Walking and Cultural Discovery of Sri Lanka

14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS ADVENTURE

DELUXE FROM NZ $4,123 PP

Much more than a walking tour, this holiday offers a real insight into Sri Lankan culture and takes you to the heart of this spectacular island nation. Sri Lanka is bursting with historical and archaeological highlights, so visits to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the natural rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla, the Dutch Fortress of Galle, Kandy home to the ‘Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Travelling to the tea country trekking through the tea gardens, across the famous Horton Plains to ‘World’s End, and a climb to the summit of the sacred Adam’s Peak (2243m) to witness the sunrise. Also included is some well-earned R&R time on the beautiful south coast beaches of Mirissa and wildlife safaris in two of Sri Lanka’s National Parks, Udawalawe and Wilpattu.

Tour notes: Itinerary Can be tailormade

Tour Type: Bespoke Special Interest Group Journey Group size: Minimum 07 and above Departs daily: Choose your dates Best Time to Travel: Sept to April Accommodation: Various Category Available

Combine your stand-alone or multi tour with wholesale return airfare and save

3 Anuradhapura

2 Kandy

2 Colombo 2 Nuwara Eliya

1 Unawatuna

3 Weligama/Hikkaduwa (Beach Resort) Day 1: Arrive Colombo

On arrival at the airport, meet your Tour Manager at the arrival lounge who will assist with the transfer to Colombo Hotel. Stay two nights in Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo

B L D

Enjoy a guided tour of Colombo exploring the famous attractions like The Independence Square, BMICH and the Aukana Buddha Statue replica, Beautiful Gangarama Temple, the Beira Lake, Galle Face Green, Colombo National Museum and Peta Bazaar. Evening enjoy welcome dinner at a local restaurant serving Sri Lankan cuisine.

Day 3: Colombo –Anuradhapura

B L D

Travel to Anuradhapura centre of great historical and religious significance. Afternoon enjoy three hours walk and explore the main sites of Anuradhapura, UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world’s largest archaeological excavation site and a centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. As you walk along the streets, byways, and green lawns of Anuradhapura we will come across massive stupas, ingenious irrigation works, palaces and monasteries. Stay three nights in Anuradhapura.

Day 4: Sigiriya & Minneriya Excursion (Ride & Transfer) B L D

Morning half-day walking tour of Polonnaruwa ancient capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights are huge man-made reservoirs, Royal Palace complex, the Quadrangle and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite. Afternoon travel to Wilpattu National Park and enjoy a jeep safari. The special features of this Park are a large number of lakes, where you can watch wildlife and many species of birds.

Day 5: Sigiriya Rock & Chena Village Excursion B L D

Rise early for your journey to the

What’s included: 13 Nights deluxe accommodation Travel by chartered air-conditioned vehicle Group assistance and transfers Sightseeing as specified Meals as specified THO National Guide (minimum 07 people) Monument entrance fees Jeep safari at Wilpattu & Udawalawe National Park Visit to Chena Village Spice plantation visit Cultural dance show in Kandy Tea Tour Hi-Tea Bottled water while travelling and All current collectable taxes.

magnificent rock-top fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. This imposing citadel site is known as “Lion’s Rock” and explore the ruins of ancient palaces, moats, shrines, frescoes and water gardens as you take in commanding vistas of the misty forests beyond. Afternoon proceed to Chena Village, the guided walk goes along side Hiriwadunna lake offering an opportunity to spot birds and land monitors and cross a little jungle rivulet by Catamaran.

Day 6: Anuradhapura –Matale – Kandy B L D

Today travel to Dambulla, en-route visit the Dambulla Cave Temples a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex spans five caves and contains over 150 Buddha images, some of which date as far back as the 1st century BC. Continue to travel towards Matale and visit Spice Plantation, and see how herbs and spices are grown in their natural environment. Learn their medicinal value and use in Sri Lankan cuisine to enhance the taste of speciality meals. Stay two nights in Kandy.

Day 7: Kandy B L D

Follow in the footsteps of millions of devout Buddhists this morning with a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth considered one of the most culturally significant places in the country. This afternoon stroll through the former leisure gardens of Kandyan Royalty before returning to your hotel for some poolside lounging.

Day 8: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya B L D

Take in the dramatic landscapes of tangled green peaks and tea plantations, Pass colourful Hindu temples. Afternoon enjoy a tea experience as you meet the Tea Pickers who work the tea plantation fields. Witness the entire process of tea making, the rolling, withering, and packaging. You will also get an opportunity to taste a fresh cup of tea and buy some to bring back home as a souvenir. Stay two nights in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 9: Horton Plain Excursion B T D

After an early breakfast we drive up to the Horton Plains National Park and set off on our trek to ‘World’s End’ and the beautiful Bakers Falls. Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest plateau, approx. 2200m above sea level and the dramatic drop-off at the edge of the plateau is particularly well demonstrated as ‘World’s End,’ where there is a 300-meter precipice. This afternoon we head to the glamorous colonial Grand Hotel to enjoy high tea, served either outside on the lawn or in the open-sided tea lounge.

Day 10: Nuwara Eliya –Udawalawe B L D

This morning transfer to Namunukula Range where we enjoy a wonderful day of trekking starting high on the lush green slopes of Sri Lanka’s ‘tea country’. Walking mostly downhill we descend through grassland, villages and farms down to the ‘dry zone’ at Hingurukaduwa where our vehicles will be waiting for us. Stay one nights in Udawalawe.

Day 11: Udawalawe Beach Resort

B L D

Morning jeep safari at the Udawalawe National Park popular for elephants and other wild animals. Continue travel to our beach destination Hikkaduwa, en-route enjoy a guided walk-through of Galle’s historic 17C Dutch Fort and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have some time here to explore, browse the boutique shops for lastminute souvenirs or enjoy a beverage at one of the small sidewalk cafes. This fascinating excursion will give you a memorable glimpse into life within Galle Fort – one of the bestpreserved Colonial Forts in Asia. Stay three nights at Hikkaduwa /Weligama.

Day 12 - 13: Beach Resort B

After breakfast day free to relax after a busy couple of weeks discovering the wonders of Sri Lanka and so we have included two free days here. You are free to take a walk along the beach, go snorkelling, or just lie back in a hammock. There are many speciality restaurants like Seafood, Thai, Sri Lankan and Chinese you may choose your favourite for the day and book it while at the hotel for dinner.

Day 14: Beach Resort –Colombo Departure

B

After breakfast tour finishes with a direct transfer to Colombo airport.