Negombo Holidays

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Location: Sri Lanka

A jewel in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a whirl with ancient sites, interesting culture, beautiful wilderness and idyllic beaches. From the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, to the Kandyan dancers and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lankan culture spans over 2,000 years and remains vibrant and alive today.

Your holiday price includes:

• International flights
• Local transport during the trip
• 14 nights shared hotel/guesthouse accommodation
• Service of a tour leader for the entire trip
• 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
• Activities: Cultural Triangle Ticket (some sites in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy),Entry fees and local guides, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy Tooth Temple, Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage, Kandy dancers, Bandarawela cooking demonstration, local trekking guide in the Hill-country,entry to tea estate (Haputale), icycle hire in Anuradhapura and Polonnurawa.

Not included:

• Airport transfers
• Pre- and post trip accommodation
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• *Local payment (US$200)
• Meals other than specified above (allow approximately US$200)
• Optional activities
• Visa and passport fees

*Local payment is used to acquire incidental in-country services. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds to local suppliers in the countries travelled to and helps to reduce the overall cost of your trip.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Negombo

Upon arrival at Colombo International Aiport, transfer to the joining point hotel in Negombo, just 6km from the airport. There are no arranged activities on Day 1, but please arrive by 6pm for a group meeting followed by an optional welcome dinner.
If you arrive early, there will be sightseeing information on the notice board at the hotel.

Day 2-3 - Anuradhapura

Your private vehicle takes you to Anuradhapura via Chilaw, a small town with fantastic local fish markets.
Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's most extensive and important ancient city. Itsruins are now classified as a World Heritage site. You start your guided bicycle tour of the ancient city at the central and sacred old Bo Tree, a spiritual reminder of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the inspiration for Anuradhapura's great buildings. The ruins themselves are spread over quite an area, some in woodland settings and others appearing park-like with columns and old ponds dotted about. There are several museums with a range of interesting and amusing exhibits and there is the possibility of an optional visit to Miihintale, of enormous spiritual importance as it is where Buddhism originated in Sri Lanka.

Day 4 - Polonnaruwa

In the morning, you travel to Polonnaruwa, which was the capital of the Indian Chola Dynasty after Anuradhapura was conquered in the late 10th Century. The ruins are close together and are generally in much better repair than those at Anuradhapura.
Cycling amid the remains of 1000-year-old Polonnaruwa is the best way to get around. You will visit more beautiful palaces, temples and stupas, but the highlights have to be the massive stone Buddhas - the 14m-high graceful granite carved reclining Buddha is a famous Sri Lankan image and represents the zenith of Sinhalese rock carving. You visit the well laid-out museum, which has scale models of many of the buildings to show how they would have existed in their time.

Day 5 - Dambulla Caves/ Sigiriya

On the way to Sigirya you visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. Located above the road, these temples house some 150 Buddha images in the 5 caves. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to a nearby wildlife reserve.

Sigiriya is an impressive fortress built as a royal citadel on top of a 200m-high rock mass, and early on the morning of Day 6 you take the steep climb to the top for fantastic views. The water gardens have been restored to their former 5th century glory and you will follow a spiral staircase to see the famous 5th century frescoes.

Day 6-7 - Kandy

On the way to Kandy you stop at one of the region's spice and herb gardens to see how they're grown.
Situated among the hills, Kandy is Sri Lanka's culture capital. The city has a wonderful atmosphere with a picturesque lake, old shops, a bustling market and some great restaurants. Here you visit the octagonal Temple of the Tooth and you may experience the drumming and chanting rituals of the white-clad pilgrims who come to worship at Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist site. There is also a National Museum, monasteries and scenic walks around town. The botanical gardens are reputed to be among the best in Asia.
In the evening, you will see a performance of the famed Kandyan dancers and fire-walkers and also make a trip out to the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage to see the gentle Asian giants feeding and bathing at close range.

Day 8-10 - Bandarawela/Haputale

From Kandy you travel by local train through the highlands to Bandarawela. Here you have a lesson on Sri Lankan food and a cooking demonstration. On Day 9 you set off by local public bus to the starting point for your walk through picturesque tea plantations and small Tamil villages. A 6 to 7 hour walk brings us to our guesthouse and we can spend the afternoon exploring the area or relaxing with the wonderful collection of old movies at our accommodation.

Day 10 offers more walking options in the beautiful surrounds of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. The walks require good walking shoes as the 'track' is often just rocks under shrubs and if there has been rain it can get muddy. You do need to be fit because though the walk is not too demanding, it can be difficult walking on rough and unsteady ground.

Day 11-12 - Mirissa

This morning you have the opportunity to visit a Tea Factory and a unique chance to see a Hindu Temple and observe a morning prayer.
Driving further along the beautiful Sri Lankan South Coast brings you to the small fishing village of Mirissa, where you base yourself for two days for some serious beachside relaxation! The beach is a long curve of sand and has lovely calm clear waters for swimming - the sunsets are great too. This is a paradise that you won't want to leave!

Consider taking a bicycle ride to nearby Weligama where colourful fishing boats should have just brought back their loads of fresh fish to sell along the shore of the sandy bay; and if the tides are right, further along the bay, stilt fishermen could be casting their lines from their traditional poles.

Day 13 - Galle

You move on to the colonial port town of Galle, home to an impressive World Heritage-listed Dutch fort with extensive walls containing many interesting old buildings. In the evening you will take a walk around the historical fort and watch the sunset from the ramparts.
The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British have all used the natural harbour as their port. Galle is now going through a major rejuvenation with many old properties being renovated and converted to boutique hotels and restaurants.

NB Galle and Mirissa were severely damaged by the December 2004 Tsunami. Project work still continues to repair the lives and homes of thousands of people in the area.

Day 14-15 - Colombo

Leaving the beaches of Mirissa, you take a famous train ride catching your final glimpses of the beautiful Sri Lankan coastline before rolling into the city of Colombo. Finishing your trip in Colombo gives you the perfect opportunity to explore the city and catch up on some fantastic shopping.

You are free to depart anytime on Day 15. Check-out from the hotel is at 12 noon. Additional accommodation is available at the hotel and is best booked at the time of booking your trip.

If you would like to extend your stay and add on extra nights at the beginning or end of your trip, please call our dedicated team of travel experts. We are happy to help you tailormake your holiday.

Single travellers: No single supplement (prices are based on 2 people sharing)
Children: Not available
Infants: Not available

Please note

• Your confirmation email is notification that the tour operator has received your request and is processing it.
• The tour operator requires a minimum of 4 people in total to run this trip.
• Due to an outbound overnight flight, your total holiday duration will be 15 nights.
• The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa, MasterCard, & Amex - 2%.
• For any bookings made within 15 days of departure, there will be a late booking fee of £25 levied by the tour operator.

Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking.

Nearest Airport : Colombo Bandaranaike Apt (CMB)