Day-to-day schedule
Day 1: Chilaw
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your tour starts in Chilaw, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Chilaw is situated only 50 km (1 hour 15 mins drive) from the international airport of Colombo. Your travel companions will also arrive this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You can meet the rest of the group and your tour leader today.
Our first two nights will be spent in Chilaw at a seafront hotel with access to a vast sandy beach. During the day we suggest a visit to Negombo, with its old Dutch fort gate, churches and fishing villages. Set at the mouth of the lagoon originally used for shipping cinnamon to the coast, you can hire a bike and follow the canal southwards, or if you don’t fancy pedalling, take an excursion into the “Dutch Channels” on a small motorboat. The Karava fishermen take out their catamarans which are fitted with square sails and large floats on both sides, every morning you can see them setting off for the days fishing, and returning with wonderful fresh fish for the market.
Day 2: Chilaw
Enjoy another day in beautiful Chilaw.
Day 3: Chilaw – Dambulla – Polonnaruwa
We board the early morning bus for our journey to Polonnaruwa, passing through tropical plantations to Dambulla, where we will visit the ancient cave temples. Thought to be among the most beautiful Buddhist monuments in the world, they date back over 2,000 years and religious ceremonies are still often held there.
At the end of the day we arrive in Polonnaruwa where you are free to explore this medieval city of kings. The city’s most splendid masterpiece is a group of four sublime Buddha statues, Gal Vihara, carved out of one piece of granite. The lying Buddha is the largest of them all at 15 metres tall. On day 5 there will be an optional trip to the Polonnaruwa ruins by bike.
You can also go on and optional trip to the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya, or Lion’s Rock. Built during the 5th century by King Kasyapa, the entrance of the fortress is guarded two gigantic lion’s paws carved out of the rock. Once inside there is a long climb up the spiral staircase, past many fascinating frescos commissioned by King Kasyapa, to the top where you can marvel at the magnificent views.
Day 4: Polonnaruwa
Enjoy a free day to explore with an optional trip to Anuradhapura and Mihintale. Two thousand years ago, Anuradhapura may well have been the most beautiful city in Asia.and is home to the only live shoot of the tree under which the Buddha was enlightened in 544 BC. This has made the tree one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world. Apart from the bodhi tree there are immense stupas and remains of palaces that are also well worth visiting. Mihintale is of great importance as a place of pilgrimage for Sri Lankan Buddhists and the religious buildings are sited on and around granite hills, in a very lush green setting that has been protected by law for over a thousand years. To see all there is to see requires a climb of 1840 steps to an enormous white Buddha that overlooks the broad landscape.
Day 5: Polonnaruwa
Today there will be an optional morning trip to the rock fortress of Sigiriya and to Polonnaruwa ruins by bike in the afternoon.
Day 6: Polonnaruwa – Spice Garden – Kandy
Our journey continues along the small roads of the central mountain region. On the way we will stop at one of the many spice plantations growing pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cacao and ginger and, time permitting we will visit a woodcarving shop where beautiful statues and masks are crafted. En-route we will also make a stop at Matale, famous for the nearby monastery of Aluvihare. We then travel on to Kandy where we will spend the next 3 nights in a three-star hotel with swimming pool and a splendid view of the surrounding hills.
Day 7: Kandy
We now have two days free to explore the city of Kandy and its surroundings. Set in lush tropical hills you can visit ‘The Temple of the Tooth’ which houses Buddha’s tooth - the central focus of Singhalese religious life for over two thousand years. Marvel at the displays of ancient royal regalia, jewellery and historic drawings at Kandys museum, stroll round the centuries-old garden of Peradeniya, watch a performance by the famous Kandy dancers or visit the elephant bathing site on the Mahaweli River and the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. Your travel guide will have full details of all that is available on arrival.
Day 8: Kandy
If you wanto to escape the busy city then the outskirts of Kandy also has some nice small temples rarely visited such as Gadaladeniya, and Lankatilaka Embekke. Udawattekele National Park is a protected piece of rainforest north of the town which is beautiful to walk around.
Day 9: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya via Tea Factory
Our route through the mountains to the next destination is breathtakingly beautiful. Passing waterfalls, tea plantations and visiting a tea-processing site en-route. In the afternoon, we arrive in Nuwara Eliya, the England of the tropics. Victorian cottages that could be in Devonshire, a golf course, gardens full of roses, a lake with rowing boats, mown lawns and cool temperatures.
Day 10: Nuwara Eliya - Bandarawela
After a morning free to explore Nuwara Eliya, we board the train from Nanu Oya and cross the mountains. On this three-hour journey we travel through spectacular mountainous landscapes, interspersed with tea and jungle plantations, through tunnels and along abysses. At the end of the afternoon we reach Bandarawella on the east side of the island.
Day 11: Bandarawela
Enjoy a day at your leisure in the stunning alpine setting of Bandarawella. It is an area rich in fabulous views, mountain tracks along steep abysses, waterfalls and streams rushing down from the central mountain range. You can travel by bus to Badulla and walk to one of the highest waterfalls on the island, the Dunhinda Falls, or you can walk to the Dowa cave temple which has a 4m standing Buddha hewn from the rock. Alternatively you can join a local guide on a beautiful walk to the tea plantations of Haputale.
Day 12: Bandarawella - Udawalawe Reserve
Our journey continues by bus with a descent of over one thousand metres, to the Governor’s Camp, near the Udawalawe Reserve, where we will spend the night in a tent.
There is a safari trip in a 4x4 Jeep to the Udawalawe Reserve (entrance fees included), renowned for its large herds of elephants and many bird species. In the camp, dinner will be prepared for you.
Day 13: Udawalawe Camp - Tissamaharama
Today we travel on to the busy town of Tissamaharama, set among rice fields dotted with small temples. We will visit nearby Kataragama which sits at the foot of the mountains and is one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka. It attracts Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim pilgrims who all worship the god Skanda.
You can also take an optional safari to Yala N.P., Sri Lanka’s main nature reserve which is dotted with woods and lakes and is home to some amazing wildlife including panthers, bears, wild buffaloes and crocodiles. Or you can take a jeep ride across Bundala nature reserve, with its savannahs, lakes, beach and an incredible array of birdlife and wildlife. There is also the option to visit Wirawila Lake, an unspoilt reserve filled with water birds, spangled leaf monkeys, crocodiles and elephants.
Day 14: Tissamaharama
Visit one of the nearby reserves or parks and appreciate the abudance of nature in this part of Sri Lanka.
Day 15: Tissamaharama - Hikkaduwa
Enjoy you stay on the beach at Hikkaduwa and from November to May make the most of the diving and snorkelling or take a glass bottomed boat trip to see the reef. You can also take a trip through the green lagoons behind the coast or marvel at the giant monitor lizards.
Day 16: Hikkaduwa
It is highly recommended to visit the formerly Dutch town of Galle, the Matara temples or take a river cruise. You could visit the ‘blowhole’ near Kudawella and the beaches near Unawatuna and Tangalle and relax with gorgeous sunsets and a warm sea breeze.
Day 17: Hikkaduwa
Enjoy the colourful nightlife of Hikkaduwa before we move on tomorrow.
Day 18: Hikkaduwa - Negombo
Make the four hour journey to Negombo. Used ages ago by the Portuguese, Dutch and British as main export harbour for cinnamon you still can see many historical buildings in Negombo. The town itself shows its interesting colonial past which was heavily influenced by the Catholic Church.
Enjoy watching the old world fishing crafts like the outrigger canoes and the catamarans bringing a variety of marine fishes like seers, skipjacks, pomfrets and amber-jacks. On Negombo's long beach you'll find many seafood restaurants, bars and shops.
Day 19: Negombo
Today you may opt for a visit to the ruins of the old Dutch fort, close to the seafront. The fort has a fine entrance that is inscribed with the date 1678. There is also a cricket green here called the Esplanade, where the cricket matches are a big attraction. The fort itself is now used as a prison so it is not possible to go inside and sneak a look whilst staying within the terms of the law!
Day 20: Negombo
The last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Negombo until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). Negombo is situated only 15 km (less than ½ hour drive) from the international airport. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Sri Lanka.
On the trip departure date July 23, 2012 you can visit the Kandy festival Perahera in Kandy.
Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.
When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 20) is not included.
Festivals
PERAHERA KANDY FESTIVAL (23 JULY - 2 AUGUST 2012)
During July/August, the festival of Esala Perahera takes place in Kandy. It is a spectacle of impressive proportions and for the predominantly Buddhist population is an important festival. This 10-day festival includes a copy of the Tooth of Buddha, safely preserved in the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy, being carried in one of the five processions on the back of a richly decorated temple elephant. The Esala Perahera consists of several parts. The first six nights the Kumbal Perahera takes place. This part is slightly less impressive than the next, the Randoli Perahera, which culminates on the tenth night. Then all of the elephants gather from miles around, in splendid appearance and together with groups of dancers, acrobats and musicians, participate in the procession. To conclude there is a small ceremony held during the day called Diya Kepeema/the water cutting ceremony of Day Perahera.
Each evening the procession begins at an allotted time. After the hymns and prayers (heard everywhere in Kandy for hours) all is suddenly silent. A thunderous cannon shot from the Temple of the Tooth announces the beginning of the preparations. Only when the second gun shot is fired does the procession start to move. It is already dark and the fire bearers light up the parade. At the forefront are men with long whips. Every ten steps they stand still and make a strike of their whips. The sharp crack reverberates through the night. It is now really beginning. The tension is palpable. Drum roll accompanies the acrobats who spin their heads, necks and limbs. Groups of drummers accompany the dancers. The musicians look fabulous in their long white skirts with red sash draped with jewels over their bare torsos. Several groups of dancers pass by, mostly men and some women. Each dance has its own symbolic meaning. The drum rolls as members from the group of dancers take themselves through the air, making acrobatic somersaults. The ecstatic dancers make rigorous movements. Groups of priests and temple servants in gorgeous outfits are accompanied by large numbers of elephants dressed in rich robes, often illuminated with hundreds of lights, which are kept burning by a battery on wheels behind the elephant. They await the last group to arrive at the Dalada Maligawa. Surrounded by musicians and dancers the beautifully decorated main temple elephant arrives with the silver reliquary containing the copy of the precious relic, the Tooth of Buddha, on his back. He is flanked by two equally richly attired elephants. Finally, there follows a long procession of acrobats, dancers, sword fighters and believers. On the last night it takes three hours for the procession to pass. The curtain falls, the party is over. Only then will the crowds head in droves to the carnival. The timing of the Esala Perahera is determined by the moon. The last night of the Perahera Randoli ties in with the full moon.
TO ENJOY THIS MARVELLOUS FESTIVAL BOOK ONTO THE TRIP DEPARTING ON 23 JULY 2012
Difficulty Information
This trip is in category A
The difficulty of our travels varies greatly. Added to this is the fact that travel difficulty is a very personal perception. To give an impression of the difficulty of a particular holiday we have developed a classification system.
Category A: Light travel for everyone to do. Short distances, good hotels, travel at a slow pace.
Category B: For everyone to do as well. Sometimes long distances. Good hotels and camping facilities, sometimes an adventurous overnight experience, travel at a normal pace.
Category C: Good to do for anyone who prepares themself well and is flexible. There are tougher parts of the journey, such as longer distances or walking tours. Several nights can be spent in basic accommodation.
Category D: A relatively difficult journey, travelling long distances, often primitive accommodation or tents, and challenging walking tours.
The Sri Lanka trip belongs in category A. This trip can be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fit. The travel times are short and nearly all hotels are reasonably comfortable. Keep in mind that you travel in a developing country that has much lower standards of living than those you are used to. Also, it is possible that some roads cannot be used due to the weather or lack of maintenance; in which case we will have to change the route slightly. A flexible and positive attitude is therefore more important than physical fitness.
Nature of the trip
This varied trip around this sumptuously overgrown island, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean” near the equator leads you to Buddhist monuments, through rice fields, along picturesque villages and over high mountains. You can take splendid walks through green tea plantations with breathtaking views. What about a “bush camp” and an exciting Jeep safari across the savannahs, where herds of wild elephants roam. You will also discover fascinating remains of the colonial past and spend some days on a tropical palm beach. Maybe you want to take a ride on an elephant or even give it a good scrub! If so, travel with Shoestring to Sri Lanka, an island with a pleasant tropical climate all the year round.