Sri Lanka Discovery Trip 2009 Dossier

• Highlights
• Factfile
• Itinerary
• Hotel Meeting Points
• Supplementary Tour Information
• General Information

Highlights

• Relax on a golden sandy beach
• Explore ancient Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
• Hike through tea plantations and paddy fields
• Search for wild elephants in Kaudulla Reserve
• Cultural city of Kandy
• Visit the amazing rock fortress of Sigiriya
• Marvel at the exquisite temple frescoes at Dambulla
• Hike to spectacular World’s End

Factfile

Code: HTSL
Style: Traveller
Maximum group size: 15
Staffing: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 1-14
Transport: Private bus
Accommodation: 13 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night open-air camp
Activities: Hiking around World’s End, cycling
Meals: As per itinerary Breakfast - B, Lunch - L, Dinner - D. Allow US$10 per day for additional meals.
Entrance fees: Included for all sites visited as part of the itinerary.
Tipping: To avoid embarrassment and save you money all tours operate a tipping kitty. Please allow US$40 for the tour. This does not include a tip for the tour leader which is entirely at your own discretion.

For comparability, all prices in this dossier are quoted in one currency. We use the US Dollar since that is familiar to most. However, once on tour you will need to pay for all goods and services in the local currency (with the exception of the local payment which must be paid in US Dollars in good condition, unmarked notes). See your Country Dossier for details of exchange rates.

Local Payment

There is a local payment of US$160 on this tour. This must be paid to the Tour Leader in cash in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling on Day 1 of the tour.

Country Dossiers and Pre-Departure Information

This Trip Dossier is designed to be read in conjunction with our Sri Lanka Country Dossier and Pre-Departure Information. Pre-Departure Information is available in sections online or as a booklet from your booking agent. (Please note those who book online will not be sent a Pre-Departure Booklet and will need to download it). It is essential that you read this dossier, the Sri Lanka Country Dossier and the Pre-Departure Information in full before you travel.

Arrivals

For details of arrival transfers or making your own way to the tour meeting point, please refer to the Country Dossier and your Pre-Departure Information.

Free Arrival Transfer

Arrival transfers are included for all clients arriving in Colombo / Negombo on Day 1 or before Day 1 if extra accommodation is booked with The Imaginative Traveller. If you have booked your flights separately from your tour please ensure that you inform your tour booking agent of your flight details at least one month before departure to avoid payment of an administration fee.

Tour Briefing

Once all the members of your group have arrived your tour leader will organise an introductory briefing (usually at 18.30 on day 1). This meeting will give you an overview of your trip and will include lots of practical information on how to get the most out of your time in Sri Lanka. You will need to bring with you your passport, all tour vouchers and a copy of your insurance policy to this briefing so that your tour leader can obtain important details that are essential to the running of the tour.

Important Note: it is a condition of joining our tours that you are in possession of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. If you do not have a policy you will be required to purchase one from your tour leader in order to join the tour.

Hotel meeting Points

Start Point:

Goldi Sands Hotel

Goldi Sands, Ethukala

End Point:

Itinerary

Day 1 - Colombo/Negombo

COLOMBO / NEGOMBO: Arrive and transfer to our hotel in the beach resort of Negombo. Approx. 45 mins driving from the airport to Negombo.

Colombo
Almost everybody arrives in Sri Lanka at the International airport north of Colombo. Although Colombo is the commercial capital and by far the largest city in Sri Lanka, it is still relatively small by Asian standards. We do not stay in the capital itself, but in Negombo, a beach resort located to the north, near the airport.

Negombo
This resort is a combination of fishing village, lively town and beach resort, with old Dutch architecture, canals and endless white sandy beach. You can hire a bike to explore or, as most travellers choose, relax on the beach soaking up the sun, sand and surf before heading off on your tour.

Day 2 - Negombo - Anuradhapura

NEGOMBO - ANURADHAPURA: Visit the ancient city of Panduwasnuwara and the fascinating ancient rock fortress of Yapahuwa. Continue to Anuradhapura where we spend the night. (B) Approx. 6 hours driving in total

Panduwasnuwara
There first settlement at Panduwasnuwara dates back at least to the 1st century BC but the remains that can be seen today date from the 13th century. Although there is no longer that much to see, this green and leafy site is still worth a brief stop. Low walls show the outline of the old palace buildings and it is possible to see some old structures still unexcavated in the jungle.

Yapahuwa
Yapahuwa is also a former Sinhalese capital, albeit only for a brief period in the 13th century. It is similar in its conception to the larger and better known rock fortress at Sigiriya, and is most notable for its elaborate staircase leading up to the ruins of the Royal Palace on top of the 100m rock. It is believed that one of the invading Indian armies took the sacred Buddhist Tooth relic from here. We have the opportunity to climb to the top of the rock from where there are fabulous views over fields and palm trees stretching for miles.

Day 3 - Anuradhapura

ANURADHAPURA: Cycle tour of the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the cradle of Sinhala civilisation. The route is flat and easy with many shaded areas to rest and exquisite temples to visit. In the afternoon we visit Mihintale with its superb views across the plains. (B) Approx. 20 mins driving from Anuradhapura - Mihintale

Anuradhapura
We have a wonderful morning of exploration as we take to our bikes to explore the ancient site of Anuradhapura. The cycling is easy with plenty of opportunity to rest in the shade and few hills. We will pass many locals washing their clothes in the huge tanks (man-made lakes), a very colourful spectacle.

Please note that we use the best available bikes in Anuradhapura, but these are not of a good standard and are certainly not comparable to those that you might use at home. Please don’t expect a deluxe model.

Anuradhapura was the capital of the Sinhalese people for 1000 years from the 4th century BC, despite frequent invasions from South India. Today it is the largest and most important ancient site in Sri Lanka, and there are a wealth of old palaces, temples, dagobas and Buddha statues to explore, covering a huge area. The most visited part is the sacred Bo tree which is said to have been planted from a sapling from the tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment. This was brought from India by Sangamitta, the daughter of the great Indian Emperor Ashoka who had sent his own son, Arahath Mahinda, to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka; it is one of the most important pilgrimage places in the country.

Mihintale
In the afternoon we visit Mihintale. It was here that the King of Anuradhapura was deer hunting when he met Mahinda and was converted to Buddhism in 247 BC. Mihintale is therefore regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and there are many pagodas, monasteries and caves to be visited. There are also 1,840 stone steps which you need to climb to get to the site but you are rewarded at the top with absolutely spectacular views over the surrounding plains.

Day 4 - Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Kaudulla

ANURADHAPURA - POLONNARUWA - KAUDULLA: Continue to Polonnaruwa. We spend the afternoon searching for wild elephants in Kaudulla or Minneriya National Parks. (B)

Kaudulla / Minneriya
The area around Polonnaruwa is beautiful with flat rolling plains dotted with trees, lakes and jungle. We take 4WD jeeps deep into the National Park to search for wildlife, particularly wild elephants, though there is also the chance to see leopard.

Aukana
We stop briefly to view an impressive 12m high carving of the Buddha, out of a single piece of rock, at Aukana. It is unclear exactly when the carving was made but it is over 1,500 years old and remains in excellent condition.

Day 5 - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya - Dambulla

POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA: Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, with its immense Buddhas carved from the rock. Later continue to Sigiriya, an extraordinary citadel built on top of an immense rock. We climb to the top to visit the fortress and view the superb frescoes painted on the walls. The views are stunning. Continue to Dambulla where we spend the night. (B) Approx. 1.5 hours driving

Polonnaruwa
This ancient city is a delight to wander through. Although not as important historically as Anuradhapura, the remains are better preserved and there are some truly awe-inspiring monuments to be seen. Some of the most impressive are the massive carvings of Buddha which are hewn out of bare rock. It is not difficult here to take a step back in time and imagine life as it must have been here almost a thousand years ago. The city itself was established when the Sinhalese moved their capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa in the early 12th century. Later in that century, the city experienced its heyday under the ruling of Parakramabahu. He went on a building spree, constructing the huge lake and the many large buildings and parks that we will visit.

Sigiriya
Often referred to as a "sky fortress", the remains of the fortress of Sigiriya atop a 200m high rock outcrop is one of Sri Lanka's most extraordinary and impressive monuments. It is enormous and dominates the surrounding landscape so much that you can imagine why the King choose to consolidate and gather his forces here. At the bottom of Sigiriya there are traces of the extensive gardens and moat which used to surround the rock fortress. A precarious staircase leads up through the remains of an enormous lion statue (the paws remain, but sadly the original entrance through the lion’s mouth is now left to the imagination alone) to the flat summit of the rock.

In the 5th century a huge palace complex covered this summit. Now only the foundations remain, but the scale of the buildings and their spectacular location are impressive. As you ascend to the summit there are breathtaking views across the forest-covered plains and the walkway is decorated with vivid 1,500-year-old rock frescoes, much celebrated for the beauty of their female images.

Day 6 - Dambulla - Kandy

DAMBULLA - KANDY: Morning visit to the magnificent Buddhist caves of Dambulla. We then drive to the old capital of Kandy in the Central Highlands, stopping en route at a spice garden. In the late afternoon we watch a performance of traditional Kandyan dancing which may include dancers in a trance walking on hot coals, and visit the Temple of the Tooth to experience a pooja (worship) ceremony. (B) Approx. 3 hours driving

Dambulla
The cave paintings and sculptures at Dambulla are a spectacular sight. Carved out of the rock, this extensive series of caves are covered from floor to ceiling with extraordinarily well-preserved frescoes depicting all kinds of Buddhist imagery. The complex is the largest of its kind in the world and the biggest cave is over 50m long. The caves have been places of worship for more than 2,000 years although the frescoes have been added at various times through the ages.

Spice Garden
Sri Lanka has a long history of producing spices. The climate requirements for production of many crops is actually quite restrictive and only a small area of the country offers ideal conditions. We stop at a small roadside gardens where a local specialist will guide us through the many and varied plants and their uses. Some like cinnamon, coffee, vanilla you may know, others and their ayurvedic uses, you may not.

Day 7 - Kandy

KANDY: Morning city tour of Kandy. Free afternoon with the chance to visit the botanical gardens. (B)

Kandy
While Kandy is the second-largest city in the country after Colombo, and is the capital of the central hill regions, it is a peaceful and attractive place. There are plenty of scenic walks through the hills and forests that surround the town as well as along the lake that forms its centre.

In the heart of the town is the temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa), the most important shrine in the country, which houses a relic of a tooth of the Buddha taken from his funeral pyre in the 6th century BC. Each evening, the day’s worship culminates when the casket containing the tooth relic is put on display to devotees who have travelled from all over the Buddhist world.

Sri Lanka's most famous festival (the Esala Perahera) takes place in Kandy every July or August. Unfortunately the exact dates are not known more than a couple of weeks in advance as the most auspicious dates must be obtained from astrologer. This is however, one of the most amazing festivals to witness with thousands of dancers and performers and hundreds of elephants marching through the town.

Day 8 - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA: Travel through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by green hills covered with tea. We reach Nuwara Eliya, an old British hill-station where the afternoon is free for you to explore; perhaps hike to Lover’s Leap on the edge of town or take afternoon tea in the colonial Hill Club. (B) Approx. 6 hours bus, transfer to hotel 1 hr drive

Nuwara Eliya itself is a hill-station dating back to British times, and the place where officials and planters would head in the summer to escape the heat of the plains. There are great views over surrounding hills and the town is topped by Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest mountain. Whilst the colonial charm in the main part of town has perhaps faded somewhat, it can still be seen in some of the old hotels like the Grand where you can take afternoon tea.

There may also be time to take a short hike to the picturesque Lover’s Leap waterfall from where there are good views out over the town.

Day 9 - Nuwara Eliya - Woprld's End - Belihuloya

NUWARA ELIYA - WORLD’S END - BELIHULOYA: We hike along the hilly slopes through montane forests and tea plantations to World’s End. Here the ground drops beneath your feet and there are stunning views out across the plains below you. We end our day in Belihuloya. (B) Approx. 2 hours driving and 4 hours hiking covering a distance of 9km.

World's End
The landscape of Horton Plains is completely unlike that which you can see anywhere else in Sri Lanka – in fact it is more reminiscent of somewhere like Scotland. At 2,500m the area is frequently shrouded in cloud and mist and is only sparsely covered with vegetation. There are many elk as well as a number of leopard. World’s End itself offers magnificent views – the ground drops beneath your feet and the lowlands are visible 1,000m below.

Our hike takes us in a circular route across the Plains, taking in the Horton Plains, World’s End and Baker’s Falls, an impressive waterfall. The hike is easy with few ascents and descents and is suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably active life. We would advise you bring lightweight hiking boots or sturdy shoes. You will also need a daypack for carrying water and personal items. Later we transfer to Belihuloya where we spend the night.

Day 10 - Belihuloya

BELIHULOYA: Continue hiking through lovely scenery of tea plantations, paddy fields and villages to the Bambarakanda Falls - the highest in Sri Lanka. There is the chance to take a dip in the pool at the bottom before continuing to a small village where we enjoy lunch with a local family. (BL)

Hiking
We hike through the beautiful mountains until we arrive at the stunning Bambarakanda Falls, which are the highest in Sri Lanka. We have lunch here with a local family, which is a wonderful experience and the food is absolutely delicious. They usually serve up a traditional rice and curry, together with some juicy breadfruit or jackfruit, depending on what is in season. The hike is moderate and predominantly uphill though there are some downhill sections. It covers a total distance of around 16km.

Day 11 - Belihuloya - Tanamalwila

BELIHULOYA - TANAMALWILA: We visit the Elephant Transit Home, a successful exercise to introduce orphaned baby elephants back into their natural habitats. We spend the night camping. (B)

Note: The brochure mentions a visit to Diyaluma Waterfalls. However we do not stop here. This is to enable us to reach the elephant park in time for feeding.

Day 12 - Tanamalwila - Bentota

TANAMALWILA - BENTOTA: We visit the World Heritage site of the Galle Dutch Fortress before transferring to Bentota, a beach resort on Sri Lanka’s beautiful south-west coast. We spend two nights in a small hotel situated in a peaceful position on a quiet lagoon which stretches into the sea. (B)

Note: The brochure mentions a visit to the Kataragama Shine. However we do not stop here, preferring more time in Galle and a shorter drive overall.

Bentota
Bentota is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beach resorts and there are a number of large hotel developments along parts of the coast in this area. However, we avoid the main beachfront, instead basing ourselves at a small and friendly guesthouse situated on a quiet lagoon which leads out into the sea. The guesthouse fronts straight onto the lagoon and a small boat is at your disposal to take you across the lagoon to a lovely beach resort where you can go swimming. There is a roof top restaurant where you can have a meal whist enjoying views over the lagoon. The food is all prepared by a resident chef using the finest local ingredients.

Day 13 - Bentota

BENTOTA: An exciting morning spent cycling through local villages and various vegetation including coconut, rubber and cinnamon. This afternoon there is the opportunity to enjoy river canoeing. (B)

Note: The cycling is approximately 20 miles but it is possible to stop earlier if you are feeling tired.

Day 14 -

BENTOTA - NEGOMBO: Free morning to relax on the beach. In the afternoon we transfer back to Negombo. (B) Approx. 3 hours driving

Day 15 - Negombo / Colombo

NEGOMBO / COLOMBO: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

Itinerary Notes

NEGOMBO: Is close to the International Airport.

PERAHERA FESTIVAL: A supplement will apply during the Kandy Esala Perahera Festival. This occurs every year in July or August but the exact dates are not fixed until nearer the time. Please contact us for information on the departures which might be affected and those dates where a festive season supplement is compulsory in December and January. Please check with us at the time of booking.

Supplementary Information

Hotel Meeting Point

UK travellers & those booking over the Internet:
Details of the meeting point hotel will be printed on the tour vouchers you will receive one month prior to departure.

Overseas travellers:
Your local agent will provide vouchers with details of your meeting point hotel

As meeting point hotels may be subject to change we recommend you check the details online one month prior to departure.

Visas

You will need to obtain the following visas for this tour. Contact your travel agent for current prices:

Required in Advance

• Sri Lanka single entry

If the visa application form requires a contact address in the destination, please give either your meeting point hotel or the address of our local contact (which you will find in the Sri Lanka Country Dossier).

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. The Imaginative Traveller cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation.

Border Taxes

There are no border taxes when leaving Sri Lanka.

Special Luggage Requirements

The Pre-Departure Information includes an extensive luggage checklist. However, there are some special requirements for this tour;

• Torch
• Sleeping sheet for camping
• Walking boots or sturdy trainers
• Towel

On Adventurer tours it is very important that you do not bring too much luggage as you will find it extremely difficult to get on/off buses and trains etc and there is a fair amount of walking to/from hotels. You are also likely to encounter many cobbled streets and dirt roads so luggage on wheels is unsuitable.

Availability of helmets
Protective helmets of a reliable standard are not available locally and as a result we are unfortunately not able to supply these. If you intend to take part in activities such as bike, horse, donkey or camel rides, and would like to wear a helmet, you should therefore consider bringing one with you.

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees are included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary. Sri Lanka also has a wealth of other historical sights and monuments which you may wish to visit. If you intend visiting a wide range of different sights you should allow up to approx. US$20 for this.

Fitness

None of the activities featured in this trip require special training or skills, just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to participate. If you are in any doubt contact your doctor for advice.

Transport

Private Coach
We use a private coach to get around Sri Lanka. The roads are generally good and we can cover distances relatively quickly. However, sometimes delays do occur for a variety of reasons so please be prepared for this. We have noted the approximate driving times in the itinerary above.

Your Tour Leader

Your tour leader is someone who we’ve chosen for their ability to manage groups and situations effectively. We are often asked whether our tour leaders are local or western. In fact we have always used a mixture of local and non-local tour leaders in almost every destination, as we find that both have different strengths and attributes to enhance the experiences of our travellers.

We find that local tour leaders, having been born in the country where they are working, can add unique insights into the local culture. Employing local tour leaders forms a core part of our Responsible Travel policy. We ensure that our local tour leaders are treated and paid equally to our western tour leaders. We also acknowledge that many people become tour leaders to fulfil their own travel desires and it is a key part of our tour leader recruitment policy that we offer all our leaders the opportunity to work in a variety of destinations. This includes those recruited locally and we have had Turkish leaders working in Egypt & India, Nepali leaders working in Vietnam and Egyptian leaders working in India & Turkey, all with great success. However, for tours which visit multiple destinations it is often not possible to employ local tour leaders as they simply cannot get the necessary visas in the time available and so we use western leaders rather than provide a different leader for each country the tour visits.

One of the great benefits of our integrated team of tour leaders is that although each brings different skills to the job, they all learn from each other. It is this exchange of culture and knowledge that ensures that our travellers get an authentic, in-depth travel experience and a unique insight into a place.

General information

Price includes:

• Staffing: As shown in the 'Factfinder'
• Accommodation, meals, transportation, and sightseeing excursions: As per itinerary.
• Arrival Transfer: To hotel on arrival.
• Entrance fees: For all sites included as part of the itinerary

Price does not include:

• Visa costs
• Border Taxes
• Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
• International flights
• Departure transfers
• Meals: Other than those listed
• Local Payment

Are You Ready To Go?

Before you travel it is essential that you read ALL of the following documents which you can obtain from your booking agent:

• Trip Dossier (this document)
• Sri Lanka Country Dossier
• Pre-Departure Information

The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and The Imaginative Traveller.