Shades of Blue

On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, You will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality. Welcome on arrival by Magical Paradise tour coordinator and shall proceed to Negombo.

Drive to Negombo, a beautiful beach town, nicknamed “Little Rome”, close to the airport and ideal to recover from your long flight. Settle into your hotel.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you can go for a walk around the town, explore colonial churches as well as fish and vegetable markets. You can also go for a boat ride along the Muthurajawela canal, the longest in Sri Lanka.

After breakfast embark on a boat safari in the Muthurajawela marsh.

Muthurajawela Boat Safari: Boat rides are conducted in the Muthurajawela wetland a unique wetland habitat that extends over 6,000 acres. It is home to a vast assortment of species of flora and fauna, close to 49 species of migratory birds and 85 species indigenous to the country. At Muthurajawela you can enjoy the mangroves and marshy ecosystems, go bird watching, experience the different species of trees, and see the aquatic plants, view species of fish and some rare animals too.

After an exciting boat safari continue the journey towards Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya – Still undiscovered by mass tourism and known for its beautiful wild beaches. The waters near Kalpitiya are densely populated by hundreds of dolphins, but also are significant for their coral reefs and precious ecosystems. The location is known for snorkeling and being the prime spot for Kite Surfing in the windy seasons of the year.

Overnight stay in Kalpitiya.

Day at leisure in Kalpitiya.

Activities in Kalpitiya:

• Kite Surfing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Snorkeling & Diving in the Bar Reef
• Visit Kalpitiya Dutch Fort
• Lagoon Boat Rides

Overnight stay in Kalpitiya.

Today is an early start. You will take your breakfast in form of a packet with you and can enjoy it on the way to your first park of Sri Lanka, Wilpattu National Park. This garden is the largest one in all of Sri Lanka giving a lot of space for its inhabitants to roam around. With some luck you will be able to spot elephants and perhaps even a leopard. However, Wilpattu National Park’s beauty is its luscious greenery and its ancient trees.

Overnight stay in Habarana.

Conquer Sigiriya and discover the ancient treasures of Sigiriya frescoes, or the portraits of graceful young women on the walls are a wondrous sight for curious eyes. Covering the pathway to the summit, is the “mirror wall”, a highly polished wall where the musings of the old visitors who fell in love with the beauty of the rock are recorded as the world famous Sigiriya Graffiti.

Once you reach the summit, the spectacular panoramic vista spans into the distance as far as your eyes can see. This rock fortress, the miracle of King Kashyapa, is officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evening Minneriya/Kaudulla national park – Elephant Safari.

Only place in the world to witness the largest Asian elephant ‘Gathering’ known to exist in the planet. Watch as these huge animals drink, play and snack on the green, lush grasses that have been exposed by the receding water. This little area, wild with life, is home for the dry season to over approximately 150 – 300.

Overnight stay in Habarana.

After breakfast, you will have plenty of time to take a city tour of Kandy, including upper lake drive, the local markets, wood carving workshops, Batik shops and the Gem museum. Visit the Peradeniya botanical gardens. The botanical gardens attract approximately two million visitors annually. Located close to the Mahaweli river, it houses more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees.

Time to proceed to ‘Little England’…

Nuwara Eliya is known as the Little England of Sri Lanka. Set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and tea plantations it is one of the coldest places on the island. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Anne style mansions. Visit a tea factory and a tea estate on the way to Nuwara Eliya. A scenic city tour in Little England is well worth your time.

Overnight stay at the Jetwing St Andrews Nuwara Eliya.

Horton Plains National Park is characterized by beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, upper Montane forest cover and wet patana grassland.  This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own on the designated tracks.

World’s End is a sheer precipice with a 870 m (2,854 ft) drop.  It is situated at the southern boundary of the park.  Another cliff known as the Lesser World’s End of 270 m (886 ft) is located not far from World’s End.

Baker’s Falls is 20 metres (66 ft) high.  Slab Rock Falls is another well-known waterfall in the plains. The waterfall can be reached by walking on one of the main trails; the trail is a bit steep at the end but the difficulty level is medium to easy. (Courtesy: Wikipedia)

Overnight stay Jetwing St Andrews Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast, let’s proceed to Ella.

Catch the Train to Nanu-Oya railway station, which starts from Ella to Nanu-Oya. This train ride is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.
Ella is a small village located in the highlands of Sri Lanka. It is blessed with some of the most beautiful views. This small town is used as a base for trekking voyages to the surrounding countryside.

Main Attractions:
Nine Arch Bridge| Mini Adam’s peak | Ravana Falls | Ella Gap | Lipton’s seat and more.

Overnight stay is arranged at 98 Acres Resort and Spa.

After breakfast, let’s explore Ella…

Morning scenic tour of Elle and then proceed to Yala. The Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours an estimated 215 different bird species including six endemic species. The types of mammals that have been recorded at the park is 44, and it also has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

A morning or dusk time safari at the Yala park will be arranged.

Overnight stay Cinnamon Wild Yala hotel.

An early morning safari at the Yala park is the best time to spot animals, including leopards. After breakfast and the morning safari, let’s proceed to Tangalle.

Tangalle is a regionally important fishing port, situated in one of the largest bays in Sri Lanka. The bay is protected from the ocean by an enclosing reef. The Dutch and subsequently the British used Tangalle as an important anchorage on the southern coast of the island. The Dutch fort, Rest house and Court house are a few remaining examples of Dutch architecture in Tangalle.

Relax in the bay area with amazing ocean views.

Overnight stay at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort.

Relax and take in the sights of Tangalle.

Overnight stay at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort.

After a relaxing time in Tangalle, let’s proceed to Mirissa.

Mirissa has picture-postcard perfect beaches along the south coast.

Mirissa and its breathtaking sandy beaches will change your perceptions of a tropical paradise! This secluded crescent shaped beach is the perfect place to sit back, relax and forget about the hussle and bussle of your other life that’s a million miles away…

A whale / dolphin watching expedition ia arranged for you at the Mirissa harbour at 6.30 am.

Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your holiday. Whale watching season starts in July and ends in April. The ocean is warm and calm during these months.

Explore the Galle Dutch Fort

The Galle fort is situated in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The fort was built initially in 1588 by the Portuguese and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards.

It is a historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage monument that even after more than four centuries continues to maintain a polished appearance. Extensive reconstruction and preservation work on the Galle fort has been undertaken by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
Optional : Bicycle Tour of the Galle fort and vicinity.

Overnight stay at the W15 Weligama, a luxury beach boutique hotel in Weligama.

As your holiday in Sri Lanka winds down, it’s time to proceed with happy memories back to the airport to catch your flight back home.

En-route, if you wish to take a look at the conservation of turtles, a visit can be arranged.  The turtle hatcheries are open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm on most days.  If you wish to release a freshly hatched three-day old turtle into the ocean, this is the place.