PROGRAMME : Wild Orchid Exploration
DURATION : 13 Nights / 14 Days..
PERIOD :Valid till 31-Oct-2005

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01 - Waikkala (BB)>

Arrival & transfer to Ranweli Holiday Village.

WAIKKALA
Waikkala is located in the Puttalam District, which falls into the dry zone category. Waikkala is in the midst of marine, coastal, estuarine, mangroves, marshland and man made habitat systems. All of these have contributed to the avifaunal diversity visible in the immediate surrounding. Much of the avifauna is characteristically wetland. More than 60 species of birds can be observed here. At leisure. Night dinner & stay at Ranweli Hotel or similar.

Day 02 - Waikkala - Ritigala Nature Reserve – Dambulla (HB)
After breakfast leaving to Ritigala nature reserve to explore the flora.

RITIGALA NATURE RESERVE
Ritigala – kanda (the Ritigala mountain) lying in the southern part of the North central Province of Sri Lanka, bears a legendary historical & monastic past unsurpassed by any other mountain retreat in the country. Although at 766ms. (2,513ft) the altitude of Ritigala is comparatively low.Mor unexpected for such a low altitude is the climate at the summit is cooler and has a greater rainfall during the north-east monsoon than any part of the dry zone which surrounds it. With such unusual climate it is not surprising to find the upper reaches of the mountain supporting a vigorous and plentiful flora with a wide variety species quite distinct from the flat dry country below.

DAMBULLA, an ancient city, is known for its beautiful Cave temples and a huge Buddha statue. The history of the 5 caves containing over 150 images of Buddha goes back to 1st century BC when king Valagambahu took refuge here. This place is worth visiting not only for the cave temple, but also for the beautiful view over the countryside you can get from the hill.
Night stay at the Hotel in Dambulla.

Day 03 - Knuckles Range (FB)
Leaving to “Knuckles Range” after Breakfast to explore the flora found in the range.
The KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE (so-called because its appearance resembles a set of knuckles in a closed fist) has been declared a conservation area, and is now known as the KNUCKLES NATIONAL HERITAGE AND WILDERNESS AREA. The region stretches an impressive 155 sq km that contains five major forest formations, a wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna and some breathtaking mountain scenery. It is a real paradise for those who love to hike or mountain bike, offering numerous trails that journey across clear rivers, through dense forests, past flowing waterfalls and lush tea plantations, and alongside terraced paddy fields and colourful Kandyan home gardens. The chance to visit traditional small mountain villages in the area gives an interesting insight into the close-knit atmosphere that such a local community fosters and provides a welcome departure from fast-paced modern day life.
Arrival for lunch. Finishing the lunch exploration in the range.
Dinner and overnight stay at the camp in the park.
Day 04 - Knuckles – Kandy (HB)
After breakfast exploration.
Explore the Kabaragala section in knuckles.

KANDY was the last stronghold of the Buddhist political power against colonial powers. It is also the home of the Temple of the Tooth relic. Its architectural monuments date mainly from the 19th century, when Vikrama Rajashinha went on a building spree, the cost of which hastened the downfall and eventual surrender to the British forces.
Then proceed to Kandy. Night stay at the Hotel in Kandy

Day 05 - Kandy – Hunasgiriya (HB)
Moring after breakfast proseed to “Hunasgiriya” the place famous among the Botanists in kandy. Night stay at the Hotel in Kandy

Day 06 - Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (HB)
Finishing the breakfast, visit the Peradaniya Botanical Gardens in Kandy.

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS This is 147 acres in extent started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy. There are more than 500 species of trees and plants. Some are rare & endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice Garden on Orchid House is more popular with tourist.
Finishing the visit at the gardens, leaving to Nuwara Eliya.

NUWARA ELIYA has a cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13degC this is an exquisite and healthy city famous for its wide range in flowers. With buildings of English architecture everywhere in the city, it is affectionately called little England. The Victoria Park in the center of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka. Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher are very common.
Night stay at the Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 07 - Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains – Hukgala – Nuwara Eliya (HB)
In the morning after breakfast, visit Horton Plains National park & on the way back t Nuwara Eliya, visit Hukgala Botanical Gardens.

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK is undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves. It is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland. In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes, and the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammals such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there are 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds. The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as ‘Baker’s Falls’, ‘Chimmini Pool’ and the famous ‘World’s End’ (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline). Night stay at the Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 08 - Nuwara Eliya - Adams Peak – Ratnapura (FB) Transfer to Adams Peak after an early morning breakfast or packed breakfast, along the peak wilderness sanctuary. (Morning visit)
The key attraction of the ADAM’S PEAK WILDERNESS SANCTUARY (SRI PADA) is the peak itself. The 2,243 metre peak has a great significance for various different religions. The huge footprint at the summit is believed by Buddhists to be that of Lord Buddha (‘Sri Pada’), whilst Christians suggest that it was where Adam first set foot on earth, and Hindus claim that it belongs to Lord Shiva. As a result, the peak has been a pilgrimage centre for over 1000 years. Whatever it’s religious significance, this famous landmark offers some breathtaking views of the hill country. The majority of climbers begin their ascent at night in order to arrive at the top in time for a magical sunrise when the mystical shadow of the peak is perfectly cast across the clouds. It is one of those truly unique moments that will live on in your memory long after the aches and pains from the climb have gone! In addition to Adam’s Peak itself, the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary offers some superb nature trails through tropical rainforests, across rivers and past lush tea plantations.
Dinner & night stay at hotel in Ratnapura.

Day 09 - Ratnapura - Adams Peak - Ratnapura (FB)
Explore the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary after breakfast at the hotel Dinner & night stay at hotel in Ratnapura.

Day 10 - Ratnapura – Singharaja (HB)
Finishing breakfast, leaving to Singharaja Rainforest for a forest exploration.

SINHARAJA RAINFOREST is a world heritage site, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Whatever its ‘technical’ name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Bird Watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word ‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest! Night stay at Boulder Gardens hotel or similar.

Day 11 - Singharaja – Waikkala (HB)
In the morning continue the forest exploration at Singharaja with packed breakfast or finishing breakfast at the hotel. Finishing the exploration at Singharaja, proceed to Waikkala again. Night stay at a hotel in Waikkala.

DAY 12 - 13 - Waikkala
At leisure. Night stay at a hotel in Waikkala.

DAY 14 : Airport
Departure
- END OF PROGRAMME -