Sri Lanka Holidays - Eco-adventure Explorer – 13 nights
About
this holiday:
This
‘Eco-adventure Explorer’ is an island tour that
mixes wildlife and adventure activities. It has been carefully
designed to suit mixed abilities and fitness levels, meaning
it is suitable for families. Children won’t have time
to be bored. Cycle past paddy fields and through ancient cities,
trek through tea estates and rural villages, raft down foaming
jungle rivers, water-ski across mangrove lagoons, body surf
on the turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean and watch herds
of wild elephant roam across national parks. As with all our
trips, we are committed to being flexible. Optional excursions
can also be included and more tailormade itineraries can be
planned.
Holiday highlights:
• Ruined
cities of ancient kingdoms
• Rock fortresses and hilltop palaces
• Dambulla’s serene Buddhist cave temples
• Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth
• Train through tea-growing highlands
• Walking in Horton Plains
• Galle’s UNESCO-protected Fort
• Bentota’s Brief Garden
Day 01:
Red Dot will meet you at the airport in
the early afternoon, probably slightly bleary eyed and in need
for some rest. But rather than spend a night recuperating at
a sterile airport hotel, we recommend you jump straight into
one of our comfortable air-conditioned minivans and drive straight
to Dambulla in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, an area in
the beautiful central drylands that has a rich and ancient history.
The drive will take approximately three hours depending upon
the traffic. Upon arrival you will check into the four-star
Culture Club and can jump into the large swimming pool.
Accommodation profile:
Culture Club can be counted among the select number of hotels
in the cultural triangle. A luxurious calm settles over this
excellent eco-friendly hotel. Low-level buildings, giving a
sense of calm and natural light, blend subtly with the surrounding
woodland and the interior décor combines tradition with
comfort. Extensive grounds lead down to the lake and include
a "quiet zone" where you can listen to bird song.
Day 02:
After a lie-in and a relaxing breakfast,
start the trip with a leisurely cycle ride down dirt tracks
and village paths to the town of Dambulla. The town is now a
bustling agricultural market town but is also famous for its
beautiful 1st century BC Buddhist cave temples. There are five
caves containing Buddhist statues and paintings. You will need
to climb up the caves, which lie about 100-150m above the road.
Return to the hotel in time for a delicious buffet lunch and
an afternoon nap. During the later part of the afternoon, you
can go canoeing on Kandalama Tank, a relaxing paddle that will
allow you to see some of the abundant local birdlife (particularly
from Aug to April), including Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Egrets,
Painted Storks and Ibis. Return to the hotel in time for a refreshing
sunset beer on the lounge terrace.
Day 03:
The journey now begins in earnest witharewarding cycle ride
along back roads and paths to the spectacular tabletop-like
Sigiriya Rock fortress, a UNESCO protected historical site that
was built in the 5th century by Prince Kasyapa, who allegedly
killed his father-in-law, King Dhatusena, in AD 477. Dhatusena’s
blood son fled to India to raise an army to overthrow his brother-in-law
and Kasyapa decided to build an impregnable fortress upon the
huge rock. Kasyapa, a playboy at heart, also turned the fortress
into a penthouse with lurid frescos of beautiful women and a
romantic Royal Garden with its symmetrical water gardens. The
ambitious development ended in tragedy, as Kasyapa’s troops
deserted him in the final battle, but the fortress remains a
highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka. You will arrive in Sigirya
in time for lunch. Check into Sigiriya Village, refresh in the
pool, and then climb the rock and explore the gardens in the
afternoon when the hot sun has started to sink from the sky.
Accommodation profile: Sigiriya
Village is a jungle retreat conveniently located only a few
minutes away from Sigiriya Rock, offering simple mid-range accommodation
which blends successfully with its charming rural setting. Accommodation
comes in the shape of 120 rustic cottages, with private verandas,
bathroom with shower, tv, telephones and minibar.
Day 04:
Pack your bags before breakfast as we depart early for Minneriya
National Park for a morning safari. The park is a mix of dry
evergreen forest, scrub jungle and grassy plains and is dominated
by the Minneriya Tank. Large groups of elephants, sambar deer
and toque monkeys are regularly seen here, as well as plenty
of birdlife, including cormorants and painted storks. After
the morning exploring the park, with the animals sloping off
to the shade as the midday sun starts to burn hot, we travel
onto to Deer Park Hotel, a four-star property overlooking Giritale
reservoir. After lunch, and perhaps a short siesta, we can go
for a short afternoon ramble. There is a pleasant nature trail
that takes us through scrub jungle up onto rocks that overlook
the lake. Again, although the morning is best for bird watching,
there is an abundant birdlife around the tank. Alternatively,
if you have had enough action for the time being, perhaps put
your feet up and enjoy a revitalising traditional Ayurvedic
massage.
Accommodation profile: Not all
development spoils a landscape. The Deer Park is a true luxury
eco resort, subtly enhancing the beauty of its surroundings.
It has a tranquil, natural feel, with the sound of birdsong
and rushing waterfalls. Since being taken over by Angsana Resorts
& Spa - one of Asia's leading boutique and contemporary
hotel chains - the entire property has undergone a major refurbishment
Day 05:
The day begins with a cycle ride along
an ancient irrigation canal to Polonnaruwa, the 10th century
capital of Sri Lanka, a once great kingdom and one of the best-preserved
ancient cities. The city flourished after the decision to move
the capital from Anuradhapura in the northeast, a strategic
move by the South Indian Chola dynasty to protect against a
rebellion from the Ruhunu Sinhalese kingdom in the southeast.
By foot or cycle you will be able to explore temples, palaces,
huge dagobas and sculptures. For lunch, we stop at a huge lake
known as the Sea of Parakrama, which provides a welcome chance
to strip off and cool off in the chilled waters. Afterwards,
we pack the bikes away and drive back to the hotel for a well-earned
rest.
Day 06 & 07:
Travel south towards the central highlands
and your next hotel, the Hunas Falls Hotel, a peaceful property
tucked away in the belly of the hills. Rest in the afternoon
or ramble in the surrounding countryside. The following day
you have the option of trekking – there are two approved
trails of about 4km each, or fishing, pony riding, cycling and
boating. There is also a tennis and volleyball court plus a
snooker room for wet afternoons
Accommodation profile: Hunas Falls
Hotel enjoys one of the most scenic hotel settings in Sri Lanka,
high in the hills near Elkaduwa, about an hour and a quarter
north west of Kandy, the hill-country capital. It will appeal
to guests seeking seclusion in a peaceful mountain retreat.
It is particularly appealing for those nature lovers journeying
between the cultural triangle and Kandy.
Day 08:
Kandy is a beautiful town (officially
it is a city), surrounded by hills and built around a lake.
It’s also one of the most sacred cities in the country
and home to the Temple of the Tooth, which is supposed to have
housed and protected the Buddha’s tooth since the 4th
century AD. Worshippers flock to the temple throughout the year
and in August there is the Kandy Perahera, a magnificent Buddhist
procession with fire-eaters, wildly dressed dancers, Kandyan
drummers and colourfully decorated elephants. There is more
to Kandy though than the temple: there are the Royal Botanical
Gardens, where lovers stroll and chat amongst a variety of local
and foreign plants, gem and antique shops, a bustling market
and at Victoria, a 20 min drive by car away, one of Asia’s
most beautiful golf courses. During the morning, we will visit
the Temple of the Tooth but thereafter you can explore the town
at will. Transport can be arranged to the golf course (at cost).
Overnignt we recommend staying at Le Kandyan hotel, a four-star
hilltop hotel carefully designed with an ancient Sri Lanka feel.
Accommodation profile:Le Kandyan has an authentic
Sri Lankan feel allowed to only a privileged few hotels on
the island. It rises from the foothills of the hill country
in traditional Kandyan colours of red, yellow and black, while
murals, flags and massive carved columns emphasise a rich
historical past. Every effort is made to provide a special
Sri Lankan experience.
Day 09:
This morning you have an option: catch
a train from Kandy to Nanu Oya (close to Nuwara Eliya, deeper
into the hills) and enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful
railway journeys (approx. 5 hours) or dash to Nuwara Eliya in
the tour vehicle (approx. 3 hours) in time for a game of golf
at another stunning course in Nuwara Eliya, your home for the
ninth night. Upon your arrival in Nuwara Eliya -- a holiday
hill-country retreat much loved by Britain’s early day
settlers and tea planters, who enjoyed its rolling hills and
conifer forests and cool climate – check into the Grand
Hotel, a splendid old colonial-style hotel that was formerly
a British governor’s mansion. During the afternoon relax.
In the evening, sink back into the leather upholstered chairs
and enjoy a malt whiskey in front of one of its log fires before
dinner and a long comfortable sleep.
Accommodation profile:
The Grand Hotel is the focal point of Nuwara Eliya, the
largest and most popular town in the highlands. Once the 19C
residence of a British governor, the Grand seeks to attune its
regular stream of tourists to its sense of unhurried, old-time
grandeur. It is a forgotten lan d of striped lawns, crisply-attired
waiters, billiard rooms and heavy wooden paneling. The 150 rooms
(60 deluxe and five suites) possess ceiling fans and/or a/c,
and most have fireplaces.
Day 10:
We rise early to travel to Horton Plains,
an undulating 2000m high plateau 28km south of Nuwara Eliya.
The grassy plains, which are interspersed with small patches
of forest, are home to leopards, sambur deer, bear monkeys and
a rich array of birds, including some endemic species. The most
dramatic feature of the national park is “World’s
End” where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops
nearly a 1000m straight. The best way to explore the park is
on foot. It’s a round trip of about 9.5km that takes approximately
three hours. We aim to start as early as possible though because
by late morning a thick mist will have descended to blank out
the magnificent views. Return to the Grand Hotel.
Optional walk :
Those who travel between Dec and May you have the option
of climbing Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), which some legends
say is the first place that Adam set foot on earth after being
cast out of heaven while others say is blessed by a ‘Sacred
Footprint’ from Buddha. Some Hindu’s even claim
the giant footprint at the summit to be that of Lord Shiva,
the powerful Hindu god. The mountain has been a pilgrimage centre
for over 1000 years. Pilgrims climb during the night and there
are two routes: an arduous but less travelled seven-hour climb
or a shorter three-hour ascent. Just after sunrise, at approx
6:30am, the sun casts a triangular shadow off the peak across
the misty clouds. Those that wish to climb will have to sleep
early after Horton Plains and be ready to leave for Adams Peak
by 1:30am.
Day 11:
We start our journey out of the hills.
The descent is spectacular, along windy roads that cut through
mist-cloaked forests. We have to traverse a remote pass and
then descend again, either through bumpy tea estate trails or
along a tarmac road, before arriving in Hatton and jumping onto
the bus. We transfer then to Kitulgala, a riverside town surrounded
by lush jungle that has two claims to fame: being the location
for the Oscar-winning epic Bridge on the River Kwai and the
main white-water rafting centre in Sri Lanka. Indeed, the last
few km’s of the journey can be finished with an optional
rafting trip. The trip will take approx 1.30hrs and is suitable
for first time rafters (grade 2/3 rapids depending upon the
time of year and weather). When you eventually arrive in Kitulgala
you will check into Plantation Hotel.
Accommodation profile:
The Plantation Hotel is situated on small picturesque
spot on the banks of the Kelani River in Kitulgala. The hotel’s
appeal is its dreamy location on the banks of the river and
surrounded by tropical jungle. The hotel itself is relatively
small with just eight airconditioned rooms and is often full.
The restaurant is ideal for long lazy meals and a convivial
drink with friends.
Day 12 & 13:
Start the day with a gentle walk
through the jungle before the beginning of a rafting journey
down the Kelani River. Depart just from Kitulgala and head downstream
through the jungle and rubber estates. You will be amazed at
just how undeveloped the riverside remains with thick green
jungle spilling over the bans on each side. Occasionally, the
peace and quiet will be broken the sound of jovial local sand
diggers working feverishly on the river bed. Spend the night
in the wild, camping on a rubber estate. The next morning, set
off down the river again, through rubber and -- as the river
winds closer to the coast -- banana and coconut plantations.
In the afternoon, we will be met by the support vehicle and
transferred to Bentota, one of the most expansive beaches in
Asia, where we will check into Serendib Hotel.
Accommodation profile:
The Serendib would not claim to be the largest, or the
most ornate hotel in Bentota. But there is a hospitable feel
to this simple, serene hotel that charms many. Its envied position
on the heart of Bentota beach helps, as does its good value.
It was fully renovated in 2003. Rooms remain simply furnished
but upgrades include a new tv lounge and bar with sun terrace
overlooking the pool and beach beyond, an Ayurvedic centre and
a la carte restaurant.
Day 14 & 15:
Time to rest and relax after the
journey under the tropical sun. The wide Bentota beach offers
an ideal escape. But thrill-seekers may wish to walk up to the
nearby lagoon where a variety of watersports are available.
There is also some rewarding cycling available in the local
area, although bikes will have to be hired from the hotel.
Day
16:
After 15 nights, the time has arrived to return home. Red Dot
will transfer you directly to the airport – approximately
two hours from Bentota – in time for your flight home.
You will need to check in at least 3 hours prior to departure.
Cost:
Available on request
Package price includes:
- 15 night’s BB accommodation on twin-sharing basis
- Lunch and dinner on camping night
- Airconditioned car and English-speaking driver for tour
and transfers
- Local guide for adventure segments (cycling, rafting etc)
- Listed cycling, canoeing and rafting excursions
- Entrance fees: Dambulla Cave Temples, Sigiriya Rock, Polonnaruwa,
Temple of the Tooth
- Entrance and jeep hire for Minneriya and Horton Plains.
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