1

SRI LANKA - WITIA AGM & EDUCATIONAL

Women in Tourism International Alliance

13 -21 September 2014 (7 Nights)

Presented by Ceylon Express International

Day 01- 13 Sep – ARRIVAL SEEDUWA

Arrival in Colombo on the airline of your choice. Meeting and assistance at the airport and

transfer (transfer cost is not included) to your hotel in Seeduwa, not far from Bandaranaike

International Airport (BIA). *Room available from 12 noon.

OVERNIGHT WITH BREAKFAST–Taj Gateway Airport Hotel (standard room)

Day 02- 14 Sep –SEEDUWA / PINNAWALA / SIGIRIYA / DAMBULLA (B/L/D)

This morning we leave for the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala where we’ll see elephants of all

ages enjoying their bath in the river (10:00 – 12 noon).

2

After lunch we will inspect the Heritance Kandalama Hotel. Late afternoon visit to Sigiriya, a

UNESCO World Heritage site considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. In

geological terms, this massive rock is the hardened magma plug of an ancient eroded volcano,

but legend says that a 5th

century AD king, Kasyapa, built a defensible palace and garden on its

summit after murdering his father and usurping the

throne. Extraordinary features of this palace/

fortress/Buddhist temple complex include exquisite

exposed frescoes of celestial maidens (apsaras), a mirror

wall overwritten with graffiti more than 1000 years old

(previous tourists to the site!), massive lion paws – all

that remains of an enormous lion statue surrounding the

stairway to the summit, ruins on the top, probably from a

Buddhist meditation area, and magnificent water gardens

– the gardens alone are of such beauty that they merit a

visit. The rock is nearly 200 meters (660 feet) high, but

the rewards of this awesome site more than justify the climb.

Evening – Get acquainted event. (No host bar)

DINNER & OVERNIGHT WITH BREAKFAST– Heritance Kandalama (superior)

3

Day 03 - 15 Sep – DAMBULLA / MINNERIYA / DAMBULLA (B/L/D)

Morning visit to Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to

visit the best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Five

caves are highlighted (of more than 80) because of the intricate

paintings on their walls and ceilings that use the natural folds in

the rock to give the illusion of cloth. The caves contain 153

Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues

of Hindu deities.

Late afternoon visit to Minneriya National Park to see “The

Gathering’ – a convergence of over 100 elephants drawn to Minneriya’s grassy fields and large

reservoir in search of water during the dry season. The Minneriya reservoir is also an important

habitat for large water birds such as Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Spot-billed Pelican, and many

migratory birds.

LUNCH, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT W/ BREAKFAST Heritance Kandalama (superior)

Day 04- 16 Sep – DAMBULLA / KANDY (B/L/D)

This morning we leave for Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second largest city and the cultural capital of the

island. The royal city of the Kandyan kings from the 14th

century A.D., Kandy is the holiest spot

on Sri Lanka for the Sinhalese, and a fount of their culture.

4

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, formerly the pleasure gardens of the Sinhala

Queens, with origins that date back as far as King Wickramabahu III in 1371. The gardens as

they exist today were formally established in 1843 with

plants imported from Kew Garden, Slave Island,

Colombo and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara. During

the Second World War, the Botanical Gardens were used

by Lord Louis Mountbatten as the headquarters of the

Southeast Asia Command. The gardens contain over

4000 species of plants. One especially significant tree

was planted by King George V and Queen Mary in 1901.

Its large fruits have earned it the moniker “Cannonball

Tree.” Some special features of this lovely garden include

the Avenue of the Royal Palms, the bamboo-fringed

Riverside Drive, and the Bat Drive with its abundance of flying foxes that spend daylight hours

hanging upside down. There is also an orchid house, a spice garden, an herb garden and a glass

house of anthuriums, begonias, African violets and other greenhouse plants.

LUNCH

Annual General Meeting – 15:00 – 17:00 in a garden setting (a circle of chairs). Tea/coffee with snacks.

Informal get-together with local tourism professionals. Later, an inspection of the Mahaweli Reach Hotel.

This evening we visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth

or the Dalada Maligawa. This Buddhist temple,

located in the royal complex of the former Kandyan

kings, is revered for its sacred relic, one of Buddha’s

teeth that was smuggled into the country in 301 A.D.

Since ancient times, ruling kings have

protected the relic from harm, and

therefore possession of it came to stand for

legitimacy in power. As Sri Lanka’s last

royal capital, Kandy’s nomination for

UNESCO World Heritage status is partly

due to the presence of the Temple of the

Tooth.

Monks conduct daily ritual services in the inner chamber of the Temple of the Tooth – at dawn,

at noon, and in the evening. On Wednesdays the Sacred Relic is bathed in an herbal liquid made

from scented water and fragrant flowers. This elixir is believed to have curative properties and is

distributed to those present

5

Our home for this evening – Mahaweli Reach Hotel (deluxe room)

LUNCH, DINNER, BREAKFAST, OVERNIGHT -

Day 05- 17 Sep- KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA (B/L/D)

After breakfast, leave at 09:30 for the Peradeniya Railway Station to board the Expo Rail train,

departing at 10:50. Train travel in this part of Sri Lanka is not just a means of transportation but

an attraction unto itself. We will pass by glorious vistas of silvery waterfalls and misty

mountains, where the verdant green of tea plantations is dotted with the brightly colored saris of

Tamil tea pickers. This is the area that made Ceylon tea famous worldwide.

LUNCH / TEA / COFFEE - SERVED ON BOARD THE TRAIN

Arrive in Nanu Oya (near Nuwara Eliya) at 14:35. We will visit a tea factory where we can learn

the manufacturing intricacies of the world’s best loved brew. Then leave for the short drive to

Nuwara Eliya.

6

Nuwara Eliya is often referred to in the Sri Lankan tourism industry as ‘Little England’ as it has

buildings reminiscent of the Lake District. But it’s the Lake District with a decided difference -

Victorian buildings next to water buffalo painted for the Tamil festival of Thaiponal, and the

tangled, bustling Sri Lankan town center near old colonial-style homes with typical, tidy

English gardens. In earlier days, Nuwara Eliya (meaning City of Light) was a favored cool

climate retreat for the Scots and English tea growers and traders – a hardworking, hard-drinking

bunch - who discovered that the soil, hilly elevation and climate were ideal for tea after the

original coffee plantations failed. Tour this unusual little town where an 18-hole golf course and

a beautiful lake draw visitors year round.

LUNCH, DINNER, BREAKFAST / OVERNIGHT – Grand Hotel (deluxe room)

Day 06 - 18 Sep - NUWARA ELIYA / BENTOTA (B/L/D)

This morning we leave for Bentota, a sultry ribbon of golden sandy beaches that are the finest in

the country, wonderful for swimming. It is a long but delightful drive, passing villages, markets,

rice paddies, tea and rubber plantations – our bus-eye view of everyday life in Sri Lanka.

LUNCH EN ROUTE

Before dinner, an inspection of the Taj Vivanta Hotel.

DINNER, BREAKFAST / OVERNIGHT VIVANTA BY TAJ – (superior charm room)

7

Day 07- 19 Sep - BENTOTA (B/L/D)

At leisure – you’ve earned it! Enjoy the beach and warm water of the Indian Ocean!

OPTIONAL: Excursion to the Dutch city of Galle (Cost: additional $35 per person)

Galle is a town of endless fascination – a visual and sensory treat with its collection of slightly

seedy Dutch Colonial buildings that make you

think of a medieval European town magically

transported to the tropics, bursting with the smell of

spices and salt air. Still a place of trade, today Galle

is also a place of art. The Fort is home to trendy

boutiques, cafés and hotels owned by local and

foreign artists, writers, designers, photographers

and poets. This seafarer’s capital has a natural

harbour and a defensive fortress with towering

ramparts, begun by the Dutch in 1663. The area is

so unique it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but part of its appeal is that it is also a working

community full of the energy of daily life.

LUNCH, FAREWELL DINNER, BREAKFAST/OVERNIGHT – VIVANTA BY TAJ – (superior

charm room)

Day 08 - 20 Sep – BENTOTA / COLOMBO/DEPARTURE (B/L/D)

Morning at leisure.

LUNCH

Afternoon leave for Colombo.

8

Evening drive through Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, a city that lacks must-see sights but whose

appeal lies in its various neighborhoods. We will see the busy commercial areas as well as the

tree-lined residential Cinnamon Gardens, so named because the 17th

century Dutch occupiers

grew cinnamon in the area. We visit Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarter in Pettah, the bazaar

area, a Hindu Temple, the historical Dewatagaha Mosque, the Clock Tower and the old

Parliament. Opportunities for last minute shopping.

DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT IN COLOMBO. Facilities available to freshen up

before your departure. Later leave for the airport for your departure to your next destination or

home. (Departure transfer cost is not included).

End of Tour – Thank you for joining us!

MAP OF SRI LANKA

9

QUOTATION – PER ITINERARY

VALID FOR 13 -21 SEPTEMBER 2014 – 7 NIGHTS HOTEL- **Minimum 25 persons**Prices quoted in US dollars**

1) EARLY BIRD PRICE (ENDS 01 MAY 2014) MEMBER COST, PPDO - $ 1,675 USD

2) MEMBER COST, BEGINNING 02 MAY 2014………………… PPDO - $ 1,775 USD

3) EARLY BIRD PRICE (ENDS 01 MAY 2014) NON MEMBER, PPDO - $ 1,775 USD

4) NON MEMBER COST, BEGINNING 02 MAY 2014……….… PPDO - $ 1,875 USD

5) SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT……………………………………………..$ 495 USD

*Includes taxes, subject to change

RATES ARE QUOTED FOR CHECK PAYMENTS. ADD 3% BANK CHARGES FOR CREDIT

CARD PAYMENTS.

QUOTED COST INCLUDES:

7 nights stay at listed hotels on a full board basis - (Breakfast / lunch /dinner) Meals will commence with breakfast on Day 02 until dinner on Day 08 Government taxes, tourism levy and service charges Transport by air-conditioned vehicle English-speaking guide throughout Entrance fees to places mentioned in the itinerary Train Fare (Expo Line) –Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Porterage at airport AGM in Kandy - Informal garden setting, tea/coffee/snacks WITIA Travel Bag

COST EXCLUDES:

All beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) Tipping at restaurants and gratuities to tour guide & bus crew (driver &

helper). Expenses of a personal nature (telephone, room service, laundry,

internet, etc.) Trip Protection Insurance & baggage insurance (highly recommended) International airfare Airport transfers Credit card fees of 3% and/or wire transfer fees for tour payment, as

applicable Visa fees

10

Any items not specifically mentioned. Optional Excursion to Galle –Transportation & guide fees

Cost per person is USD $35 (if paid by check) QUOTATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, SUCH AS GOVERNMENT LEVIES, FUEL INCREASES AND HOTEL RATE FLUCTUATIONS PRIOR TO BOOKING. Visa - A visa is required for Sri Lanka which can be obtained by visiting www.eta.gov.lk.

Insurance – We highly recommend Trip Protection Insurance and we can assist you in obtaining this valuable

coverage, at competitive rates.

Booking conditions – We request a non refundable deposit of $250.00 per person, to hold a spot on this group

tour. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure, and final documents are sent 30 days prior to departure.

Terms of booking – We request a signed copy of our terms and conditions which details our cancellation policies

and terms of booking. (Copy attached.) We also need a clear copy of your passport. (Please enlarge to 120%).

Passport – Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of your projected departure from Sri Lanka

and contain a minimum of 2 blank pages for your visa.

Rates –All rates are quoted in U.S. dollars. Rates are based on current tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject

to change. Rates quoted are valid for travel from 01 – 30 September 2014. Rates are quoted for check

payments. There will be a bank fee of 3% for payments by credit card. We accept all major credit cards. Wire

transfers are accepted, and the sender bears responsibility for the wire fees.

Airfares: Discount airfares are available to/from Sri Lanka on Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Cathay

Pacific Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Korean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar & Etihad.

NOTE: We reserve the right to change or alter the itinerary and costs when circumstances beyond our control

deem it necessary. All airline schedules are subject to change which may cause the itinerary to be adjusted

accordingly.

Updated by Varini de Silva at Ceylon Express International, tours@ceylonexpress.com

22 January 2014