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| Kuoni Travel — Worldwide 2008 2nd Edition |
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sri lanka highlights
A comprehensive tour of the main sights this island gem has to offer Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya to name but a few, all from the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle. This exciting holiday includes all major highlights and by staying at the Kandalama resort the itinerary is less busy than some and reduces the amount of packing and unpacking that you need to do.
ANURADHAPURA G NAMAL UYANA G DAMBULLA G
SIGIRIYA G G G POLONNARUWA KANDALAMA
P COLOMBO G
MOUNT LAVINIA G BENTOTA G
G KANDY G NUWARA ELIYA
The magnificent Dambulla Rock Temple
Kuoni P L US OFFERS
upgrades Your own private vehicle For only £140 per
car (maximum 3 persons) enjoy the Sri Lanka Highlights Tour in your own car with driver-guide (for 4-6 adults a minibus will be provided instead of a car). NB This is only during the tour (not the beach extension) when the car will follow the main group. SriLankan Airlines Business Class to Colombo available at a supplement on request.
sri lanka highlights
Mount Lavinia: 1 night Nuwara Eliya: 1 night Kandy: 2 nights Kandalama: 3 nights Mount Lavinia: 1 night (optional) Beach: 6 nights (optional) Plus up to 6 extra nights FREE I Day 1 Departure by SriLankan Airlines on Monday from Heathrow to Colombo, or on Wednesday at a supplement. One night less on the beach may sometimes be required due to flight schedules. I Day 2 On arrival transfer to the colonial Mount Lavinia hotel (p47) to relax. I Day 3 After breakfast drive through stunning scenery to Nuwara Eliya stopping for lunch at Kitulgala where `Bridge over the River Kwai' was filmed. Nuwara Eliya is set in a mountain valley some 6,000 feet above sea level, and Sri Lanka's most famous hill station. Dinner and overnight at the Tea Factory hotel near Nuwara Eliya (p59) (approx. 115 miles or 5 hours). B,L,D. I Day 4 In the morning, visit a tea plantation and local factory before returning for lunch at the Tea Factory hotel. After lunch, begin your descent down the hills along winding roads and past beautiful hill countryside and tea plantations to Kandy and the excellent first class Earls Regency hotel (p60) for the next two nights (approx. 50 miles or 3 hours). B,L,D. I Day 5 Morning at leisure, perhaps enjoy the nearby golf course (transport extra) or relax by the swimming pool. After lunch enjoy sightseeing of `the capital of the Sri Lankan Kings.' Visit Kandy town and market including the renowned Temple of the Tooth. In the evening enjoy a cultural exhibition of Kandyan dancing (approx. 15 miles). B,L,D. I Day 6 After breakfast visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens before returning to the Earls Regency for lunch. In the afternoon visit a spice garden and a batik factory en route to the picturesque first class Kandalama resort near Sigiriya (p59), your base for the next three nights. Observe the birdlife and beautiful countryside of Kandalama, a 55 acre forest which contains a variety of trees, medicinal plants and a rich and varied birdlife. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kandalama (approx. 65 miles or 3 hours). B,L,D. I Day 7 After breakfast leave for the forest reserve of Namal Uyana, densely populated with Na trees, the national tree of Sri Lanka.
The range of seven hills in this lush forest reserve is said to be the largest pink quartz mountain range in Asia, and is home to many kinds of medicinal plants and species of birds. After lunch visit Mihintale where Buddhism was first introduced and is abundant with shrines and rock dwellings and thereafter you will also see the Avukana Buddha statue, the most magnificent undamaged statue in Sri Lanka. Return to Kandalama (approx. 160 miles or 3½ hours). B,L,D. I Day 8 After breakfast leave for Sigiriya and climb the impressive rock fortress. The superb views from the top make up for the tough climb! Here you will see the remains of the palace and famous frescoes. Proceed to Polonnaruwa, the 12th Century Sinhalese capital, with lunch en route. This is a sacred city with spectacular shrines, dagabas and statues from the great Buddhism civilisation. See the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihare (awe inspiring Buddha statues carved out of rock), the Lotus Bath and 12th Century Polonnaruwa Statue. Return to Kandalama (approx. 120 miles or 3¾ hours). B,L,D. I Day 9 After breakfast, leave for the south coast visiting the Dambulla Rock Temple famous for its beautiful murals, inscriptions and statues. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagmbahu for 14 years during his exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained his throne, he built this magnificent Rock Temple consisting of four large caves which are one of the most impressive caves in Sri Lanka. Continue to the Pinnawela elephant orphanage and enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, proceed to the Mount Lavinia hotel. Alternatively continue to your chosen beach hotel for the next six nights to relax on the west coast beaches (approx. 5 hours). B,L. I Day 10 or Day 15 Fly SriLankan Airlines to Heathrow, arriving later the same day. NB The last night at the Mount Lavinia or your beach hotel may not always be a full night subject to flight schedules. Important Notes Accommodation during the tour includes good first class hotels with swimming pools throughout (excluding the Tea Factory hotel near Nuwara Eliya). Please note that Mount Lavinia is a superior medium class hotel full of colonial charm. On occasion it may be necessary to amend the detailed itinerary. For departures on other days of the week, depending on flight schedules, an extra night may be required at the beginning of your tour.
escorted The Sri Lanka Highlights Tour is
accompanied by a local guide or driver-guide from departure in Colombo to arrival at your beach hotel. During your stay at your selected beach hotel, assistance will be provided by our local representatives.
beach extension The Sri Lanka Highlights Tour can
be combined with any of the featured beach hotels in Sri Lanka, please be sure to read the hotel descriptions carefully and details of excellent offers (p46-57).
spa packages Optional spa packages are available to prebook at Six Senses Spa Kandalama and Tea Factory from £53 for two treatments. Please ask for further details.
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Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
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