town on the mouth of an inlet & straddling the main road in the middle of Beruwela & Bentota. Aluthgama, amidst lovely reef protected beaches with shallow seas that are ideal for sea bathing, has a raucous fish market, local shops & the main train station in the area. At the southern end, the exquisite lagoon of the Bentota River is the perfect setting for first-rate Watersports, river adventures, diving among iridescent fish & much, much more besides. Skim the waves at speed & feel the spray against your sun-kissed skin on the open waters surrounding Bentota, a prize spot for Surfing & Windsurfing. Fear not if you are new; the more tranquil waters of the Bentota River make practice a cinch.  Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. You could kayak along the River or visit some of the region’s traditional mask-making workshops.

Bentota is the very essence of chilled holiday living & when you take a long walk along the beach, you might notice that many of the buildings share similar esthetics. Primarily, the work of Geoffrey Bawa, one of the country’s biggest architectural names, who created tropical modernism, a blend of modern minimalism & traditional design. The 17 room Club Villa is one of Bawa’s works, designed to feel like a home away from home. Bawa sought to reduce the barrier between the indoors & outdoors, blending a series of alfresco terraces, balconies & courtyards mediating between the rooms & gardens.

Lunuganga Estate, the country home, a short drive inland, where the world-famous Architect known as the father of tropical modernism lives, is a series of modernist cubes with dark-wood beams, stone colonnades, wrought iron wrapped with lush jungle foliage, arranged within a series of courtyards & ambitiously landscaped Gardens (he cut the top off a nearby hill to give himself a better view) which are open to visitors by appointment. Drop by for a Garden tour or a bite to eat an excellent home cooked meal at the Restaurant on Estate.

Those interested, can also visit the near-by home of his brother, Bevis Bawa, who, in his retirement from civil servitude, also had a stab at design & set up his Brief Garden, a more fantastical, relaxed approach than his brother’s Garden. Since the ‘70s, they’ve been welcoming visitors to these fantasy landscapes featuring playful Artworks, Statues, head-turning trees (more than 160 species) along pathways decorated with jungle flowers.

There is also the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project, a prime nesting site located on Induruwa Beach, where you can contribute your bit by offering to help save endangered Turtles, joining a team of local people & international volunteers who work year-round to protect the precious species. Tasks include beach conservation, night patrols, community education & keeping an eye on the Hatchery. Collected & rescued eggs are kept safely away from predators, with the young later released into the sea.

On Bentota River, visitors can also see the impressive 18^th century Kande Viharaya (or Galapota) Temple & the large hilltop Buddha will emerge as you climb the stone steps to the summit, but the first thing you will see is the head. Sitting cross-legged & measuring a mighty 49 metre in height, it is apparently one of the tallest likenesses of the deity in the world. You will also find a Stupa, a 300 year old Bodhi Tree & a relic Chamber among a number of other Temple buildings to explore here.

Much of Sri Lanka’s toddy, an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar & extracted flower sap of palm trees, is brewed here into arrack, a fiery spirit & you will often see the head of someone collecting it poking up from the crown of a tree.

Morning, depart for Colombo.

Check-in on arrival & relax for an hour.

 *Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’. If no rooms available, you will proceed immediately for sightseeing & Check-in later.

History | Culture | Unforgettable Experiences

Colombo, the Capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a Port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and draws together all the colours & cultures that make up this Island nation, condenses them into a patchwork of Markets, Gardens & buildings both humble & grand, and knocks them against a narrow slab of beachfront. Colombo like many Capital cities in developing countries is fast changing. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood yet in some parts the old world charm is retained.

Thanks to its natural Harbour, Colombo & Sri Lanka was one of the vital nodes along the maritime Silk Road for thousands of years, visited by Traders from as far as China & the Roman Empire. From the 8^th century, Arab traders settled in the area & eventually came to control the trade through Colombo.

They were followed by the Portuguese, who in 1505 made a treaty with the Kingdom of Kotte where they were allowed to establish a Trading Post in Colombo & trade in cinnamon in exchange for protection from other invaders. The Portuguese eventually set up a Fort, expelled the Arabs from Colombo & proceeded to take over the entire Island, formerly ruled by many Kingdoms, over the course of the 16^th century. The surroundings where the Fort stood are now known as the Fort district, though the Dutch tore it down replacing it with their own Fort, which the next invaders British replaced with military Barracks & related buildings. The Barracks were demolished in the 1970s to make room for the Colombo World Trade Center.

The Portuguese presence in Sri Lanka was marked by a long war, the Sinhalese-Portuguese war from 1527 to 1658. The Dutch, Portugal's main rival during the age of colonization became involved in the war & took over Colombo in 1656. The city evolved into a centre for the Dutch East India Company's operations on the Island & they also came to control the rich cinnamon fields in the region.

In 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars, Colombo was captured by the British, first serving as a military base & from 1815 on as the Capital of British Ceylon. During British rule, Colombo grew & started developing into the city it is today when many of its notable ’existing’ landmarks were built during this period. The first representative government on Sri Lanka, the Legislative Council of Ceylon, was established in 1833.

After World War II, in 1948, Ceylon became a British dominion & in 1972 an independent Republic & it was decided to move the Capital to the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The new Parliament opened in 1982 but the relocation of governmental offices is reportedly still in progress today. Even so, Colombo, the biggest city on the Island, remains the commercial & cultural centre of much of what's goes on in Sri Lanka.

Although the city cannot reclaim its 19^th century moniker of 'Garden City of the East', it has nevertheless emerged as a worthy destination in its own right. However, the legacies of colonial Colombo's ‘garden’ roots are still very much intact along its often-shady Boulevards.

Cosmopolitan Colombo, gateway to the wonder of Sri Lanka, boasts a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of races, religions & cultures. The legacies of colonial Colombo's garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises & Shopping Malls. Bordering the sprawling Viharamahadevi Park & its giant Buddha is the imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, houses marvelous antiquities, including artifacts that date back to 4^th century BC.

A city of contrasts, it is both an eclectic mix of shiny hotels & swanky office blocks, neighbouring beautiful red-tiled colonial-era buildings. Sprawling bustling street markets brim with fragrant spices, colourful silks, cottons and fresh fruit & vegetables

This seaside city offers a plethora of exciting adventures, experiences & places to visit. Delight in an exhilarating tuk tuk ride around the city, relish high tea at a magnificent colonial style hotel overlooking the azure ocean & play a round of golf on scenic green courses. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish Eateries, Galleries & exquisite Boutiques that feature international brands & the charming shops offer colourful local Art & textured Fabrics. The home of the famed Ceylon tea, delve into the vast array of fragrant flavoured teas, including banana & brandy.

Surprises abound: with a little exploration you will find great local food, characterful shops & tiny, convivial Cafes. Plunge into Colombo’s enticing street food scene, eat like a local & immerse yourself in the sights, sounds & aromas of the whirling Pettah Bazaar brimming with markets & rampant commerce, where one can shop for bargains.

Some visitors will tire quickly of the diesel fumes & the modern buildings on Galle Road, the city’s main artery. There are plenty of cultural & historical attractions in areas such as the Fort, Cinnamon Gardens. Discover Colombo’s multi-ethnic legacy with Churches, Mosques & Temples congregating on the same streets, and delve into iconic sites including Fort Station, the Red Mosque & the Khan Clock Tower.

Other places of interest are a Hindu & a Buddhist Temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall - a gift from the People's Republic of China.

Featuring a fascinating heritage & enticing culture, Sri Lanka‘s Capital is one of Asia’s favoured travel destinations. You will appreciate Colombo’s colonial heritage, its fine dining & shopping opportunities, and the dash of urban buzz in an overwhelmingly rural country.

With thousands of years of history, a wealth of cultural diversity and incredible flora & fauna, there is a wide variety of places to see. The Island’s colonial past is visible in Dutch buildings from the 17^th & 18^th centuries and British structures (including the Old Clock Tower) from the 19^th century.

Meet the Tour-guide around 10.00 am & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of colourful Colombo, in tourist friendly colourful 'tuk-tuks' distinguishable by their unique paintings, operated by Sri Lankan Tourist Board.

First stop will be Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple. It is believed Buddha visited the site of this grand & labyrinthine Temple, with a dramatic past, on his 3^rd visit to Sri Lanka. The original Temple was destroyed by Indian invaders, restored & then destroyed again by the Portuguese in the 16^th century. The Dutch restored it again in the 18^th century in order to curry favour locally.

Then drive to Galle Face Green, the main north-south artery of the city in the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many Government buildings & interesting shops. At the south end of the Green is the beautiful colonial-era Galle Face Hotel.

Walk by the ocean-facing urban park of Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal Cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll & / or trying delicious local cuisine.

Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district - a colourful retail experience. A Clock Tower marks the entrance to the Market, where you can browse the beautiful gold jewelry & see the red & white Jani Ul Alfar Mosque. Sri Lanka is known for its garment industry, manufacturing high quality clothes at affordable prices.

Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district, Colombo’s most gentrified area. A century ago, it was covered in 289 acres of cinnamon trees on the Plantations. Today, it contains elegant tree-lined streets with posh Mansions, as numerous foreign Diplomatic Missions, stylish Cafes & shops, sports grounds & a cluster of Museums & Galleries.

The cinnamon trade in Sri Lanka goes as far back to the time when Augustus Caesar ruled Rome. The Romans had communications with India & it is said that they traded largely in cinnamon obtained from Sri Lanka.

Colombo’s vivid white, domed 1928 Old Town Hall overlooks the area’s heart, Viharamahadevi Park. To the south is the striking Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, which opened in 2011. It is also the location of the Department of Meteorology & its Observatory, which gained due prominence after the Tsumani & is a major part of emergency management structure. The Prime Minister's Office is located here.

Drive by & stop for photo-break at the Independence Square located just a few minutes away from the Old Parliament building & the War Memorial.

Located within Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in Cinnamon Gardens, is the Independence Commemoration Hall, the national monument built at the location where the formal ceremony to commemorate the independence of Ceylon from British rule with the establishment of the Dominion of Ceylon, marking the start of self-rule & the opening of the first Parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium February 4, 1948.

Located at the head of the monument is the Statue of the first Prime Minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake, considered the ' Father of the Nation'. Most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations take place here.

Next stop will be Gangaramaya Temple, among Columbo’s most visually stunning Buddhist Temples where a mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian & Chinese architecture contains lavish collections of artifacts, including statues of Buddha & other gods. Run by one of Sri Lanka’s more politically adept Monks, Galboda Gnanissara Thera, this bustling Temple complex has a Library, a Museum & an extraordinarily eclectic array of bejewelled & gilded gifts presented by devotees & well-wishers over the years (plus one lonely & chained Temple elephant named Ganga). Gangaramaya is also the centre for the most extravagant annual festival Navam Perahera Vesak celebrations on the February poya (full moon) day.

The sightseeing ends & you return to the hotel.

Balance of the day free for independent explorations or for optional activities (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

You may catch up on your shopping. Sri Lanka is known for its garment industry, manufacturing high quality clothes at affordable prices. Most of big name international Brands source their products from here.

Alas, this wonderful experience in the ‘oldest city’ comes to an end & it is time to say Au Revoir to Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality & heritage. & go home. 

Check-out of the hotel by 11: 00 am (if the departure time is later in the late evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

Floating in tropical waters off the southern tip of India, laid-back small nation of Sri Lanka is defined by its gentle Buddhist culture, friendly people & an ancient Civilisation. Sand-sprinkled beaches rise to forested National Parks, Temple-studded plains & jungle-covered highlands.

So you see, you have much more to discover if you come to incredible Sri Lanka ‘again’ & we will of course, look forward to be able to facilitate that.

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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