Erik's Adventures L.L.C.
Standing out with authentic travel experiences
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Sri Lanka
A Land Like No Other!
August 9th-19th, 2007
Landcost 1645$
A Land Like No Other!
August 9th-19th, 2007
Landcost 1645$
Aug 9th (Thu) Depart USA
Aug 10th (Fri) In transit and loose a day crossing the international date line
Aug 11th (Sat) Arrive Colombo (B/L/D
Met on arrival at the airport and meet your host who will transfer you to your
hotel in the capital city of Colombo. Rest and unwind from your flight.
This afternoon proceed on a brief city tour of Colombo & shopping.
Colombo - drive through the city, taking you to the
busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined
residential Cinnamon Gardens. The historic
Dawatagaha Mosque, visit Fort, the former British
administrative center and military garrison, Sea
Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of
Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu
Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating
back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International
Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence
Square.
After the city tour visit Mlesna Tea boutique, Odel Unlimited, Paradise Road, also
the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “Noritake” or other ceramic
items.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand Hotel.
Aug 12th (Sun)
Colombo / Sigiriya (B/D)
After breakfast proceed to the cultural triangle of this Island – Sigiriya.
On arrival proceed to your hotel and this afternoon
visit the famous Dambulla caves.
Dambulla - Caves and Rock Temples abound in Sri
Lanka, but the most awe inspiring are the 1st century
Dambulla caves. The caves were once a refuge for
King Valagambahu, thus after being reinstated on his
throne, the King transformed the caves into rock
temples. Five separate caves contain approximately
150 statues of the Lord Buddha, many of them
exquisite in their detail.
Playful monkeys are an added attraction at Dambulla -
an entertaining distraction after an absorbing
afternoon spent amidst the serene beauty of the cave images.
Thereafter return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya Village
Aug 13th (Mon)
Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya (B/D)
Early morning travel to the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress where you may climb to
the summit to enjoy glorious views of this area and see the ruins of the one time
grand fortress. Its best to climb this rock very early morning before the day’s heat
builds up. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Sigiriya is home to the 5th century “Fortress in the Sky”
which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the
Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge
lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress.
Within its triple-moated defense the huge rock rises almost
to a sheer height of 500 feet. On its summit are the
foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous
palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one
of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala
secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life
sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their
original color.
This afternoon proceed on a half a day tour of Polonnaruwa.
Polonnaruwa is an interesting mix of Buddhist and
Hindu structures that are a testament to the different
kings who reigned over this ancient kingdom.
Polonnaruwa rose to prominence between the 11th
and 13th centuries when it was first established as a
kingdom by the invading Chola kings because of its
strategic location. The ruins at Polonnaruwa are all
within walking distance of one another - many of them set in tree-shaded areas, a
welcome refuge from the tropical sun.
Thereafter return to your hotel for an overnight stay at Sigiriya Village.
Aug 14th (Tue) Sigiriya / Wasgamuwa National Park / Sigiriya (B/D)
After breakfast proceed by jeep to the Wasgamuwa National Park for a safari.
The Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the
Polonnaruwa and Matale districts and the tropical
intermediate dry mixed evergreen forest
dominates its environment. Home to a huge
variety of flora and fauna, the inhabitants here are
elephants, wild buffaloes, spotted deer, leopards,
sloth bears, water monitors and crocodiles. Other
livings are 143 species of bird including the Red
Faced Malkoha, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Lesser
Adjutant, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Ceylon Spur
Fowl and Ceylon Frogmouth.
Thereafter return for your hotel.
Dinned and overnight stay at Sigiriya Village.
Aug 15th (Wed) Sigiriya / Kandy (B/D)
After breakfast proceed to Kandy, en-route visit the Spice Garden & Batik Factory
at Matale. Arrive and check in to your hotel.
Tonight enjoy the Kandy Perehera, one of Asia’s most remarkable spectacles, held
but once a year. The head Elephant carrying the sacred tooth relic contained in a
gilded casket is almost entirely covered with richly embroidered cloth. He leads the
pageant followed by drummers, torch bearers, the famous kandyan dancers, and as
many as 50 more colorfully dressed elephants.
Return to your hotel for dinner.
Overnight stay at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel.
Aug 16th (Thu) Kandy / Pinnawela (B/D)
After breakfast visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage started in 1975 to
house the abandoned and the wounded elephants.
The number of elephants has increased to more than
40 including baby elephants brought from various
parts, as well as the babies born as a result of the
captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the
feeding time and the bathing time when all the
elephants are taken to the river close by.
Thereafter continue your tour of Kandy City and visit the Temple of the tooth.
Kandy -the hill capital, the last stronghold of
the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the
British in 1815. Kandy is an example of
Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today.
Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping
alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. To
the Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the world,
Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” -
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy.
Aug 17th (Fri) Kandy / Ratnapura / Galle (B/D)
After breakfast proceed to Ratnapura and visit a Gem Mine and the Gem museum.
Sri Lanka is famous for its rubies and specially the blue sapphires. The Blue
Sapphire on Princess Diane’s engagement ring was supposedly from Sri Lanka!!
Thereafter continue down south and check in Closenburgh Hotel for your
overnight stay. www.closenburghotel.com
Aug 18th (Sat) Galle / Airport (B)
Breakfast at your hotel.
Morning at leisure. Check out from your hotel at 12 noon.
This afternoon proceed to Galle for a sightseeing tour.
Galle is Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting
town. It was a major port until about 100 years
ago, but today it still caters to shipping and
sailing boats in its natural harbor. Stroll around
the lighthouse and harbor or visit the old town
where you can see traditional lace makers and
wood carvers. The Dutch Fort - Galle’s oldest
landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort that is a “World Heritage Site”
in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some
scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King
Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord.
Thereafter proceed to the airport for your return flight to USA.
Cost:
LandArrangements $ 1,645
per person sharing double room
Land cost includes:-
•
Accommodation at hotels specified or similar on sharing basis
•
Meals – as mentioned in the itinerary (B – breakfast, L – lunch & D – dinner)
•
All transfers and sightseeing tours in an air conditioned vehicle with the services of an
English speaking chauffeur guide.
•
Applicable entrance fees.
•
Jeep safari with park fees.
•
Premier seats for the Paegent.
Land cost does not include:
•
International tickets USA / Sri Lanka / USA with applicable departure taxes.
•
Extra visits and meals not indicated.
•
Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, beverages etc.
•
Camera & video permits at cultural sights.
•
Porterages, tips and gratuities to staff and guides.
•
Personal medical and travel insurance.
”Ayubowan” (May you have the gift of long life!), is the traditional greeting, and with this we welcome you to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s idyllic landscape, rich mix of beauty and culture make it the ultimate holiday
destination. This is the Garden of Eden, “the original paradise, so beautiful land that was created”. Many a traveler has been seduced by the Island’s tantalizing beauty which according to Mark Twain, were “All harmonious, all in perfect taste”
Sri Lanka’s archaeological treasures bear testimony to a civilization that spanned the golden age of Periclean Greece, the Roman Empire, Mayan citadels, and Napoleonic grandeur. The resultant legacy is a culture embellished by the more recent influences of Western colonizers, and Eastern traders, producing a mercurial mix of races and religions, arts and crafts, festivals and costumes that enchant the visitor with their exquisite variety.
Sri Lanka enjoys tropical warm weather all year with their seasonality being the two periods of Monsoon.
Sri Lanka’s idyllic landscape, rich mix of beauty and culture make it the ultimate holiday
destination. This is the Garden of Eden, “the original paradise, so beautiful land that was created”. Many a traveler has been seduced by the Island’s tantalizing beauty which according to Mark Twain, were “All harmonious, all in perfect taste”
Sri Lanka’s archaeological treasures bear testimony to a civilization that spanned the golden age of Periclean Greece, the Roman Empire, Mayan citadels, and Napoleonic grandeur. The resultant legacy is a culture embellished by the more recent influences of Western colonizers, and Eastern traders, producing a mercurial mix of races and religions, arts and crafts, festivals and costumes that enchant the visitor with their exquisite variety.
Sri Lanka enjoys tropical warm weather all year with their seasonality being the two periods of Monsoon.
