CLASSIC SRI LANKA Heritage sites and luscious landscapes Sri Lanka remains one of Asia’s overlooked gems. Perhaps no other country offers such a variety of landscapes and experiences packed into a fulsome, easily navigated jewel box of an island. Your personalized route traverses the centre of the island with its ancient ruins, scenic tea plantations, and lively towns. From the cultural heartland rich with World Heritage sites, to superb highland landscapes, to lush green tea fields and sweeping white sand beaches, you’ll encounter all the island’s highlights.
Classic Sri Lanka | 2 DAY PLACE HIGHLIGHTS 01-02 Colombo Heritage walk in the Fort area 03-04 Anuradhapura Explore Buddhist monuments of the ancient kingdom 05-06 Sigiriyia Climb the spectacular Rock Fortress 07 Kandy Make an offering at the Temple of the Tooth 08-09 Hatton Hike and cycle the tea trails 10-11 Galle Enchanting colonial discoveries 12 Colombo Departure
www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 3 DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01-02 The cosmopolitan city Colombo Upon arrival in Colombo, the traditional gateway to the orient and the capital of Sri Lanka, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. The next day explore this cosmopolitan metropolis, a fascinating tapestry of ancient Buddhist temples, stunning colonial architecture, and modern art galleries. See the historic sea-facing Galle Face Green, visit the famous Gangaramaya and Seema Malakaya temples. Explore the heritage Fort area on foot with its mix of old architecture and modern constructions. Get to know the works of Sri Lanka’s iconic modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa. Enjoy a first taste of fine Sri Lankan cuisine. Meals: Breakfast www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 4 Day 03-04 Mystical ancient ruins Anuradhapura Set off northward along the coast, then inland to the vast ruined city of Anuradhapura, one of the most sacred places in Sri Lankan Buddhism. This ancient city, dating from the 4th-century BC was the spiritual and secular capital of the island for over 1000 years. As you explore on foot or by bicycle, you’ll feel the stillness of the now ruined bell-shaped stupas, crumbling temples, and magnificent sculptures, foremost among them the beautifully preserved Thuparamaya, said to contain the clavicle of the Buddha. Wander through the vast and quiet site to discover the foundations of palaces and homes and marvel at the early Sri Lankans’ talent for urban planning reflected in sophisticated system of canals and reservoirs. Meals: Breakfast www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 5 Day 05-06 Wild elephants and the Rock Fortress Sigiriya Enjoy a moment of quiet contemplation this morning in the magical atmosphere of the Ritigala forest monastery spread over a vast area of thick jungle. Head south to the Minneriya National Park, one of the best parks to observe large herds of wild elephants in the mixed forest of evergreen shrubs. The next day, get up early and head to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, an astounding feat of engineering and a spectacular example of early Sinhalese art and iconography. It’s a steep climb to the summit but worth the effort for the spectacular views. Explore the ancient ruins at Polonnaruwa with its crumbling stupas, reclining Buddha statues, and intricately carved Hindu sculptures. The vast complex houses hundreds of archeological structures and is inhabited by large groups of toque macaque and grey langur monkeys that are a delight to observe. Meals: Breakfast www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 6 Day 07 Spices and Temples Kandy Depart Sigiriya for Kandy, travelling first to the well-preserved Dambulla Cave Temples, dating from the 1st-century BC, and containing some of the country’s most iconic and evocative examples of religious art. Take a tour of the Ranweli Spice Gardens to learn about the great variety of spices grown here followed by a delicious traditional lunch served in the paddy fields. Once in Kandy make your offering at the sacred Temple of the Tooth, a major hub for Buddhist pilgrims that houses the Lord Buddha’s left upper canine tooth, said to have been taken from the Buddha’s funeral pyre in India. Lit up at night by thousands of tiny white lights, the temple is a magical site. Meals: Breakfast
www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 7 Day 08-09 Tea Country Hatton Jump on the scenic train for a journey through tea plantations en route to the Bogwantalawa Valley, the Golden Valley of Tea and home to old Ceylon, replete with rolling green hills, plantation bungalows, high tea, and exquisite hospitality. Here in solitude, at an elevation of 4000 feet above sea level, lies Hatton Tea Trails, four colonial era tea planter’s bungalows where you will be absorbed into life on a working tea estate, while reveling in five-star luxury. Scenic walking trails link the properties, offering views in all directions. During your stay, choose a hike up Adam’s Peak, a tea plantation bike tour, or an early morning visit to Horton Plains, a plateau of wild grasslands with patches of thick forest dotted with waterfalls and misty lakes. The plateau’s sudden end is famously known as ‘World’s End’, a stunning 800m drop. Meals: Breakfast www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 8 Day 10-11 The Fort and the beach Galle The beautiful and historic coastal city of Galle is home to the old Fort within the ancient port that once traded with Greece, China, and Arabia. Stroll the cobblestoned alleys and stop in at the cafés, galleries, and boutiques that enhance the fort’s still dynamic atmosphere. Spend a day relaxing on one of the splendid beaches in the area with the scent of spices lingering on the waves. Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 International departure Colombo www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 9 What’s Included: • All airport and hotel transfers • Accommodation based on double occupancy for 11 nights • Breakfast daily • Lunch at the Spice Plantation • Dinners while in Hatton • Services of your driver/host • Transportation by comfortable air-conditioned private vehicle with unlimited mileage • All activities with your private guide as listed: o Colombo: Full day city tour o Anuradhapura: Full day visit of the UNESCO site o Sigiriya: Half day jeep excursion in Minneriya National Park o Sigiriya: Full day tour to the Rock Fortress and Polonnaruwa o Kandy: Half day tour of the Temple of the Tooth and palace o Hatton: Train journey from Kandy to Hatton o Hatton: Walks and Hikes offered by the Tea Trails o Hatton: Half day excursion to Horton Plains o Galle: Half day walking tour • Entrance fees where applicable • 24/7 Support Service • Trip kit with travel documents and itinerary information • All taxes and fees
What’s not included: • International flights • Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry, taxis etc. • Video / Photography fees at monuments • Travel insurance • Visa fees • Gratuities • Beverages (other than water) at meals
www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 10 ACCOMMODATION
City Stay 5 Star Boutique Luxury
Colombo 2 N Kingsbury Hotel Galle Face Hotel Uga Residence
Anuradhapura 2 N Palm Garden Village Forest Rock Garden Ulagalla Resort
Sigiriya 2 N Cinnamon Lodge Wild Grass Resort Water Garden
Kandy 2 N Cinnamon Citadel Jetwing Kandy Gallery Kings Pavilion
Hatton 3 N Grand Hotel Camellia Hills Ceylon Tea Trails
www.alaya-travels.com Classic Sri Lanka | 11