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Gathering of the Giants

 

 

Billed as one of the world’s greatest and spectacular wildlife events! A majestic gathering of as many as 300-400 elephants in one place! The Minnerriya reservoir plays host to these amazing wild Asian elephants during July to September, Sri Lanka`s dry season where water is scarce except for the Minnerriya tank, triggering this amazing movement of entire families and herds of elephants onto its fertile banks where the grass is greener and water is available.

An amazing once in a lifetime experience for avid nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts as well as families with children! The Elephant Gathering at Minneriya is also arguably the largest grouping of Elephants in one place at the same time in the Asian region.

Jetwing Eco Holidays, Sri Lanka`s premier wildlife operator will introduce you to this amazing experience on an extended tour of Sri Lanka and plan out the entire experience, including the small details, so you get to witness, experience and be in awe of nature at its best! Professionally guided by our expert rangers.

Let us introduce you to Sri Lanka`s best wildlife experiences! – come and be inspired!

Reservations are now open and limited spaces available.

AIRPORT/ WILPATTU

As you arrive at the Bandaranaike International airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to Colombo, in such a way that you would feel tranquilized. Thereon, you can either spend time in leisure or visit the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, which is one of the highly worshiped and respected temples in Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. The temple’s architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.

This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. You can surely capture some amazing pictures during your visit, allowing you to look back on your holiday and treasure the moments.
COLOMBO / KANDY

As you enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Kandy to spend two amazing and chilled out nights. Kandy is one of the most religiously respected cities in Sri Lanka as the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is situated in Kandy. En route to Kandy, you can pay a visit to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This is a much visited and acclaimed botanical garden, which is also good for birds. It is bounded on three sides by the Mahaveli River, which snakes around the 60-hectare gardens. Before its use as botanical gardens it had served as a royal pleasure garden. Peradeniya is the second largest botanical garden in Asia. It has an orchid house, which botanists should visit. In 1905 an avenue of palms were planted and now is one of the most photographed places in the gardens.

As you enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Kandy to spend two amazing and chilled out nights. Kandy is one of the most religiously respected cities in Sri Lanka as the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is situated in Kandy. En route to Kandy, you can pay a visit to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This is a much visited and acclaimed botanical garden, which is also good for birds. It is bounded on three sides by the Mahaveli River, which snakes around the 60-hectare gardens. Before its use as botanical gardens it had served as a royal pleasure garden. Peradeniya is the second largest botanical garden in Asia. It has an orchid house, which botanists should visit. In 1905 an avenue of palms were planted and now is one of the most photographed places in the gardens.
KANDY

Start your day by exploring three of the most ancient and interesting temples in the central highlands Embekke, Lankathilake & Gadaladeniya. Embekka Devalaya (Embekka Temple) was built by the King Vikramabahu III of Gampola Era (AD 1357 – 1374) in Sri Lanka. The devalaya is dedicated to the worship of Mahasen, popularly known as Kataragama Deviyo. A local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshiped at this site. The shrine consists of three sections, the “Sanctum of Garagha“, the “Digge” or “Dancing Hall” and the “Hevisi Mandapaya” or the “Drummers’ Hall”. The Drummers’ Hall has drawn the attention of visitors to the site, due to the splendid wood carvings of its ornate pillars and its high pitched roof. Lankatilaka Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Udunuwara of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is considered as the most magnificent architectural edifice created during the Gampola era. Moreover, Gadaladeniya Temple is considered as one of the largest rock temples in Sri Lanka.

After an in-depth exploration of these temples, spend your evening at leisure while chilling and relaxing in the hotel, as you get prepared for the next chapter of excitement.

Afterwards visit Kandy to experience The Kandy Esala Perahera. The period July-August (Esala-Nikini in the traditional Sinhalese calendar) is the Esala Perahera season in Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese term ‘perahera‘ means a train of musicians, dancers, acrobats and other performers usually accompanied by a number of elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious or secular person or event.

KANDY / SIGIRIYA

As you enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel, get prepared for a day filled with lovely explorations. You will leave for Sigiriya right after breakfast. En-route visit Dambulla cave Temple which is famous for its rock paintings and sculptures. Dambulla is considered as the oldest art gallery of the country. The paintings found on the rock ceiling shows the influence of Kandyan School of paintings that became prominent in the 18th – 19th century in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, talking about Sigiriya, it is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft) high.

With the explorations of the beauty and panorama of Sigiriya, you will be allowed to spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

POLONNARUWA / MINNERIYA

As you begin this new day, you will be aspired to visit the sacred city – Polonnaruwa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. It has high cultural value which you can explore and appreciate. With the completion of an exciting exploration, in the afternoon you will be guided to Minneriya National Park to behold the amazing phenomena of elephant gathering.

KANDY / SIGIRIYA

As you enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel, get prepared for a day filled with lovely explorations. You will leave for Sigiriya right after breakfast. En-route visit Dambulla cave Temple which is famous for its rock paintings and sculptures. Dambulla is considered as the oldest art gallery of the country. The paintings found on the rock ceiling shows the influence of Kandyan School of paintings that became prominent in the 18th – 19th century in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, talking about Sigiriya, it is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft) high.

With the explorations of the beauty and panorama of Sigiriya, you will be allowed to spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

SIGIRIYA / NEGOMBO

After a fascinating breakfast in Sigiriya, you will leave for Negombo. Negombo is a city well-known for its pristine and heavenly beaches and delicious sea food. You will be allowed to spend the day at leisure.

NEGOMBO / AIRPORT

With the completion of a valuable and memorable stay in Sri Lanka, you will be transferred to the airport with the same level of hospitality and warmth which was rendered to you as you arrived in Sri Lanka.

Prices (Valid from 01st -15th August 2017)

Price includes:
* 4 star accommodation & boutique hotels
* Transportation and Specialist guide for the duration of the tour
* Entrance tickets and jeep safari

* Terms & conditions apply

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