City of Galle
Galle an ancient city is today a modern and buzzing town. It was the most important seaport way back in history, where the sea faring merchants arrived to trade and barter. This is also where the Portuguese first set foot in the year 1505 and built a fortress, which was later captured and fortified by the Dutch. The fortress is one of the best preserved in the island. A visit to the fortress and to watch the sunset from the rampart is an experience unforgettable. The oldest Protestant church in the country called the ‘Groote Kirk’ built by the Dutch is located within the Fort. It is situated next to the New Oriental Hotel also built by them as the Governor’s Residence in 1684.
Kalamatiya
Kalamatiya is a place which has a mature mangrove swamp with a variety of water birds. The best time to see birds is between November and March. There are Bird life includes Cattle Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret, Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Common Snipe, Black-winged Stile. Migrant birds include Pintail, Golden Plover, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Kentish Plover, Curlew, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail. Kalamatiya is famous as a birds' paradise. Out of the recorded 427 bird-species, 250 species are found in Sri Lanka. Migratory birds have been coming to Sri Lanka to escape the harsh winters of Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is geographically located in Sri Lanka at latitude 06°16' - 06°42' North and longitude 81°15' - 81°42' East. The Park can be visited via the town of Tissamaharama in the Hambantota District of the Southern Province. While Block I has good access roads, access to Blocks II and III is limited mainly to dry weather. There are eight Park bungalows all of which are within Yala Block I. Another has been constructed at Katagamuwa Sanctuary, and one more is now ready for occupation in Yala Block IV. Accommodation is available for 8-10 people in each bungalow on the basis of prior reservations with the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Apart from resident visitors occupying the bungalows, a large number of day visitors enter the Park. The Block I boundaries of the Park, take in 19 kilometers of sea coast in the southeast from Amaduwa to Yala, 19 kilometers from Yala up the Menik Ganga to Pahalahentota, 19 kilometers from Pahalahentota to Bambawa, and 3 kilometers from Bambawa to Palatupana.
Uda Walawe National Park Uda Walawe National Park is situated 90 Km from the hotel and is approximately 30,800 hectares in extent. This Park is located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka and act as the catchments to the Uda Walawe Reservoir. With abundant sources of water and rich and lush vegetation, this park is home for nearly 400 wild elephants besides many species of deer, wild boar, water buffalo, and the jackal too is found in this park
Mulkirigala (Mulgirigala) Raja Maha Viharaya - The rock temple down southThe climb was steep but not tiring. We never realized that we had climbed 533 steps up and down until we checked out the number from a temple aide. This was the way to the Mulkirigala temple in the deep south, 21 km interior from Tangalle, off Beliatte. The steps, although uneven in certain places, are well maintained and the tricky flight to the top can be quite tough but enjoyable. Mulkirigala (Mulgirigala is also commonly used), as the name suggests, is a rock. Caves with elaborate paintings at three levels are reminiscent of Dambulla. Two large reclining Buddha statues adorn the caves at the lower level. Intricate paintings, most of which depict Jataka tales belonging to the Kandyan period, are visible in eight caves. The temple, which dates back to the 3rd century BC, is a Raja Maha Viharaya, one that received royal patronage. There are several theories as to its origin. It is believed to be one of 64 temples erected by King Kavantissa, father of Dutugemunu, who ruled from Mahagama, a principality in the kingdom of Ruhuna. According to historians, this may have been the Samuddagiri or Muhudugiri temple built by Kavantissa.
Sinharaja World Heritage Forest Sinharaja is a forest in south-west wet zone of Sri Lanka which contians a high Bio diversity. A large proportion of flora and fauna in this forest is endemic to the country and some endemic to the Singharaja Forest itself. This is a very good place to see many endemic birds such as Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard’s parakeet,Jungle and Spur Fowl, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Grey Hombill, Spotted wing Thrush, Rufous and Brown- capped Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Ceylon Blue Magpie, White Headed Starling, Ceylon Hill Mynha, Legge’s Flowerpecker. The clear cut roads in to the jungle provide easy access to the forest. This important forest is a Man and Biosphere Forest reserve and it is considered as a World Heritage Site.
RAKAWA TURTLE WATCHFive out of 7 species of marine turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The turtle Watch programme is a nature tourism initiative developed by the TCP (Turtle Conservation Project). “Rekawa” which is one of Sri Lanka’s most important marine turtle nesting where all 5 species come to nest throughout the year. The peak season takes place between February and July. Even though there isn’t any guarantee that marine turtles come to nest every night, you will be guaranteed an exiting nighttime adventure on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Millions of years before man colonized in Sri Lanka, marine turtles had been coming to the undisturbed beaches of this beautiful island to lay their eggs. Presently due to the speedy population increases with the development Turtle nesting beaches are being disturbed by human activities. During past the marine turtle population is decreasing in the world due to the illegal "Tortoise shell Trade ", Killing Turtle for meat, destroying their feeding habitats such as coral reef , caught and drowned in fishing gear , illegal poaching of turtle eggs etc..
Snorkeling At Japanese Garden
18 US $ per person – minimum 04 pax (Including boat and snorkeling equipments)
Diving
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