SRI LANKA: COLOURS & FLAVOURS 4 – 18 SEPTEMBER 2020 FROM £4,895 PER PERSON Tour Leaders: Chris and Carolyn Caldicott SPECTACULAR SCENERY, COLONIAL HISTORY AND RICH CULLINARY TRADITIONS Join us on this off the beaten track journey to the teardrop island of Sri Lanka and discover the rich culinary traditions, cultural diversity and atmospheric historic towns of this lush tropical island with a backdrop of extraordinarily beautiful landscapes of misty hills, verdant forests and palm fringed beaches. The journey begins in the dynamic Indian Ocean port of Colombo where we will stay in a charming colonial era villa and explore the thriving street markets, ancient Buddhist temples and the contemporary cool café and shopping scene. Travelling inland by rail, a feat of 19th century British imperial railway construction that offers a nostalgia packed train ride from the steamy jungles of the coast to the colonial era hill stations of tea country, we will explore the island’s interior staying in a boutique plantation house of a working tea estate. From an eco-jungle lodge in the wilderness of Gal Oya National Park we will walk with indigenous Vedda people to a forest waterfall for sundowners and take a boat safari in search of swimming elephants. Sitting in God’s Forest stylish Koslanda will be our base for forest treks to find wild coffee, pepper vines and cinnamon and culinary adventures into local cuisine between visiting the largest rock cut Buddha statues on the island and the dizzy heights and spectacular views of Lipton’s Seat. Back on the coast the Galle Fort is packed with remnants of a vibrant past that lured spice merchants from around the globe for centuries alongside chic café society in beautifully restored villas. Here we will savour the famed seafood and biriyani cuisine before ending the trip relaxing at the idyllic Kumu Beach. Hill Country Kumu Beach Sri Lankan Cooking Class 15-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 4 SEPTEMBER 2020 4 September London / Colombo the textile shop, ‘Barefoot’ which 8 September Madulkelle was started by the artist, writer and Suggested flight (not included in the designer Barbara Sansoni 40 years Morning tour of the Madulkelle tea cost of the tour) Sri Lankan Airlines ago. Also visit the famous Paradise plantation and factory, following flight departing London Heathrow at Road and the Gallery Café, which the journey of the tea leaves from 20.30 hrs. used to be Geoffrey Bawa’s office. their plucking by the female estate Dinner under own arrangements. workers through to their sorting 5 September Colombo and processing to make the famous Ceylon tea. Arrive Colombo at 12.45 hrs. Transfer to Maniumpathy, a luxurious boutique Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon at hotel located in the heart of Colombo, leisure to enjoy the hotel’s pool and where two nights are spent. Facilities spa or walking trails. Dinner at the include a pool, casual dining, fine hotel. dining and a personalised butler service. 9 September Madulkelle / Gal Oya Light lunch by the pool at the hotel Drive to Gal Oya Lodge in Gal Oya followed by an afternoon at leisure. Nine Arch Bridge National Park where two nights are Early evening visit to Gangaramaya spent. The small wildlife lodge is Temple, an eclectic mix of Sri constructed from natural materials Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese 7 September Colombo / Kandy / that have all been locally sourced and architecture, and a sunset stroll on Madulkelle is set against a backdrop of low-lying Galle Face Green, a kilometre-long mountains in 20 acres of private forest stretch of lawn and promenade Take the Blue Train to Kandy and and close to the country’s largest dating from 1864. Sundowners at the then drive to Madulkelle Tea & lake. colonial Galle Face Hotel. Stop off at Eco Lodge where two nights are the illuminated Malakaya Meditation spent. Nestled on a picturesque tea Lunch at the hotel. Late afternoon Centre on way back. Jaffna dinner at plantation, on the Knuckles Mountain walk with a chief from the the hotel. Range 1,000 metres above sea neighbouring Vedda tribe, one of the level, the hotel has secluded lodges last remaining communities of the 6 September Colombo with comfortable amenities and forest-dwelling, indigenous people magnificent views of mist covered of central Sri Lanka. He will explain Morning city tour of the old town mountains, lush green valleys and his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, including a private tour of the house crystal-clear streams. the location of their ancient hunting of the late Sri Lankan architect grounds and cave dwellings, as well Geoffrey Bawa and a walking tour of Lunch under own arrangements at as how hunter-gatherers sustained the Fort area and the famous Pettah the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Late themselves in the ancient jungles open air bazaar and market. afternoon walk through the forest and of Gal Oya. This is followed by terraced paddy fields to Mini World’s sundowners and a swim at a waterfall. Lunch in Voc Café at the Dutch End Point and Hatale Waterfall. Dinner at the hotel. Burgher Union. In the afternoon visit Dinner at the hotel. 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Stilt Fishermen Temple of the Reclining Buddha 10 September Gal Oya trails of the hotel’s estate along the 13 September Koslanda Nahavila Oya River. See flora and Optional dawn walk with a resident fauna such as pepper vines and wild Morning tuk tuk ride up to Lipton’s naturalist, through the trees and coffee bushes, jack fruit and kumbuk Seat for tea and wadai snacks. One around the lake enjoying the trees, giant squirrel, toque macaques, of Sri Lanka’s most impressive abundant birdlife such as kingfishers, butterflies and birds. Swim and have viewpoints, the Scottish tea baron eagles, kites and many aquatic birds. tea at a stunning private waterfall. Sir Thomas Lipton used to survey his Return to the hotel for breakfast. Take Return to the hotel for a cooking class land from here. a boat safari on the lake which is the learning to make string hopper, one of best way to spot the wildlife. With Sri Lanka’s favourite roadside snacks. Lunch under own arrangements. a little luck you will see elephants Dinner at the hotel. Afternoon walk to see the local swimming between islands or bathing villages and Buddhist sites or a spice at the lake’s edge. 12 September Koslanda plantation. Dinner at the hotel. Lunch included in the safari. This morning, take a scenic journey 14 September Koslanda / Galle Afternoon to relax by the hotel’s pool. by train from Haputale to Demodara Dinner at the hotel. through fields of tea as far as the Drive to Galle and check in at the eye can see, passing the Nine Arch Fort Bazaar in Galle Fort. Set amidst 11 September Gal Oya / Koslanda Bridge. Walking tour of the hill town ageing coral walls on historic Church of Demodara known for its spiral Street, this stunning hotel is fresh Drive to visit the magnificent railway line, popularly known as the and contemporary and its chic, Buduruwagala rock temple, a group ‘Demodara Loop’. The railway line understated interiors feel distinctly of seven carvings on the site of an passes under itself, going around the Moroccan, as does its fabulous ancient Buddhist temple. The rock loop and emerging from a tunnel, cuisine, both of which richly reflect cut Buddhas are the largest standing which runs directly beneath the the fort’s Moorish history. Facilities Buddhas in Sri Lanka and date Demodara railway station. include a spa. back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Continue to Living Heritage Koslanda Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive Lunch under own arrangements where three nights are spent. This back to Koslanda with stop at the on arrival or en route. Walking tour unique boutique hotel is set in the Ella Gap with its stunning views. with Chris and Carolyn of Galle Fort heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country. Remainder of the day at leisure to which covers some 90 acres and was surrounded by the magical forests on enjoy the hotel’s spectacular hilltop originally built by the Portuguese, its own estate, with tea plantations infinity pool. Dinner at the hotel. though later extended by the Dutch in beyond. Traditional architecture 1663. Dinner at The Bungalow. and design are fused with modern facilities and the experienced chefs 15 September Galle deliver mouth-watering Sri Lankan cuisine. Optional dawn photo safari around the fort and fish market. Return to the Lunch under own arrangements hotel for breakfast. Visit the colourful at the hotel. Take a guided nature Buduruwagala vegetable market. walk through the protected forest 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK TOUR PRICES PER PERSON Tour Price Single Supplement Hotel Supplements (per person): Master Suite Maniumpathy Pavilion Living Heritage Koslanda Oceanview Suite Kumu Beach Please note we have not included the cost of the flights in the tour price. PRICE INCLUDES • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary • Breakfast daily; 7 lunches; 12 dinners • Mineral water at meals included in the itinerary • All entrance fees, visits and excursions • Transportation as per the itinerary • Gratuities in restaurants for included meals • Gratuities to guide/s; gratuities to driver/s Lunch under own arrangements. Lunch at the hotel. Remainder of the • Porterage Afternoon at leisure. Biriyani dinner afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the • Local English-speaking guide/s at Sha’s Kitchen in a local house hotel. with Mrs Shahira Mahuroof. • The services of your tour leaders 18 September Balapitiya / throughout 16 September Galle / Balapitiya Colombo / London PRICE EXCLUDES Optional dawn photo safari.