Trail Around The Pearl (21 Days)

Trail Around The Pearl (21 Days)

Trail Around the Pearl is a trip for those who appreciate the true beauty of diverse landscapes and the rich and fascinating culture and history of Sri Lanka. Visit the cool, lush green hill country. Embark on fascinating wildlife safaris and walk with the Aborigines (The ancient ones). Have a truly Sri Lankan experience with a cup of Ceylon Tea or fresh King Coconuts on the calm southern coast. This is undoubtedly a tour of immense charm. (SKU: LK10200200)

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport > Negombo

Stop At: Negombo, Negombo, Western Province
Arrive at Colombo International Airport Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Negombo and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 2: 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: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 3: Negombo > Dambulla

Stop At: Golden Temple of Dambulla, Dambulla 21100 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: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 4: 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: 2 hours

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 5: Dambulla > Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Dambulla

Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka's ancient history.
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 6: Dambulla > Matale > Kandy

Stop At: Euphoria Spice and Herbal, Kandy Dambulla Road Arunaloka Farm, Madawala Ulpotha, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic 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: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 7: Kandy > Peradeniya > Kandy

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

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 8: Kandy > Nuwara Eliya

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: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Nuwara Eliya is set in the heart of tea-country is a beautiful town where the British succeeded in creating a replica of the English countryside, with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church, a famous golf course and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated 6,200 feet above sea level, the air is cool and fresh – a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
Duration: 2 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 9: 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 fall. Catch glimpses of the many endemic fauna that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archaeological finds that were discovered in the area.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 10: Nuwara Eliya > Ella

Stop At: Ella, Sri Lanka
The Nanu Oya to Ella train journey takes you on scenic ride through some of the most beautiful highland countryside areas in Sri Lanka. Watch the brilliant greens carpets of the tea plantations. See the picturesque villages with misty mountain backdrops pass by. Peer through drizzle and mist to look at the magical landscapes of Haputale. Enjoy the amazing sights of intimidating mountains, deep and dark woodlands, and magnificent waterfalls as they go by your windows.
(Train Tickets are not included in the price)
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 11: Ella

Stop At: Ella Rock, Ella Main Street NECS-Nature Exploration and Conservation Society Sri Lanka, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
This picturesque a three hour hike takes you up to Ella Rock, which is one of the highest viewpoints in the area. Watch the distant Namunukula Range and Little Adam’s Peak along the way. Get to see some stupendous early morning views of the landscape from the top of the rock. Some of the identifiable landmarks that can be seen are the Bandarawala Range, Poonagala Hills, Narangala, the Ella Gap and the Badulla train tracks.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 12: Ella > Yala

Stop At: Yala, Sri Lanka
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel check-out and proceed to Yala and check-in to the hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 13: Yala

Stop At: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
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 14: Yala > Ussangoda > Rumassala > Galle > Unawatuna

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 explanation 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: 45 minutes

Stop At: Rumassala, Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Rumassala hill 3 kms east of Galle is the landmark of Unuwatuna beach because of the picturesque white Buddhist dagoba on top of it. Rumassala rock is one of the five Sri Lankan spots believed to originate from parts of Mount Dronagiri. They fell down when Hanuman carried the Dronagiri on his flight back to Lanka in order to use its Sanjiwani herb to rescue Lakhshmana and Rama who were in need of this medical plant to be reanimated after suffering severe injuries. Rumassala is also said to be an abode of Sita during her stay in Lanka.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Explore the secrets of Galle where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the museums of Galle and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names and listen to your guide tell their stories. Relax with a king coconut or a cup of tea caressed by a breeze of the tropics
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 15: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 16: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 17: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 18: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 19: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 20: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 21: Unawatuna > BIA

Pass By: Katunayake, Katunayake, Negombo, Western Province
After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel check out and, drive to the Airport for your flight back home.

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