This cultural tour takes you to discover the enchanting Kandy and its surroundings. Make a stop at a typical tea factory and learn about its process in Giragama. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Walk into the 147-acre Botanical Gardens and visit the spice garden in Mawanella.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Giragama: name when it comes to Ceylon Tea, Giragama is always a household.
Kandy: last ruled by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the World Heritage Site & last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings, crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors across the globe.
Botanical Gardens: First developed as a pleasure garden under royalty and later harmonized by the British, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya is a flourishing national asset in the Wonder of Asia.
Mawanella: An agricultural zone in the Central Province, Mawanella seldom drops off the maps due to its remarkable contribution through flagship crops of the island extending from tea, rubber & vegetables to spices.
Day 1: BENTOTA/ NEGOMBO – GIRAGAMA – KANDY (180km – 4hrs / 107km – 3hrs)
After breakfast in your beach hotel, start your adventure to Kandy. On route proceed to Giragama and visit a tea plantation site. Visit a tea factory in Giragama for an authentic experience curled around a cup of tea. Watch how tea is being processed before they are graded, and send your taste buds to the edge with a fresh cup of Ceylon Tea just off the estate! Upon completion, proceed to Lunch at The Kandyan Arts (included). Then proceed to Kandy and explore the city (duration 3hrs approx.). Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across this small lakeside town will feature the Kandy City Centre, bundled with latest and world-class brands, bazaar, an arts and crafts centre, as well as a gem museum and lapidary. Walk in colour as you glide through fresh fruits and vegetables in the Kandy market. Fine tune your evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music and drumming amplified by a cultural show enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka. After exploring the city, return to the hotel, for check-in and a well-deserved rest.
Overnight in Kandy.
Day 2: KANDY – PERADENIYA – MAWANELLA – BENTOTA/ NEGOMBO (180km – 4hrs / 105km – 3hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit the Botanical Gardens. Walk into this 147-acre bliss of an experience, passing well-tended lawns, pavilions and an octagon conservatory to be greeted by the vast expanse of a magnificently landscaped lush green turf which will encourage you for an exhilarating break. Towards the north of the entrance rests a cafeteria that one might come across before stepping into some of the highlights, the orchid house and giant Javan fig tree, of this place which overflow in grace. Upon completion, proceed to visit the spice garden in Mawanella. Stop by the side of a spice garden, into which you will be most welcome, and observe the therapeutic values of spices & processes over a refreshing cup of herbal tea! On completion, return to your respective beach hotel.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Sri Lanka. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
