SRI LANKAAway from bustling Colombo, Sri Lanka is an idyllic and vibrant island. Centuries of history, magnificent scenery, rich culture, remnants of a colonial past (during which the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the British all made their mark), wild seascapes, and National Parks make Sri Lanka a delightful and different destination. Our program to Sri Lanka provides an eclectic experience. Wildlife viewing, historic forts, verdant countryside, spectacular views, eccentric accommodation. For example, at one of our hotels (indeed a former British Club), gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket to dinner. The Club will provide jackets. It is an archaic phenomenon, but great fun. We promise a travel experience not to be forgotten. The walking is easy to moderate, and any person who has embarked on day walks at home will not be overstretched. This program is not a trek, rather a travel program that includes some walking, but also excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, and contact with the natural environment. TRIP OUTLINE We move on to Galle, Sri Lanka's most historically interesting coastal town, built on a promontory rock in the south of the Island. It was a major port until about 100 years ago, and even today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour. The Fort of Galle is Galle's oldest landmark. It is a massive structure in which the central city is contained. Some scholars believe Galle to be the "Tarshish" of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled. A long drive today from the coast through ever changing scenery passes from lowland villages and farm, to tracts of jungle, and then up the escarpment to the highlands, which present a carpet or tea plantations. We stay at Haputale, the centre of tea cultivation and the location of Thomas Lipton's estates. We have a very 'tea' day. First we walk to Lipton's Seat, a location providing magnificent views, as well as a sample of history. Then, the tea process will be explained when we visit a local tea processing factory. On another day we undertake a beautiful walk in the mountains, organized by a local NGO. A visit to Sri Lanka is not complete without a train journey, especially in the highlands area. We follow the colonial line to Nuwara Eliya or 'little England'. No matter what the weather, the scenery will be spectacular and the train life interesting. To complete the day of colonial reminiscences, we stay at the Hill Club, the last bastion of British colonial governance. A day's walking in nearby Horton Plains (2134m elevation) shows us an uninhabited expanse of misty grassland with scraggly trees and ice-cold rivulets. World's End with its terrific escarpment falling away 1312m, provides one of the finest views in all of Sri Lanka. Next, we drive to Kandy in central Sri Lanka, the cultural and religious capital of Sri Lanka and the only major town on our itinerary apart from Colombo. Temples, shrines, and monasteries keep alive the Buddhist traditions, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha being one of the most sacred sites in the world to Buddhists. We visit the impressive Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya consisting of 67 hectares of exquisite beauty and 4000 species of botanical treasures. We then head north to visit the beautiful cave temples of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century and move onto the Sigiriya Village Hotel (actually a beautiful resort). The Resident Naturalist will accompany us on bird walks. We visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the 5th Century "Fortress in the Sky", perhaps the single most fantastic wonder of the Island. Within its triple-moated defence, the huge rock rises sheer to a height of around 180m. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens, complete with swimming pool. The walk up is strenuous because of the numerous steps and one section of precarious nature. However, it is possible to walk around the base and complete a partial climb. We are in the "Cultural Triangle" region of Sri Lanka and the location of ancient former cities, one of them being the 10th century city of Polonnaruwa, once a city of grand buildings, vast parks and gardens, and a huge lake-sized water storage system. We explore these impressive ruins and grounds on foot prior to visiting Minneriya Sanctuary for a safari in search of elephant and other animals and birds. We return to Colombo, via the Rest House at Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established to house abandoned and injured elephants. We watch the elephants have their afternoon bath and follow them back home in time to see the babies being fed. DATES AND COSTS Best Travels, 82 Bellevue Street, CAMMERAY, NSW
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