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Sri Lanka

Resort:Sri Lanka
Operator: Riviera Travel
Destination: Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka
Price From: £2299.00

Overview

As soon as you arrive, your senses are overwhelmed by Sri Lanka! The warm tropical air, the colourful wild flowers and the jungle, the striking colours of the saris adorning every woman, the variety of exotic fruits and spices, the beauty of the countryside, the mystique of countless temples and orange-clad Buddhist monks and wild elephants this is a varied place indeed! Marco Polo, arguably the greatest explorer of all time, described it simply as the finest island in the world!

During its two thousand year history, Sri Lanka has attracted countless invaders and visitors from nearby India, the Arabs, the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British. The 145 years of British rule left an indelible mark on Sri Lankas culture and institutions from a deep love of cricket to the red pillar-boxes still found on street corners. Today, this fabled island of spices and gems is a vibrant blend of entrancing Buddhist culture, ancient cities, wildlife- rich lowland jungles, home to leopards, elephants and monkeys, a mist-shrouded hill country and tropical palm-fringed beaches.

Our tour takes you to all the major sites of historical and cultural interest, visiting three outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites and finishing with three days relaxation in one of the countrys finest beach resorts. Two nights are spent in Sri Lankas fascinating Cultural Triangle, where we visit one of the best-preserved ancient sites on the Indian subcontinent. Sigiriya Rock, an impregnable 5th century palace and fortress clinging to the top of an immense granite monolith soaring up 600 feet is Sri Lankas most remarkable sight, with amazing views of the jungle-covered plain below. Around the base of the rock we see beautifully laid out fountains, gardens and bathing pools, incredibly still working, linked by an ingenious web of underground, gravity-fed water channels.

The cave temples of Dambulla, another World Heritage site, highlight Sri Lankas extraordinary artistic heritage. Their entire walls and ceilings are completely covered by sumptuously painted, perfectly preserved frescoes and shrines, whilst hundreds of gold-coloured statues of all shapes and sizes positively glow in the darkness – truly amazing! Kandy, formerly isolated by dense jungle, was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is today custodian of Sinhalese culture. Here we visit theRoyal Botanical Gardens which also contain, in a typical colonial house, the wartime HQ of Lord Louis Mountbatten and Far Eastern Command, as well as one of Buddhisms holiest shrines, the Temple of the Tooth.

Sri Lankas hill-country is remarkably beautiful. The dense jungle of the lowlands gives way to more open countryside, with charming small villages, extensive lakes and pine-covered hillsides, with a slightly cooler and less humid climate. It was here during the 19th century that the vast tea estates were created by the British. We visit one of the finest such establishments before staying in the hill-station of Nuwara Eliya, with its colonial-era racecourse, bowling green, half-timbered houses and churches.

We also stay for two nights next to the countys second-largest national park. The 380-square mile Yala National Park is famed for its high concentration of leopards. Its open undulating terrain with grassland and shrub jungle, as well as fresh and saltwater lagoons, make it ideal for spotting a wide variety of game including wild boar, sambar deer, sloth bears, plus over 200 bird species. We enjoy an exciting safari in the park. After our tour we drive to the west coast spending three nights by the stunning beaches of the Indian Ocean.

One of the most enjoyable things about a visit to this beautiful island is its delicious cuisine! Indeed,Sri Lanka was one of the original Spice Islands with cinnamon, cochinilla, nutmeg and all manner of other exotic flavours combined with fresh vegetables including peppers, aubergines and okra blending wonderfully with fresh seafood and meat giving a truly unique and delicious cuisine. A further attraction of this remarkable country are the Sri Lankans themselves, one of the most friendly and hospitable people youre likely to meet and immensely proud of their beautiful homeland. The fertile plains, the colourful towns and villages, the lush forests of the interior with the vast plantations of tea, rubber and coconuts will entrance you while its history and traditions will capture your imagination.

Itinerary Details

DAY 1DEPARTURE

DEPARTURE

You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Colombo.

Route map Route map

DAY 2ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO

ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO

After your lunchtime arrival we stay for one night at the nearby four-starJetwing Lagoon Hotel.

DAY 3DAMBULLA & HABARANA

DAMBULLA & HABARANA

Today the adventure begins and the sights and the sounds of Sri Lanka gradually unfold. The countryside is stunning scenic paddy fields studded by water buffalos accompanied by wiry, loin-clothed farmers, extensive coconut groves, pineapple fields, working elephants with attentive mahouts astride their necks and everywhere the dense jungle interspersed by huge lakes.

We visit the amazing, 1st century cave temples of Dambulla, a UN World Heritage site and a wonderful introduction to the Buddhist religion. Set in an immense granite outcrop and reached by a number of steps, this serie of five caves are richly adorned with remarkably preserved frescoes and over 150 Buddhist statues. In the caves semi-darkness, surrounded by the serene faces of dozens of beautifully painted statues, its not difficult to imagine the incredible sense of awe this sacred site held for generations of worshippers.

We stay two nights at thefour-star Habarana Village Hotel by Cinnamon.

DAY 4SIGIRIYA ROCK

SIGIRIYA ROCK

This morning you visit what for many will surely be the most memorable and fascinating monument in Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, or the Lion Rock, is a massive 600ft granite tower with sheer cliffs on all sides crowned by the remains of a 1,500 year old royal palace. The entire site is encircled by a moat and ramparts enclosing a variety of water gardens, the remains of numerous buildings and caves. As you approach Sigiriya rock, you see some of the finest ancient murals in the country the cloud maidens are found under a fold of rock and show in exquisite detail a procession of jewelled, beautifully dressed women bearing offerings of lilies and lotus flowers. Facing us is the imposing final entrance to the palace above: in ancient times the colossal head of a lion (hence Lion Rock) was built in brick and plaster, visitors entering through its mouth. Today, just the two front paws remain, their claws menacingly extended, still guarding the palace. It should be noted that there are numerous steps to the top of Sigiriya rock, but should pose no problem for those with normal mobility. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy our hotels pool and facilities.

DAY 5KANDY

KANDY

This morning we leave Sigiriya for Kandy. Sri Lanka is noted for its magnificent spices so en route we visit a fascinating garden where we see many indigenous plants such as pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon before arriving at Kandy, the countrys royal capital. You stay two nights with dinner at the four-star Cinnamon Citadel Hotel, beautifully located overlooking the scenic Mahaweli River and surrounded by peaceful forested hillsides. The hotel as a pool overlooking the river, with a colonnaded lobby, a charming bar and restaurant.

Kandy is famous for its traditional dancing and so this evening we experience a colourful and hugely skilful display of this ancient art.

DAY 6KANDY

KANDY

Kandys crowded and bustling streets teem with daily comings and goings: the many white-uniformed children returning from school and the myriad of shops. The centre is dominated by a beautiful lake and the fascinating Temple of the Tooth, said to hold Buddhas tooth. This is Buddhisms most sacred shrine on the island and during our visit (today or tomorrow morning), you may be lucky enough to witness one of the many ceremonies. You also visit the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens. Planted over 150 years and covering a huge 150 acres, the gardens hold thousands of plant species and some superb examples of mature tropical trees. Strolling through lawns, shady avenues and immaculately kept flower beds, we see exotic birds and the commemorative trees planted by Edward VII, George VI, Princess Anne and the Queen.

Other highlights are the Avenue of Royal Palms and Bat Drive where you can spot the large fruit-eating Flying Foxes hanging upside down! The gardens also house Lord Mountbattens imposing HQ from World War II.

DAY 7TEA ESTATES

TEA ESTATES

Today we leave Kandy driving throughincreasingly mountainous scenery to Sri Lankas premier tea-growing areas. Winding ever upwards, the lush tropical jungle gives way to tall pine forests and then box-like tea bushes begin few at first and then seemingly covering every fold of the landscape like a huge green carpet. You visit one of the best-known tea estates to see how our favourite drink is rolled, dried and graded, followed by a refreshing cup of Ceylons finest. Nuwara Eliya, the main hill station, is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level and called Little England due to its spring-like climate, parks and golf course. You stay at the four-star St Andrews Hotel, similar to an English manor house, originally the summer home of Sir Edward Barnes, a Governor of Ceylon. It is famed for its classic 19th century public rooms and lovely, English inspired flower beds and lawns. Even High Tea is served.

DAY 8ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME & YALA

ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME & YALA

You say goodbye to Sri Lankas hill country this morning on your way to Yala National Park in the south of Sri Lanka. At around midday we arrive at the Elephant Transit Home, supported by the UKs Born Free Foundation, at Udawalawe National Park, where youll be able to watch young elephant orphans being given one of their daily feeds. You stay two nights at the excellent four-star Jetwing Yala Hotel with dinner. The hotel is located just 4 kilometres outside the national park and features a pool, bar and restaurant, set in a stunning beach location.

DAY 9YALA NATIONAL PARK

YALA NATIONAL PARK

An early start this morning, accompanied by the unique sound of a tropical dawn chorus. As the morning mist disappears with the rising sun you explore the jungle and its incredible range of wildlife in 4×4 vehicles. The normally elusive leopard offers the Parks most exciting game viewing and Yala has a high concentration of these big cats. They are the islands top predator so are far less shy than elsewhere in the world. Yala is also known for its elephants, saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, sloth bears, monitor lizards and a huge variety of birdlife. After a late breakfast you can relax by the hotels pool before an optional second, early evening park drive.

DAY 10GALLE

GALLE

After breakfast you return to the west coast via a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle, with its imposing 16th century Dutch Fort.You soon arrive at the excellent four-star superiorThe Lighthouse Hotel, with breakfast and dinner.Designed by the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel has an old world charm and elegance set among the sea and palms of the southern coast and is easily accessible from the Dutch colonial town of Galle. The rooms are comfortably furnished and have TV, safe, air-conditioning, mini bar, iron/board, tea/coffee maker, free wifi and private balacony. The hotel has various restaurants and bars offering local and international cuisine, and facilities also include, two pools, spa, tennis court and gym.

DAYS 11-12FREE DAYS

FREE DAYS

Two whole days to take it easy at your hotel and enjoy the palm-shaded beach and pool.

DAY 13LEAVE

LEAVE

You transfer to the airport for the return flight, arriving home later the same day.

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