Culture and Heritage of Sri Lanka

 

Sigiriya	Vil Uyana	4 nights
Kandy	Hunas Falls	2 nights
Galle	The Lighthouse	2 nights

10 days from £875

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: SriLankan Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Colombo.  By road to Sigiriya.

On arrival in Colombo you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car on a scenic journey into the island's interior to reach your hotel in Sigiriya, located in the centre of Sri Lanka's famous 'Cultural Triangle'.  This will be your home for the next 4 nights.

DAY 3 - Dambulla, the 'Lion Rock' of Sigiriya.

After breakfast, take a short excursion to the rock temple at Dambulla, the largest cave monastery in Sri Lanka with a history going back to the 1st century B.C. In the late afternoon set off to climb the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', to see the delightful frescoes depicting beautiful women, usually known as the 'Sigiriya damsels' (detail, left).  After viewing the frescoes there is the option for the stout-hearted of continuing to the summit via the narrow stairway clinging to the rock's sheer face.  Little remains of King Kasyapa's 5th century fortress that once graced the summit (for some 18 years this was the royal citadel, impractical as it may seem), but the view over the surrounding plains is magnificent.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – Polonnaruwa.

Today you will visit the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, which flourished under the Chola Dynasty from the 11th to 13th centuries AD.  Built beside the extensive man-made reservoir known as the 'Sea of Parakrama', Polonnaruwa is the best preserved of Sri Lanka's ancient cities.  Some of the finest reclining buddha statues in the country are to be found here, carved from huge slabs of granite (such as the one pictured).  You will also see the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Pavilion, the Kiri Vehera stupa, and the 'Quadrangle', the latter a compact group of ruins including a circular relic house decorated with a superb moonstone (not the jewel, but a traditional carved semi-circular stone step.  Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 5 – Anuradhapura.

An excursion this morning to Anuradhapura, the earliest of the royal cities (founded in the 4th century B.C.), which was for more than a thousand years capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom.  There is still much to see and admire in this vast city; particularly impressive is the vast Ruwanweli Seya stupa, guarded by a wall of 336 carved elephants standing shoulder to shoulder.  In the centre of the city stands the sacred 'bo' tree, the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world, donated to the Sinhalese in 247 B.C. by the Indian emperor Ashoka as a sapling taken from the tree under which Buddha obtained enlightenment.  Your hotel in Sigiriya is the first in the world to construct a wetland system with lakes and reserves to form a private nature reserve, and in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the area in a special buggy, on a journey that will take you through padi fields and man-made lakes, enjoying the wealth of birdlife.  The remainder of the day is at leisure, maybe to enjoy a quiet drink by the poolside or have a swim.
Pictured: The Thupuramaya Dagoba, considered the first stupa to be built in Sri Lanka, although it was extensively restored in the 19th century after being almost totally destroyed.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 6 - Drive to Kandy via Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.

After breakfast leave your hotel for the drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka's second city located in the central hill country.  On your way to Kandy visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage (right).  See baby elephants wandering around their foster home, or bathed by their carers in in the river, an experience you will never forget.  There are more than 60 elephants at Pinnawela;  this unique project has proved the salvation of these threatened animals, but it has also resulted in their domestication.  Continue to your hotel in Kandy.  The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Kandy.

Spend the morning exploring Kandy, a lively city surrounded by rolling hills and forest which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom, and is famous for its lake and the renowned 'Temple of the Tooth' (pictured), Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic.  The sacred tooth of Buddha was reputedly snatched from the flames of his funeral pyre and eventually found its way to Sri Lanka towards the end of the 16th century.    After an afternoon at leisure, return to the temple in the evening to witness the colourful 'puja' ceremony.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 8 - Drive to Galle.

This morning drive down from the hills through attractive scenery to the city of Galle on the south west coast of Sri Lanka.  Your hotel is located on a lovely stretch of beach just outside the city.  Afternoon free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 - Galle.

A day at leisure in this delightful spot.  Galle has always been one of Sri Lanka's most historic cities, the gateway to the sandy coves of the south.  Galle is also home to the magnificent 300 year old fort, like Kandy a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest and best preserved colonial sea fortress in Asia, constructed during the Dutch occupation in the 17th century (pictured from the air).  We recommend you take a lunch at the famous Sun House, an 1860s hilltop colonial mansion (now a small hotel) overlooking the harbour and fort.
Meals included: Full breakfast each day.

DAY 10 - Drive to Colombo for your homeward flight.

Drive along the western coast of Sri Lanka to Colombo Airport (approximately 4 hours) for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.                                                                              

International Flights.

We recommend the services of SriLankan Airways from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Colombo. Depart at 13.35; arrive Colombo at 07.45 (next day)
Colombo/Heathrow. Depart at 13.15; arrive Heathrow at 19.45

Culture and Heritage of Sri Lanka (Tour Reference: WDSL001)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Thursdays (see note below)	Price
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr	£875
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct	£1270

Flights are available on most days of the week, but the timings differ each day and a Thursday departure (returning on a Saturday) offers the best option.  On some days, for example, you would need to leave Galle in the very early morning in order to reach Colombo in time for your homeward flight.

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• 8 full breakfasts as shown in the itinerary
• Private transportation throughout
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of a private English-speaking driver/guide throughout

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Optional sightseeing
• International airport taxes
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.