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Sri Lanka
Indian Sub-Continent
Splendours of Sri Lanka
12 days from £1699
Fly from Heathrow New Includes all meals and full sightseeing
Habarana Colombo
SRI LANKA
Sigiriya Polonnaruwa Kandy Nuwara Eliya Bentota Yala
Formerly Ceylon, the name Sri Lanka means `Splendid Land'. Set in the Indian Ocean just 30 miles off the vast Indian sub-continent, Sri Lanka is an island of richly varied landscapes lush jungles, rolling hills, vivid green tea plantations, palm fringed beaches and a wealth of history and culture.
YOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Meet your travelling companions in the A executive lounge prior to your scheduled flight to Colombo. DAY 2 Arrival in Colombo for an overnight A stay. Colombo is a city of contrasts, with colonial architecture and bustling bazaars. This afternoon our city tour by tuk tuk takes us to see the main sights including the National and Dutch Museums, old and new Parliament Houses, Gangarama Buddhist Temple, Town Hall, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Enjoy a welcome drink this evening. DAY 3 This morning we drive to Habarana for a A three night stay. Along the way we stop to taste the different varieties of pineapple and visit Kaju-gama, which means `Cashew town', where you can buy a few packets of the famous nuts. This afternoon we go on an Elephant Back Safari. DAY 4 This morning we visit the 600ft Sigiriya A Rock Fortress (The Lion) which rises majestically from the jungle floor. In the afternoon we drive to Polonnaruwa, capital of Sri Lanka during the 11th and 12th centuries. Enclosed by medieval walls, the palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks and ponds bear witness to its glorious past. We will see the vast irrigation lake aptly named Parakrama Samudraya or the `Sea of Parakrama' after its royal builder King Parakramabahu. This gigantic reservoir was built to collect rain water and not a drop was allowed to go to waste. We will also visit the magnificent ruins of the Royal Palace, the Thuparama Dagoba and the Gal Vihara three splendid statues of Buddha. DAY 5 - Today we explore the Dambulla Rock A Temple, a World Heritage site, built around a large granite outcrop concealing an impressive Buddhist cave complex, Raja Maha Vihara. Dating from the 1st century BC, it is the largest and best preserved in Sri Lanka with its vast murals and statues. DAY 6 - We leave Habarana and drive to Kandy for A a two night stay. En route we visit the spice garden at Matale and take part in a cookery demonstration, then continue to a Batik factory and have a chance to create and print our own fabric designs. DAY 7 - This morning we travel to the Pinnawela A Elephant Sanctuary in time to watch the elephants feeding and taking their daily bath in the river. Founded in 1975 to care for just seven elephants, it has grown into a conservation and education centre looking after hundreds of abandoned or injured elephants. We return to the picturesque lakeside city of Kandy, situated at 1,600 ft and the centre of Sri Lanka's Buddhist culture. Our afternoon city tour takes us to see the Royal Botanical Gardens with its superb Orchid House and collections of aromatic spices, medicinal herbs, palms and rare endangered plants, followed by a drive along the shores of the beautiful lake and a visit to see Kanuyan craftsmen. We will also see the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. DAY 8 - Today we drive to the hill station of Nuwara A Eliya set in a stunning mountain valley 6,000ft above sea level for an overnight stay. On the way we will see the tea pickers on the plantations and visit a tea factory, before an enjoyable afternoon tea at the Hill Club. DAY 9 - We set out on a scenic drive to Yala National A Park via the legendary Ravana Ellla Falls and stop k to visit a clay pot making factory with a chance to practice our own skills. After checking in to our hotel for an overnight stay, we go on a jeep safari this afternoon in search of the elusive leopards of Yala. DAY 10 - We leave for a two night stay at the beautiful A beach resort of Bentota. En route we stop at the
historic Port of Galle, a World Heritage site strongly influenced by its Dutch colonial past, to see the majestic Galle Fort, Dutch Museum, Groote Kerk (Great Church), the National Maritime Museum and bustling harbour. The city is also famous for its delicate handmade lace and ebony carvings. Late check in at your hotel. DAY 11 - At leisure to relax and enjoy the resort and A the palm fringed beach before a farewell get-together and dinner this evening. DAY 12 - Return to Colombo for your return flight to A the UK. Your arrival is later the same day.
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