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& Nature Tour (12 Nights/13 Days) |
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Day 01 |
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Arrival at the Colombo
Airport. Clients will be met by our airport staff and English
speaking driver/guide and offer assistance.
Thereafter immediate transfer to Habarana
with a comfort stop en route. (165km – transfer time
4 hours)
Habarana. This small village is a central
location for all the ancient city sites and has a hotel complex
principally for package tourist; also many better-heeled independent
visitors also use it.
P.M. at leisure or optional elephant back
safari through the jungles of Habarana.
Dinner & Overnight The Lodge. (4 star)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 02 |
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After breakfast excursion
to Sigiriya. (One way 25km – transfer time 30 minutes)
Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.
Sigiriya, a massive monolith of red stone
rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate
the lucid blue of the sky. How overpowering, then, this
rock fortress of Sigiriya must have been when a palace crowned
it 15 centuries ago. Sigiriya (say see-gih-REE-yah) was
no gloomy and forbidding fortification, as many other citadels
are. At the brief height of its glory, a flowering of only
18 years in the late 5th Century, it was one of the loveliest
royal cities that ever graced the earth.
P.M. excursion to Polonnaruwa. (One way
46km – transfer time 45 minutes)
Polonaruwa. The island's medieval capital
is situated 216 km. from Colombo and rose to fame after
the decline of Anuradhapura. There is the largest of the
man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra. See also
the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel,
the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House
, Kiri Vehera - the best preserved of all Sri Lanka's un-restored
dagabas; Gal Vihare - the most impresive sculptures are
the colossal Buddha images.
Dinner & Overnight The Lodge. |
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Day 03 |
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After breakfast
excursion to Anuradhapura. (One way 60km – transfer
time 1 hour 15 minutes)
Anuradapura. Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th
century B.C. is situated 206 km. from Colombo. Attractions
worth seeing are:- The Sacred Bo Tree, Abhayagiri Dagaba,
Jetavanaramaya, Brazen Palace, Thuparama Dagaba, Samadhi
Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna and Mirisavati Dagaba
PM 4 x 4 Jeep Safari to Minneriya National Park.
Minneriya National Park. Sitting in the
centre of the cultural triangle, Minneriya is a good alternative
to the busier parks in the south and it's easy to weave
in a day here between visiting the ancient cities.
The dry season, preferably from June to
September, is the best time to visit the 8,890 hectare park
when the ancient tank, the lake that dominates the area,
dries out and the grasses and shoots push through. During
this time it is possible to see herds of up to 150 elephants
feeding and washing, as well as toque macaques, sambar deer
and leopards. The hungry bird flocks include cormorants
and painted storks. Minneriya, closest by car to the ancient
city Polonnaruwa, was upgraded from a nature reserve to
a national park because of the increased number of tourists
coming to see the elephants.
Dinner & Overnight The Lodge. |
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Day 04 |
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After breakfast
leave for Kandy. (104km - transfer 2 ½ hours) en
route visiting the Dambulla Rock Caves Temple.
Dambulla, the greatest of Sri Lanka's cave temples, dates
from the first century BC and contains over 150 Buddha images,
subtly lit for maximum atmosphere. Actually a series of
five caves, the temple is called Raja Maha Vihara by locals,
but known simply as Dambulla to visitors. The entrance is
marked by a large white dagoba along a long sloping rock
face, from where there are views of the rock fortress of
Sigiriya, about 20km away. Most of the caves were carved
out by hand and some of the amazing array of Buddha statues
are still attached to the wall.
Kandy. Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold
of the Sinhala Kings, is our most beautiful town. The focal
point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada
Maligawa. The highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera,
when a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession
accompanied by exotically costumed dancers, drummers and
elephants during ten glittering nights in July/August. Visit
Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara valley. There are many
shrines and temples, where you will see rare paintings,
frescoes, wood and stone carvings.
P.M. city tour of Kandy including visits to the Dalada Maligawa
the sacred Temple of the Tooth, containing the Tooth Relic
of the Buddha, Sri Lanka's most important religious relic.
market square and upper lake drive. Late evening witness
a cultural show.
Temple of the Tooth Relic. Dalada Maligawa or the Temple
of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated
place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built
in the 16th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth
Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga
province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several
buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive
rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner
shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. Originally the Temple
was within the King's palace complex as it was the symbol
of Royal Authority.
Dinner & Overnight The Citadel. (4 star)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 05 |
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After breakfast
leave for Nuwara Eliya. (80km – transfer time 2 ½
hours)
Nuwara Eliya. This town seems like a piece
of English district. Tudor-style and Victorian homes look
across the blue lake. These buildings are the other architectural
monuments to the English, the Post Office, the English country
house like Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted
hunting trophies and fish, Anglican Church and private residence.
The Golf course here is one of the best in Asia. (80kms
– transfer time 2 ½ hours)
Visit a tea factory/plantation and some
beautiful water falls en route.
P.M. sightseeing of Nuwara Eliya.
Dinner & Overnight Grand Hotel. (4
star)
Website: www.tangerinetours.com
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Day 06 |
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After breakfast
Excursion to Horton Plains Nature & Wild Life Reserve.
(30km – transfer time 1 hour) Short trek to Worlds End
& Bakers Falls with picnic breakfast.
The Horton Plains National Park is the only
National Park situated in the Hill Country and falls within
the Nuwara Eliya district and is 200 km. away from Colombo.
Panoramic scenic beauty of the Hill Country could be witnessed
within the Park. The famous `Worlds End' is a major attraction
within the Park. Endemic slender loris and endemic purple
monkey are among the important animal species that could be
seen in addition to sambhur, a member of the cat family etc.
There are some endemic avifauna also found within this Park.
Reach the summit in the early hours of the morning. Await
at the top to watch the sunrise and thereafter descend at
leisurely pace enjoying the scenery.
Thereafter leave for Bandarawela. (50km –
transfer time 1 &1/2 hours)
Bandarawela is an unhurried, unpretentious
hill-country town which exists to supply the needs of the
tea plantation workers, farmers and its hardworking inhabitants.
The people of Bandarawela enjoy a simple way of life; where
school children and grandparents together work the family
plot for the home’s requirement of fruit and vegetable
and also tend their cattle and goats.
Another distinctive feature of Bandarawela is the colonial
flavor still preserved in the many old buildings including
the Bandarawela Hotel and the old Cargill’s Supermarket.
Dinner & Overnight Bandarawela Hotel.
(3 star)
Website:
www.aitkenspencehotels.com
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Day 07 |
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After breakfast
leave for Adisham, an old Benedictine Monastery. (You may
be able to buy fresh fruit jams/preserves and juices prepared
by the monks from fruit grown in their garden.)
Trek from Adisham, a Benedictine monastery built in the
shape of a small castle. The 05 to 06 hour trek with packed
lunch will take clients through the pine forest of the Thangamale
nature reserve, along the colonial railway line and the
highest railway station in Sri Lanka, tea plantations. The
final decent will be on Satan’s Steps with its panoramic
views ending at Bambarakanda Falls, the highest waterfall
in Sri Lanka (240 m). Meet vehicles and transfer to Bandarawela
Dinner & Overnight Bandarawela Hotel. (3 star)
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Day 08 |
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After breakfast
leave to Udawalawe National Park, the best National Park in
the island for Elephant. (120km – transfer time 3 hour)
Jeep Safari of Udawalawe National Park.
Udawalewe National Park is an area of 31,800 hectares,
which was declared a protected sanctuary with full national
park status in 1972. The park area which falls within two
provinces of Sri Lanka has a annual rainfall of 1,520 mm
and an average temperature of 29.4 C. Surrounded by mountain
ranges, the terrain of the park is a mixture of grassland,
which of all Sri Lanka’s wildlife reserves, best rivals
the Savanna of Africa and shrub jungle. Teak plantations,
water holes and two important factors make this park special
- the large Udawalewe Reservoir and the Walewe River, which
ensure a supply of water for the fauna within. Internationally
renowned for its large herd of elephants, the park is also
known for several species of Deer, Wild Boar, the dangerous
Wild Buffalo, Jackal and very rare sightings of Leopard.
P.M. Proceed to Yala. . (85km – transfer time 2 hour)
Dinner & Overnight The Yala Village. (3 star +)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 09 |
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After breakfast
. 4 x 4 Jeep Safari to Yala National Park.
Yala (Ruhuna) National Park Situated 309 km. south of Colombo,
Yala is approximately 1,259 sq.km. in extent and is located
in the south eastern corner of the island. Its northern
boundaries border on the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and
it has the added bonus of a scenic ocean frontage. The terrain
is varied flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops. The
vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. Water
holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for
the animals and birds. The specialty here is the large numbers
of elephants.
Thereafter proceed to Unawatuna with sightseeing of Galle
en route.
Galle The port of Galle, thought by some to be the Biblical
city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of
the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre)
Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of
time. Its massive ramparts surround the promontory that
forms the older part of Galle, and shelters within its walls
sturdy Dutch houses, museums and churches. This area has
a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from
the flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch
governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with a wonderfully
atmospheric bar. Nearby is a tiny sliver of a beach suitable
for a dip, though most travellers prefer to head along the
coast to the fine beaches at Unuwatuna, Weligama and Tangalla.
Dinner & Overnight Unawatuna Beach Resort
Website: www.geocities.com/ubr.lk
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Day 10 |
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After breakfast
free at leisure by the beach / optional diving, snorkeling
and fishing.
Dinner & Overnight Unawatuna Beach Resort |
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Day 11 |
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After breakfast
free at leisure by the beach / optional diving, snorkeling
and fishing.
Dinner & Overnight Unawatuna Beach Resort |
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Day 12 |
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After breakfast
free at leisure by the beach / optional diving, snorkeling
and fishing.
Dinner & Overnight Unawatuna Beach Resort |
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Cost includes: |
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(Based on 02
pax traveling in a Private Car)
Cost per person sharing double US$ 895.00
Single Supplement US$ 269.00
Supplement for single person traveling alone
would be US$ 385/- in total in addition to single supplement.
Cost valid from 21st Dec.’05 to 31st
Mar.’06
Cost per person sharing double US$ 999.00
Single Supplement US$ 295.00
Supplement for single person traveling alone
would be US$ 435/- in total in
addition to single supplement.
Suppliments:-
X-mas & New Year Eve Supplement will
be US$ 30/- Net per person.
Child Policy:-
0 – 5 years Free of charge
6 – 12 years Sharing room with parents including extra
bed would be 50% discount from the sharing double price
Cost includes:-
• Accommodation on Half board basis
thought
• Transport in an air-conditioned private car with arrival/departure
transfers and all sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• All applicable entrance fees and porterage.
• Services of an English speaking Driver/Guide for the
entire tour.
• 15% V.A.T.
Cost does not include:-
• Tips of personal nature.
• Cost for optional 1 hour elephant back safari through
the jungles of Habarana would be US$ 30/- per person. |
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