variety sri lanka cycle challenge 2018

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1 Indian Sub continent variety sri lanka cycle trip highlights Experience remote regions of Sri Lanka Cultural performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers Immerse yourself in local culinary cooking Explore Dambulla Cave Temple Search for wild elephants in the Udawalawe National Park Learn about the production of Ceylon Tea Be educated about the various Sri Lankan herbs, spices, indigenous medicines and Ayurveda in Matale Climb to the top of Sigiraya Fortress for sweeping views Enjoy farming life in the Habarana Tank Trip Duration 13 days Trip Code: VAC Grade Introductory Activities Cycling, Cooking Summary 10 nights comfortable hotel accommodation, twin share basis welcome to World Expeditions At World Expeditions we are passionate about our off the beaten track experiences as they provide our travellers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. We are committed to ensuring that our unique itineraries are well researched, affordable and tailored for the enjoyment of small groups or individuals philosophies that have been at our core since 1975 when we began operating adventure holidays. Our itineraries will give you the very best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge who share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach. Whether you like your adventures to include trekking, touring, cycling, mountaineering, kayaking or cruising World Expeditions can make it happen for you. We hope you will join us for a life changing experience!! why travel with World Expeditions? When planning travel to a remote and challenging destination, many factors need to be considered. Every trip is accompanied by an experienced local leader who is highly trained in first aid, as well as knowledgeable crew that share a passion for the region in which they work, and a desire to share it with you. We use comfortable 3 star accommodation in hand picked hotels. Our equipment is the best available and we provide a support crew and vehicle. Most meals and excursions are included in the tour price. Most importantly, our adventures have always sought to benefit the local peoples we interact with, safeguard the ecosystems we explore and contribute to the sustainability of travel in the regions we experience World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

2 trip cost Joining Auckland: $6090 All prices are per person options & supplements the trip This year s Variety Cycle Challenge sees NZ s favourite journalist, Mike McRoberts, behind the handlebars for this unique journey through Sri Lanka. Mike is a much loved journalist who is best known for his work in some of the world s most dangerous places, covering conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, East Timor and Solomon Islands. He has covered some of the world s worst natural disasters from tsunamis to wildfires and earthquakes, including the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the Japan earthquake and tsunami and then, close to home the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010 and When he is not reporting, Mike s interests include rugby, reading and music. Mike follows in the footsteps of some other great ambassadors for Variety who have taken up the cycle challenge, including TV and radio personality Rawdon Christie, actress Antonia Prebble and Olympian Sarah Walker. Mike is excited about helping kiwi kids through the Variety programme, having two children himself. He believes that all children deserve a fighting chance at a wonderful life and if we can start by helping our own children to achieve this, then this is a wonderful thing. Come and explore all that Sri Lanka has to offer, experiencing the sights and sounds at handlebar level, all whilst getting fitter and helping our very own kiwi kids back home by supporting Variety s Bikes for Kids Programme. about your leader/escort Your tour will be led by fabulous Sri Lankan local guides who will give you insightful information during your travels, answer questions you may have and provide a safe and happy environment during your travels. They are bilingual guides there to guide you every step of the way through this beautiful country. at a glance DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 DAY 10 DAY 11 DAY 12 DAY 13 DEPART AUCKLAND - ARRIVE COLOMBO KALUTARA TO BALAPITIYA (CYCLE APPROX 60KMS) HAKKMANA TO EMBILIPITIYA AND COACH TO UDAWALAWE (CYCLE APPROX 50KMS) UDAWALWE TO WALLAWAYA TO NUWARA ELIYA (CYCLE APPROX 68KMS) NUWARA ELIYA TO KANDY (CYCLE APPROX 55KMS) EXPLORE KANDY KANDY TO MATALE AND ONTO DAMBULLA (CYCLE APPROX 70KMS) HABARANA/SIGIRIYA AND HIRIWADUNA VILLAGE (CYCLE APPROX 20KMS) HABARANA TO POLONNARUWA (CYCLE APPROX 50KMS) HABARANA TO NEGAMBO (CYCLE APPROX 90KMS) DEPART COLOMBO DEPART COLOMBO FOR AUCKLAND ARRIVE AUCKLAND additional deposits required This trip requires the prepayment of group airfares and ground arrangements. Therefore in addition to the standard NZD $400 per person deposit, we also require an additional NZD $300 per person deposit thus a total non refundable deposit of NZD $700 per person to confirm your place on the trip. We recommend you take out travel insurance at the time of booking World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

3 Feb - 04 Mar trip dates fast facts Countries Visited: Sri Lanka Visas: Please check visa requirements with your reservations consultant* Vaccinations: Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information Singles: A single supplement is available for this trip* Leader: Expert local leader *Ask our staff for more information. what s included Return Singapore Airlines Economy airfares to Colombo from Auckland (other NZ cities on request and at additional charge) 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners Airport transfers in Colombo (day 1 and 11 only) Comfortable accommodation on a twin share basis in hotels Bike rental including helmet Bike mechanic and support vehicle on cycling days Water and fruits provided when cycling Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary Cooking classes/demonstrations as mentioned in itinerary Expert bilingual guide Group medical kit ** $500 donation to Variety The Children s Charity ** A Variety T shirt for a fabulous Colombo group picture ** Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. The policy seems to benefit the tour operators, more than the local economies or travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the cost and risk of cash handling to travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices we have chosen a policy not to ask for such payments. detailed itinerary DAY 1 Depart Auckland - Arrive Colombo You will depart Auckland at approximately 1.30pm bound for Colombo via Singapore. You will be met on arrival in Colombo at 11.55pm and be transferred to the group hotel, approximately an hour s drive from the International Airport via the modern expressway close to the beach of Waskaduwa for a good night s rest. Overnight: Coco Royal Beach Hotel Waskaduwa or similar meals: NIL DAY 2 Kalutara to Balapitiya (cycle approx 60kms) After a relaxed and late breakfast we inspect our bikes, make personal adjustments, tag our bikes and then board our tour coach and travel to the regions of Balapitiya where we board our boats and venture out to explore the waters of River Madu. We move through the mangroves, prawn traps and cinnamon islands, enriched with birds, monkeys, water-monitor lizards and much more, enjoying our boat safari. After our safari we enjoy a traditional fisherman s lunch of black fish curry, with Coconut Sambal, served with special bread from the wood-fired kiln. It s from here that we board our bikes and commence cycling from Balapitiya through to Galle, exploring the spectacular Dutch City and there after continuing to ride to the regions of Ahangama. Overnight: Insight Hotel Ahangama or similar DAY 3 Hakkmana to Embilipitiya and coach to Udawalawe (cycle approx 50kms) Following breakfast this morning we commence our journey by coach travelling towards the regions of Hakkmana an interior village of the south, where our bikes will be ready for us to commence our days cycling. Sometimes we cycle on muddy tracks and sometimes on paved roads through changing landscapes of dry zone jungle and paddy fields to reach the regions of Embilipitiya. When the roads become busy, we surrender our bikes and board our tour coach to travel a short distance to the comfort of the Elephant Trails Hotel where we settle in for a simple Rice and Curry Lunch World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

4 responsible travel The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence. World Expeditions were the proud recipients of the inaugural Australian National Travel Industry s Environmental Achievement award for our Responsible Travel Guidebook. This detailed guide to responsible and sustainable travel is provided to all World Expeditions clients before they travel. Please ask your consultant if you have not received your copy of our award winning book. Alternatively, you may like to download a copy from our website trip grading Introductory These trips involve trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trip. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended. and freshen up. At around 3.30pm we board our jeeps and venture out to explore the Udawalawe National Park in search of large herds of wild elephant, crocodiles, birds, monkeys and more. We return to our hotel for dinner and a rest. Overnight: Elephant Trails Hotel or Athgira River Side Camp DAY 4 Udawalwe to Wallawaya to Nuwara Eliya (cycle approx 68kms) Today we will start off with a visit to the Elephant Transit Home, to experience and witness the many baby elephants being bottle fed at around 9.00am. We then commence our ride, cycling through the lush green environments of the Udawalawe park on one side, village life, rice fields and sugar cane cultivation on the other as we ride through from Udawalawe to Thanamalvilla. We continue on to the regions of Wallawaya from which point we surrender our bikes and commence our journey by coach to the regions of Nuwara Eliya. En route we take a break at the spectacular view point Ella for some relaxation and lunch and before continuing our journey of travel to the regions of Nuwara Eliya. Dinner can be enjoyed at the hotel tonight. Overnight: Glenfall Reach Hotel or Stanford Hotel DAY 5 Nuwara Eliya to Kandy (cycle approx 55kms) We depart Nuwara Eliya and commence our journey towards Kandy through the beautiful lush green tea plantations. We initially commence our ride from Nuwara Eliya and ride up towards the regions of the Blue Field Tea Factory where we take a break. We will visit the tea factory and get the opportunity to experience all aspects of the production of Ceylon tea. We will experience tea picking and tea tasting and have a bit of fun with a tea leaf picking competition, to see who can pick the highest weight of leaf in a stipulated time. From here we continue our ride to regions of Gampola, where from this point onwards we surrender our bikes and board the comfort of our coach to travel to the regions of Kandy. Arriving in Kandy, we enter the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of the trees. We explore this spectacular and beautiful botanical garden and then further explore the regions of Kandy before settling into the comfort of our hotel for an evening of relaxation. Overnight: Senani Hotel or Gangaaddara Hotel ** todays ride is a steep, winding downhill ride DAY 6 Explore Kandy Kandy is Sri Lanka s hill capital and the strong holds of the Sinhala Kings, and one of the country s most beautiful towns. It is 488 metres above sea level and next to Colombo is Sri Lanka s most visited town. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Our tour this morning visits the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, Upper Lake Drive (for a great view of the city). We also explore the gem museum during our city tour. Kandy is an exciting place for shopping and you can pick up some great souvenirs such as: wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, and many more. This evening we proceed to the Kandyan Cultural Centre for a cultural performance by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers which concludes with flame and fire walking dance rituals. Overnight: Senani Hotel or Gangaaddara Hotel DAY 7 Kandy to Matale and onto Dambulla (cycle approx 70kms) This morning we commence our journey, proceeding to the vicinity of Katugastota, where we commence our ride, cycling through the regions of Matale. We take a break at a spice garden where World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

5 adventure travel By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you speak with your consultant or travel agent. important note These trip notes represent the most current information for this itinerary, and may supersede any information in the current brochure, including but not limited to the itinerary and price. The itinerary should be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature and other circumstances beyond our control. we learn about the different Sri Lankan herbs and spices, indigenous medicines and ayurveda. We are then joined by the village elder ladies who join us in a traditional Sri Lankan cooking experience. We take part in a coconut scraping competition where the client who scrapes the largest quantity of coconut will be rewarded with a prize. After enjoying our cooking and lunch we recommence our ride and cycle through to the cave temples of Dambulla where we surrender our bikes to explore the spectacular rock cave temples. From here we continue to our hotel for the night. Overnight: The Danawwa Resort and Spa Habarana or similar DAY 8 Habarana/Sigiriya and Hiriwaduna Village (cycle approx 20kms) This morning we commence our journey, collecting our bikes and riding through the village of Sigiriya. We ride through the back roads of Sigiriya passing the village temple, school, rice fields and to the foot of the spectacular wonder of the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Upon our arrival we enjoy some fresh fruit before we venture to the Sigiriya Museum and explore all the significant areas of this spectacular fortress. Those who are energetic and wanting spectacular views, can climb the 1200 steps to the top. After completing this spectacular experience we proceed to the village of Hiriwaduna, where the farmers of the village will be ready and waiting. We will board a farmers hand tractor, and proceed up to the Habarana Tank, where we board the farmers simple canoes that take us across the waters of the Habarana Tank. Today we enjoy a real treat with true traditional Sri Lankan village cooking and a spectacular lunch prepared in clay pots on a open brick fire, complete with freshly baked coconut rotti. We are then transferred to our hotel to realx. Overnight: Danawwa Hotel or similar DAY 9 Habarana to Polonnaruwa (cycle approx 50kms) We commence our ride from Sinharagama passing the Minneriya National Park, the Gritale Tank, the spectacular upright Buddha Image of Gritale and rice fields before reaching the city of Polonnaruwa. This region of the country experienced one of the most predominant Chola invasions and saw much of its spectacular Buddhist artifacts destroyed and vandalised during the invasion of 1197 to 1215AD. We explore this historical city on bike, before surrendering our bikes in time for lunch. From here we board our coach and travel back to the regions of Habarana where we will experience a total evening of relaxation by the pool or perhaps choose to enjoy a top quality Ayurvedic Spa treatment at one of the countries best spas in the region. Overnight: Danawwa Resort Spa or similar DAY 10 Habarana to Negambo (cycle approx 90kms) After a relaxed breakfast we board our bikes and commence our final ride, as we cycle from Habarana to Kurunegala, passing through some busy towns and typical village environments. On reaching Kurunegala, we are welcomed by Chef Michael and the Saruketha Restaurant and kitchen team, who join us in a traditional cookery demonstration. This is followed by lunch before we make our way towards the regions of Negambo to the comfort of the Rani Beach Hotel and an afternoon to enjoy and reflect on how far you have cycled. Overnight: Rani Beach Hotel or similar DAY 11 Depart Colombo All good things must come to an end. Our rooms will need to be vacated at 12.00pm, however we can move our belongings to 4 Day use/change rooms which the group can use until 9.00pm. You World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

6 can spend the day as you please, perhaps relaxing on the beach, sitting by the pool with a good book or strolling around Negambo. A final farewell dinner will be enjoyed before we depart the hotel at 10.00pm for our transfer to the airport. meals: B,D DAY 12 Depart Colombo for Auckland Our flight departs approximately 1.10am bound for Auckland via Singapore. Arrival into Singapore is approximately 7.40am with plenty of time for shopping or relaxing. Flight departs at 8.50pm bound for Auckland. meals: NIL DAY 13 Arrive Auckland Kia Ora and Welcome Back home. Our flight is due to arrive at approximately 11.45am. meals: NIL This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control. cycling We believe that cycling is one of the best ways to see a country. Our cycling trips have been well researched to take you on the best route which usually means a combination of tarmac and dirt roads, the odd main road but generally smaller secondary roads. And sometimes even the occasional hill! All of this so that you can see the incredible scenery and landscapes, view the main sights and along the way eat delicious food, stay at unique accommodation and discover the incredible people. Generally we supply you with geared (21 27) mountain or touring bikes and support vehicle which will follow the group on almost all sections of the ride. All equipment and luggage will be carried by the support vehicle. You will need to carry a small day pack with your camera, sunscreen and water. It is important to remember that these cycling journeys are not designed to be a marathon event. No one needs to feel under pressure to ride. If at any point you do not wish to ride the vehicle is always available for you and your bike to be transported. Usually we stop every 10 to 20kms for a rest. This will be the time to recover your breath and replenish your fluids and energy with water and snacks. Remember that cycling involves some physical exertion, so you cannot expect that you will not feel tired. A little bit of preparation will go a long way. Cycling, of course, is an active pursuit and to maximise your own personal protection in case of a tumble or fall, the wearing of a bicycle helmet is compulsory at all times whilst cycling. country information Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is an island republic in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of India. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. Lying between the two nations is a chain of small islands known as Adam s Bridge.The greatest length from north to south is about 440 km (about 273 miles); the greatest width is about 220 km (about 137 miles). The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 square kilometres (25,332 sq miles)..sri Lanka s coast, particularly the west, south, and southeast, is palm fringed and indented by lagoons and inlets. The more rugged northeastern coast contains Trincomalee Harbor, considered one of the best natural harbours in the world. The administrative capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura (Kotte); and Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city. Around 74 percent of the population of Sri Lanka is of Sinhalese descent.the largest minority groups are the Sri Lankan Tamils and the Indian Tamils, which together account for about 18 percent of the population.the remaining population includes the descendants of Moors (Arabs), Burghers (Dutch), Malays, and Veddas.The World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

7 population is 19.3 million, with the majority living in the countryside and only 23% residing in urban areas. The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala, or Sinhalese, and Tamil. Sinhala is spoken by 74 percent of the population. Tamil, a Dravidian language of southern India, is spoken by people living in the northern and eastern provinces. English, the official language of the country until 1957, is still widely used. Buddhism was first introduced into Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, and is the dominant religion in Sri Lanka (approx. 69 percent of the population).15 percent of the population is Hindu, 8 percent is Christian, and 8 percent is Muslim. Religion plays an important role in Sri Lanka; a revival of Buddhism was associated with the rise of Sinhalese nationalism. Most public holidays are based on religious festivals.the annual torchlight temple procession, or Perahara, in which ornamentally covered elephants and hundreds of dancers participate, draws thousands of devotees. Pilgrimages also play an important role here.the most important pilgrimage is to the top of Adams Peak. Muslims believe that Adam and Eve lived here after they left the Garden of Eden. Buddhists visit a rock on the peak that they believe contains one of Buddha s footprints. Another important pilgrimage is to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, where it is believed that one of Buddha s teeth is enshrined. climate Sri Lanka is very much a tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons and a generally humid climate, however may depend on your location on the island. Our trip operates in the South West where the dry season extends from December to March. Average temperature will be around 27 degrees Celsius in coastal flat areas, 20 degrees Celsius in Kandy and may fall to around degrees Celsius in the hills. You should be prepared for cool nights in the hills as low as 10 degrees Celsius. a typical day When sightseeing we will be met by our guide early in the morning for a full day of activities. For detailed information on cycling days please read the cycling paragraph in this document. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. what you carry In your daypack you will need to carry a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip eze etc. equipment required We highly recommend bike pants, gloves and a gel seat cover for your own comfort. A full gear list will be provided on booking World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

8 vehicles & safety During the course of your trip, we will use a variety of vehicles, all of which are fit for purpose and the conditions encountered. It should be noted that laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and on occasion some vehicles may not have seat belts fitted. While game viewing within a national park could be one example, public bus transfers or specialised transport such as tuk tuk s could be another. Where seat belts are not provided we strongly recommend that you hold tight to a fixed part of the vehicle at all times. what s not included Travel insurance (compulsory) Visa fees Tips and gratuities Meals and beverages not not indicated in the itinerary Any optional tours, sightseeing and entry fees not listed in the itinerary Expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry etc visas Visas are required to enter Sri Lanka and visitors must obtain an online visa, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to arrival. For stays of less than 30 days, travellers can apply for an ETA online (US$35) at the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Maldives are the only countries exempt from the requirement of obtaining an ETA to visit Sri Lanka. Please ensure that your passport has an expiry date of greater than 6 months during your visit to Sri Lanka. funding Money raised will provide brand new bikes and helmets for disadvantaged Kiwi kids as part of Variety s Bikes for Kids programme. Every year 450 bikes and helmets are given to children who have overcome adverse circumstances, come from a family simply not in a position to purchase a bike and in other cases the programme recognises and rewards children who are role models at their school or in their community. This recognition not only benefits the child concerned, but provides an incentive for their peers to follow in their footsteps and become good school and community citizens. The cost of this trip includes at $500 donation to Variety and all participants are encouraged to fundraise even more money an extra $200 will purchase another bike & helmet how many bikes can you fundraise for?? subscribe to our e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, or contact our office. social networking Follow us on Facebook at World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM

9 trip availability If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to call us now to check availability. There are many reasons why you may not be able to join your desired departure and limited space on our small group departures is just one of them. Many of our adventures require us to secure services on your behalf; such as trekking permits, train travel and visa invitation letters. The demand is increasing each year making it difficult to join a trip last minute. To ensure we can assist you onto your adventure of a lifetime we ask that you check your trip availability with our team at your earliest convenience. how to book To book a World Expeditions trip, you will need to complete a booking form and pay a non refundable deposit which you can do by using our online booking function for most trips, or if you prefer, download a booking form from the website and return to us by fax, or mail your booking form and deposit to your nearest World Expeditions office or travel agent. We can also help you with any additional arrangements that you require, such as competitive airfares to get you to your destination, stopovers, pre or post trip accommodation or any additional tours that you wish to take in conjunction with the main World Expeditions trip World Expeditions Travel Group - Natalie Tambolash 10/12/2017 1:28:20 PM