ITINERARY. (11 Days/10 Nights)

Transcription

1 ITINERARY (11 Days/10 Nights)

2 DAY 1 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Arrival Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo International) Welcome to Sri Lanka!! You will be met by our airport representative who will be holding a board with your name and waiting for you in the arrivals hall after you pass the baggage claims and customs. You may want to change some currency or purchase a local mobile sim, both of which can be done prior to starting your tour and the airport representative will help you with this. He will then introduce you to your chauffeur guide.

3 Transfer to * Transfer Details: 10 km, 0.25 hrs Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo (Standard Room) Goldi Sands Negombo the name says it all! Miles upon miles of golden beaches, bright sunshine and clear blue skies, surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean, a most idyllic setting waiting to be explored. The beach at Goldi Sands is probably one of the finest natural and un-spoilt beaches in the island and is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Take a leisurely stroll on the sandy shore; enjoy the refreshing sea breeze on your face while the waves embrace your feet. Watch the fishing boats take off to sea or even take a boat ride yourself, dip in the ocean and relax on a sundeck in the shade of the thatched huts under the swaying palm trees. Be spellbound by the beautiful sunset as it slowly disappears into the horizon. This would probably be the most perfect beach holiday any

4 holidaymaker could dream of!! PM At Leisure This is a free night Lunch + Dinner Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him)

5 DAY 2 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS AM * Transfer Details: Private Transfer You will have private transport transfer you from your current hotel to your next hotel on the agenda 136 km, 3.75 hrs Breakfast is included Kassapa Lions Rock, Sigiriya (Chalet Room) An ideally located hotel situated facing the magnificent Sigiriya rock in the midst of a small village named Digampathaha. It is located just 20 minutes from the beautiful and ever famous town of Dambulla. "Kassapa Lions Rock" is an ideal base from which you can explore the many picturesque sites famous for its historic and cultural importance, such as Anurahapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Ritigala. National parks which are famous for wild elephants such as Minnariya, Kaudulla and Eco park are located in close proximity to the hotel. If you are on your way to

6 PM *Excursion Duration: 3 hrs the east, (Trincomalee, Batticaloa etc.) or you are in the vicinity visiting renowned cultural sites, just drop in for a moment of relaxation and enjoy a drink, have a meal or take a swim in the blue waters surrounded by a peaceful environment. Kassapa Lions Rock takes you back to an era of lavish grandeur offering calm and serenity...amidst a peace and quiet village... all set to make you relax and enjoy... Dambulla Rock Cave Temple + Economic Centre Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometres East of Colombo and 72 kilometres North of Kandy. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cavetemple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are

7 the 157 statues. The historic Dambulla Cave Temple marks history from back to 103BC, from the reign of Vattagamini Abhaya where he lost his power against a group of Tamil invaders and then found refuge in these caves for fourteen years.

8 Economic Centre Later, visit the Dambulla Economic Centre, a wholesale market specializing in vegetables and fruit. Produce from the region is brought here for distribution to retail outlets across the country. It is interesting to see the produce and witness the wholesale operations taking place. It is located in the Dambulla Secretariat Division of Matale District, in the center of Dambulla town. The economic center is fully owned by the Ministry of Co-

9 operatives & Internal Trade. A Management Trust has been appointed to control the activities of the Economic Centre. The Chairman of this trust is the Additional Secretary of the Ministry while the secretary of the trust is the Divisional Secretary of Dambulla. Lunch + Dinner Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him)

10 DAY 3 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Kassapa Lions Rock, Sigiriya Breakfast is included (Chalet Room) AM The Sigiriya Rock Fortress *Excursion Duration: 3 hrs Sigiriya or Simhagiri (Lion Rock Sinhalese:, Tamil: ச க ர ய, pronounced see-gi-ri-yə) is an ancient rock fortress located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of a historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa ( CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an

11 enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka. The breath-taking Rock Fortress of Sri Lanka has substantial historic merit, much like the near-by Dambulla Cave Temples, where it has been used since the 3rd Century BC by the native monks.

12 PM *Transfer Details: 56 km, 1 hrs *Excursion Duration: 3 hrs The Ruins of Polonnaruwa The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country and has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Sightseeing in Polonnaruwa will include the statue of the great Sinhalese King Parakramabahu who was responsible for building the Parakrama Samudra, a large reservoir that is still in use. The ancient ruins include the area known as the Quadrangle, the Thuparama Image House, the Gal Vihara with fine

13 detailed granite sculptures of the Lord Buddha, the Lankathilaka and the 12th century Lotus bath to name a few. Lunch + Dinner Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him)

14 DAY 4 EVENT Breakfast Hotel Suisse, Kandy (Standard Room) Breakfast is included DETAILS Ideally located right beside the historic and picturesque Kandy lake, the 90 roomed well known colonial styled Hotel Suisse, stands on nearly four acres of landscaped garden. This is the only city hotel in Kandy to stand on such a significantly massive acreage. Set on Bogambara Lake, this upscale hotel occupies a whitewashed, 18th-century colonial-style building. It is 2kms from both the Royal Palace of Kandy and the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth. Airy rooms feature elegant dark wood furniture, free Wi-Fi and TVs with satellite channels. Upgraded rooms have balconies or terraces with views of the gardens or the lake. Suites add separate living rooms. Room service is available.

15 AM *Transfer Details: 12 km, 0.25 hrs *Excursion Duration: 3 hrs Free breakfast is served in the polished restaurant, and there's also a sophisticated bar. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and a spa In the 17th century, it was the residence of the Chief Minister of the Royal Granary. However, in 1818 this property was acquired by the British and occupied by an officer, who named it "Haramby House". Years later, "Haramby House" was sold to a Swiss lady, Madam Burdayron, who ran it as a guest house. During the second world war from 1943 to 1945, it was used as the Headquarters of the South East Asia Command. Hiriwadunna Local Village Experience with Lunch The Hiriwadunna village in Habarana offers a unique village safari for tourists. Any traveler wanting to gain an insight in to the daily lives of the locals in this village can participate on their own volition in excursions, adventure safaris, agro tourism, night camping and Jeep safaris. During the leisurely ride you will

16 be able to see a large variety of dry zone bird life and vegetable plots of local farmers. Proceed to see the slash and burn (Chena) cultivation travelling by the traditional hand tractor. Learn how the farmers take care of their crops from atop a tree house and other aspects of their daily life. Ride on a Bullock cart (ox cart) along a dirt track and arrive at the village hut where you can see how the locals cook their rice and curry using earthenware pots and firewood for fuel. Take a short tuk tuk ride to the Hiriwadunna lake from where you will then embark onto a local boat to continue your journey to the village

17 PM *Transfer Details: 95 km, 2.5 hrs *Excursion Duration: 3 hrs Kandy City Tour including Royal Botanical Gardens and The Temple of the Tooth Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and the gateway to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Lying in the midst of hills, a lake, river, tea plantations and spice gardens, Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. It also has significant religious, cultural and historical value and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the last capital of the ancient Sinhala kingdom and the final stronghold against colonial rule. It is also one of the most venerable places for Buddhists worldwide, who pay homage to the impressive Temple of the Tooth (Sri DaladaMaligawa) that enshrines a relic of Lord Buddha s tooth. Royal Botanical Gardens Proceed on a visit to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. These were originally pleasure gardens for Sinhalese Royalty and later turned into a Botanical garden by the British in It

18 has an amazing collection of over 300 varieties of orchids, probably the largest collection in Asia. A visit to the British Garrison Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Cemetery is also interesting. It is located about 5.5 km to the West of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is near the Mahaweli River. It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The Temple of the Tooth Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the

19 Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple. Bhikkhus of the two chapters of Malwatte and Asgiriya conduc t daily worship in the inner chamber of the temple. Rituals are performed three times daily: at dawn, at noon and in the evenings. On Wednesdays there is a symbolic bathing of the relic with a herbal preparation made from scented water and fragrant flowers called Nanumura Mangallaya. This holy water is believed to contain healing powers and is distributed among those present. Sri Lanka s most significant Buddhist relic a tooth of the Buddha. The famous Sri Dalada Maligawa - Kandy's revered Temple of the Tooth Relic was built within the royal palace complex and houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, which is venerated by Buddhists. Monks conduct daily ritual worship in the inner chamber of the Temple of the Tooth. Proceed to visit the colourful

20 and busy market place, the upper lake drive and a gem museum to see how precious gems are cut, polished and set into intricate pieces of jewellery. Continue on to visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens originally pleasure gardens for Sinhalese Royalty and later turned into a Botanical garden by the British in It has an amazing collection of over 300 varieties of orchids. DAY 5 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Heaven Sevens Nuwara Eliya (Deluxe Room) Breakfast is included Heaven Sevens Private Limited is the new beginning of a dream decoding dynasty that appears as a majestic edifice opening doors for the comfortable world you were dearly dreaming of. That is exactly what made us begin a luxury hotel in the lush environment of Nuwara Eliya; to take the fragile dreams of an individual with tender care and feed them with our recipe for a wonderful reality transforming it to a one of a kind real-life experience.

21 AM *Transfer Details: 92 km, hrs Scenic Train Journey Situated over 1800m above sea level, Nuwara Eliya lies at the heart of the tea industry in central Sri Lanka. It is blessed with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It was the prime sanctuary of British civil servants and tea planters in the early 19th century and colonial landmarks from this era such as the Old Post Office and the Grand Hotel have stood the test of time. Referred to as Little England, the town still retains its British touch and takes visitors on a journey back in time. The town s attractions

22 include golfing on a stunning course, fishing in trout streams, boating on Lake Gregory and bird watching in Victoria Park. PM *Excursion Duration: 2.5 hrs Highlights of Nuwara Eliya including Tea Factory Visit Drive around the hill capital and see some interesting buildings of mock Tudor and Georgian architecture including the St Andrews hotel, Hill Club, Grand Hotel and the Race course where horse racing continues to be a sought after social attraction. Continue your drive around the Lake Gregory situated in the heart of the town. Walk through the busy town centre where you can visit the fruit and vegetable market where fresh produce from the region is brought for sale. Continue your tour visiting a Tea Factory and be enlightened on the tea manufacturing process; from the fermentation of the leaf to the rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. There are machines for

23 almost every part of the process except of course the allimportant tea tasting at the end to determine the quality of the tea. DAY 6 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Heaven Sevens Nuwara Eliya (Deluxe Room) Breakfast is included AM *Excursion Duration: 5 hrs Horton Plains Nature Reserve Trek Horton Plains National Park is located at an altitude of over 2000 metres and covers an area of 3160 hectares. Commence the circular trek around the park from the visitor s center where you will find some interesting exhibits pertaining to the history, fauna and flora of Horton Plains. The 9 kilometre trek will take approximately 3 hours to complete and will cover an escarpment called mini

24 worlds end and the famous escarpment called worlds end, from which point on a clear day you could see the southern coast of Sri Lanka. From here the trail continues via a somewhat slippery and steep descent to Bakers falls named after the famous British explorer, Sir Samuel Baker. Continue the trek through forests and grasslands back to the visitor s center PM At Leisure This is a free afternoon/night. You have two options and this is totally up to you: 1. You will be able to communicate to your chauffeur if there is any particular spot you would like to visit (within 80kms) and he can take you there. Your chauffeur might also suggest some locations as well because they are very familiar with the area. It's your choice where you would like to visit. 2. You can choose to relax at your hotel. Lunch + Dinner Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him)

25 DAY 7 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Kalus Hideaway Udawalawe National Park (Standard Room) Breakfast is included Nestled along 5 acres of a beautifully manicured garden surrounded by shrubs and forest, neighboring the breath taking Udawalawe Reservoir, Kalu s Hideaway Hotel offers much-needed accommodation for visitors to Uda Walawe National Park. Set amidst a rural and remote dry zone village, just 10 minutes away from the gates of the Uda Walawa National Park, this Eco Friendly hotel is in a picturesque surroundings owned by the famous Sri Lankan Cricketer Mr. Romesh Kaluwitharana turned hotelier after his retirement from Cricket. The hotel is an excellent comfortable resting point between Colombo and the South Coast or from Hill Country /Southern Highlands to the

26 South Coast. Also, it is an ideal transit point for travelers going to the South East. Kalu s Hideaway Hotel consist of 14 well appointed spacious rooms with all amenities, excellent food and friendly staff who awaits all nature loving people to experience the touch of luxury beyond expectation. AM *Transfer Details: 62 km, 1.75 hrs Excursion Duration: 1 hrs Highlights of Ella Start your tour of Ella by viewing the famous Demodara nine arch railway bridge constructed with stones, brick and cement, but without any steel. Later proceed to climb Little Adams peak named after the more famous and arduous Adam s peak due to its close resemblance. A short 20 minute climb will take you to the top of the 1140 meter peak. Breath taking views of tea plantations and waterfalls make the climb a rewarding effort. A short drive from the base of Little Adam s peak will take you past the Ella Gap to the famous Ravana Ella

27 Falls which ranks as one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka. It measures approximately 25 meters in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary. PM Private Transfer You will have private transport transfer you from your current hotel to your next hotel on the agenda Lunch + Dinner Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him)

28 DAY 8 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Kalus Hideaway Udawalawe National Park (Standard Room) Breakfast is included AM + PM *Transfer Details: 15 km, 0.25 hrs *Excursion Duration: 4 hrs Udawalawe National Park Safari The Udawalawe National park, which has acreage of 30,821 hectares, was declared as a National Park on the 30 th of June 1972 under the Fauna and Flora Protection ordinance. The park lies in the Rathnepura District in Sabaragamuwa Province Monaragala District in Uva Province. It forms one of the largest conservation areas within these districts and largely comprises the lower and the immediate catchments of Udawalawe. The walawe reservoir is situated in the park and the surface area at full supply level is about 3405 hectares.

29 The most prominent feature is the Kalthote escarpment and spectacular Diyawinne fall to the north Ulagala and in the west of the park. The park is situated in the dry zone. There is a short dry period in February- March. Sometimes that period is prolonged from mid May to end of September. This is along with intermonsoon in the month of September. This is followed by Northeast monsoon rain in November to mid January. Due to conventional activity, the rainfall can occur during April- May. The mean annual rainfall is about 1524mm. The annual average temperature is about 32 C and it can uniform throughout the year. Lunch + Dinner Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him) DAY 9 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Calamander Unawatuna Beach, Galle Breakfast is included

30 (Deluxe Room) Calamander Unawatuna Beach is an affordable luxury family friendly resort that celebrates its superb location. The resort is all about being outdoors; sun bathing on one of the world's best beaches, joining a game of beach volleyball or a yoga class, lounging by one of Sri lanka's three best swimming pools, kayaking on the Indian Ocean in one of our free kayaks, or dining al-fresco at one of our four beachside restaurants and bars.

31 AM *Transfer Details: 151 km, 3.25 hrs Private Transfer You will have private transport transfer you from your current hotel to your next hotel on the agenda

32 PM Galle Fort Walking Tour *Excursion Duration: 1.5 hrs Lunch + Dinner A walk around Galle Fort encompasses architectural structures interlaced with local traditions. The original Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and subsequently rebuilt by the Dutch in The British took over in 1796 and used it as an administrative centre. The straight and narrow lanes invite you to a delightful walk into the 17th century. The highlights include the Bastions, the Dutch reformed church and Government house, the Maritime museum, the Meera mosque, the All Saints Church and the old Clock Tower dating back to The entire Fort is surrounded by thick walled ramparts which withstood the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. The Fort today encompasses restaurants and cafes, modern and vintage shops and art galleries which have taken over from the 17th century vendors who traded in cinnamon, lace and ornaments. Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him)

33 DAY 10 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Breakfast Calamander Unawatuna Beach, Galle (Deluxe Room) Breakfast is included AM + PM This is a free day. You have two options and this is totally up to At Leisure you: *Transfer (Vehicle available for 80km Details: 92 km, 4 per day) 1. You will be able to communicate to your chauffeur if there is any hrs particular spot you would like to visit (within 80kms) and he can take you there. Your chauffeur might also suggest some locations as well because they are very familiar with the area. It's your choice where you would like to visit. Lunch + Dinner 2. You can choose to relax at your hotel by the pool. Optional (Your chauffer driver can show you the many restaurants in the area. Just talk to him) DAY 11 EVENT LOCATION DETAILS Departing Bandaranaike International (Transferring to) Airport Flight from Colombo

34 The following are included: The following are NOT included: Meeting and assisting on arrival and departure at Colombo B.I.A. airport by a 21st Century representative Air-conditioned private car with a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide throughout your stay. All entrance fees as per the above mentioned excursions including jeep safari in Minneriya. Meals as mentioned on the above program. (10 Breakfasts and 1 Lunch on Day 4) Portage, service charge and all government taxes including VAT. Driver s allowances and all of the expenses related to transportation All parking, taxes, fuel charges etc. International Airfares Travel and medical insurance Any kind of activity fee Visa fees Expenses of a personal nature including telephone calls, web services, laundry, beverages, minibar etc. Lunch and Dinner Cost of extra meals Gratuities & Tips Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances e.g flight delays, cancelations, hike in fare, strikes or any other natural calamities. Luggage Policy *1 piece of check in luggage (standard size 80 cms x 55 cms x 25 cms) + 1 piece of cabin luggage per person Visa and Passport requirements All visitors to Sri Lanka must apply for a mandatory visa prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. This can be done online at Current charges are US $20 per person or US $ 10 per person for visitors from SAARC countries. Visitor visas can also be obtained on arrival at a surcharge. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of proposed travel. There may be other criteria for granting of visas and it is advisable to check the information at or the Sri Lanka mission in your country. Travel Health information Currently there are no compulsory vaccinations that are required for travel to Sri Lanka We recommend that you consult your GP at least 6 weeks before travel for advice on your individual travel health related issues. **DISCLAIMER: This Itinerary is accurate at time of printing. Details may change due to circumstances outside our control.