Journey through an Enchanted Island

Transcription

1 Journey through an Enchanted Island Day 1 (Colombo Kotugoda) On arrival in Sri Lanka at 23:30 you ll need to clear immigration, collect your luggage then proceed through the customs green channel into the arrival hall. A Banyan Lanka representative will be waiting in the designated area with a paging board. Your onwards travel documents will be handed to you and you ll be introduced to your private English speaking chauffeur guide who will be with you for the remainder of your tour. You will then be driven to The Wallawwa where you will spend 1 night. This is a charming boutique hotel in a pretty garden setting and it s only 20 minutes from the airport. Overnight: The Wallawwa, Garden Suite (Bed and Breakfast Basis)

2 Day 2 (Kotugoda Anuradhapura) This morning your chauffeur guide will meet you at the Wallawwa and will transfer you by road to the heart of Sri Lanka s Cultural Triangle, to Anuradhapura (approx 5 hours). En route to your hotel stop off to visit the ancient site at Yapahuwa, which is often overlooked by tourists visiting the cultural triangle. Built around a huge granite rock rising almost a 100 meters above the surrounding lowlands, Yapahuwa s outstanding feature is the marvelous stone stairway which climbs with Maya- like steepness to the old palace, which once housed the sacred tooth relic. After lunch locally continue on to Ulagalla Resort, which is located 30 minutes from the ancient site of Anuradhapura. Stay 3 nights. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Ulagalla Resort, Wannamaduwa Wing (Half Board) Day 3 (Anuradhapura and Mihintale) Today your chauffeur guide will take you on a tour of the nearby ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Mihintale (10 minutes to Mihintale and an additional 20 minutes to Anuradhapura). Mihintale is revered for being the place where the king was converted to Buddhism in 243 BC, enabling the religion to spread over the whole island, and therefore is a place of great spiritual significance. It is a great monastic city encompassing four forested hills. The climb is worth the effort for the superb views from the hills: one hilltop has a modern Buddha which is beautifully carved, another has an impressive dagoba and temple, and the other is a climb up stone cut grooves to a meditation rock outcrop. Anuradhapura's monuments and gleaming white dagobas rise out of the jungle and show a very advanced ancient civilization. The city was the centre of power on the island for over 1400 years. It boasts the oldest dams in the world and the sacred Bodhi tree, the oldest historically documented tree in the world, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over Asia. Return to your hotel this afternoon. Overnight: Ulagalla Resort, Wannamaduwa Wing (Half Board)

3 Day 4 (Sigiriya) After breakfast your chauffeur guide will meet you at a designated time and take you to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (approx 1 hour). Rising 200 meters up from the plains, Sigiriya Rock (or Lion Rock) was one of the most short- lived, yet fascinating citadels of ancient Sri Lanka. Rumored to have been built in a mere 7 years, King Kassapa retained his throne for just six years once the citadel was completed. It is a spectacular feat nonetheless with the palace structures built on the summit and all the materials would have been manually carried and hoisted up sheer rock face. Although little remains of the pleasure palace on the summit, it is still impossible not to marvel at such a feat, as well as admire the incredible views over the surrounding pleasure gardens and the Sri Lankan countryside. It is advisable to do the climb in the morning so that you avoid the final ascent in the midday sun. Return to the hotel for a late lunch and then rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Ulagalla, Wannamaduwa Wing (Half Board) Day 5 (Anuradhapura Kandy) After breakfast travel to Dambulla (approx 45 minutes) which consists of five magically lit caves which feature remarkable hand carved Buddha statues and colourful murals representing the life of Buddha. Many of the statues have been gilded in gold leaf, and the murals are painted in rich russet and gold hues. Dating back to the 2nd Century BC and all hand carved the rock temples ands are reached by a steep climb and via a white colonnaded walkway. At the bottom of the stairs is a 30 meter golden Buddha which was competed in Continue on to Kandy (ap[rox 2 hours) and stay 2 nights at the lovely Kandy House. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps just relaxing by the pool which is surrounded by dense jungle. Kandy s main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century A.D., the sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignty for its rulers and always enshrined in great splendour. Kandy s Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, moat, turrets, golden roof and fine wood- work and its 16th 19th century ambience vividly alive. Three religious services (pooja) with traditional music, held daily at dawn, mid- day and in the evening, can be viewed by visitors. We shall be taking you to the evening Puja which is definitely the busiest but also the most

4 interesting with the prayer halls lit up with candles and the smell of incense permeates. The sounds of drumming, bells and chanting also reverberate throughout the temple as pilgrims throng to make offerings at the alter of the Buddha s tooth. Overnight: The Kandy House, Ultra Suite (Breakfast) Day 6 (Kandy) This morning you will be driven 40 minutes out to Peradeniya to see the Royal Botanical Gardens which are exceptionally beautiful. To the botanist, this is indeed a land of plenty. The diversified climate allows for the growth of tropical as well as sub- tropical trees. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet- zone tropical forest contrast with the arid scrub land and talipot palms of the dry north. In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless patnas of Horton Plains to the dark cloud forests, wreathed with the protected Old Man's Beard Moss. These gardens have a long and proud history, punctuated by colonialism, and industrial change. Throughout this period the gardens have continued to flourish, and the plant collections and herbarium grown. Continue to nearby Pinawella, the government- run elephant orphanage near Kegalle which was set up to save abandoned or orphaned wild elephants. They are controlled by their keepers to make sure they feed at the right times and don't endanger anyone, but other wise roam freely around the sanctuary. It is a great place to visit as it really does well for the elephants, it is well run and the elephants are just wonderful to watch, especially when they re bathing and being washed in the river. Bathing time is 2pm and it s a really special spectacle to see all the elephants rushing down to the river. We shall ensure you are here by then. Return to your hotel later this evening. Overnight: Kandy House, Ultra Suite (Breakfast) Day 7 (Kandy Hatton) This morning you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the station in time to board your train to Hatton. The train departs at and arrives into Hatton by 11:00. This is a wonderful train that chugs up through the hills very slowly. We shall try to get seats for you in the observation car but these cannot be

5 guaranteed. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to Ceylon Tea Trails where you will stay 3 nights in one of four exquisite bungalows, Norwood, which is nestled among the cool hills of the Bogawantalwa region. All the bungalows have been delightfully renovated and are utterly charming, providing you with a glimpse into the elegant lifestyles of the early British pioneers who introduced Ceylon tea to the island. Each bungalow is unique and allows you to journey on a time trail from British colonial to post- colonial Sri Lankan. Overnight: Tea Trails, Master Suite (Full Board) Days 8 & 9 (Hatton) The next two days are at leisure at Tea Trails. Here you can really unwind wander the lush gardens and scenic paths from one colonial bungalow to the next, row across the lake, curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book, or visit the Tea Spa for a soothing massage. There s plenty to do for the more active and one of the highlights here is that all the bungalows are close enough so that you can walk from one to the other, have lunch at one and then walk back or on to another for tea. Spend time exploring the pretty plantation and immerse yourself in the spectacular surroundings, visit a tea factory and witness the time- honoured tradition of those who make the finest tea in the world. You can play tennis, walk, explore the ea estate, or just rest by the lovely swimming pool and admire the gardens and views. They have been exquisitely done up and represent some of Sri Lanka s finest accommodation. Overnight: Tea Trails, Master Suite (Full Board) Day 10 (Hatton Galle) After breakfast, you will be driven further south (approx 6-7 hours) to Galle. It is a long but particularly beautiful journey through the hill country to the coast road. Stop for lunch in Bentota at Club Villa (on direct payment). On arrival into Galle check into Amangalla which is located in the heart of the fort. Galle is Sri Lanka's most historically interesting town, having being occupied by the Dutch,

6 Portuguese and British. In 1663 the Dutch built the 36- hectare Fort, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort has a unique old world atmosphere that bears witness to its past through crumbling architecture, street names and Dutch churches. The old colonial mansions, narrow streets, and ancient cars roaming the streets make Galle Fort a hauntingly beautiful place to escape into the past. Stay 2 nights at the stunning old colonial Amangalla Hotel. Overnight: Amangalla, Chamber (Breakfast) Day 11 (Galle) This morning explore Galle with your guide and learn all about this fascinating and ancient living fort. Galle is somewhere which is lovely to wander around on foot, having a drink on the ramparts looking out to sea and exploring its maze of narrow streets. Occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, who used the natural harbour as their main port until 1875, it is a picturesque town is full of monuments, ramparts and a spectacular fort. The Dutch particularly have left their mark on the town. A walk along the old ramparts, jutting out to sea, is a must with views over the rooftops and superb sunsets over the sea. Galle is also famous for its gem shops, antiques and delicate hand made lace. Overnight: Amangalla, Chamber (Breakfast) Day 12 (Galle Wadduwa) Today you will be driven 2-3 hours up the coast to Wadduwa where you spend 3 nights at Reef Villa. This is a delightful small hotel which is extremely comfortable and with great charm and character, rarely found in beach hotels. It is set in three acres of exotic tropical gardens with palm fringed pavilions and reflection pools in a coconut grove, just a short stroll across the garden to the beach. With the shimmering Indian Ocean as its backdrop, there are just 7 gorgeous suites here so it s ultimately private and peaceful. They are the epitome of elegance, luxury and discretion, designed along extravagant Indo- Colonial lines. Gentle service, al fresco dining, private terrace dining, vast sandy beach, all weather tennis court, swimming pool, lush tropical gardens, huge lily ponds, garden pavilions, gourmet kitchens and a fabulous Reefresh Spa, Reef sets a new bench mark for luxury accommodation in Sri Lanka. It is intimate, romantic and completely beautiful. Overnight: Reef Villa, Main House Suite (Breakfast)

7 Days (Wadduwa) Two full days to relax on the beach, explore on your own, visit a turtle hatchery in Bentota (45 minutes drive), or the local temple at Kalutara, or take a boat ride on the local Madu Ganga River. Overnight: Reef Villa, Main House Suite (Breakfast) Day 15 (Wadduwa Airport) Today we have arranged a late check out at Reef for you, so you can enjoy all the facilities at the hotel until its time to check out of your hotel and head to the airport. The drive from Wadduwa to the airport is just 2 hours so you will not need to check out of the hotel until 21:00. Check in for your flight which departs at 01:10am on Day 16. Day Room: Reef Villa, Main House Suite (Breakfast) *************End of Services************** PRICES OF THE ABOVE TOUR (All Prices on Per Person Basis) A/C Car (2 Pax) Per Person Cost based on Twin Occupancy from $ Per Person Single Supplement from $ Per person Vehicle Upgrade (SUV) from$ Prices Include: - Accommodation on twin room occupancy - Meals as mentioned in the itinerary - Transport in an air- conditioned vehicle - Chauffeur guide services for the sightseeing - Entrances to the mentioned monuments - All currently applicable taxes Prices DO NOT Include: - International air- fare, visa fees, airport tax or any kind of insurance cover - Items of a personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc - Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary - Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains, political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc - Any other item not specifically mentioned above as 'INCLUDED' - Car and driver at disposal whilst at Reef Villa General Conditions - The price is in AUD on a per person basis. - All prices are subject to any revision of taxes and tariff structure.

8 TRANSPORT INFORMATION We are incredibly particular about our transport services. Our drivers are also a critical component of our promised service to our clients. Through training and maintenance of quality control, we ensure our drivers not only drive safely but extend a very high level of courtesies to their passengers. We also ensure we make contact with our clients regularly throughout their holiday to ensure everything is running smoothly and they are happy with the vehicles and drivers. Banyan Lanka Tours offers three main vehicle types: a saloon car which is ideal for 2 people (3 at a stretch but not recommended); a mini- van ideal for anywhere between 3-6 people, or an SUV type vehicle such as a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Toyota Qualis, which offer greater comfort and style on Sri Lanka s busy roads and have excellent handling, offer greater legroom, spacious luggage compartment, and a host of extras which ensure that your driving hours can be spent in maximum comfort. GENERAL TRAVEL GUIDELINES FOR SRI LANKA Visa Formalities For visiting Sri Lanka visas are currently granted on arrival. Dress Sri Lanka is a very casual country, so no smart attire is required at any of the hotels. That said, you may like to change for dinner at certain hotels simply to make it more of an occasion. This is a personal decision. Because of the tropical climate light cotton and linen clothing is ideal. You will need some sturdy shoes for the climb up Sigiriya Rock, and on safari muted colours are best. Because of the heat we recommend you carry a sun hat and sunglasses at all times. We also suggest you pack some form of waterproof jacket as rain is always a possibility in Sri Lanka. Currency Sri Lanka s currency is the 'Rupee', abbreviated as Rps. Rupees. Notes (Bills) are in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 & 1000 and 2000 Rupees. It is not possible to purchase Sri Lankan Rupees outside of the country. The current exchange rate is approximately 110 Rps to the Australian Dollar Foreign Exchange Visiting foreigners can exchange money at international airports where 24- hour exchange facilities are available, through banks and approved moneychangers. Because you will not be spending any time in the cities we suggest you get all necessary currency at the airport on arrival. Travelers Cheques/Credit Cards Travelers Cheques should be of well- known brands like Thomas Cook, American Express and Visa. The hotels generally accept Major Credit Cards like American Express, Master Cards, Visa, etc, including hotels, shops and airlines.

9 Tipping It is usual to tip your chauffeur guide and National Park Drivers and Guide. Though we give below the general guidelines, it is to be remembered that tipping is a sign of gratification for good service, and therefore please view these guidelines as the middle ground, which can be adjusted depending on the level of service you feel you have received. Please note the below amounts are per couple/ individual traveler. Chauffeur Guide : AUD$ $20.00 per day given on departure. Please note that whilst all hotels include a 10% service charge in their rates, it is customary to leave tips at the end of your stay at the boutique properties in particular. We suggest 1000 Rupees per day which can be left with the manager on departure Electricity in Sri Lanka voltage is 230 volts AC, 50 cycles, though some areas also have DC supplies. Visitors are advised to check the voltage before using electrical appliances. Socket sizes vary, so it is as well to take a set of plug adapters, available from most electrical stores. Prohibited Articles The import of prohibited articles such as dangerous drugs, live plants, gold/silver bullion and coins, not in current use, is either totally prohibited or restricted. The law provides heavy penalties for the infringement of this restriction. Also, by law, visitors are banned from taking antiques and wildlife products out of the country any infringement is punishable by fines and imprisonment. Photography Visitors to Sri Lanka find varied subjects for photography including people, monuments, wildlife, festivities, and landscapes. Note, however, these formalities, in respect of photography: Visiting Places of Worship Removing one s shoes before entering any temples is essential. Do not wear shorts or sleeveless tops in places of public worship. Insurance it is always advisable to obtain good travel insurance to cover the worst possible scenario. Do keep a copy of your policy separately as a safeguard. Inoculations/Vaccinations: Before traveling to Sri Lanka it is advised that you consult your doctor or local travel clinic regarding any inoculations you may need. Malaria preventive course may be taken before your trip, but again this should be consulted with your doctor. Fit for Travel (a UK based website) is a good source of advice and information on travel health

10 RECOMMENDED READING LIST: SRI LANKA TTITLE Birds of Sri Lanka A Year In Green Tea and Tuk- Tuks Mosquito The Flower Boy Monkfish Moon When Memory Dies Funny Boy From Ceylon to Sri Lanka A Disobedient Girl Anil s Ghost Homesick AUTHOR Deepal Warakagoda Rory Spowers Roma Tearne Karen Roberts Romesh Gunesekera A Sivanandan Shyam Selvadurai Mox Morgan- Davies Ru Freeman Michael Ondaatje Roshi Fernando SRI LANKA S CLIMATE Sri Lanka has a year round tropical climate which offers warmth and sunshine throughout the year. In Colombo and the west coast, noon temperatures range between 28-32C in Colombo and peak in April, which can be quite uncomfortable humid, before the monsoon rains. Up in the hill country daytime temperatures average about 10C cooler. Humidity ranges between percent in Colombo, lower in the highlands and cultural triangle. Ocean breezes also moderate temperatures on the coast, making travel even in the hottest months tolerable. However as is the case worldwide the monsoon is becoming increasingly unpredictable, and the traditionally wet months often go a week or more without any rain. Sri Lanka averages about 240cms. But figures vary widely from region to region The north and east coast experiences its monsoon from December to February, whilst the south west monsoon affects Colombo and further south in may and June.

11 Month Average Sunlight (hours) WEATHER CHART FOR COLOMBO Temperature Average Record Min Max Min Max Discomfort from heat and humidity Relative humidity am pm Average Precipitation (mm) Wet Days (+0.25 mm) Jan High Feb High March High April High May High June High July High Aug High Sept High Oct High Nov High Dec Medium Month WEATHER CHART FOR NUWARA ELIYA Temperature Average Sunlight Average Record (hours) Min Max Min Max Discomfort from heat and humidity Relative humidity am pm Average Precipitation (mm) Wet Days (+0.25 mm) Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

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