Page 81 - Insider Journeys 2019

SRI LANKA

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• 8 nights hotel accommodation
• Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
• Entrance fees
• English-speaking Tour Leader
• All tips on tour
• Return group transfers from airport
to accommodation
• Meals as indicated (B = breakfast,
L = lunch, D = dinner)

Sigiriya Rock
DAY 1 Colombo Quadrangle which retains some palace PRICE PER PERSON*
On arrival in Colombo, transfer to your hotel and structures. Drive on to Sigiriya and relax over 2019 TWIN SINGLE
enjoy free time until your tour briefing. Stay the dinner at your hotel. Stay the next two nights at FEB 17 G $2749 $3819
next two nights at Ramada Colombo (or similar). Hotel Sigiriya (or similar). (BLD) MAR 17 G $2749 $3819
APR 14 $2749 $3819
DAY 2 Colombo DAY 6 Sigiriya JUN 23 G $2629 $3559
Explore the Grand Oriental Hotel, Fort Steeped in myth and legend, explore Sigiriya SEP 15 G $2629 $3559
district, kovils (Tamil Hindu temples) and the Rock which is an ancient monastery or palace OCT 13 G $2629 $3559
$3939
NOV
$2849
10
Gangaramaya Temple. Wander through the believed to date back two millennia. Depending DEC 08 $2849 $3939
Pettah, a vibrant and crowded street market on your fitness levels, climb to the rock summit 2020 TWIN SINGLE
area where everything from televisions to chillies and be rewarded with magnificent views of the JAN 26 G $3019 $4199
are sold. This afternoon, enjoy free time to surrounding jungles and countryside. During the FEB 16 G $3019 $4199
explore independently. (B) climb, see superb apsara frescoes before seeing MAR 15 $3019 $4199
two enormous rock lion paws as you begin the
DAY 3 Colombo to Anuradhapura ascent to the summit. Return to the hotel and G = Guaranteed departure with minimum 2 guests.
Drive to Anuradhapura and stop en route at spend the remainder of the morning at leisure. Code: TSLC
Negombo to visit the famous fish market. Along Take an afternoon tour of the deserted forest TRIP GRADING: MODERATE TO ACTIVE
the way, you may see locals performing seasonal monastery of Ritigala followed by dinner. (BD) (See page 87 for details)
‘toddy tapping’, a process which produces a
popular local alcoholic beverage made from palm DAY 7 Sigiriya to Kandy
trees. Continue to Anuradhapura, the centre Travel from Sigiriya to Dambulla, home to five
of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. This ancient hilltop cave temples filled with one of Sri Lanka’s
Buddhist capital also features spectacular ruined most celebrated collections of Buddhist art. The
stupas set among park-like scenery. Enjoy an temples hold dozens of Buddha images and vast
evening at leisure. Stay the next two nights at colourful frescoes. Afterwards, visit a tropical
Palm Garden Village (or similar). (B) spice garden and learn about the plants which
are used medicinally and in cooking. Enjoy a
DAY 4 Anuradhapura local lunch before driving into the central hills to
Spend the morning at the birthplace of Sri Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second largest city set amid
Lankan Buddhism, Mihintale. Climb up to the forested peaks. Stay the next two nights at Hotel
hill temples for spectacular views. While there Suisse (or similar). (BL)
are some steep steps the view is well worth
the climb. Enjoy free time at your hotel before DAY 8 Kandy
visiting some of Anuradhapura’s main sites Rise early to visit the Temple of the Tooth which Kovil, Colombo
including the Thuparama Dagoba, perhaps the houses Sri Lanka’s most revered relic, a tooth of
oldest Buddhist structure in the world. In the Buddha and see one of the daily ‘pujas’ or prayer
evening, experience one of Anuradhapura’s most ceremonies. Pilgrims from all over the Buddhist
revered Buddhist temple sites where a fantastic world flock to the temple which is regarded as one
atmosphere is created by the many visiting of the holiest in the religion. Sample a simple local
pilgrims coming to pray under the huge dome of breakfast or a refreshing cup of tea before visiting
Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba. (B) a colourful central market area and the beautiful
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Once favoured
DAY 5 Anuradhapura to Sigiriya by Sinhalese kings and British colonial rulers,
Depart Anuradhapura and stop at a rural village the gardens feature a spectacular and colourful
near Habarana for an insight into Sri Lankan collection of exotic tropical plants as well as a huge
rural life. Take a bullock cart ride to see farming colony of fruit bats. This evening, enjoy a cooking
life before enjoying a simple lunch using fresh demonstration and farewell group dinner. (BD)
local ingredients including eggplant, yam,
green banana or okra. Continue to the ancient DAY 9 Kandy to Colombo
capital of Polonnaruwa and visit the remains of Enjoy breakfast before visiting a tea plantation on
the Royal Palace and impressive neighbouring the way to Colombo for your onward journey. (B) Mihintale

*Prices are per person twin share based on low season and will vary depending on date of travel, unless otherwise stated. Pricing does not include the airfare from New Zealand. Please contact us for an air-inclusive quote. 81
Refer to our booking conditions for full pricing and payment information. For more information visit insiderjourneys.co.nz or see your travel agent.