Sri Lanka Agro Tour

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be met by one of our representatives and taken to Marawila where you will check in to your resort. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today you have delicious breakfast then you will have visited a place of Coconut Research Institute Center at Marawila and being able to knowledge of excellence in coconut research, technology.

Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRISL) is the world’s first research institute dedicated to research in coconut established in 1929. It has a team of dynamic, enthusiastic and innovative scientists, qualified technical staff, and modern analytical facilities to support research and development. Besides engaging in research, CRISL disseminates the knowledge in all aspects of coconut to the stakeholders of the industry. The Institute promotes collaborative research with other international and National Institutes and Private Sector Organizations. The Institute has eleven Research Divisions and five Service Divisions.

On completion you will return to the hotel then you will spend at leisure in the hotel.

PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE - Off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more than 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding times and the bathing times when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.

Upon arrival at Anuradhapura then you will have visit and explore Sri Lankan traditional paddy fields, while you are getting the harvesting experience.

Archeological site of Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura – a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north central part of the Island was the first capital (5th century BC - 9th century AD), the centre of the island's Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient 'buried city' in the world. The oldest historically documented tree on earth (over 2,200 years old) - The Sri Maha Bodhi, brought as a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and the island's oldest Buddhist shrines - some dating back to the 3rd century BC, impressive white 'dagabas' (relic chambers) and monuments embellished with handsome stone carvings or sculpture, pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds and a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the main attractions of Anuradhapura. Specific places to visit are - the Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C.), with 1600 significant stone columns are the remains of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks – an engineering marvel at the time, Ruwanweli Seya (2nd century B.C) the most famous of all the dagoba’s, originally depicted the perfect water-bubble shape that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce, Samadhi Buddha (3rd century B.C.) regarded as the finest rock sculpture in the island - depicting the Buddha in a state of deep meditation, Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C.) known for its rock carving of the “Lovers”, Kuttam Pokuna, twin ponds (3rd century B.C.) which were used by monks of this glorious era as a bathing pool. Thuparama (3rd century B.C.), the oldest dagoba in the island – enshrines the right collarbone of Buddha, Ratnaprasada with the best preserved Guard Stone, Mahasena’s Palace with its renowned Moonstone, Abayagiri and Jetevanarama – a huge dagoba said to the largest brick built structure in the world.

Today you have the delicious breakfast after you will depart to Higurakgoda CIC Agro Farm and you will participate the tour in the farm. This tour is include a mango cultivation, machinery unit, serene lotus tank, a plant nursery that supplies quality fruit plants to farmers, seed processing plant, banana cultivation, home garden that gives you an idea of how to grow your own fruits and vegetables, livestock production unit, compost production unit, seed stores complex, paddy husk charcoal production unit and other agricultural activities.

Later you will have visited Polonaruwa ancient city for the observing the site,

Leave early on an excursion to Sigiriya (aim to be at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress entrance by 07.00 AM in order to beat the heat of the day and the large crowds). Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is one of the most outstanding of architectural wonders in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is one of the most outstanding architectural wonders in Sri Lanka. Rising nearly 700 feet above one of Asia’s most well-preserved ancient landscaped gardens, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, a giant granite monolith, is an unforgettable site. The fortress was built in the shape of a lion, hence the name “Lion’s Rock.” Giant lion’s paws and intricate surrounding brickwork are all that remain of the forbidding entrance to the Upper Palace. Stretching across nearly 3.5 acres, the palace on the flat plateau summit was home to King Kasyapa for over 20 years. The floor plan of the palace is still clearly visible, as is the King’s throne and his own personal bathing pool. On the way to the summit, pass frescoes dating back to the 5th century. “Apsaras,” or celestial nymphs, adorn the indentations of one of the walls and historians speculate that they represent the concubines of King Kasyapa. As visitors over the centuries have admired these delicate maidens, they have written their love poems on what is known as the “Mirrored Wall.” The graffiti dates back to between the 6th and 14th centuries, and many have been translated revealing genuine feelings of emotion on seeing the Apsaras’ ethereal beauty. Thereafter, proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit the ruins.

Afterwards, you will leave to Sigiriya for your overnight and dinner.

Enjoy your breakfast, today you will leave towards Sigiriya Lion Rock at 9.00am, Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is one of the most outstanding of architectural wonders in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya is one of the most outstanding architectural wonders in Sri Lanka. Rising nearly 700 feet above one of Asia’s most well-preserved ancient landscaped gardens, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, a giant granite monolith, is an unforgettable site. The fortress was built in the shape of a lion, hence the name “Lion’s Rock.” Giant lion’s paws and intricate surrounding brickwork are all that remain of the forbidding entrance to the Upper Palace. Stretching across nearly 3.5 acres, the palace on the flat plateau summit was home to King Kasyapa for over 20 years. The floor plan of the palace is still clearly visible, as is the King’s throne and his own personal bathing pool. On the way to the summit, pass frescoes dating back to the 5th century. “Apsaras,” or celestial nymphs, adorn the indentations of one of the walls and historians speculate that they represent the concubines of King Kasyapa. As visitors over the centuries have admired these delicate maidens, they have written their love poems on what is known as the “Mirrored Wall.” The graffiti dates back to between the 6th and 14th centuries, and many have been translated revealing genuine feelings of emotion on seeing the Apsaras’ ethereal beauty. Thereafter, proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit the ruins.

On completion, you will be doing excursion the beautiful village of Thalkote Wewa a traditional agriculture village and you would be explore village farmers and paddy fields around the village as well Thalkote Lake.

In the evening you will be able to proceed to Dambulla Cave temple and Kandalama Lake for your evening relaxation.

DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE - Dambulla Cave temple was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.

Afterwards you will be return to Sigiriya for your overnight.

You have some breakfast, packing your belongings and depart to Kandy before midday while you drive to Kandy you will stop at Matale National Spice Garden.

SPICE GARDENS- For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated exports and are used for medicines and cosmetics as well as to flavour foods. We will sample scents and flavours such as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla and cardamom. Batik is the ancient art of mixing colours using wax as the main component and Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading exponents. Examples range from simple, single coloured designs to multi-coloured masterpieces.

Afterwards, proceed to Kandy and you will have an opportunity to visit temple of the tooth relic. Before you will check into the hotel in Kandy.

The hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace (“MahaWasala”), “PalleWasala”- where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “MedaWasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “KiriSamudraya” (Milk White Ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.

Today you have some delicious breakfast then you are heading to Gannoruwa Agriculture Technical Park,

The Agro technology park consist of over 30 different agricultural demonstration plots covering almost all the subject areas communing under agriculture. It demonstrates model home garden, museum, mushroom unit, tissue culture unit, pest and disease units, plant quarantine unit, spice garden, soil conservation unit, herbal unit, traditional chana cultivation, Yams collection, tea garden, lake culture, sorjan cultivation, rice cultivation, other field crops, leafy vegetable garden, organic cultivation, crop wild relatives, vegetable garden, weather unit, bee keeping unit, high tech agriculture unit including micro irrigation and protected cultivation, also consist of hela bojun traditional food court, seed and planting material sales outlet, DOA publication, value added food sales outlet and GAP vegetable and fruit sales outlets.

Later you will be able to visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden,

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS - It is situated about 5.5 km to the west from the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres.

Enjoy your some breakfast

Today you leave to Nuwara Eliya for exploring the Life stock farm at Ambewela Farm and Strawberry Farm. On the way you will stop at the Rothschild Tea Estate, where you will experience the procedure of making the world’s finest tea. An opportunity will be given to everyone to taste different varieties of Tea.

Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867, a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings in 8 hectares of forestland, in the Loolkondura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London. Tea will grow only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into low grown, medium grown and high grown into 3 main groups. Today more than 200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are under Tea and around 300 million Kilograms, with a 25% of world tea exports are done by Sri Lanka as the World’s largest Tea exporter.

Upon arrival at Nuwara Eliya you will enter the hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Relax and reminder of the day.

Take your delicious breakfast, today you have dedicated with excursions, Ambewela Dairy Farm and Strawberry Farm.

This farm is located at Ambewela which is a few Km away from Nuwara eliya. The New Zealand Farm is a part of the Ambewela Farm which is both dairy farms. New Zealand Farm is located only 3-4 Km away from Ambewela farm. New Zealand farm rears pure bred Friesian cows and maintain a pure line of cattle. In order to maintain the quality of milk the cows are provided with a rich diet and sterilized water. Excellent health care are given on a 24 hr basis. Here one can see the largest grass lands of Sri Lanka and is also a part of the Ambewela farm which manufactures dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt and could be seen by visitors.

On the outskirts of Nuwara Eliya, there are many strawberry farms you can visit. At these farms, you can pick fresh strawberries, explore the farms, or even have a strawberry milkshake or dessert. There are two main farms for visitors: Ramya or Jagro Simply Strawberries. I went to both. Ramya offers a farm visit (you just get to walk into the strawberry greenhouse) for 100 LKR per person. Jagro didn’t offer a farm tour when we visited but they told us they would start one soon. Both places had a café and offered a variety of drinks including strawberry juices and milkshakes. Jagro had a full dessert menu though and the brownie with ice cream and strawberries was to die for! For that reason, if you only go to one, got to Jargo.

After a late breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for the airport, marking the end of your trip.