Sri Lanka “Kandy Perahera” Festival Tour
Sri Lanka is the land of festivals and traditions... one of the most magnificent of these festivals is the Kandy Esala Perahera. This is a religious festival and one of the biggest Buddhist celebrations of the year, during which devotees pray for good rains to cultivate the crops. One of Buddhism’s most sacred relics, the Sacred Tooth is taken from the Temple of the Tooth and paraded through the streets in a golden bejeweled casket that sits on top of the majestic ‘Maligawa” (temple) elephant. Following the parade many more festive events take centre stage and visitors can expect to see a lively cast of Kandyan dancers and drummers in colouful traditional costumes. Kandyan Chieftains in medieval court dress, gaily caparisoned elephants numbering almost one hundred, country dancers, acrobats, whip crackers, torch bearers etc., make it an unforgettable experience for any traveler.
International Flight Itinerary
Singapore Airlines
| Departure |
| 19 July (Thu) - SQ11 Depart LAX at 3:45pm - Arrive SINGAPORE - 3:10am+2 (7/21) |
| (Optional: Day Room (12 hrs) at Singapore Airport hotel) |
21 July (Sat) – SQ468 Depart SINGAPORE at 10:45pm – Arrive COLOMBO – 11:55pm |
| Return |
03 Aug (Fri) – SQ469 Depart COLOMBO at 1:10am* – ARRIVE SINGAPORE 7:40am |
| *Check in at 10.10pm on 02 Aug |
03 AUG (Fri) – SQ12 Depart SINGAPORE AT 9:25am – ARRIVE LAX – 1:30pm (same day) |
**All flight schedules are subject to change.
Sri Lanka Land Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - 21st July 2012 (Sat) Arrival / Colombo
Arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka on SQ 468 at 11:55pm
Meeting and assistance at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Colombo.
Overnight with Breakfast - Cinnamon Grand (deluxe room)
Day 2 - 22nd July 2012 (Sun) Colombo
Late morning proceed on a city tour of Colombo – a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree lined residential Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarter in Pettah, the bazaar area, a Hindu Temple, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1794, the historical Davatagaha Mosque. Also visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara (Buddhist Temple) believed to be the site visited by Lord Buddha 2500 years ago.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Cinnamon Grand (deluxe room)
Day 3 - 23rd July 2012 (Mon) Colombo / Sigiriya / Dambulla
Then leave for Dambulla.
In the evening, leave for Sigiriya to climb the 5th century A.D. Rock Fortress. The vision of a patricidal king named Kasyapa transformed an awesome monolith into a cloud swept city. The mirror wall, which, protects a series of exquisite murals (frescoes of celestial maidens using natural pigments) and the Lion’s Paw entrance to the ruined palace on the summit are well worth the effort of the ascent.
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Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Heritance Kandalama (standard room)
Day 4 - 24th July 2012 (Tue) Dambulla / Anuradhapura / Aukana / Dambulla
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura, the capital of Sri Lanka, 3rd century B.C. It is the city of stupas and monasteries, steeped in antiquity. Visit the oldest historically documented tree in the world. This is a branch from the Original peepul or Bo tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree continues to be venerated today after an unbroken period of 23 centuries. The ruins of the "Brazen Palace", the twin ponds, the queens’ baths and other relics of a bygone age speak of an ancient grandeur that is almost tangible even today.
Visit Aukana, which is one hour's drive from Anuradhapura is famed for its magnificent 39 foot rock-cut statue of Lord Buddha, considered one of the finest ancient stone sculpture in Asia.
Evening return to Dambulla.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Heritance Kandalama (standard room)
Day 5 - 25th July 2012 (Wed) Dambulla / Polonnaruwa / Habarana / Dambulla
After b’fast leave for Polonnaruwa, a former capital of Sri Lanka 11th to 12th century. A.D., an obvious South Indian influence on the architecture is noticeable. The Gal Vihare comprises of four colossal statues of the Buddha carved out of the living rock stand testimony to the skill of master craftsmen. Visit also the Tivanka Pilimage with its priceless murals and the vast man made lake that is the Sea of Parakrama – a feat of ancient engineering.
Afternoon undertake an elephant back safari in the Habarana jungles.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Heritance Kandalama (standard room)
Day 6 - 26th July 2012 (Thu) Dambulla / Matale / Kandy
Morning leave for Dambulla, to visit the rock cave temple, which is comprised of a series of 5 caverns with ceilings of natural rock covered with intricate paintings. The natural folds of the rock have been skillfully used to given the illusion of cloth. Forty eight statues of the Buddha and images of the various deities can be seen inside the cave.
Thereafter leave for Kandy enroute visiting the Spice Gardens at Matale.
Kandy was the seat of the Kandyan Kings from the 14th century A.D. and is a repository of Sinhala culture.
Afternoon - A city tour of Kandy – drive around the beautiful lake and the upper lake drive. Visit the Arts and Crafts centre where you can buy Kandyan silver and brass ware, Metal work, Lacquer work, Wood and bone carvings, Pottery and Hand woven fabrics. Demonstrations of artisans at work.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Mahaweli Reach Hotel (standard)
Day 7 - 27th July 2012 (Fri) Kandy
Morning visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala.
After early dinner view the Kandy Perahera, the annual pageant of gaily caparisoned Elephants, dancers, drummers, torch bearers, whip crackers, torch spinners. The Maligawa Tusker carries the bejewelled, golden relic casket; stepping gracefully on the yards of white cloth laid on the road.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Mahaweli Reach Hotel (standard)
Day 8 - 28th July 2012 (Sat) Kandy
Morning leave for the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, a formerly the pleasure gardens of the Sinhala Queens. The gardens contain over 4000 species of plants. The avenue of the Royal Palms, the bamboo fringed Riverside drive, the Bat drive with a vast collection of flying foxes who spend the daylight hours hanging upside down, are some of the special features of this lovely garden. There is also an Orchid house, a Spice garden, a Herb garden and Glass house of Anthuriums, Begonias, African Violets and other greenhouse plants.
In the evening visit the Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and the Embekke Temples belonging to the 14th century. Gadaladeniya is built of stone and reminds us of the South Indian influence of the period. Lankatilaka temple is a magnificent brick building in white and in the shrine room is found a superb seated image of the Buddha. Embekke temple is famed for its carved wooden pillars with intricate designs.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Mahaweli Reach Hotel (standard)
Day 9 - 29th July 2012 (Sun) Kandy / Nuwara Eliya
Morning visit the Temple of the tooth. (Dalada Maligawa)
Then leave for Nuwara Eliya in the heart of the tea country, which was established by the British as a replica of a little English village reminiscent of the Lake District. Even today Tudor and Victorian style houses with trim English gardens speak of a gentler age. An 18 hole golf course and the picturesque lake are a year round attraction. Tour this unusual little city and en route visit a tea factory where you can see the intricacies that go into the manufacture of the world’s best loved brew.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Grand Hotel (Deluxe wing)
Day 10 - 30th July 2012 (Mon) Nuwara Eliya / Yala
In the morning leave for Yala.
Evening, undertake a half day safari at the Yala National Park or the Ruhunu National Park which is a sanctuary for a variety of wild life. The Ceylon elephant roams freely here and close encounters are not uncommon. Leopards, deer, sambhur, wild buffalo, crocodiles and monitor lizards are among the larger mammals that can be observed in their natural habitat.
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Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast -The Safari (standard room)
Day 11 - 31st July 2012 (Tue) Yala / Galle / Beach
Morning, leave for Galle, the seafarer’s capital to visit the natural harbour and the Dutch Fortress with its towering ramparts and the mediaeval Dutch buildings.
Then proceed to the beach.
Evening at leisure.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Heritance Ahungalla (Ocean front deluxe room)
Day 12 - 1st August 2012 (Wed) Beach
At leisure.
Dinner / Overnight with Breakfast - Heritance Ahungalla (Ocean front deluxe room)
Day 13 - 2nd August 2012 (Thu) Beach / Colombo / Seeduwa
Morning leave for Colombo en route visiting the Mask carving centre at Ambalangoda and the turtle hatcheries (optional) at Balapitiya.
Afternoon shopping at the Malls and the handicrafts centre.
Evening proceed to Seeduwa.
Dinner / Day use of Room - Taj Airport Garden Hotel (Standard room)
Departure
Departure to the airport at 10:00pm to meet SQ469 scheduled to depart at 1:10am 03 Aug 2012 (Friday). Check – in time 2210 hours on 02 Aug 2012 Thursday)
END OF SRI LANKA TOUR - KANDY PERAHERA FESTIVAL / OUR SERVICES
* Itinerary is subject to change due to changes in local conditions or for circumstances beyond our control.
Map of Sri Lanka
Quotation Per Itinerary
Tour Costs, Group Rate - 13 Days Land & Air Tour
17 JULY - 03 August 2012 - Travel from / to LAX
| City | Superior / Deluxe Hotels - 4 & 5 Star |
| Colombo | Cinnamon Grand (deluxe room) |
| Dambulla (Cultural Triangle) | Heritance Kandalama Hotel (standard) |
| Kandy | Mahaweli Reach Hotel (standard) |
| Nuwara Eliya | Grand Hotel (deluxe wing) |
| Yala | The Safari (standard room) |
| Beach | Heritance Ahungalla (ocean view room) |
| Seeduwa | Taj Airport Garden Hotel (standard) |
Superior / Deluxe Hotels (4/5 Star) |
|
| 1) Land tour cost - per person, sharing twin | $3,680.00 |
| 2) Single Supplement |
$1,095.00 |
| 3) Economy Airfare on Singapore Airline | $790.00 |
ROUTING: LAX-SINGAPORE-COLOMBO (RETURN) |
| City | Standard Hotels - 3 & 4 Star |
| Colombo | Holiday Inn (standard) |
| Sigiriya (Cultural Triangle) | Sigiriya Village (superior) |
| Kandy | Thilanka (deluxe) |
| Nuwara Eliya | Hill Club (deluxe) |
| Yala | Mandara Rosen (standard) |
| Beach | Royal Palms (deluxe) |
| Negombo / Airport | St. Lachlan (deluxe) |
Standard Hotels (3/4 Star) |
|
| 4) Land tour cost - per person, sharing twin | $2,795.00 |
| 5) Single Supplement |
$895.00 |
| 6) Economy Airfare on Singapore Airline | $790.00 |
| ROUTING: LAX-SINGAPORE-COLOMBO (RETURN) |
* Airfare and taxes are subject to change.
* Airport taxes approx. $750-$850
Sri Lanka Tour Price Includes
- Economy airfare on Singapore Airlines, from Los Angeles to Colombo (return), Sri Lanka. (Quoted separately)
- Round trip transfers and tours in an air-conditioned coach with an English speaking Tour Escort / Guide
- Bagage handling for two standard suitcases
- Accommodation at superior / deluxe OR standard hotels, with breakfast & dinner daily
- All entrance fees, permits, reserved ticket to view the 'Kandy Perahera' festival at the Queens hotel balcony for best viewing.
- All service charges and local taxes
Sri Lanka Tour Price Excludes
- Personal expenses such as laundry, personal tipping, telephone, room service, extra meals and beverages, including early check-in and late check-out
- Passport / visa fees (A visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days in Sri Lanka cost $20)
- Trip Protection Insurance (Highly recommended)
- Airport taxes / fuel surcharges levied by the Airline. (approx. $650-$750pp)
- Optional excursions / extensions tours
Extension tours to South India (Kerala) and the Maldives available on request.
Low cost add-on airfares available from your home city.
Completed booking forms & a deposit of $500 Per person are required to reserve space on this Sri Lanka tour.
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Click here to download our Booking Form / Credit Card Authorization Form / Terms & Conditions.
Extension tour to South India available on request.
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