Sri Lanka Adventure

Land of Serendipity

March 13-19, 2011

$1750 per person

Maldives liveaboard
March 6-13: $2645

While you're already on this side of the world diving the Maldives, why not take the opportunity to explore the wonders of Sri Lanka? In the words of UnderseaX diver Christine Simon, it's "like India with the volume turned down."

Home to multiple sacred Buddhist sites and UNESCO World Heritage monuments, as well as fine Ceylon tea, Sri Lanka is the ancient land of Serendip, from which the word "serendipity" derives: an unexpected pleasant discovery.

Tentative Itinerary

The tour has been structured around our Maldives liveaboard March 6-13. Plan to arrive in Colombo on March 13 on Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL502 at 3:35 p.m. Other arrivals can be accommodated as well - just ask.

Land Tour Tentative Itinerary

• March 13 (Sunday) Airport / Kandalama
  
  On arrival at the Bandaranayaka International Airport, you will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; A representative from Nkar Travels will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to Kandalama.
  
  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama (5*)
  (Airport to Kandalama – Approximately 4 hrs)
  
  
• March 14 (Monday) Kandalama / Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandalama
  
  In the morning visit Sigiriya. Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site,built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ''Lion Rock'' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ''Heavenly Maidens'' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
  
  In the evening visit Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla rock temple was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.
  
  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama
  
  
• March 15 (Tuesday) Kandalama / Polonnaruwa / Kandalama
  
  After breakfast at the hotel visit Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the
  Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.
  
  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama
  
  
• March 16 (Wednesday) Kandalama / Matale / Kandy
  
  After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Kandy. En route visit a spice garden in Matale. Continue the journey to Kandy. In the evening you'll enjoy a city tour of Kandy.
  
  Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site.The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, in 1798.
  
  Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts & crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also If you are interested in gems & jewellery you could visit the gem museum shops in the area. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, then witness the Cultural Show.
  

  Royal Botanical Garden
  This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British.  Its 147 acres are home to an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
  
  Dinner & Overnight stay at historic Queens Hotel (3*)
  

• March 17(Thursday) Kandy / Pinnawela / Nuwara Eliya
  
  

  After breakfast at the hotel visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Then transfer to Nuwara Eliya by train. (Seats in the observation saloon are subject to availability)

  This morning, you'll visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
  The Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational center. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
  
  Near Nuwara Eliya, you will visit a tea factory & Plantation Nuwara Eliya. Because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. It is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here.
  
  

  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Tea Factory (4*)

• March 18 (Friday) Nuwara Eliya / Horton Plains / Nuwara Eliya
  
  

  After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to tour Horton Plains.

  Horton Plains is located on a high windswept saddle at about 7000-ft elevation.  The Plains are an expanse of misty grassland with scraggy trees and ice-cold rivulets. Visit World's End considered to be the finest view in all of Sri Lanka. The awesome escarpment drops vertically for about 4000 ft, hence its named as Horton Plains. Here you could find endemic Slender Loris and endemic Purple Monkeys amongst the animal species that can be seen.           
                                                                                                                             
  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Tea Factory (4*)

• March 19 (Saturday) Nuwara Eliya / Negombo / Airport
  
  

  After the breakfast visit Nuwaraeliya local market & Hakgala Garden.

  Hakgala Botanical Gardens - Four miles south east of Nuwara Eliya is another prominent peak, Hakgala.  At its foot lie the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, and beyond, the Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve. Opened as an experimental cinchona plantation (for production of the malaria antidote quinine) in 1860, the pride of the gardens is now roses and ferns. Spread below Hakgala Rock, resembling an elephant jaw from which the name is derived.                         

  Later you proceed to Seeduwa and check in at Airport Garden Hotel.
  (Day Use Rooms).

  After dinner leave for airport for your departng flight.
  
  Dinner & Day room at Airport Garden Hotel (3*) with Dinner

Itinerary subject to modification.

Included:

• Welcome & assistance at the Colombo International Airport.
  
• Accommodation for six nights plus day room at Airport Garden Hotel on day of departure
• Breakfast and Dinner daily (Lunch at own expense)
• Entrance for Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Kandy Temple, Culture show, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
• Air conditioned transportation with an English-speaking local guide.
• All government taxes

Not included:

• Airfare to Colombo, Sri Lanka (Arrive March 13, depart the evening of March 19 / early morning of March 20)
• Travel Insurance (required for this expedition)
• Gratuities, meals and beverages not outlined in itinerary
• Single rooms on the tour are available for a supplement, or we may be able to match you with a roommate.

Deposit:
A $500 deposit is due upon booking. Balance due 90 days prior to departure.