sri lanka travel and tourism special safari tours
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yala safari tours
Elephant watching in pinnawala
By Air
Day No:1
Arrive in Sri Lanka. Clients will be met by representatives of Excotic Holidays and transfer to Hingurakgoda by Air Taxi.
Pick up from Higurakgoda & proceed to Giritale
Overnight stay at the Dear Park, Giritale
Day No:2
After breakfast visit and climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
* Sigiriya – is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, summerhouse, Boulder Gardens and the Caves with the enclosed are should not be missed.
Afternoon sightseeing of Polonnaruwa
* Polonnaruwa -another “World Heritage Site” was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Century, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare -a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists
Overnight stay at the Dear Park, Giritale
Day No:3
After breakfast proceed to Anuradapura for sightseeing
*Anuradapura – the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya which dates back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.
Overnight stay at the Dear Park, Giritale
Day No:4
After breakfast transfer to Weerawila by Air Taxi
Pick up from Weerawila and transfer to Yala
Late evening visit Yala National Park by Jeep * Yala (Ruhuna) National Park- the Ruhunu National Park covers 126,786 hectares Including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and this block was established in 1938. Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors. There are 7 Bungalows inside the Park with few Camp Sites.
Overnight stay at Yala Village, Yala
Day No:5
After breakfast proceed to Galle en route do a breif city tour with a visit to Dutch Fort
*Galle – Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town is Galle. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour.Stroll around the lighthouse and harbour or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and wood carvers and purchase some the finest souvenirs.
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight stay at Lighthouse Hotel, Galle
Day No:6
Breakfast & full day at leisure
Overnight stay at Lighthouse Hotel, Galle
Day No:7
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect the departure flight
Sightseeing tours
Day No:1
On your arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met by our Representative at the Airport and transferred to Colombo, the commercial Capital of Sri Lanka. The journey will take approximately one hour.
PM. city tour of Colombo.
* Colombo – A drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah- the commercial area of the city and the tree-lined Colombo – 07 area commonly known as Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5, 8 are the prime residential areas of the City.
Visit Fort, and Pettah for Shopping. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street which is lined with goldsmith’s shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendal, dating back to 1749. The historic Davatagaha Mosque, Independence Hall, B.M.I.C.H, and the Museum are some of the attractions in Colombo.
Dinner and Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand or Galadari Hotel, Colombo.
Day No:2
After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya via Pinnawela. The journey from Colombo to Pinnawela will be approximately two hours, and from Pinnawela to Sigiriya another two hours.
* Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage -Pinnawela is app. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo Kandy road. An orphanage was started here in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded Elephants. Elephants young and old are given sanctuary in a natural habitat here. It now has babies born at the orphanage, as a result of the captive-breeding programme. The elephants are reared here and are trained to become working animals.
The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930 hrs – 1000 hrs & 1330 – 1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000 – 1030 hrs & 1400 – 1430 hrs when all the Elephants are taken to the river close by.
Then, proceed to Sigiriya via Kurunegala. Check in at the Hotel.
PM. climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya.
* Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge crouching lion image that is carved at the entrance to the fortress. King Kasyapa, having murdered his father, wanted to hide from his brother Mogallan, and thereby built himself an impregnable fortress on a 650ft rock. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways lies the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting in the form of Frescoes of life sized beautiful damsels (550 in number) in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour continues to mesmerize the visitor. They are so beguiling that generations of graffiti artists have poured out their hearts in verse
Dinner & overnight stay at Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya or Amaya Lake, Dambulla
Day No:3
After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa. The duration of the journey will be approx. one hour .
* Polonnaruwa – The distance from Sigiriya.to Polonnaruwa is 45 miles. Polonnaruwa.was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th – 13th C.A.D Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the Polonnaruwa period.
The monuments here are better preserved than at other sites. The King Parakrama Statue, Royal Palaces, Audience Halls, Vata-da-ge, Thuparama, Rankoth Vehera, Kiri -Vehera, Gal-Vihara, Lankathilaka and Tivanka Image House are some of the interesting monuments here.
On conclusion return to hotel for lunch.
Evening optional visit to Dambulla Cave Temple or Minneriya Sanctuary or at leisure.
* Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. The famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. Is found here.The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island.
In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th – 18th Centuries. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of Gods from the Buddhist religion along with numerous images of the Buddha himself. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people. * Minneriya National Park- This vast sanctuary is home to about 250 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, Eild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sambhur, Crocodiles, amphibians,reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of Fishes and 78 varieties of butterflies amongst others.
Dinner & overnight stay at Sigiriya Village, Sigiriya or Amaya Lake, Dambulla.
Day No:4
After breakfast leave for Kandy (appx 2 hrs – 65 miles) en route visiting a Spice Garden. Afternoon city tour of Kandy including the Kandy Market Place and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
* Spice Garden at Matale – see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. in these privately developed gardens. You can also purchase your requirements of spices and herbal oils.
visit a Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items.
* Kandy – surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the Virgin Forest, Kandy was well protected and was the last refuge of the Sri Lankan Kings. Today it is the centre of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts and Culture. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city which is the heart and soul of the country.
* Temple of the Tooth – To 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. Late evening view a cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.
Dinner & overnight at Mahaweli Reach Hotel or Amaya Hills, Kandy
Day No:5
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya, which is Sri Lanka’s Tea country. enroute visit a Tea Factory.
* Nuwara Eliya – Appx. 3 hrs and 50 miles from Kandy, Nuweraeliya lies 6200ft. above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers erected a road constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent Soldiers was established. It was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, that brought hounds, horses, cattle, sheep etc; and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted and made it into “a little England”. The abundant rainfall combined with sunshine, cold nights and misty mornings offers the perfect climate for producing high grown, aromatic teas. Here you see endless valleys of close cropped tea bushes, processing factories belching out fragrant aromas and the bright flash of female “tea pluckers” in their pimento, fuchsia and cerise saris picking their way through millions of “two-leaf-and-a-bud”. * Tea Plantation – 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 on an 8 hectares of forest land, in the Loolcondura Estate.
In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London.
Tea will grow well only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into 3 main groups. They are, low grown, medium grown and high grown.
In 1996 Sri Lanka has produced 258 million kgs. of tea and has earned Rs. 34,068 million by exporting 244 million kgs. of tea.
Lunch at the Hotel
Dinner & overnight stay at The Tea Factory or St Andrew’s, Nuwara Eliya.
Day No:6
After breakfast proceed to Yala. The journey will take approximately 5 hours and is 120 famous of miles.
Evening jeep safari at Yala National Park.
* Yala -This is the largest and the most famous of Sri Lankan national parks and is a haven for Fauna. It is famous for the elusive Leopard and has one of the highest densities of Leopard in the world. Both indigenous and migrant Bird concentrations are by the Lagoons.Salvers. Here are thousands of flamingoes, Assemblies of spotted billed, Spoonbills, Cormorants and various species of Herons. Pheasants, Pea Fowl, Peacocks and the Wild Fowl are found in hundreds. Wild Buffalo and herds of Wild Elephants, spotted Deer are a common sight. Whether it is birds or animals you have them all at Yala.
Lunch at the Hotel
Dinner & overnight stay at Yala Village or Elephant Retreat, Yala
Day No:7
After breakfast proceed to Galle. The duration of the trip will be approximately 4 hours and is 110 miles. En route visit the stilt fishermen in Weligama. Lunch at Lighthouse Hotel.
PM. city tour of Galle including a visit to the Dutch Fort and museum.
* The Fort of Galle – The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch fort in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the ‘Tarshish’ of the Old testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant Fvessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord.
Today, the 90 acre Galle Fort who’s no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was build inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the fort’s two half bastion’s overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the rides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbor. It is still there, marked by the old Dutch V.O.C ( for ‘Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) arms with a rooster crest.
Dinner & overnight stay at Light House Hotel, Galle.
Day No:8
After breakfast proceed to the airport for departure, or to your chosen Beach Hotel for your beach stay.
Golf tour
Day No:1
Arrival in Sri Lanka, to be met by a representative of Excotic Holidays and transferred to Colombo
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo
Day No:2
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Royal Golf Club Colombo
*Royal Colombo Golf Club begun with a 9-hole course in 1879 is the oldest in Sri Lanka. It was moved in to its present location in 1896 and was developed into an 18-hole course. This club is among the first twenty five clubs in the world to celebrate 100 years of golfing.
Enjoy a game of Golf
Afternoon do a brief city tour of Colombo and shopping
Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo
Day No:3
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Royal Golf Club Colombo
Enjoy a game of Golf
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo
Day No:4
After breakfast proceed to Kandy en route visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphange
There after do a brief city tour of Kandy with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya
Afternoon proceed to Digana
Overnight stay at Victoria Golf Club, Digana
Day No:5
Breakfast at the hotel
Enjoy a game of Golf at Victoria Golf Club, Digana.
*Victoria Golf Club, Digana course is 6’190 m long (par 73) a championship golf course designed by Donald Steel and inaugurated early in 1999. The fairways are rather narrow in a hilly country side. Stately trees and avenues of coconuts lend the course an immediate air maturity. Impressive natural outcrops of rocks are a distinctive feature and indeed a hazard of the course. The Victoria Golf Club is situated 25 km east of Kandy and 150 km from Colombo.
Overnight stay at Victoria Golf Club, Digana
Day No:6
At leisure to enjoy a game of Golf
Overnight stay at Victoria Golf Club, Digana
Day No:7
After breakfast transfer to Nuwara Eliya by Air Taxi
Afternoon enjoy a game of Golf at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
*The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club with its 18-hole course is located in a picturesque setting in the Nuwara Eliya town at an elevation over 5000 metres above sea level. It was opened in 1889 and is reputed to be among the best golf courses in the east. A special feature is the possibility of following 15 of its 18 holes by car. The fairways are long and narrow and bordered by fir trees and thick bushes. It demands skilful “position play” and the hilly terrain makes it essential that players can cope with up-hill and downhill lies.
Overnight stay at St Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day No:8
Full day to enjoy Golf
Overnight stay at St Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day No:9
After breakfast transfer to Negombo
Rest of the day at leisure at the beach or visit the Spa at the Hotel
Overnight stay at The Beach, Negombo
Day No:10
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect the departure flight.
Best nature experience
Day No:1
Arrival and transfer to Hunas Falls Hotel, Elkaduwa. The journey will take approximately 4 hours. Rest of the day at leisure. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day No:2
The early risers can participate in the Simpson’ s Forest trek which is a 1/2 day trek. This trek takes you through tea estates, open pastures,secondary forests to the sub montane Simpson’s forest. As birds in large numbers visit the parasitic plants found along this trek, bird watchers are assured of seeing birds such as the Flowerpecker, Sunbirds and Flycatchers to name a few.
Return to the Hotel and relax.
Afternoon visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Dinner and overnight Hunas Falls Hotel.
Day No:3
After breakfast proceed to Kandy. The city tour of Kandy includes a visit to the kandy bazaar, arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and lapidary, the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In the evening return to Hunas Falls Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS
The 60 hectare garden which is open daily is the lagest in Sri Lanka and is a walker’s paradise. You can also drive through the Avenue of Royal Palms, the bamboo fringed riveside drive, and the bat drive where flying foxes hang upside down. There is a great variety of flowers,plants and mature trees. The giant Javan fig tree, which covers an impressive 1600 sq metres is a must see.
Day No:4
Leave for Nuweraeliya via Madawela,Hanguranketha, Walapane, Ragala and Kandapola. Enroute visit a typical Kandyan crafts village. This is a picturesque route and you will pass through the Victoria and the Randenigala dams. City tour of Nuweraeliya. Optional treks can be taken from the St Andrew’s Hotel Hotel once you check in for your overnight stay.
Day No:5
After breakfast leave for Horton Plains.
HORTON PLAINS
This is a windswept plateau over 2000 metres high, forbidding and awesome and interspersed with forest and the country’s second and third highest mountains , Pattipola and Totapola. These misty, silent grasslands streaked with icy rivulets offer some excellent walks, the most famous being to World’s end. This is a 4km hike from the Far Inn, a former guest house which is now the office of the National Park. In the early morning, a crescent of silver glimmers in the far distance pinpointing the Indian Ocean. The escarpment drops dramatically for 230 metres and falls awaysteeply for another thousand or so thus earning its name. Day 5 Leave for Colombo via Kithulgala.
Overnight at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo.
Ayurvedic Experience
Day No:1
Arrive in Sri Lanka. Clients will be met by representatives of Excotic Travels and transferred to Colombo.
Afternoon go for a short visit to University of Colombo Ayurveda campus at Borella, to meet some officials.
Thereafter go to Navinna Bandaranayake Ayurveda Research Institute to see rare medicinal plants and the method of making Ayurveda Oils, decoctions and the other Ayurveda drugs for distribution & sale in Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at Colombo Hilton,Colombo
Day No:2
After breakfast leave for Maho via Ambepussa & Kurunegala, visit the German Ayurveda Hotel.
Afternoon consult the Ayurveda Physician and arrange a suitable course of treatment to commence from next day morning.
Evening walk to the Yapahuwa Fortress, the capital of Sri Lanka for 12 years (1272 – 1284 A.D.). See the fortifications, remains of the Palace and other buildings including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the most beautiful staircase with rare carvings.
Evening go for a bath in the swimming pool.
Overnight stay at Ayurveda Hotel, Maho
Day No:3
Full day treatments at Ayurveda Center.
Overnight stay at Ayurveda Hotel, Maho
Day No:4
Full day treatments at Ayurveda Centre.
Overnight stay at Ayurveda Hotel, Maho
Day No:5
After breakfast proceed to Anuradapura and see the monuments there. *ANURADHAPURA – the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. Anuradhapura is a “World Heritage Site”.
Thereafter visit Mihintale and see the Old Ayurveda Hospital dating to 9th C.A.D. constructed for Buddhist Bhikkhus who treated by Physicians in the 4 clinics, provided meals specially coked for them, given treatment and bathed in hot water. Then leave for Dambulla via Kekirawa.
Overnight stay at Amaya Lake, Dambulla
Day No:6
After breakfast climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya.
*SIGIRIYA – is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.
Thereafter leave for Kandy
Afternoon do a brief city tour of Kandy with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya
Overnight stay at Mahaweli Reach Hote, Kandy
Day No:7
After breakfast leave for Negombo and check in to Ayurveda Pavilions.
Day No:8
At Ayurveda Pavilions having treatments.
Day No:9
At Ayurveda Pavilions having treatments.
Day No:10
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect the departure flight.
Echo Sri Lanka special package
Day No:1
On arrival you will be met by the Excotic Travels Representative. (For assistance please call our 24hrs on line mobile no +94723558353
Over night stay at GALLE FACE HOTEL,REGENCY Colombo.
Day No:2
After breakfast leave early around 0700 hrs to Dambulla, en-rout visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela. Thereafter proceed to Dambulla and visit the Cave Temples.
Overnight Stay at AMAYA LAKE 4 *, Dambulla
Day No:3
After a very early breakfast visit and climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Thereafter proceed to Polonnaruwa for sight seeing.
Overnight Stay at AMAYA LAKE 4 *, Dambulla
Day No:4
After breakfast proceed to Kandy. En-rout visit a spice garden and a Batic factory in Matale. Afterwards visit a Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. These shops contain a wide variety of Batik items. Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in at the Amaya Hills. If you happen to travel between 7th – 16th August 2008 you will get the rare opportunity to witness the famous Kandy Perahara.
Overnight stay at AMAYA HILLS 4*, Kandy.
Day No:5
After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. On completion return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at AMAYA HILLS 4*, Kandy.
Day No:6
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya, en-rout visiting a Tea Plantation. Proceed to Nuwara Eliya and check in at the hotel.
Day No:7
After breakfast visit the Horton Plains National Park.
Day No:8
After breakfast leave for Yala via Ella. Evening Jeep Safari at Yala National Park.
Overnight stay at YALA VILLAGE 3*, Yala.
Day No:9
After breakfast leave for the beach stay and get dropped off at preferred beach hotel.
Bird watching
Beach tours
Anne Palmer
“We had a great trip down the south of the island and out to sea watching blue whales. Our guide was knowledgeable and good company, always cheerful and lively”
Carlos Pinto
“We loved the trip to Sri Lanka. 10 days that were splendid. The People, the cities, the food … everything we missed. A special word for the guide … Friendly, Polite and Available. An exceptional person.”
Up country tour
Day No:1
Morning leave for NuwaraEliya via Kitulgala and Talawakkele, Beautiful hill country scenery sightseeing in NuwaraEliya visit Hakgala Botanical gardens Dinner & night at Nuwara Eliya
Day No:2
Morning leave for Kandy visiting tea estate and factory enroute.sightseeing and shopping, Dinner & night at Kandy
Day No:3
Morning leave for Sigiriya Rock Fortress, After lunch return to Colombo via Kurunegala.
By Air