Island Hop (19 Days)

Island Hop (19 Days)

Sri Lanka though a renowned leisure destination for its mesmeric hill country, exquisite beaches, and fascinating cultural attraction of ancient cities and shrines is not a destination that readily comes to mind for a golfing holiday. If you look up the Sri Lanka Map you will learn to your delightful surprise that you can easily fit in three fabulous golf courses of all Asia located at three elevations.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport > Negombo

Stop At: Negombo Beach, Negombo Sri Lanka
Enjoy the sun on the sandy beaches of Negombo on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka. Watch the flourishing fish industry, which is a centuries-old tradition. Ride an adrenaline high with some fun water sports. Enjoy the corals and underwater life while diving. See the 50-year-old ship-wreck just off the coast, where many varieties of fish make their home.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 2: Negombo > Balapitiya > Galle

Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
Go on a wonderful boat ride down the Madu River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon harvesting natives. Enjoy the restorative qualities of the famous fish massage. Observe the waterbirds in their natural habitats.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 3: Galle

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia.View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 4: Galle > Yala

Stop At: Koggala, Koggala, Galle District, Southern Province
Watch the captivating sight of fishermen perched on stilts in the waters along the coast of Koggala. Hear the stories of how stilt fishing came to Sri Lanka, from the mouths of the fishermen who have practiced the craft for generations. Learn how the stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Ussangoda Beach, Ussangoda, Sri Lanka
Ussangoda is a strange coastal area because of its lack of trees. Its serpentine rock contains toxic heavy metals. Only specific smaller plants were able to adapt to this soil. But according to the Ramayana legends there are two more explanations for the baldness of Ussangoda. After meeting Sitadevi Lord Hanuman provoked the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. It resulted in Lord Hanuman's tail being set on fire by Rakshasas. Hanuman in turn went on to torch parts of King Ravana's empire with his burning tail. Ussangoda is said to be one of these burnt areas. Besides the Ramyana Trail legend has it that earlier on the Ussangoda plateau was used an airport by King Ravana for his Dandumonara peachock chariot, before Hanuman devastated the landing site.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 5: Yala

Stop At: Yala National Park, Yala National Park
This amazing three-hour Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 6: Yala > Ella

Stop At: Little Adam's Peak, Passara Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Explore the city of Ella and it’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 7: Ella > Nuwara Eliya

Stop At: Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya, A5, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.


Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya > Horton Plains > Nuwara Eliya

Stop At: Horton Plains National Park, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
Visit the beautiful Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya, with its montane grasslands and cloud forests. Enjoy the majestic views from the precipice of World's End and the cooling sprays from Baker's Falls. Catch glimpses of the many endemic fauna that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archeological finds that were discovered in the area.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 9: Nuwara Eliya > Kandy

Stop At: Ramboda Waterfall, Pussellawa Sri Lanka
Visit Ramboda Falls, which is the 11th tallest in the country. Get a guided tour through Mackwoods Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. Walk through the shaded avenues and colorful mazes of Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Relax and take a walk along the shores of Lake Gregory. A peaceful day filled with lots of beautiful sights
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Blue Field Tea Factory, No. 54 Haig Road, Ramboda 20590 Sri Lanka
Tea Factory and a plantation where you would see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. James Taylor was a British citizen who introduced commercial tea plantation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). He arrived to Sri Lanka in 1852 and settled down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy. Today even people who have never heard of Sri Lanka are familiar with Ceylon tea, which is known for its quality.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 10: Kandy

Stop At: Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 11: Kandy > Peradeniya > Matale > Dambulla

Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Euphoria Spice and Herbal, Kandy Dambulla Road Arunaloka Farm, Madawala Ulpotha, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Visit a Spice Garden and do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 12: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Dambulla

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, 'The Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 13: Dambulla > Anuradhapura > Dambulla

Stop At: Mahamevnawa Dhammachethiya Buddhist Monastery Anuradhapura, Watawandana Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Walk through the ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura, which was the capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD. View the pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds that are scatter all over the vast area. Visit important landmarks such as Jetavanarama, which was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi and the ruins of the huge Abhayagiri Monastery. Gain more knowledge about Sri Lanka's history as you walk in the footsteps of Kings.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Avukana Buddha Statue, Avukana, Kekirawa 50100 Sri Lanka
This visit takes you to the majestic 40-foot rock sculpture in Avukana is one of the classical examples of Standing Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. You will be able to see the marvelous crafting of the statue in its being carved from a single rock and standing unsupported except for a single thin attachment at the back; the delicately carved folds of the robe; and the cleanly sculpted body structure. The partially collapsed structures around it point to it once having been sheltered in an image house
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 14: Dambulla > Yapahuwa > Dambulla

Stop At: Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, Yapahuwa Sri Lanka
Visit the rock fortress of Yapahuwa where the seat of government was based in the 13th century. It also had its own Temple of the Tooth Relic where the relic was housed at that time. View the majestic entrance arch and ornamental stairway. Walk through the ruins of the temple at the summit or along the terraces. Enjoy the detailed sculptures scattered throughout the entire fortress.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 15: Dambulla > Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Dambulla

Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa, Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a thriving commercial and religious centre. From here, free-marketeers haggled for rare goods and the pious prayed at any one of its numerous temples. The glories of that age can be found in archaeological treasures which give a pretty good idea of how the city looked in its heyday.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.


Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 16: Dambulla > Trincomalee

Stop At: Nilaveli Beach, Nilaveli Sri Lanka
Relax on Nilaveli Beach which is considered one of the most perfect beaches in Sri Lanka. Enjoy the golden sand swaying palms and clear blue sea. See the ancient 10th century Tamil inscription that mention that the beach was part of a land grant to the Koneswaram Temple.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 17: Trincomalee

Stop At: Nilaveli Beach, Nilaveli Sri Lanka
Relax on Nilaveli Beach which is considered one of the most perfect beaches in Sri Lanka. Enjoy the golden sand swaying palms and clear blue sea. See the ancient 10th century Tamil inscription that mention that the beach was part of a land grant to the Koneswaram Temple.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 18: Trincomalee > Colombo

Pass By: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Colombo and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 6 to 7 hrs)



Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Day 19: Colombo > Airport

Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka
Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.