Connecting with Sri Lanka
Enjoy a luxurious tour around the island while being socially and environmentally responsible. On this special journey, you will not only be experiencing the magic of Sri Lanka but also supporting good environmental practices and giving a helping hand to the local communities in those areas.
Jetwing is a pioneer of sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, guided for nearly five decades by the philosophy of our founder the late Mr. Herbert Cooray. All of our hotels follow various sustainability measures, including producing over 40% of their electrical power by rooftop solar plants, or with locations like Yala, a ground-mounted solar plant. Hot water at most properties is via solar heaters or using biomass boilers for night-time heat generation. Some of the hotels and resorts use a Vapour Absorption Chiller operating on steam produced by the biomass boiler to cater to the air-conditioning requirements. Organic gardens produce fresh produce that is used in the daily meals and water from wastewater treatment plants is used
to provide water for framing.
12/11
Dambulla, Kandy, Gal Oya, Wellawaya, Yala, Deniyaya, Negombo
Jetwing Lake, Jetwing Kandy Gallery,
Wild Glamping Gal Oya, Jetwing Kaduruketha, Jetwing Yala, Rain Forest Eco Lodge, Jetwing Blue
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Habarana village cycling experience
- Safari at Wasgamuwa national park
- Nature walks & Bird watching trails in Gal Oya
- Boat safari in the Senanayaka Samudraya
- Buduruwagala temple complex
- Celebrations of paddy cultivation
- Local village tour in Wellawaya
- Diyaluma Waterfall
- Leopards in Yala national park
- Kaley tea experience
- Rain forest trekking
Day 01
Arrive in Sri Lanka in the style you deserve, greeted by your guide, and transferred directly to Jetwing Lake, Dambulla where you can relax and unwind.
Jetwing Lake
Day 02
Begin your morning with a visit to the Sigiriya Rock fortress. Afterwards, Cycle through the small villages with a chance to see small home industries. Try some fresh fish at the local fisherman’s house. Learn some traditional dance moves at the village dance school. Visit a family who makes brooms from coconut trees. Back braking brick making. The village elder who makes Ayurvedic oil. End the bike ride with a short cooking lesson and delicious lunch at your guide’s house Late evening enjoys tea with the hotel general manager with an interesting conversation on the hotel’s sustainable practices.
Jetwing Lake
Day 03
Journey on from Dambulla to Kandy via Wasgamuwa for a one-night stay at Jetwing Kandy Gallery. En route experience a safari at Wasgamuwa national park. 23 species of mammals have been spotted at the park and of these, the most important is the Wild Elephant (Elphas maximus) of which there are approximately 150 living in the Park. In addition to these giants, you might see Wild Buffaloes (Babalus bubalis) and Spotted Deer (Axis axis) grazing in the grasslands. If you are really lucky, you might come across a Leopard (Panthera pardus) or a Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) lazing the time away under a shady tree.
Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Day 04
A lovely breakfast awaits you before you check out from
Jetwing Kandy Gallery and take the 4 hour drive towards the
Gal Oya region where you check in to Wild Glamping Gal
Oya by Theme Resorts.
The Gal Oya region is steeped in history, culture that includes
the Veddah’s (aborigines) the true owners of the island, and
plenty of Wildlife”
When you reach the entrance to the campsite the staff
together with the Veddah chief of the area, will then escort
you to light a traditional oil lamp and offer a small prayer
to bless your stay at this wonderful property. Check-in and
a scrumptious meal will be followed by a nature walk to a
nearby forest patch. Your guide will be none other than the
chief of the Veddah tribe who’s in-depth knowledge of the
forest is a treat to anyone to listen to. The walk will start off
with a visit to a cultural center for the Veddah people to
share their stories and way of life with visitors. The forest too
is special in that it is said to have been grown with various
medicinal plants and trees by one of the ancient Kings of
the era. You’re back to the hotel for a quick dip and then
dinner. 10 min drive from the hotel to the cultural center.
“Sustainable tourism is a main focus of the campsite which allows
guests to indulge amidst nature whilst enjoying luxurious and modern
comforts. The onsite organic farm not only produces food but also an
invaluable organic farming experience for the guests as well as actively
participating in environment protection through agro reforestation and
drip irrigation. 90% of its employees are from the neighboring indigenous
Vaddah communities giving them the opportunity for social & economic
inclusion”.
Wild Glamping
Day 05
Second day at the luxurious Wild Glamping Gal Oya. The Gal
Oya region is a great destination for bird watchers and the
highlight for any bird watcher who comes to the area are
the Painted Francolin and the Yellow Footed Green Pigeon.
Together with your very own naturalist head off on a 4km
bird watching trail that takes you through the properties
organic farms towards a beautiful lake. Stop and take in
these fantastic sights while your naturalist explains the birds
and plant life that you come across. Back to the campsite for
breakfast. Spend some time enjoying the sights and sounds
of the hotel area and enjoy a scrumptious lunch.
In the evening you then take an hour’s drive to reach a section
of Gal Oya National Park that connects to the Sennanayaka
Samudraya (Samudraya Mean Ocean in Sinhalese). This is
the largest man made reservoir in the country and it not only
provides water to people for irrigation but also to numerous
wildlife such as elephants and crocodiles.
You hop on a boat and head out in the waters of the reservoir
in search of the famous swimming elephants of Gal Oya and
also various species of water birds and large crocodiles. Your
naturalist will be on hand to answer all your questions and
interpret the sights and sounds you see. You will be served
tea and sweet meats on one of the numerous islands you
find dotted on the reservoir.
Wild Glamping
Day 06
From your previous destination arrive at Wellawaya and
check in to Jetwing Kaduruketha. “Wellawaya is the perfect
location for the travelers who are looking for calm and quiet
experiences, where culture, agriculture and nature are all
found nestled together”.
“Jetwing Kaduruketha is an icon of agro tourism and
combines luxury accommodation with Sri Lanka’s agricultural
legacy. The hotel is modeled after a traditional village home
combined with rustic luxuries to make your stay comfortable
and luxurious. We open our doors and invite you to this
wonderful world where nature and agriculture blend as one
and thrive together”.
Enjoy a scrumptious Sri Lankan meal before you get some
time to rest and relax after the journey. In the evening we
have arranged an excursion to the Buduruwagala temple
complex. The complex consists of 7 statues that date back
to the 10th century. 51ft tall Buddha Statue is the highlight
and still bares traces of its original robe and the remnants
of the orange colour suggests that the statue was brightly
coloured.
“Jetwing Kaduruketha is special among the Jetwing Hotels based on its
sustainable activities. Apart from the main practices mentioned above
that are followed by all of the Jetwing properties, Kaduruketha stands
out with its special design, which Incorporates traditional design elements
and material to promote natural ventilation that make air conditioning
not required.
Economically marginalized local women of mid-age are empowered,
through the gender-sensitive recruitment project, ‘Second Careers’
- assimilating skills and expertise in household management to a
professional setting. Micro & small-scale suppliers from the locality
up-scaled to become lucrative enterprises through capacity building
programmes under the Thrive initiative.”
Jetwing Kaduruketha
Day 07
Witness the celebrations of paddy cultivation and immerse
yourself in an authentic Sri Lankan farming experience as
the locals prepare the lands, sow the rice and harvest the
paddy with utmost reverence and dedication.
You’re back to the hotel for breakfast, a short break before
you head out to explore the local village. Here you get to
meet the local people going about their daily lives and not
to forget the friendly and welcoming nature of the locals.
The village visit is highlight by a home cooked meal full
of customary Sri Lankan flavours, followed by hot tea and
sweets. Well-deserved rest in the evening as the adventure
continues.
Jetwing Kaduruketha
Day 08
Begin your day by taking a beautiful morning drive through
the verdant green hills of the Tea Country to visit Diyaluma
Waterfall.
After the morning waterfall visit, leave for Leopards paradise,
Yala to spend your next two nights.
Late evening enjoy tea with the hotel general manager
with an interesting conversation on the hotel sustainable
practices.
Jetwing Yala
Day 09
Another action packed day awaits you! Morning and
afternoon safaris at Yala national park. Yala National Park was
declared as a Game Park in 1938 and is 965 sq. kilometers
in extent. According to the Leopard Research sponsored
by Yala Safari Game Lodge, under the Jetwing Research
Initiative, Yala Block 1 has one of the highest densities of
Leopards in the world. Yala therefore offers one of the best
chances in Asia to see Leopards. You may also see Elephant,
Sloth Bear, Sambhur, and Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Stripenecked,
Brown & Ruddy Mongooses, Black-naped Hare &
several civet species.
Jetwing Yala
Day 10
After enjoying your breakfast leave for Deniyaya.
En route stop at Kotapola for a tea experience with Kaley
Tea. Walk through Kaley’s rainforest, breathe forest air,
dip your feet in the stream, sip the waters from the forest
springs, whistle to the birds, and be in harmony with nature.
Kaley tea is handpicked and handcraft tea, as folklore has it,
with the healing palms of artisans. The artisans enhance the
healing goodness and flavours of Kaley TeaKaley tea is good
for you, is good for communities & is good for forests.
Rainforest Eco Lodge
Day 11
Take a trek through the quaint paths of Sinharaja where
placid undergrowth lie in wait for the appreciation of all who
wish to indulge in an adventure to the tranquil wilderness of
Sri Lanka’s world renowned rainforest.
Continue on to the beautiful Jetwing Blue in Negombo and
spend the final day on this paradise island. After a busy
week of traveling, you’ll enjoy being close to the beach at
this beautiful hotel as you reflect on your time in Ceylon and
watch your last glorious sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Special farewell dinner with Mr.Hiran Cooray or any family
member.
Jetwing Blue
Day 12
Though it will be difficult to say goodbye, all good things
come to an end. Your representative from Jetwing will meet
you on time in the hotel lobby to return you by way of a
scenic drive to the international airport for your departing
flight and a safe journey home.
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