EASTERN TRAVEL

Presents

Festival Of Golden Moon

DAY 01/August 01 ARRIVAL / COLOMBO – SRI LANKA

Arrival in Sri Lanka, Meeting and assistance at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Colombo.

Overnight - CINNAMON GRAND, COLOMBO.

DAY 02/August 02 : COLOMBO / DAMBULLA

After a late breakfast leave for Dambulla & visit the Dambulla Golden Cave Temple.

Dambulla - is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during

his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut

out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period.In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people

Dinner & Overnight – Cinnamon, DAMBULLA

DAY 03 /August 03 : DAMBULLA / ANURADHAPURA / DAMBULLA

After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura for sightseeing

Anuradhapura is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of

these dagabas are the Ruvenweli which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most

renewed relic is the sacred Bo Tree which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historic tree in the world.

Also visit Aukana Buddha Statue

Aukana Buddha undoubtedly, the most magnificent undamaged ancient images in the island. This 5^th Century statue, ascribed to King Dhatusena, is 42½ feet (13 meters) high, standing beneath a recently

constructed brick shelter, a reconstruction of an image house said to have contained it 1,000 years ago.

Aukana means “sun-eating “, and the image is best viewed when the sun rises. It is situated 32 miles (51 kilometers) southeast of Anuradhapura via the great tank of Kalawewa.

Dinner & Overnight – Cinnamon Lodge, DAMBULLA

DAY 04 / August 04 : DAMBULLA / SIGIRIYA / KANDY

After breakfast leave for Sigiriya & climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within it triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color.

Sigiriya was never conqured by any of the invading forces that had such an affect on the island of Sri Lanka It was however, ceded to the British during the colonial rule without force.

Thereafter leave for Kandy en-route visiting a Spice Gardens at Matale.

Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper plants etc. You can also

purchase your requirements of spices.

Dinner & Overnight – The Citadel HOTEL, KANDY

DAY 05 / August 05 : KANDY / PINNAWELA / KANDY

After breakfast visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela.

Pinnawela - off Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now, including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 14 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time and the bathing time; when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. On return to Kandy visit Evening visit Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and the Embekke Temples

Lankatilake Temple - Just under 2km (1.5 miles) on foot north of the Embekke Temple (the last stretch is an energetic ascent of steps cut into the crag on which the temple stands), the Lankatilake Temple is predominantly a Hindu place of worship but also has Buddhist frescoes, a Buddha image, and stone

elephant carvings. Open during daylight hours only.

Embekke Devale - About 6krn (4 miles) southwest of Peradeniya and 3 km (2 miles) east of the main road to Nuwara Eliya, around 13km (8 miles) from the centre of Kandy, this small Buddhist temple dates from the 14th century and is graced by wooden columns elaborately sculpted with birds, dancers, acrobats and wrestlers. Open during daylight hours.

Gadaladeniya Temple - Constructed in the 14th century AD. This structure is done in the Dravidian (South Indian) style of architecture for a Buddhist Temple. This is constructed entirely of granite. Inside the temple is a Buddha statue and a Devala for the daity has also got into the structure. At the entrance the

porch is beautifully done with a frieze of dancers, drummers and musicians sculptured beautifully. The two pillars at the entrance contain the sculpture of Siva in the Nataraja dance style and on the other pillar is the figure of Krishna- the heavenly musician playing the flute. The Dagaba is covered with a roof.

Dinner & Overnight – The Citadel HoTEL, KANDY

DAY 06 / August 06 : KANDY

After breakfast doa city tour of Kandy including visits to the Temple of the sacred tooth relic & the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.

Kandy - the hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. To Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the Virgin Forest, Kandy was well protected and was the last refuge of the Sri Lankan Kings. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts and Culture. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.

Evening witness the Kandy Randoli Prehera from an exclusive balcony of the Queens Hotel, Kandy

exclusively reserved for this group only.

The Randoli Perahera - The beginning of the Kandy Perahera were very small and simple. King Megavanna decreed that the Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which was also the symbol of sovereignty, should be brought out from its enshrined place so that public homage could be rendered in a Perahera once a year. Today this ceremony has grown into one of the splendid sights in Sri Lanka and indeed one of the most spectacular pageants in southeast Asia or perhaps the whole world. The proper Kandy Perahera, however, began during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinha of Kandy in the 18th Century. During his reign, he invited a number of Buddhist monks from Siam to Lanka to help restore the island’s monasteries and its Theravada orthodoxy, then degenerating in the efface of foreign war and ill discipline from within.

The visiting monks protested to the king that the predominant religious activity of Kandy’s Hindu Devalas was unseemly in a Buddhist royal capital. The king accordingly ordered that a solemn annual procession of the Tooth relic be forthwith instituted, and that a precession of Kandy’s four devalas be incorporated in the open homage.

Return to Hotel for Dinner & Overnight – The Citadel HOTEL, KANDY

DAY 07 / August 07 : KANDY/NUWARA ELIYA

After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya visiting a tea factory & a plantation.

Nuwara Eliya - is 6200ft. above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers out on shooting chanced on Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it. In 1828 a road constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent Soldiers was established. It was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds, horses, cattle, sheep etc; and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted.

Tea Plantation - Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867 a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings on an 8 hectares of forest land, in the Loolcondura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London.

Tea will grow well only on rolling terrain and is classified be elevation into low grown ,medium grown, high grown, into 3 main groups. In 1996 Sri Lanka has produced 258 million kgs. of tea and has earned Rs. 34,068 million by exporting 244 million kgs. of tea.

Dinner & Overnight - GRAND HOTEL (GOLF WING), NUWARA ELIYA

DAY 08 / August 08 : NUWARA ELIYA / YALA

After breakfast leave for Yala.

Evening visit Kataragama, a pilgrim centre and a place of worship for the devout

Kataragama - Dedicated to God Skanda ( Murugan for Hindus ) a deity who came from India, married a local girl call Valli and lived here. He is treated by Hindus as a the God of war. The annual festival is held during the month of July, culminating in the fire walking by large number of devotees and the water cutting ceremony. Here is a complex of temples dedicated to various Gods and deities; in the sacred area and large number of shops providing fruit offerings prepared to be purchased by devotees. The offerings are made in the morning, mid-day and evening by large crowds. The girls working for the temple offering lights, and the ceremonies connected with the Pooja are interesting for visitors.

Dinner & overnight – YALA VILLAGE, YALA

DAY 09 / August 09 : YALA / BENTOTA

After breakfast undertake a safari at the Yala National Park (or the Ruhunu National Park as it is called)

Yala - is a haven for Fauna both indigenous and migrant Bird concentrations are by the Lagoons.Salvers. Here are thousands of flamingoes, Assemblies of spotted billed, Spoonbills, Cormorants and various species of Herons. Pheasants, Pea Fowl, Peacocks and the Wild Fowl are found in hundreds. Wild Buffalo

and herds of Wild Elephants are a common sight. Whether it is birds or animals you have them all at Yala.

Then leave for Bentota & Enroute visit Galle Dutch Fort, Mask Museum at Ambalangoda & a turtle hatchery.

Galle - Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town in Galle. Built on a premonitory rock in the south of the Island. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boars in the natural harbor. Stroll around the Light House and harbor or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and carvers and purchase some the finest shell-craft souvenirs in the World.

The Fort of Galle - The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch fort in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the ‘Tarshish’ of the Old testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant Fvessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90 acre Galle Fort who’s no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was build inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the fort’s two half bastion’s overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the rides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbor. It is still there, marked by the old Dutch V.O.C ( for ‘Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) arms with a rooster crest.

Mask Museum - This private museum and shop is on Ambalangoda Main Street 800m (875yd) north of the village center and is run by one of the village's noted mask-makers. On display are masks symbolizing all the characters (demons, gods, heroes) who appear in masked dances and processions.

Turtle Hatchery - Where you can see several species of turtles, specially the hawksbill, are endangered. Most vulnerable of all are their eggs, which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. The good will of the area fishermen, who brings these eggs gratis to the hatchery, has led to the hatching and release

of 100,000 young turtles in only two years since the hatchery opened.

Overnight – BENTOTA BEACH HOTEL, BENTOTA

DAY 10 / August 10 : BENTOTA

Breakfast at hotel.

At leisure enjoying the beautiful golden sandy beaches of Bentota. Overnight – BENTOTA BEACH HOTEL, BENTOTA

DAY 11/ August 11 : BENTOTA / COLOMBO

After breakfast leave for Colombo to undertake a city tour of Colombo.

Afternoon shopping at the Malls and the handicrafts centre

Colombo - A drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah- the commercial area of the city and tree-lined Colombo - 07 Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5, 8 are the prime residential area of the City. Visit Fort, and Pettah for Shopping. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street, lined with goldsmith’s shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendaal, dating back to 1749. The historic Mavatagaha Mosque, Independence Hall, B.M.I.C.H, the Zoological Gardens and Museum are some of the attractions in Colombo.

Day Use rooms & Dinner - CINNAMON GRAND, COLOMBO

Day 12 / August 12 AM Colomba - US or elsewhere

~~~~ END OF TOUR/OUR SERVICES ~~~~

land only Price :

$ 1765.00 twin share basis ( based on 2-6 pax )

$ 580.00 Single Supplement

The above cost includes:

- deluxe Accommodation on HB basis commencing with Breakfast & Dinner.

( see specified in the program)

- Transportation in an air-conditioned coach with the services of a separate English speaking national guide.

- Entrance fees to the places of interest mentioned in the itinerary Jeep hire cost at Yala National Park

- Kandy perehera supplement for the hotel

- Welcome drink & refreshing towels at each hotel

- Government tax (VAT 15%)

- Porterage at hotels

- Tips for the guides and drivers

The above cost does not includes:

- Lunch on tour

- Camera and video permits

- Any expenses of personal nature

What to wear

Rarely is anything more than a short-sleeve shirt or Blouse in Sri Lanka. Upcountry, specially in Nuwara Eliya , a light jacket or sweater will be needed.

Shorts, short skirts or revealing clothing are not approriate because

Sri Lanka preserves a conservative and largely Buddhist culture.

It is obligatory to remove shoes for all temple visits in Sri Lanka.

You can have sucks on most likely.

Shopping

Hand crafted lacquerware, wood carvings, embroidered contton pillows,

ect. Precious stones can be pruchased from Licensed Government shops. Remember that you bear your own responsibility at all time.