Sri Lanka - Pearl of The Indian Ocean

Day 1

Today we fly from Hobart to Colombo via Melbourne. On arrival at Colombo International Airport this evening we are
greeted by our Sri Lankan tour escort Mario who will remain with us for the duration of our Sri Lanka tour. After our
late evening arrival, we transfer to our beachfront hotel for check in and a good night’s rest.

Day 2

After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a relaxing morning at our hotel. Late morning we board our coach and enjoy a
highlights tour of Negombo which includes the amazing Fish Markets, plus several buildings that date back to the
Dutch and Portuguese colonial days including the Dutch Fort and Catholic Church. The sandy beaches, sea, colourful
wooden boats, and fishing port provide a scenic backdrop. This afternoon we arrive back at our hotel to enjoy a rest,
stroll along the beach or swim before dinner

Day 3

Today we depart early from Negombo and travel up to the Central Province Region which is dominated by Sigiriya Rock.
We stop in Pinnawala where we will see elephants at close range, in a natural setting bathing in the Maha Oya River.
We enjoy lunch overlooking the Maha Oya River and the bathing elephants. After leaving Pinnawala we continue our
drive into the Central Province Region arriving at the iconic Sigiriya Rock ‘Lion Rock’. Dating back to the 3rd century,
the fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast
gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. The Sigiriya Museum has a diorama of the site and provides an excellent
overview and explanation of Sigiriya’s cultural importance. Late afternoon we check into our resort before dinner.

Day 4

After breakfast we visit one of the better kept ruins of Ancient Ceylon - the UNESCO World Heritage City of
Anuradhapura. Re-founded in 4th Century BC, Anuradhapura became the capital of Ceylon and the sacred city of
Buddhism, home to the most renowned relic, the sacred Bodhi tree planted in 3rd Century BC. Our guide will introduce
us to some of Anuradhapura’s sacred sites such as the Isurumuniya Rock Temple and Brozan Palace, Siri Maha
Bodhi and Ruvanveliseya Dagaba, all rich in Buddhist faith culture and practices. After our tour we break for lunch
at the Lake View Hotel before returning to our resort for a relaxing afternoon poolside before meeting up for dinner.

Day 5

This morning, we proceed to the ancient City of Polonnaruwa which was built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and
which is a world heritage site. We take a drive up to the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu
the great. We then visit the sites such as the Royal Palace, Audience Hall, Pool, Sacred Quadrangle “The Vatadage”,
Shiva Temple and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Our last stop is at the Gal Viharaya where 4
splendid statues of the Buddha carved out of rock can be seen. Next stop is at the Nishantha Woodcarving Factory for
an interesting demonstration and then wander through the amazing display. We then make our way to Jaga Food for
a unique Sri Lankan dining experience amongst the paddy fields. After lunch we proceed to the Minneriya National
Park where we experience an amazing Elephant and Wildlife Jeep Safari before returning back to our resort to
freshen up before dinner.

Day 6

An early start we head to the spiritual city of Kandy, stopping en-route at the extraordinarily colourful and ornate Sri
Muthumariamman Hindu Temple. While still in Matale we also visit the Baba and Island Batik Factory to see true
quality design, artistry, and workmanship of batik. We then get to experience the traditional spices that Sri Lanka is
renowned for at the Ranweli Spice Garden. After lunch at the Ranweli Spice Garden we continue our journey down
into the cultural city of Kandy. We stroll past beautiful Kandy Lake on our way to the Temple of the Tooth, the most
important shrine in the country. Later in the afternoon we check into our hotel before experiencing a traditional oil
lamp lighting and then enjoying dinner.

Day 7

This morning, we take a guided stroll through the colourful lush Royal Botanical Gardens of Peredeniya which were
established in 1821 and cover 140 acres alongside the Mahaweli River, the longest river in Sri Lanka. We then take
a stroll through the Kandy Markets before enjoying lunch at the historic Queens Hotel. Following lunch we visit the
E.W Balasuriya and Co Gem Factory, which provides a wonderful insight into the history and mining of gemstones
in Sri Lanka including the blue sapphire, one of the most celebrated gem varieties in the world. After our audio visual
and museum tour we have a chance to check out the beautiful stones and set jewellery pieces in the showroom. Late
afternoon we enjoy a Cultural Kandyan Fire and Dance Show before travelling back to our hotel for dinner.

Day 8

After breakfast we depart Kandy and proceed to Nuwara Eliya via the stunning Ramboda Falls and Damro Labookellie
Tea Centre. Our drive to Nuwara Eliya is a picturesque journey through the mountains and Sri Lanka’s tea growing
centre, where we will relish the endless views of tea carpeted valleys and the bright flash of the “tea pluckers”
in their pimento, fuchsia and cerise coloured saris. We stop for lunch at the picturesque Ramboda Falls before
continuing our scenic drive through the tea county. We arrive at the Damro Labookellie Tea Factory and Tea Lounge
for a short factory tour and cuppa in the Tea Lounge. In the delightful township of Nuwara Eliya we view the stunning
English styled country homes and gardens. After check in we will have time to take a stroll across to the Grand Hotel
where we are able to admire the beautiful gardens surrounding the Elizabethan-era style hotel.

Day 9

From Nuwara Eliya we descend down through the panoramic hill’s country via Ella and into the jungles of Yala. Our
route takes us through some stunning countryside that is littered with valleys of colourful houses, terraced veggie
gardens, glorious waterfalls, and amazing gorges. In the small village of Ella, we enjoy stunning views of Ella Gap
and Adams Peak before a comfort stop at the Ella Mountain Heaven Hotel. Ravana Falls provides another photo
stop before reaching Yala for a late lunch at our hotel, Jetwing Yala. Mid-afternoon we visit one of the foremost places
to visit in Sri Lanka, the Yala National Park which has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. While
there, we can also spot the Sloth Bear, Crocodiles, and the Asian Elephant. With “good luck” we may witness all
these creatures and more on our Jeep Safari. After our safari, its back to Jetwing Yala to refresh before a relaxing
dinner while looking out across the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Day 10

After a leisurely breakfast and check out, we enjoy a relaxing morning at the resort and then lunch. Early afternoon
we head up to the historic seaport of Galle. Our journey has us travelling via Matara, the most important settlement
on the south coast. The town contains many remnants of Sri Lanka’s colonial past and is divided by the island’s third
longest river, the Nilwala Ganga – a beautiful wide expanse of water that splits the old town from the new. On arrival
into Galle, we proceed pass the marina, small fresh fish markets and then onto the ‘World Heritage Site’ Galle Fort
precinct, one of the most well preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia. It was the centre of the Dutch regime
in the 17th century and the majestic Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres) bears testimony to this fact. On arrival we check
into the Jetwing Lighthouse with plenty of time to relax before dinner.

Day 11

After a relaxing start to our day, we take a look through the Dutch Museum and Dutch Church, two famous tourist
attractions within the Galle Fort. We then enjoy a leisurely walking tour through the cobbled stone pathways of
the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European
architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries. We also check out the Dutch Market with
stalls that have been selling the freshest local produce for over 300 years. This afternoon can be spent relaxing at the
hotel or within the Galle Fort shopping avenues which showcase various wares, gift items, jewellery, gemstones, and
local handicrafts. This evening, we all gather back at the hotel for dinner.

Day 12

After breakfast and checkout, we proceed further up the coast towards Colombo. Our first experience today takes
place at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, where several species of turtles, especially the endangered Hawksbill are
hatched, raised and released back into the sea. Most vulnerable of all are the turtle eggs which are left exposed and
vulnerable to predators on beaches all around the coast. These eggs are brought to the hatcheries by the fishermen
and volunteers. We are shown the various stages of natural incubation, hatching, feeding and releasing. On our arrival
into Colombo, we enjoy lunch at the Ceylon Curry Club Restaurant where the flavours are magical and the experience
is exquisite. We then take in the major highlights of the city and the old Colombo area, which includes the old Town
Hall, Red Mosque, Lighthouse Clock Tower, Galle Face Promenade and Beira Lake. We also stop by the amazing
Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, and at the Handicrafts Emporium plus many more wonderful sights.
Mid-afternoon we check into our hotel where we have time to relax or enjoy a swim prior to our final dinner in Sri Lanka.

Day 13

This morning after a relaxing breakfast we call by the historic Galle Face Hotel, one of the oldest hotels east of the
Suez. The hotel embraces its rich history and legendary traditions and utilizing them to create engaging experiences
that resonate with old and new generations of travellers alike. Our hotel historian takes us on a hotel history tour,
pointing out various architectural highlights as well as relating various stories and legends of years past. We then take
a walk-through memory lane inside the museum of famous faces and artefacts, which have been set out with loving
care and attention to detail. The remainder of our day is at leisure where we can relax at our luxury hotel, enjoy a spa
treatment, swim, or hit the shops across at the Dutch Hospital shopping precinct. We have a late evening check out
and are transferred to the Colombo International airport for check in for our safe return flight back to Melbourne.

Day 14

After our overnight flight, we arrive back in Melbourne and transfer to our overnight accommodation.

Day 15

After breakfast, checkout and morning transfer, we check in for our flight back down to Hobart after our wonderful
highlights tour of Sri Lanka with Trade Travel.

B=Breakfast, L =Lunch, D=Dinner