Teachers' Travel        HF Holidays
Guided Walking and Sightseeing
Worldwide Holidays

JEWELS OF SRI LANKA 2010 
An island rich in culture with a great variety of landscapes in a small area.  Walk in Sri Lanka's central hills, through tea estates and spectacular views at the "world's end".  Take the pilgrim trek up Adam's Peak for a magnificent sunrise.  See the magnificent ancient cities of Sri Lanka's golden age.  Visit the southern nature reserves and rainforests where wildlife includes elephants and tropical birds.  Excellent relaxing beach, jungle and mountain resort accommodation.                 

Dates:  Feb 10 - 26   15 nights      Mar 24 - Apr 9 - 15 nights     Oct 06 - 22 - 15 nights    
            Nov 17 - Dec 03   15 nights                                                                                                                         

2010 Prices:  1,090.00 GBP  ( High season ) See brochure for all prices.                        Prices are per person for 15 nights based on double occupancy without airfare.                Supplement for a single room  360.00 GBP     

Guided Walks:  Walks are mostly part day, walking in the cooler morning and afternoons, exploring the sprawling ancient ruins on foot and on walking undulating paths through the hill country.  Distances are between 2 and 10 miles on clear paths.  The most challenging walk is the optional pre-dawn ascent of Adam's Peak, which is a 4 mile ascent.  
Hotels: A selection of 3 and 4-star resorts located in lovely locations on the beach, in the countryside and by lakes.  Some lodges are converted colonial houses, some are modern holiday resorts with spas and pools and all have great character. Included: 15 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms. Breakfast and Dinner included  from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure.  A full program of guided walks, led by a local guide and an HF Holidays Leader. Sightseeing, entrance fees, train journeys and travel by coach or minibus.
Itinerary:
 Day 1 Depart UK
 
Days 2 Colombo  - 1 night
Arrival in Colombo and transfer to the Ranweli Holiday Village for some time to unwind on the coast between the beach and the natural lagoons.

Days 3- 4: Anuradhapura  - 2 nights
Head inland to the ancient fortress of Yapahuwa and continue to Anuradhapura for walks around the grandest city of ancient Ceylon, dating to the 2nd century BC.  In the evening we climb the rocky hill of Mihintale, where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka.

Day 5: Dambulla  - 2 nights
Travel to the ruins of the Buddhist monastery of Ritigala, hidden in a nature reserve.  We then head to our relaxing resort, Amaya Lake at Dambulla.

Day 6:
Walks at the 5th Century  rock fortress of Sigiriya, also known as the "Lion Rock" with the remarkably well preserved frescos of the Heavenly Maidens.  Later we travel to the medieval capital Polonnaruwa, set around a serene lake and gardens. 

Days 7 - 8  Kandy  - 2 nights
Travel into hill country and the attractive city of Kandy.  We have time to explore the city on foot and walk to Corbett Gap in the Knuckles range for excellent views.  

Day 9:  Dickoya  - 1 night
Take the train through the hills to Hatton and on to Dickoya.  Tonight we can join the pilgrims on the path to Adam's Peak, to see the sun rise over the temple in a once in a lifetime experience.  The pilgrimage season is from December to May.  Outside of these months and for those not wanting to tackle this quite strenuous climb, we will walk in the surrounding tea estates.

Day 10:   Kitulgala  - 1 night
Arrive in Kitulgala.  Relax in our colonial resort on the Kelani River, the location for the film Bridge on the River Kwai and enjoy a rainforest walk.

Days 11 - 13: Bandarawela   - 3 nights
 Continue to Bandarawela our base for exploring the south eastern hill country.  Our walks here include trails to Lipton's seat and "Worlds End" where the plateau comes to a dramatic end with 800 ft cliffs.

Days 14 - 15: Uda Walawe National Park -  1 night
Head south to Uda Walawe National Park to see some of Sri Lanka's wildlife, including herds of elephants and wild buffaloes.  Continue to Sinharaja for walks in the lowland rainforest, with its great tropical bird life, and we can walk to a lookout over the rainforest canopy.

Day 16:Mount Lavinia  - 1 night
Drive to Mount Lavinia for a final relaxing day on the Indian Ocean.

Day 17:  Transfer to Colombo for our return flight.
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