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Cities (12 Nights/13 Days) |
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Day 01 |
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Arrival at
the Colombo Airport. You will be met by our Driver/Guide and
Airport Staff and offer assistance. Thereafter Leave to Habarana
with a comfort stop en route. (168km – 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 Or Jeep safari to Mineriya National
Park to witness the Wild Elephants.
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 Habarana. (4 star)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 02 |
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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
Thereafter visit Mihintale.
Mihintale The temple of Mihintale is where Thero Mahinda,
the son of Great Indian Emperor Asoka introduced Buddihism
to the king of Sri Lanka Thissa. Mahinda's sister Theri
Sangamitta carried a off shoot of the the ', the holy
Bo tree that gave shelter to Buddha to attain Nibbana.
Sri Maha Bodhi' The Bo tree was planted at Anuradhapura,
where it still grows as the oldest tree with a recorded
history in the world.
Dinner & Overnight The Lodge Habarana.
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Day 03 |
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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 Habarana.
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Day 04 |
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After breakfast
visit Ritigala, Aukana and Saseeruwa. The transfer timings
will be as follows,
Habarana to Ritigala 20kms – transfer time 40 minutes
Ritigala Aukana 25kms – transfer time 30 minutes
Aukana Saseeruwa 5kms – transfer time 10 minutes
Ritigala Sri Lanka has many varied sites of historical
and cultural importance. While the ruins of the ancient
cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have a grandeur
that is hard to surpass, there are lesser-known sites
with an ambience all of their own. One such site is the
monastic complex on the lower slopes of Ritigalakanda
the Ritigala mountain-situated 40 Kilometers south-east
of the ancient city of Anuradhapura. These ruins are some
of the most distinctive Sri Lanka has to offer. Here at
Ritigala you will not find the Buddhist dagobas (domed
relic chambers) of the sanctuary of Anuradhapura and elsewhere.
Instead the monastery at Ritigala largely consist of meditation
platforms and walkways that are in perfect harmony with
the huge boulders, trees and streams of the sylvan environment.
The Ritigala summit-which has an unusual mini plateau
–possesses a pocket of vegetation that is distinct
from the dry zone flora of the lower slopes and surrounding
plain.
Aukana This massive Buddha statue stands in the middle
of the jungle. Hewn out of sheer rock, 39 ft in height
it is considered one of the finest stone statues in Asia
(5th century AD).
Sasseruwa Vihara, seven miles (11 kilometers) west of
Aukana by back roads, reached by a climb of 280 stone
steps. Ancient monks occupied nearly 100 caves between
the 3rd Century B.C. and 2nd centuary A.D. It is best
known today for its rough-hewn Buddha image, carved from
a sheer rock face. About three feet (one meter) shorter
than the Aukana, it is cruder and less discreet in style.
Some say it is a 5th Century prototype of the Aukana or
the creation of an apprentice to the Aukana sculptor.
Both are directly facing the old Kalawewa sluice.
P.M. at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight The Lodge Habarana.
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Day 05 |
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After breakfast
leave for Kandy en route visiting Dambulla Rock Caves Temple
in Dambulla, Aluvihare Temple and Nalanda Temple in Matale.
The transfer timmings will be as follows,
Habarana to Dambulla 28kms – transfer time 30 minutes
Dambulla to Aluvihare 40kms – transfer time 40 minutes
Aluvihare to Nalanda 5kms – transfer time 10 minutes
Nalanda to Kandy 28kms – transfer time 10 minutes
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.
Aluvihare Temple. Aluvihare is a rock monastery located
in a picturesque valley 3 km north of Matale on the Kandy-Dambulla
road. It is easily recognized from the road as it has a
boundary wall with a frieze of elephant heads. This sacred
place is remarkable for the huge rocks that are an integral
part of it, which is why it is classified as a ‘rock
temple.’ One of the first Europeans to describe the
extraordinary topography here was James Emerson Tennent,
writing in Ceylon (1859): “The scene is a very extraordinary
one - huge masses of granitic rock have been precipitated
from the crest of a mountain, and on these other masses
have been hurled, which in their descent have splintered
those beneath into gigantic fragments.” Heads.
Nalanda Temple. Twenty kilometers south of the Dambulla
Temple, about one kilometer east of the A9, is the attractive
Nalanda Gedige. The unusual image house was transferred
to this spot near the town of Nalanda when the Bowatenne
Tank, which is part of the Mahaweli Ganga Program, was built.
The small building is designed like a Hindu temple with
a mandapa, an entrance hall (originally roofed), a short
passage to a bare cello, and an ambulatory round the holy
center. There is no sign of Hindu gods, however, and the
temple is said to have been used by Buddhists. This is one
of the earliest buildings of stone constructed in Ceylon.
The richly decorated facade sections, laboriously reassembled
in 1975, are predominantly in the South Indian style, and
may have originated in the eighth to 11th centuries, but
cannot be precisely dated. However, the god Kubera appears
on the south side of the tympanum over the sanctuary, and
this is a feature only to be found in Sri Lanka. The temple,
nestled in a marvelous setting, is hard to tear yourself
away from.
Thereafter leave for Kandy.
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. at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight The Citadel. (4 star)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 06 |
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After breakfast
full day sightseeing tour of Kandy including a visit to the
temple of the tooth, upperlake drive and market square.
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.
P.M. further sightseeing of the Kandy city including visit
to the Royal Botanical Gardens and free time for shopping.
Late evening witness a cultural show.
Botanical Gardens. The Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya
(109 km. from Colombo) near Kandy was laid out in 1821 by
the British colonial rulers. Prior to that it was the Royal
Pleasure Garden of the Kandyan Kings. It is located in a
beautiful setting with the longest river of Sri Lanka, Mahaveli
bordering on one side. This attractively laid out garden
displays many varieties of floral and green plants. Special
features are the Orchid House which displays a fine collection
of Sri Lankan orchids, the fernery, spice garden, and the
trees planted by distinguished visitors to the Island.
Dinner & Overnight The Citadel. (4 star)
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Day 07 |
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After breakfast visit 3 famous temples, Gadaladeniya Temple,
Lankathilake Temple & Embekke Devala. (90km –
transfer time 3 hours)
Gadaladeniya Temple This Buddhist temple sited on a rock,
was built by king Buvanekabahu IV and completed in 1344
AD. It has a rooted dagoba and many splendid stone carvings,
ornamental pillars and panels with figures of dancers and
musicians. A moonstone marks the entry to the main shrine.
The Lankathila ke Rajamaha Temple Built on a rocky outcrop,
the temple is reached by a long series of steps cut directly
into the rock. A cruciform brick building in three storeys,
it has a peculiar architectural design. The temple is full
of exquisite painted scenes of the lives of 24 former Buddhas
and there is a colossal seated image of the Buddha.
Embekke Devale Situated at Welamboda, Embekke Temple is
a deistic shrine dedicated to God kataragama. This is a
superb example of architecture in wood, and was established
by King Vikramabahu in 1371 AD. The wood art of this temple
is astounding - dancers, swans, creepers, soldiers on horseback,
floral emblems, double headed eagles, wrestlers, etc. Special
treasures are the doorways of sandalwood and the palanquin
used by King Rajasinghe II.
Thereafter leave for Kandy visiting the Pinnawela Elephant
Orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding
of the baby elephants.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage Among the green hills of Kegalle,
about 50 miles (85km) from Colombo on the road to Kandy
in the hill country, a herd of about 60 elephants roam free
in the Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage.
This popular attraction, established as a sanctuary covering
25 acres of lush forest by the Sri Lankan Government in
1975, is unique. Its purpose is to feed, nurse and house
young elephants lost or abandoned by their mothers. Recently
the sanctuary has also started a breeding programme. Visitors
are invited to observe and assist the baby elephants as
they are fed from giant feeding bottles, before the pachyderms
plod down to the river for their daily bath.
Dinner & Overnight The Citadel. (4 star)
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Day 08 |
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After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya (80km – transfer
time 3 hours) En route visiting a tea factory/plantation
and some beautiful water falls.
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.
P.M. sightseeing of Nuwara Eliya.
Dinner & Overnight Grand Hotel. (4 star)
Website: www.tangerinetours.com
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Day 09 |
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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.
P.M at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight Grand Hotel. (4 star)
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Day 10 |
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After breakfast
leave for Yala (200km – transfer time 4 hours) en route
visiting Buduruwagale temples.
Buduruwagala With its meaning of 'Buddha image', Buduruwagala
was named after rock-cut Buddha statues carved on a cliff
located in the area. This 7-statue complex, which is of
the Mahayana Buddha School, comprises of the huge standing
Buddha figures traced back to 8th - 10th centuries AD. The
central of three figures to Buddha's right is thought to
be the Buddhist mythological figure, the Avalokitheswara
Bodhisattva.
P.M. 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.
Dinner & Overnight The Yala Village. (3 star +)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 11 |
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After breakfast
leave for Bentota (245km – transfer time 5 hours) en
route visiting the old Dutch city of Galle.
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.
Free at Leisure.
Dinner & Overnight The Bentota Beach Hotel. (4 star)
Website: www.johnkeellshotels.com
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Day 12 |
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After breakfast
full day at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight The Bentota Beach Hotel. (4 star)
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Day 13 |
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After breakfast
departure transfer to the airport. (102km – transfer
time 3 hours) |
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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$ 899.00
Single Supplement US$ 380.00
Supplement for single person traveling alone
would be US$ 395/- in total in addition to single supplement.
Cost valid from 21st Dec.’05 to 31st
Mar.’06
Cost per person sharing double US$ 1,200.00
Single Supplement US$ 465.00
Supplement for single person traveling alone would be US$
415/- in total in
addition to single supplement.
Supplements:-
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 jeep safari to Minneriya Wild Life
Park to watch wild elephants inclusive of entrance fees and
jeep hire would be US$ 45/- per person. Minimum 2 pax required.
• Cost for optional 1 hour elephant back safari through
the jungles of Habarana would be US$ 30/- per person.
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