Flavours of Sri Lanka

OUR INSIDER EXPERIENCES

Visit one of Anuradhapura‘s most revered Buddhist temple sites, Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, where a fantastic atmosphere is created by the many visiting pilgrims. Enjoy a fascinating walking tour of Colombo‘s Pettah market where everything from electrical goods to fresh produce is sold. Climb the thousands of steps to the top of Sigiriya Rock and be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Stop at a village near Habarana for an insight into rural Sri Lankan life. Take a bullock cart to see traditional farming life and enjoy a simple local lunch.

Anuradhapura

Sigiriya

Colombo

Kandy

SRI LANKA

DAY 1 Colombo On arrival in Colombo, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing. Stay the next two nights at Ramada Colombo (or similar).

DAY 2 Colombo Explore the Grand Oriental Hotel, Fort district, kovils (Tamil Hindu temples) and the Gangaramaya Temple. Wander through the Pettah, a vibrant and crowded street market area where everything from televisions to chillies are sold. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore independently. (B)

DAY 3 Colombo to Anuradhapura Drive to Anuradhapura and stop en route at Negombo to visit the famous fish market. Along the way, you may see locals performing seasonal ‘toddy tapping’, a process which produces a popular local alcoholic beverage made from palm trees. Continue to Anuradhapura, the centre of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. This ancient Buddhist capital also features spectacular ruined stupas set among park-like scenery. Enjoy an evening at leisure. Stay the next two nights at Palm Garden Village (or similar). (B)

DAY 4 Anuradhapura Spend the morning at the birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhism, Mihintale. Climb up to the hill temples for spectacular views. While there are some steep steps the view is well worth the climb. Enjoy free time at your hotel before visiting some of Anuradhapura’s main sites including the Thuparama Dagoba, perhaps the oldest Buddhist structure in the world. In the evening, experience one of Anuradhapura’s most revered Buddhist temple sites where a fantastic atmosphere is created by the many visiting pilgrims coming to pray under the huge dome of Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba. (B) DAY 5 Anuradhapura to Sigiriya Depart Anuradhapura and stop at a rural village near Habarana for an insight into Sri Lankan rural life. Take a bullock cart ride to see farming life before enjoying a simple lunch using fresh local ingredients including eggplant, yam, green banana or okra. Continue to the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa and visit the remains of the Royal Palace and impressive neighbouring Quadrangle which retains some palace structures. Drive on to Sigiriya and relax over dinner at your hotel. Stay the next two nights at Hotel Sigiriya (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 6 Sigiriya Steeped in myth and legend, explore Sigiriya Rock which is an ancient monastery or palace believed to date back two millennia. Depending on your fitness levels, climb to the rock summit and be rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding jungles and countryside. During the climb, see superb apsara frescoes before seeing two enormous rock lion paws as you begin the ascent to the summit. Return to the hotel and spend the remainder of the morning at leisure. Take an afternoon tour of the deserted forest monastery of Ritigala followed by dinner. (BD)

DAY 7 Sigiriya to Kandy Travel from Sigiriya to Dambulla, home to five hilltop cave temples filled with one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated collections of Buddhist art. The temples hold dozens of Buddha images and vast colourful frescoes. Afterwards, visit a tropical spice garden and learn about the plants which are used medicinally and in cooking. Enjoy a local lunch before driving into the central hills to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second largest city set amid forested peaks. Stay the next two nights at Hotel Suisse (or similar). (BL)

DAY 8 Kandy Rise early to visit the Temple of the Tooth which houses Sri Lanka’s most revered relic, a tooth of Buddha and see one of the daily ‘pujas’ or prayer ceremonies. Pilgrims from all over the Buddhist world flock to the temple which is regarded as one of the holiest in the religion. Sample a simple local breakfast or a refreshing cup of tea before visiting a colourful central market area and the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Once favoured by Sinhalese kings and British colonial rulers, the gardens feature a spectacular and colourful collection of exotic tropical plants as well as a huge colony of fruit bats. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration and farewell group dinner. (BD)

DAY 9 Kandy to Colombo Enjoy breakfast before visiting a tea plantation on the way to Colombo for your onward journey. (B) FLAVOURS OF SRI LANKA

9 DAYS FROM

£ 1,121 PER PERSON*

PRICE PER PERSON*

2022 DAY TWIN SINGLE

FEBRUARY 13 1253 1757 MARCH 20 1163 1589 APRIL 17 1163 1589 JUNE 22 1121 1508 SEPTEMBER 11 1121 1508 OCTOBER 16 1121 1508 NOVEMBER 13 1121 1508 DECEMBER 4 1121 1508

2023 DAY TWIN SINGLE

JANUARY 22 1253 1757 FEBRUARY 12 1253 1757 MARCH 12 1163 1589 All Departures Guaranteed

Tour prices includes

• 8 nights hotel accommodation • Transport in air-conditioned vehicles • Entrance Fees • English-speaking Tour Leader • All tips on tour • Return arrival and departure transfers (conditions apply) • Meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

TRIP GRADING ACTIVE