Tour Dossier Pearl of the Indian Ocean Classic Tour │15 Days│Moderate Pace This document was designed to provide a straightforward description of the physical activities involved in sightseeing or travelling during the tour. All passengers should read this dossier to assess the physical requirements of the programme and their ability to complete the tour. Classic Tours Our Classic tours are designed for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures on a fully- inclusive excellent value group tour. Pearl of the Indian Ocean is a Moderate Pace tour; Tours require a higher level of fitness and may include standard activities and longer periods of sightseeing. Easy walking, high altitude and overnight train journeys may feature. Tour Highlights: On our Pearl of the Indian Ocean itinerary, you will visit: Negombo - Coastal city on the west coast of Sri Lanka, known for busy fish markets and beautiful beaches Sigiriya - Spectacular rock fortress and UNESCO World Heritage listed site Kandy - Capital of Sri Lanka’s hill country and is the home of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha Nuwara Eliya - ‘Little England’; set amongst mountains, valleys and tea plantations Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home - Located inside the Udawalawe National Park, the Elephant Transit Home cares for orphaned, abandoned and displaced elephants, rehabilitates them and releases them into the National Park. Ahungalla - A small coastal town located in Galle District Bentota - Famous for watersports, world class hotels and traditional Ayurveda treatments. Colombo - Sri Lanka’s capital city and the country’s political, economic and cultural centre Visit wendywutours.com.au Call 1300 727 998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Destination Profile Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka is a beautiful island, with a 2,500m-high mountainous range, stunning waterfalls, endless tropical beaches and national parks full of amazing wildlife. Explore ancient cities, temples, monuments and architecture that reveal evidence of the former presence of the British Raj. Development in Sri Lanka - Although Sri Lanka is developing quickly, it still lacks the international standards of civil infrastructure and tourist facilities. Concepts of personal responsibility are also different to those in Australia. Consequently, tourist and public facilities may not uphold the same safety standards as in Australia; for example, you may see a hole in the road without a warning sign or safety barricade. All of our suppliers meet local safety standards as a minimum. We want you to have an enjoyable holiday so we ask that you take extra care, use your common sense, refer to notices and follow advice from your National Escort/Local Guides. Roads in Sri Lanka - Main and inner city roads in Sri Lanka have a reputation for being very congested. For this reason, it may not always be possible to return to your hotel after sightseeing to freshen up before going to the restaurant for dinner. Roads in Sri Lanka have generally been improved over recent years, but traffic and/or weather conditions may extend driving times. Road construction work usually covers an enormous section of road – not just one or two kilometres as you may be used to. For this reason, the timings listed in the sections below are approximations only. Cuisine in Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan is home to a melting pot of cuisine. Throughout years of colonization and influence from other countries and a history of spice trading, Sri Lankan has adapted its own distinct flavor. While travelling in Asia, it is important to keep an open mind and be adventurous. All meals (excluding drinks) are included in our fully inclusive Pearl of the Indian Ocean group tour from the groups’ arrival until the groups’ day of departure. Please be aware that dishes selected for your meals reflect the cooking styles and signature dishes of the local area you are in. Joining Your Tour - The tour is 15 days in duration including international flights. Travellers booked on ‘Land Only’ arrangements should make their own way to the starting point. Join the tour on Day 1 in Negombo and end the tour on Day 14 in Colombo. Please refer to your Final Itinerary for more specific meeting instructions pertaining to your departure. Itinerary changes 1. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions. 2. An improvement has been made to the itinerary to enhance your experience in Sri Lanka. In 2016 you will overnight in the beautiful coastal town of Ahungalla (or the nearby town of Hikkaduwa) instead of Galle. Flight Delays or Changes to Arrival Times - Due to unforeseen circumstances, flights can be delayed, and therefore connecting flights may be missed. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact our Sri Lanka office on + 94(0) 777 358 737 (24 hours) to urgently advise your arrival details have changed. Please ensure you have your trip number, tour name (both included in your final documentation) and new arrival details (flight number and arrival time) handy to pass on to our local office in Sri Lanka. This will ensure your National Escort/Local Guide can be informed of your most up to date information and ensure someone is at the airport to meet you on arrival. If we are not advised of late changes and missed connections, Wendy Wu Tours cannot guarantee someone will be able to meet you upon arrival in Sri Lanka as our local office will have no way of knowing which flight you will be arriving on. Wendy Wu Tours will not be responsible for providing reimbursement of transportation costs from the airport to your hotel in the event that our local office was not advised of changes to arrival times. Visit wendywutours.com.au Call 1300 727 998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Itinerary – Pearl of the Indian Ocean Day 1: Australia to Negombo via Colombo hotel or on the coach. There will not be food or drinks Day Outline served at this meeting; it is simply an opportunity for your Fly with Singapore Airlines to Colombo. Upon arrival you group to meet and learn more about travelling in Sri Lanka. will be met and transferred to Negombo for a two night Tour Negombo city, including a boat trip through a river stay. delta. You will need to climb on and off a boat without handrails or assistance. Sightseeing today involves 2 hours Physical Description sightseeing on foot with light climbing of steps involved. Your National Escort/Local Guide from Wendy Wu Tours will meet you at the Bandaranaike Airport in the Arrivals Destination Information Hall tonight. Together with any other group members who Fish Auctions – Each day the fishermen of Negombo take may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer (45 out their oruvas (a type of sailing canoe). Watch the lively minutes) to your hotel and check-in. In the event of flight fish auctions, where you will have a chance to meet the delays or changes to arrival times, please see the previous local fishermen. page for details as to what to do in this circumstance. Dutch Fort - The original fort was built by the Portuguese Destination Information and destroyed during the Dutch siege in 1644. The Dutch Negombo - Negombo was once an important commercial rebuilt a stronger fort on the ruins. The British, who used trade centre, well known for offering the best cinnamon in the stone to build a prison, demolished it in the late 19th the world. Negombo was one of the first towns taken by century and today only ruins remain. the Portuguese, only to be captured by the Dutch in 1640 and then recaptured by the Portuguese some months later. Day 3: Negombo to Sigiriya The British eventually took control of the town in 1796. Day Outline Rise early and after breakfast drive to Ritigala Nature Day 2: Negombo Reserve, where you will visit the Jungle Monastery and Day Outline explore the ancient ruins. Continue to Sigiriya for a two Tour the town of Negombo today. Begin at the beach, night stay and enjoy the afternoon free at leisure. where you can view the fish auctions. Continue to the Dutch Fort where you will tour the surrounding area. Later Physical Description visit a local Catholic Church. In the afternoon, take a boat Drive approximately five hours (220km) to Ritigala Jungle ride through the delta river. Monastery. You will spend two hours here; sightseeing involves climbing uneven steps and ruins. Continue to Physical Description Sigiriya (approximately 50 minute drive). This morning a tour introduction will either be held in the Visit wendywutours.com.au Call 1300 727 998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Destination Information period. Also tour Gal Vihara, a magnificent group of rock Ritigala Nature Reserve and Monastery - Nestled among temples consisting of four separate statues; a meditating the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, it is a fascinating nature Buddha, a smaller Buddha said to be visiting heaven, a reserve that is home to many species of rare flora and standing Buddha and the reclining Buddha entering fauna. Ritigala Jungle Monastery showcases a large Nirvana, which is 14 metres long. Buddhist Monastery, dating from pre-Christian times. Abandoned between the 10th and 11th centuries, the Day 5: Sigiriya to Kandy Monastery was left to be swallowed by the jungle before it Day Outline was discovered in the 19th century. Drive to Dumbulla and discover the Dumbulla Rock Temple. Continue to the town of Kandy, stopping to visit a spice Sigiriya - The ancient city of Sigiriya lies at the 180m garden in Matale en route summit of the granite peak known as the ‘Lion’s Rock’.