Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer 12 Days | Starts/Ends: Colombo

TRIP NOTES

Take in the classic sights of Sri • Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th • Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe Lanka’s cultural triangle, but century Lion Rock fortress and see the National Park • not before exploring ancient Heavenly Maidens Scenic train journey from Kandy to • Dambulla - Discover over 150 images Nuwara Eliya, canoe and tuk tuk trips Anuradhapura, the northern of Buddha in the incredible complex of • Escorted by an English speaking city of Jaffna. Village visits, caves at Dambulla Rock Temple national guide for groups of 6 or more Elephant game viewing, scenic • Kayanwala Village - Canoe to the village (professional chauffeur guide for groups tea plantations and a couple and help cook a delicious traditional lunch of 5 or less) days by the stunning coast in with a Sri Lankan family • Airport arrival and departure transfer on • Trincomalee are all included within Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs days 1 and 12 and spices at the spice gardens in Matale • All relevant transfers and transportation in this incredible 12 day tour. • Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy private air-conditioned tourism vehicles including the famous Temple of the HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a What's Not Included cultural performance • Tipping Kitty: USD$60-80pp, paid in local Trip Highlights • Giragama Tea Factory - Take a tour of a currency • Anuradhapura - See the ancient wonders working tea factory with a long history • Entrance Fees: USD$150-170pp, paid in • of Sri Lanka's first capital, including Take a scenic train ride passing waterfalls local currency sacred Ruwanweliseya, Sri Lanka's most and tea plantations en route from Kandy • International flights and visa famous dagoba to Nuwara Eliya and drive though Nuwara • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend • Jaffna - Take in the sights of Sri Lanka's Eliya's 'Little England' you allow USD$3-7 per day, per traveller. • northern most city, including Nagadeepa Udawalawe National Park - Go in search Tipping your guide is an entirely personal Buddhist Temple, Nallur Hindu Temple of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, gesture and Jaffna Fort home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants • Trincomalee - Relax on the beach and COVID SAFE GUIDE explore this historic harbour city, with its What's Included revered Konesar Temple, Hot Water Wells DETAILED ITINERARY and beautiful natural harbour • Breakfast daily and 1 lunch • Colombo – Enjoy a guided tour of the • 11 nights 3-5 star hotels and heritage Day 1 : Welcome to Sri Lanka properties city including the Old Fort area and Tuesday. Colombo - Negombo. Welcome to • Guided sightseeing - Anuradhapura, impressive Gangaramaya Temple Sri Lanka! You will be met at Colombo Airport Jaffna, Trincomalee, Dambulla, • Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable and transferred to your hotel by the beach in Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon Negombo. Our start hotel is located on the Udawalawe, Gem Mine and Colombo

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer - 12 Days updated on 23-09-2021 10:00:02 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer seafront and a short walk from Galle Road and Buddhist Temple, which is said to be the city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here many of the city highlights. Choose to head site where Buddha visited during his second we explore many interesting and famous out and explore, take a dip in the pool or journey to Sri Lanka. monuments including the Royal Palace and enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect Overnight - Jaffna (B) the Gal Vihara. We then return to Dambulla for sunset over the Laccodive Sea. Overnight - an evening at leisure. Negombo Days 4-5 : Trincomalee Overnight - Dambulla (B) temples & beach time Day 2 : Anuradhapura - Day 7 : Sigiriya & village visit UNESCO sites Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we make our way to the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sites. A steep staircase up the rock side reaches the summit and on the way up you can stop to see the world-famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens, which are Jaffna - Trincomalee. Departing Jaffna, we hidden in a sheltered pocket of rock. head back south to Trincomalee on the north- Negombo - Anuradhapura. This morning we eastern coast. A sightseeing tour here takes Leaving Sigiriya behind, we take a bullock make our way to Anuradhapura, the first us to Thirukonamalai Konesar Temple, the cart ride and a short canoe trip to the village capital and grandest city of ancient Sri Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Dakshina- of Kayanwala. Here we are welcomed into Lanka and home to two UNESCO World Then Kailasam - a classical medieval Hindu the home of a local family where we try our Heritage Sites. Upon arrival, we embark on an temple complex. Day 5 is free to spend hand at preparing a meal of curry, dahl, spiced afternoon sightseeing tour of the city, visiting relaxing in Trincomalee. Enjoy this stunning rice and pickle. After enjoying our homemade both historical and archaeological sites of location on the coast, while away the lunch we continue onto Kandy, stopping along interest. Highlights include the sacred bo-tree day unwinding on the beach. Overnight - the way at a spice garden in Matale. Arriving which is the oldest documented tree in the Trincomalee (B:2) to Kandy, the evening is at leisure. world, the 1600 columns of Brazen Palace and Overnight - Kandy (B) Ruwanweliseya, the most famous dagobas in Day 6 : Dambulla & Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa Day 8 : Kandy & tuk tuks Overnight - Anuradhapura (B) Day 3 : Jaffna Fort

Trincomalee - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa This morning we take a sightseeing tour of - Dambulla. This morning we leave the Kandy - the last capital of the Sri Lankan coast and begin our journey inland to kings. The name Kandy conjures visions Anuradhapura - Jaffna. Today we journey the impressive Dambulla Cave Temple. A of splendour and magnificence. Many of north to Jaffna, located on the northernmost spectacular complex of five caves dedicated the legends, traditions and folklore are still peninsula of the island. Here, we enjoy a to the Lord Buddha, within the caves of lovingly kept alive. Our first stop will be the sightseeing tour taking in sights such as the Dambulla you'll find over 150 images of Temple of the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that Jaffna Fort, the second largest in Sri Lanka Buddha, including an impressive 14-metre one of Buddha's teeth was taken from him which was built by the Dutch in 1619. Another rock cut statue. as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was then highlight is the Nallur Hindu Temple, the most smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313AD. It now important place of Hindu worship in Jaffna. After exploring this ancient site we continue attracts daily pilgrims who come bearing lotus We’ll also take a boat ride to Nagadeepa to Polonnaruwa, an intriguing 11th century flowers and frangipani. After driving around

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer

Kandy Lake - built by the last Sinhala king which will be our base for exploring we reserve the right to substitute these Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, we visit the Udawalawe National Park. Not only is this hotels to ones of a similar standard. local bazaar and a gem museum before we national park renowned as one of the best Please refer to your Tour Voucher for your take a Tuk Tuk ride up into the hills to look places to see the famous Sri Lankan elephant, confirmed arrival hotel and further arrival down upon the city. it is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri information. Lankan sloth bear and varies types of deer. This afternoon we visit a working tea factory This afternoon we enjoy a game drive through Jetwing Sea at Giragama. Giragama Tea Factory is located the park before returning to our hotel for the Just minutes from the beach, the Jetwing in close proximity to the city of Kandy and was evening. Overnight - Udawalawe National Sea is a charming hotel with a modern sense established in the year 1903, manufacturing Park (B) of elegance. Guest rooms are elegantly 'Low Grown' and 'Long Leaf' tea. This evening, appointed with a beautiful blend of white we attend a cultural performance of traditional Day 11 : Colombo city tour and subdued shades of brown to ensure a Sri Lankan music and dance. relaxing ambiance. The hotel is complete Overnight - Kandy (B) with a refreshing swimming pool, countless Day 9 : Scenic train trip & tea dining options and a stunning roof top spa - perfect for a bit of pampering and plantations indulgence! Well located in the heart of Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morning offers Negombo - just a short walk to the Indian free time before transferring to Peradeniya Ocean. Railway Station for a scenic train journey though tea plantations and waterfalls up to Nanu Oya. On arrival at Nanu Oya Railway Station we transfer to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. We Lanka’s most popular hill resort because of begin our final journey back to Colombo this its invigorating mountain climate and scenery. morning with a visit to the Gem Mine and Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s Museum at Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for tea country producing a significant share its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka’s highest 85 types of gems in the world. Rajarata Hotel mountain, Pidurutalagala is located here and A modern and conveniently located hotel, Arriving to Colombo, we commence a city can be seen on the trip. Rajarata offers its guests a comfortable tour seeing the Fort area in the north stay whilst being within easy each of the This afternoon we take a sightseeing tour of the city, famous for its government highlights of Anuradhapura. After a long of Nuwara Eliya on a beautiful drive through buildings and interesting shops. Taking a day of sightseeing guests can relax by 'Little England'. stroll along Galle Face Green we'll see kite the outdoor pool or dine in the Tranquil flying and informal games of cricket being restaurant, serving local and western cuisine. Please note: There are two trains departing played, before heading over to the somewhat from Kandy, due to availability we cannot unique Gangarama Temple. Colombo has guarantee which departure, in advance. many beautiful temples which are all are Overnight - Nuwara Eliya (B, L) intricately-carved and it's also a great place to shop. Fashion, both branded and Day 10 : Jeep safari in unbranded is widely available in the capital, Udawalawe National Park as are souvenirs, books, arts and crafts and electronics. Overnight - Colombo (B) Jetwing Jaffna In the heart of the town of Jaffna, Jetwin Day 12 : Goodbye Sri Lanka Jaffna is one of the newest Jetwing Saturday. Today offers free time for you to properties. Hotel rooms are elegantly independently explore the city, before your furnished in a contemporary yet traditional included departure transfer to the airport. (B) style with beautiful interiors and wonderful en suite bathrooms. The on site restaurant HOTELS serves a fantastic array of local and international cuisine. Complimentary Wifi is Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Highlighted below are some of the hotels available throughout and the hotel is also Today we make our way south to Embilipitiya, which we frequently use on this tour, though

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer next door to the Cargills supermarket which surrounds. Its highlight being the rooftop safari. Well located just a few minutes drive is brimming with excellent facilities including pool and BOMMU Bar where you can soak from Udawalawe National Park. food court, cinema and banks. up panoramic views over Kandy whilst enjoying a cocktail or two. The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant serves a tasty array of Asian and international cuisine using only fresh and handpicked produce. Other amenities include a fitness centre and complimentary WiFi, with guestrooms boasting signature soft beds and rain OZO Colombo showers. Pigeon Island Resort OZO Colombo is a modern and stylish hotel, Set on the northern coast of Sri Lanka in the with sweeping Indian Ocean views from its city of Trincomalee, this beach resort offers rooftop infinity pool and many of its rooms. guests modern rooms and suites featuring There's free WIFI access throughout the private balconies and minibars. Thanks to hotel and the guestrooms are bright and its seaside location there are plenty of water airy with all modern amenities. To top it off, sports on offer, as well as whale and dolphin there's also a fantastic fitness center and a watching. At the on-site restaurant guests restaurant serving delicious, authentic Sri can choose from a variety of Sri Lankan and Jetwing St Andrew's Lankan cusine. OZO is centrally located on Western dishes. Jetwing St. Andrew's is a unique colonial Marine Drive, near Galle Road and just a 10 retreat set in a former country house and minute drive from the city centre. surrounded by landscaped gardens. All the spacious rooms are classically furnished with elegant wood and offer free WiFi and flat- screen TVs. The grounds of the hotel give a great feel of colonial splendour and guests can wake up to a typical English breakfast Jetwing Lake and enjoy a stiff brandy at the bar later in the day. Fine dining is offered at the Old The Jetwing Lake hotel is a brand new Course Restaurant and the hotel also boasts KNOW BEFORE YOU GO property with spacious and comfortable an antique snooker table, which is the oldest rooms that enjoy a contemporary design in Sri Lanka. blended with splashes of Eastern influenced COVID-19 Vaccination decor. The ensuite facilities are magnificent Requirements and in keeping with the luxurious feel of the As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of property as a whole. Each room also comes travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions with a balcony, from which guests can get that all travellers over 18 years provide proof some fresh air and enjoy the spectacular of COVID-19 vaccination. views. Within the complex there is a pool, We recognise any vaccine that has been spa and fitness centre, where guests can authorised for use in the country where while away their free time. There is also a Grand Udawalawe Safari the vaccine was administered. This includes restaurant, which serves sumptuous meals. Resort vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Situated on 7 acres of land, the Grand Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- Udawalawe Safari Resort is the only hotel BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. of its class in the area. Rooms are spacious with beautiful hard wood flooring and In all instances, you must be fully immunised. artwork depicting the wildlife of Udawalawe. This means you must receive the full dosage Food here is delicious and plentiful with of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum an extensive breakfast menu. The outdoor of 14 days before travelling in order for OZO Kandy Hotel pool is a great place to relax by and enjoy immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 a refreshing splash in after a good day on vaccine has different dosages and timeframes The stylish OZO Kandy prides itself on for immunisation, so please check the related its smart facilities and stunning mountain

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer medical advice associated with your vaccine. when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage way through your tour or end their holiday Children under 18 years are not required to handlers, local guides and other support staff when you continue on. provide evidence of vaccination to travel at throughout the tour. The tipping kitty amount this time. is noted under 'Exclusions' on the first page of Sri Lanka Country Guide this document. If you are unable to be vaccinated due Welcome to Sri Lanka - Arrival to medical reasons, you may apply for an PLEASE NOTE: The tipping kitty is to be paid transfer exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on in LKR and it will be collected on day 2 of A complimentary airport arrival transfer is a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must your tour. If travelling to India on our Delhi to included. Upon arrival at Colombo Airport provide supporting documentation from a Colombo tour, the tipping kitty for that section you will be met by a representative from medical professional. of your tour will be collected by your guide in On The Go Tours. The prominent sign India and payable in India Rupees (INR). Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must depicting our company logo easily identifies be provided to us no less than Our ‘tipping kitty’ doesn’t include a tip for our representative, please have your Tour 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept your group tour guide. For a job well done, Voucher handy and make it available to our COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid we would suggest for your tour guide: USD representative. Our representative will assist Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- $3-7 per traveller, for each day of sightseeing. you with your luggage and escort you to our mailed to [email protected] or you Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and vehicle for your transfer to your hotel. can upload your vaccination history ultimately the amount is up to you. If, for any reason you have trouble locating yourself via our traveller login. https:// our representative (after waiting 20 minutes www.onthegotours.com/Login Note: We do not collect a tipping kitty on our Safari in Sri Lanka tour, where you can tip at in the arrival hall) or your flight to Sri Lanka is The information you will need to upload your own discretion. delayed, please call or send a text message includes: Administering national authority or (standard text message, not Messenger or government, document No, name of Vaccine, Guides & groups WhatsApp) to the emergency contact number date/s of vaccination. Our longest group tour in Sri Lanka is our Sri as stated on your Tour Voucher. Please do not Lanka Northeast Explorer – 12 day tour. All leave the airport or go to the hotel on your Entrance fees other group tours that we offer are sectors own. Call our emergency contact number and Entrance fees are not included within the cost of this larger tour. As such on your holiday follow the advice given by our local team. of our Group Tours and needs to be paid you may have travellers join you part way Pre and post tour accommodation can be locally in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Entrance through your tour or end their holiday when arranged upon request, please contact us for fees will be collected on day 2 of your tour. you continue on. You also may have a number rates. If you are arriving early and book pre of escorting guides throughout your tour, ie tour accommodation with us then you will still If travelling to India on our Delhi to Colombo one guide escorting days 1-5 then another for qualify for our complimentary airport arrival tour, entrance fees for the India section of the remainder of the holiday. your tour will be collected in INR, then for the transfer. Sri Lankan section of your holiday in LKR. Whenever there is 6 persons of more on your holiday you will have a tour Visas & passports Note: Entrance fees are included on our Safari guide escorting/ travelling along with you. Visa requirements are subject to change and in Sri Lanka tour. Your guide will conduct the sightseeing visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also Tip kitty arrangements, or accompany you where the local law dictates that a local guide must ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 Tipping is not a natural part of many Western conduct the sightseeing in this region. Where months from your planned date of departure cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, the group number is less than 6 persons from Sri Lanka. or unsure about when or how much to tip. you will travel from place to place with a However in Sri Lanka tipping makes up a After booking your holiday, please provide us driver and meet a local guide at each new significant part of many people’s wages so it’s with your passport details as soon as possible destination that will conduct your sightseeing important that we get it right. For this reason so that we can proceed to book all services. arrangements in this location. we’ve developed a very simple system on our Please be advised visa requirements are Group Tours to take the hassle out of tipping. If traveling on our family tours, the longest subject to change, therefore it is essential that is the Wild Sri Lanka & Beach for Families - you check current visa requirements with the With our ‘tipping made easy’ policy, a nominal 13 day tour and the other tours we offer are embassy before travel. For information about pre-determined amount is collected from all sectors of this larger tour. As such on your visas, head to www.onthegotours.com/Sri- group tour participants to cover tips en holiday you may have travellers join you part Lanka/Visas route. This then saves you the hassle of

Sri Lanka Northeast Explorer

Health requirements greatly to the destruction of Sri Lanka’s reefs), You should seek medical advice for ivory or the hides of endangered animals. vaccinations and about medications before In the tourism industry it’s common practice travelling. for commission to be offered in exchange for Water recommending particular shops or suppliers. As tap water is not safe to drink in Sri This can become an issue when clients feel Lanka, only drink bottled mineral water which obliged to purchase. We do our best to avoid is readily available in hotels, shops and this by monitoring all shopping experiences restaurants. You should also avoid salads offered. which may be washed in unhygienic water. All shopping experiences on your tour What to pack have been noted in the itinerary and they been carefully selected based upon positive Please check local temperatures so feedback from On The Go travellers. You you can pack accordingly. Visit are under no obligation to partake in a www.worldclimate.com listed shopping experience and you are • Suitcase or frameless backpack/rucksack if most welcome to wait inside or outside the preferred premises. • Small day bag for your camera, water, Although we only visit reputable retailers, sunglasses, i-Pod etc. please note that we cannot explicitly • Please see go to www.onthegotours.com/ guarantee the quality of their products. All Sri-Lanka/Travel-tips-and-useful-info for purchases made whilst on holiday with us are recommendations on what/what not to wear at your own discretion. Please make sure that • Personal first aid kit you are completely happy with your purchase. • Sunglasses, hat, umbrella, money belt, DEET On The Go cannot be held responsible for - based industrial strength mosquito/insect any items that you buy if they fail to meet repellent. High factor sunscreen and bathers/ expectation, or any shipping arrangements. swim costume Proceed with caution. • Anti-bacterial hand gel/wet wipes and flat pack toilet paper/tissues It's not like home & what to • Universal travel adaptor • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel expect insurance policy, spare passport photos and a Please visit www.onthegotours.com/Sri- photocopy of your passport Lanka/Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local • Spare camera batteries, memory cards customs, currency, WiFi and other helpful • Pack as light as possible to leave room for information to prepare you for an enjoyable the souvenirs! holiday. Shopping Travel to far - flung corners of the earth involves lifestyles and conditions that are Sri Lanka is excellent for gemstones sometimes very different from what you especially sapphires, moon-stones and cats- are used to back home. You must come eye. Other items to look out for include spices, prepared to cope with unusual situations, wood carvings and other handicrafts, clothing local inadequacies and unpredictable events of types, batik and hand-woven textiles, as and when they occur. Foreign travel is brassware, handmade lace from Galle and of definitely not suitable for people who expect course tea. Tea varies in quality, so if you’re or demand everything to go exactly as buying in bulk, ask for a tasting! If seeking planned. With the greatest respect and in the modern local chic, Colombo offers a selection interest of your ultimate enjoyment you must of department stores and stylish boutiques. understand this. Things can and do change in Refrain from buying souvenirs made of coral foreign countries. (creation of this sort of tourist that contributes