THE JEWELS OF

24 JANUARY – 6 FEBRUARY 2021

FROM £4,245 PER PERSON

Tour Leader: Alastair Watson DISCOVER AN ANCIENT PAST, COLONIAL TRADITIONS AND SPECTACULAR SCENERY

The beautiful island of Sri Lanka, with its ancient past, colonial tradition, spectacular scenery and lush tropical jungle, will enchant everybody, and this tour is a fascinating introduction to this very special country. It encompasses impressive rock- hewn fortresses, magnificent second and third century BC temples – many UNESCO World Heritage Sites – ethereal religious sites and ruined cities, botanical gardens, wildlife sanctuaries, tea plantations and an unspoiled Victorian hill station.

Our journey begins in the capital city of , from which we head inland to Habarana to explore the cultural triangle. We see , an impressive rock-hewn fortress, and the beautifully preserved remains of the 11th century capital, . We then travel south to Kandy, last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings where we explore the city with its important Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, vestiges of colonial rule and Royal Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. We continue to Nuwara Eliya, the famous hill station set in the heart of ‘tea country’, before ending our tour with a stay in Galle on the south-west coast of this magical island. A relaxing end to a memorable journey. Polonnaruwa Temple

Galle Fort National Museum, Colombo

14-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 24 JANUARY 2021 24 January London / Colombo architect, Geoffrey Bawa’s home Lunch at the hotel. Early afternoon followed by a visit to Gangaramaya, at leisure. Late afternoon transfer to Suggested flights (not included in the one of the oldest and most famous visit to the 5th century World Heritage cost of the tour) Sri Lankan Airlines Buddhist temples in Colombo, Site of Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Visit flight UL504 departing London with a stop at the Paradise Road the frescoes of the Heavenly Maidens Heathrow at 20.40 hrs. shop. This evening transfer to the of Sigiriya which are in a sheltered famous Paradise Road for dinner at pocket of the rock. (Please note that 25 January Colombo the Gallery Café, which used to be the climb to the top of ‘Lion Rock’ can Geoffrey Bawa’s office. take up to 90 minutes. Certain parts Arrive Colombo at 12.40 hrs. Transfer of the walk are quite steep and should to the charming Galle Face Hotel, a not be attempted by anyone with 5-star colonial hotel located in the 27 January Colombo / Habarana & mobility issues, a heart condition, heart of Colombo overlooking the Sigiriya or breathing difficulties. You may Indian Ocean, where two nights are Drive (with luggage) to Habarana wish to walk part of the way or tuk spent. Reputedly the oldest hotel in (approx. 4 hours driving time) tuks will also be provided to take you Sri Lanka, the hotel has sweeping located at the heart of Sri Lanka’s around the base of the fortress). Enjoy views over a kilometre stretch of world-famous Cultural Triangle of sundowners with Sigiriya as your lawn and the charming Galle Face Kandy-Anuradhapura-Polonnaruwa, backdrop before returning to the hotel Promenade dating from 1864 from stopping for refreshments along the for dinner. which the hotel takes its name. way, and check into The Cinnamon Late lunch at the hotel followed by Lodge for a three-night stay. This the remainder of the afternoon at charming hotel is surrounded by 27 28 January Habarana & Polonnaruwa leisure. Early evening drinks at the acres of lush forested land, offering This morning, visit the beautifully hotel bar followed by dinner at a local beautiful gardens including a butterfly preserved medieval capital of restaurant in the Old Dutch Hospital. garden, a swimming pool, tennis and Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World badminton court and a spa. Heritage Site that dates from the 11th century AD. Visit the ruins of the 26 January Colombo Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the Morning city tour of the old town statue of King Parakramabahu and with resident host, Mark Forbes and the Parakrama Saumdraya. Also visit his wife Ruwi, including a visit to the the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilare, famous Pettah open air bazaar and the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri market. Continue to the National Vehera and the remains of the former Museum, founded by Sir William Temple of the Tooth Relic. Finally visit Henry Gregory, the British Governor the ruins of the Royal Palace and the of Ceylon, in 1877, which exhibits a Gal Vihara which has four statues of plethora of artefacts representing Buddha carved out of rock. Continue Sri Lanka’s rich history and ancient to the Lake House, formerly the Old heritage. Polonnaruwa Rest House, which was Lunch at a local restaurant. Rest of built in 1870 as a circuit bungalow the afternoon at leisure or optional for British government guests. It was afternoon visit to the late Sri Lankan The Cinnamon Lodge visited by the Queen in the 1950s and

020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Wall Paintings and Buddhas at Dambulla Temple

Stilt Fishermen Dambulla Temple

it has now been restored as a hotel. This morning, explore Kandy with converted into tea. Enjoy a tea tasting. Lunch at the Lake House overlooking a local resident including Kandy Lunch at the hotel. This afternoon the lake. Return to the hotel for the Lake, Kandy town bazaar and the visit the Hakgala Gardens which remainder of the afternoon at leisure. arts centre. Visit the beautifully started life in 1860 as an experimental Special BBQ dinner by the lake at the restored Garrison Cemetery housing plantation of cinchona trees, from hotel. the gravestones of many British which the anti-malarial drug quinine nationals who played a key role in the is derived, but they are now best

development of Sri Lanka in the 19th known for their roses, ferns and 29 January Habarana & Dambulla century. orchid house – and for their beautiful Early this morning, there will be Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon views. The gardens are also home to a unique opportunity to enjoy visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, some interesting wildlife, including magnificent views of Sigiriya rock one of the most famous Buddhist bear monkeys and sambur, as well from a hot air balloon (weather Temples. Return to the hotel. Dinner as an outstanding array of montane permitting and at a supplementary at Kandy House. birdlife. Enjoy high tea at the cost). Visit to Dambulla rock infamous Hill Club. The founding temple. Dambulla was built by King members of the Hill Club, which is Walagambahu in the 1st century 1 February Kandy / Nuwara Eliya now a hotel, were mainly English and BC and is a World Heritage Site. It Following breakfast, leave for the Scots planters of coffee, cinchona, contains over 150 images of Buddha. Royal Peradeniya Botanical gardens, and tea. The original building, Private lunch at Kandalama Hotel first built as a pleasure garden by a which served as a club house, was in the ‘Caves’. Remainder of the Sinhala King and then expanded by centred around the current billiard afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the the British. From Peradeniya Railway room. Its colonial atmosphere has hotel. Station take a train to Nanu Oya been faithfully preserved. Return to (subject to confirmation) enjoying the the hotel for the remainder of the spectacular scenery of tea plantations afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the 30 January Habarana / Kandy and thick jungle along the way. hotel. This morning, leave Habarana (with Packed lunch on board the train. luggage) for Kandy. On route stop at On arrival in Nanu Oya transfer and 3 February Nuwara Eliya / Kitugala a privately owned spice garden for check into the Heritance Tea Factory / Galle a walk through the Estate with the Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, where two Today, leave Nuwara Eliya and drive Estate Manager followed by a cooking nights are spent. Built in the days south to Galle. demonstration. of the British Raj, the hotel has Lunch at the spice garden. Continue preserved much of its original style. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant driving to Kandy and check into the Remainder of the afternoon at leisure en route. Continue to Galle and check Jetwing Kandy Gallery Hotel which followed by dinner at the hotel. into the Fort Bazaar Hotel where overlooks the Mahaweli Ganga River three nights are spent. Set amidst and where two nights are spent. the ageing coral walls of Galle Fort, Dinner at the hotel. 2 February Nuwara Eliya the hotel is fresh and contemporary, This morning, stroll through the tea and its chic, understated interiors plantations and visit a tea factory feel distinctly Moroccan, as does its 31 January Kandy to see how the tea is plucked and fabulous cuisine, both of which richly reflect the fort’s Moorish history.

020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK TOUR PRICES PER PERSON Tour Price £4,245 Single Supplement £1,195 Optional Excursions: Hot Air Balloon flight on 29 Jan £300 Visit to Brief Garden, Lunuganga £150 & Ena de Silva’s house 5 Feb including lunch

Please note we have not included the cost of the international flights in the tour price. Please contact us for prices should you wish to book them through us.

PRICE INCLUDES • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary • Breakfast daily; 11 lunches; 12 dinners Sigiriya Rock Fortress • Mineral water at meals included in the itinerary • All entrance fees, visits and excursions • Transportation as per the itinerary Afternoon Galle Fort walk with the Lunch at Brief Garden. Afternoon • Gratuities in restaurants for included manager of Galle Heritage Fund. The visit to Geoffrey Bawa’s country meals, gratuities to guide/s and fort covers some 90 acres and was house in Lunuganga. The house driver/s originally built by the Portuguese, and gardens at Lunuganga, were though later extended by the Dutch lovingly created over several • Porterage in 1663. Dinner at the Fort Printers decades and show Bawa’s vision of • Local English-speaking guide/s restaurant. a tropical garden idyll. The Italian • The services of your tour leader inspired garden with spectacular throughout views over lakes and tropical jungle 4 February Galle together with a simply designed Transfer to Kahanda Kanda, plantation house are one of the surrounded by tea plantations lasting legacies of Asia’s most PRICE EXCLUDES and offering spectacular views. famous architect. Also visit the • International flights Enjoy a short tour of the spices designer and great friend of Bawa’s, • Visa fees (currently $35 per person) and tea plantation followed by a Ena de Silva’s, house which was • Alcoholic drinks at meals cookery demonstration using local originally constructed by Geoffrey • Travel insurance ingredients. Bawa. The house, originally located • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. Lunch at Kahanda Kanda. in Colombo, was relocated to plot telephone calls / laundry etc.) Remainder of the afternoon at of land next door to Lunuganga. • Government levies or taxes Please note that the journey time is leisure to explore Galle’s timeless introduced after costing and approximately 1.5 hours’ drive there streets with jewellery shops spilling publication of this programme on with gems, ancient ramparts for and a 1.5 hours’ drive back. 27/07/2020 sunset walks and dusty antique Farewell dinner at Amangalla shops. Dinner at a local restaurant. restaurant.

5 February Galle 6 February Galle / Colombo / Day at leisure with lunch under own London arrangements. Morning transfer to Colombo Or an optional excursion (at a International Airport. Suggested supplementary cost) to ‘Brief flight (not included in the cost of Garden’, the house of Geoffrey the tour) Sri Lankan Airlines flight Bawa’s brother, Bevis Bawa. Bevis UL503 departing Colombo at 12.50 spent 40 years growing and shaping hrs arriving London Heathrow at ‘Brief’. He cleared the surrounding 19.10 hrs. rubber plantation and went on to create a verdant romantic folly of inviting alcoves, nooks, and bowers. The house is even more appealing, a N.B. Please note that this trip beautiful colonial villa stuffed full of does involve a substantial amount miscellaneous artworks. of walking and a certain level of fitness is required. YOUR TOUR LEADER

ALASTAIR WATSON

Alastair Watson’s father was born in India and his grandfather spent his career in the Indian Medical Service. After a history MA from Oxford and 16 years in the Army, as well as extensive business travel in the Far East, Alastair has visited India annually over the last 15 years and has several tours for the Ultimate Travel company previously. He is very much looking forward to leading this tour.

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