Adventure holiday to Sri Lanka

country:	Sri Lanka
trip type:	A small group adventure.
departures:	2008: 7 Sep, 5 Oct, 2 Nov, 7 Dec 2009: 4 Jan, 1 Feb, 1 Mar, 5 Apr, 3 May, 7 Jun
price:	From £465 (15 days) excluding flights. Local payment of US $200. We can arrange flights from the UK

read 1 travellers review

Holidays to Sri Lanka

the amazing things you'll be doing

15 days ex Negombo
Negombo, Anuradhapura, tea and spice gardens, Sigiriya, Buddhist temples, cooking demonstration, Elephant Orphanage, Mirissa, Galle Fort, Colombo

A jewel in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has ancient sites, interesting culture, beautiful wilderness and idyllic beaches. From the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to the Kandyan dancers and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lankan culture spans over two thousand years and remains vibrant and alive.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Negombo. Find a comfortable perch to watch the local fishing boats head out to sea or stroll along the beach to see the daily catch drying in the sun.
Day 2-3:	Anuradhapura. Step back in time with a visit to the 12th century palace at Panduwasnuwara and the rock fortress of Yapahuwa, before touring Sri Lanka's most important ancient city, Anuradhapura, by bicycle.
Day 4:	Polonnaruwa. Jump on the bikes once more and explore the remains of the 1,000-year-old-city of Polonnaruwa. Sri Lanka's famous granite Buddha sleeps peacefully among the ruins.
Day 5:	Dambulla Caves/Sigiriya. Under a heavy rock overhang sits the Dambulla Cave Temple, home to some 150 Buddha images. Climb the impressive fortress of Sigiriya to see beautiful 5th century frescoes.
Day 6-7:	Kandy. Stop to savour the fragrant smells of spice and herb gardens before heading to the cooler climes of Kandy to enjoy an evening performance of traditional dancing and firewalking.
Day 8-10:	Bandarawela/Haputale. Learn how to turn fresh ingredients into a delicious feast at a cooking demonstration and take a walk through picturesque tea plantations.
Day 11-12:	Mirissa. Soak up the sun, relax on the beach and take a dip in the calm clear waters of Mirissa. For the more active there is the option of hiring a bike and riding to nearby fishing villages.
Day 13:	Galle. Observe Hindu rituals at morning prayers and explore the colonial town of Galle. Watch the sunset from the ramparts of the town's fort.
Day 14-15:	Colombo. Say goodbye to the lovely Sri Lankan coast and catch up on some shopping in the country's commercial heart.

travellers' tales

The 7 hour train ride from Kandy to Haputale was amazing. Jam packed and lively. People hanging out of the doors and windows with wonderful scenery. Everyone smiling (more)

small group adventure holiday

This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more)

highly commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

The tropical island of Sri Lanka is compact enough to allow us to put together all the major highlights in just 15 days and still allow plenty of time for relaxation and for you to do your own exploring. The itinerary, and out travel style, provides a culturally relevant opportunity to see some amazing sights and to mix with some of the friendliest people we know in the whole of Asia. . We learn about the country's culture and history in the magnificent ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and in the Tooth Temple situated in the heart of Kandy with its scenic lakeside setting. We visit historically important sites, observe local economic ventures, and see traditional crafts such as batik making. Our knowledgeable leaders will assist you to discover and appreciate cultural differences, to tread lightly and responsibly.

We visit the UNESCO World Heritage ancient city of Anuradhapura, starting our guided bicycle tour at the spiritually important sacred old Bo Tree, a spiritual reminder of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the inspiration for Anuradhapura's great buildings. The Bo tree was grown from a cutting of the original tree in Bodhgaya under which Buddha gained enlightenment.

In Kandy we visit the octagonal Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) and may experience the drumming and chanting rituals of the white-clad pilgrims who come to worship at Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist site. In the highlands of Bandawarela we have a lesson on Sri Lankan food and a cooking demonstration. This is yet another opportunity to "hang out" with the local people, learning about their culture, and having a laugh together.

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