The Jewels of Sri Lanka 8 – 21 March 2020
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THE JEWELS OF SRI LANKA 8 – 21 MARCH 2020 FROM £3,680 PER PERSON Tour Leader: Verity Smith ANCIENT PAST, COLONIAL TRADITION AND ENCHANTING 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 Colombo, from which we head inland to Habarana to explore the cultural triangle. We see Sigiriya, an impressive rock-hewn fortress, and the beautifully preserved remains of the 11th century capital, Polonnaruwa. 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. Tea Country Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage The Lighthouse, Galle 14-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 8 MARCH 2020 8 March London / Colombo his house and also the Buddhist 12 March Habarana, Sigiriya temple of Seema Malaka. Visit the & Dambulla Suggested flights (not included in the textile shop, ‘Barefoot’ which was cost of the tour) Sri Lankan Airlines started by the artist, writer and Early morning visit to the 5th century flight departing London Heathrow designer Barbara Sansoni 40 years World Heritage Site of Sigiriya Rock at 20.40 hrs. ago. Return to the hotel late afternoon Fortress. Visit the frescoes of the for the remainder of the afternoon at Heavenly Maidens of Sigiriya which 9 March Colombo leisure. This evening transfer to the are in a sheltered pocket of the rock. famous Paradise Road for dinner at (Please note that the climb to the Arrive Colombo at 12.40 hrs. Transfer top of ‘Lion Rock’ can take up to 90 to the charming Galle Face Hotel, a the Gallery Café, which used to be Geoffrey Bawa’s office. minutes. Certain parts of the walk 5-star colonial hotel located in the are quite steep and should not be heart of Colombo overlooking the attempted by anyone with mobility Indian Ocean, where two nights are 11 March Colombo / Habarana issues, a heart condition, or breathing spent. Reputedly the oldest hotel in Drive (with luggage) to Habarana difficulties. You may wish to walk part Sri Lanka, the hotel has sweeping stopping for lunch near to the of the way or tuk tuks will also be views over a kilometre stretch of Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala. provided to take you around the base lawn and the charming Galle Face Originally the Elephant Orphanage of the fortress). Promenade dating from 1864 from was founded to provide protection which the hotel takes its name. and care to orphaned and Return to the hotel for lunch and un-weaned wild elephants found the early afternoon at leisure. Late Late lunch at the hotel followed by the wandering in and around the forests afternoon, visit to Dambulla rock remainder of the afternoon at leisure. of Sri Lanka. Today it is not only an temple. Dambulla was built by King Early evening drinks at the hotel bar orphanage but also a nursery and Walagambahu in the 1st century followed by dinner at the hotel’s Sea captive breeding ground for wild BC and is a World Heritage Site. It Spray restaurant. Asian elephants. contains over 150 images of Buddha. Private dinner at Kandalama Hotel 10 March Colombo Lunch at Pinnalanda Restaurant, in the ‘Caves’. Morning city tour of the old town which overlooks where the elephants with resident host, Mark Forbes and bathe. Continue to Habarana, 13 March Habarana & Polonnaruwa his wife Ruwi, including a visit to the located at the heart of Sri Lanka’s Early this morning, there will be famous Pettah open air bazaar and world-famous Cultural Triangle of a unique opportunity to enjoy market, the National Museum and Kandy-Anuradhapura-Polonnaruwa. magnificent views of Sigiriya rock the Sapumal Foundation, which was Check into The Cinnamon Lodge for from a hot air balloon followed once the home of Sri Lankan artist a three-night stay. This charming by a champagne breakfast Harry Pieris. hotel is surrounded by 27 acres of (weather permitting and at a lush forested land, offering beautiful supplementary cost). Lunch at the Ministry of Crab. In the gardens including a butterfly afternoon enjoy an introduction to garden, a swimming pool, tennis This morning, visit the beautifully the creations of the late Sri Lankan and badminton court and a spa. preserved medieval capital of architect, Geoffrey Bawa, including Dinner at the hotel. Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Seema Malaka Temple, Colombo Heritage Site that dates from the Continue driving to Kandy and check preserved much of its original style. 11th century AD. Visit the ruins of the into the Mahaweli Reach Hotel which The remainder of the afternoon at Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the overlooks the Mahaweli Ganga River leisure followed by dinner at the hotel. statue of King Parakramabahu and and where two nights are spent. the Parakrama Saumdraya. Also visit Dinner at the hotel. 17 March Nuwara Eliya the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilare, This morning, visit the Hakgala the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Gardens which started life in 1860 Vehera and the remains of the former 15 March Kandy as an experimental plantation of Temple of the Tooth Relic. Finally visit This morning, explore Kandy cinchona trees, from which the anti- the ruins of the Royal Palace and the including Kandy Lake, Kandy town malarial drug quinine is derived, but Gal Vihara which has four statues of bazaar and the arts centre. Visit they are now best known for their Buddha carved out of rock. Continue the beautifully restored Garrison roses, ferns and orchid house – and to the Lake House, formerly the Old Cemetery housing the gravestones for their beautiful views. The gardens Polonnaruwa Rest House, which was of many British nationals who played are also home to some interesting built in 1870 as a circuit bungalow for a key role in the development of Sri wildlife, including bear monkeys and British government guests. It was Lanka in the 19th century. sambur, as well as an outstanding visited by the Queen in the 1950s and array of montane birdlife. it has now been restored as a hotel. Lunch at the Empire Café. Afternoon visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Lunch at the Hill Club. The founding Lunch at the Lake House overlooking one of the most famous Buddhist members of the Hill Club, which is the lake. Return to the hotel for the Temples. Return to the hotel. Dinner now a hotel, were mainly English and remainder of the afternoon at leisure. at Kandy House. Scots planters of coffee, cinchona, Special BBQ dinner by the lake at and tea. The original building, the hotel. 16 March Kandy / Nuwara Eliya which served as a club house, was Following breakfast, leave for the centred around the current billiard 14 March Habarana / Ashburnham Royal Peradeniya Botanical gardens, room. Its colonial atmosphere has / Kandy first built as a pleasure garden by a been faithfully preserved. Return This morning, leave Habarana for Sinhala King and then expanded by to the hotel for the remainder of Kandy. On route stop at Ashburnham the British. From Peradeniya Railway the afternoon at leisure. Dinner Tea Estate and take a walk through Station take a train to Nanu Oya at the hotel. the Estate with the Estate Manager to (subject to confirmation) enjoying the see the local ladies picking tea. spectacular scenery of tea plantations 18 March Nuwara Eliya / Kitugala and thick jungle along the way. / Galle Buffet lunch on the terrace with Today, leave Nuwara Eliya and drive the owners of Ashburnham Tea Packed lunch on board the train. south to Galle. Estate. The 1930s Principal Planter’s On arrival in Nanu Oya transfer and Bungalow, now converted into a check into the Heritance Tea Factory Stop for lunch at Kitugala at the small hotel, is set in 98 acres of Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, where two Plantation Hotel restaurant on the tea estate, offering fabulous views nights are spent. Built in the days banks of the Kelani River. Continue over the Knuckles Mountain Range. of the British Raj, the hotel has to Galle and check into the exclusive 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK TOUR PRICES PER PERSON Tour Price £3,680 Single Supplement £780 Visa Fees Currently USD 35 (subject to change) Optional Excursions: Hot Air Balloon flight £230 on 13 March Visit to Lunuganga and £95 Brief Garden 20 March including lunch PRICE INCLUDES • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary • Breakfast daily; 11 lunches; 11 dinners • Mineral water at meals included in Galle the itinerary • All entrance fees, visits and excursions • Transportation as per the itinerary • Gratuities in restaurants for included meals Jetwing Lighthouse Club Hotel where including lunch. The house and three nights are spent. This luxury gardens at Lunuganga, were lovingly • Gratuities to guide/s; gratuities hotel overlooking the sea includes created over several decades and to driver/s manicured gardens, swimming pool show Bawa’s vision of a tropical • Porterage and spa.