Easy - suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness and mobility.

Please note that a few of the Temples and other sites visited involve fairly steep climbs. Walking shoes or trainers are recommended.

Catamaran Beach Hotel

209, Lewis Place

Negombo

Sri Lanka

Tel:  031 222 8801

Polonnaruwa & Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park.   After breakfast we leave for our tour of Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa, the island’s Medieval Capital (11th - 13th Centuries AD) rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. A unique irrigation complex watered the city as well as the surrounding plains helping in agriculture which made the island "the Granary of the East". The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra (the Sea of Parakrama), is larger in size than the Colombo Harbour. Polonnaruwa is home to two magnificent World Heritage Sites and numerous other sites of archaeological and historical interest, some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history

The buildings date from various different reigns and you will find statues of the Buddha, interesting wall carvings and temples. Restoration is being done and there is also a museum containing scale models of the buildings and a collection of bronze Buddhas.

In Polonnaruwa we visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Grate Statue, Quadrangle, Royal Palace, Vatadage, Hatadage, Siva Devalaya, Gal Viharaya, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Kumara and Lotus Ponds, Thuparamaya, Rankoth Vehera, Pabalu Vehera, Thiwanka Image House and the Museum. 

There is the chance to see the skills if Sri Lankan Craftsmen in a wood carving factory, before we undertake a Jeep Safari of the Minneriya National Park which gives you the opportunity to spot an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including wild elephants. Minneriya is situated around the reservoir of the same name in the south central area of the island. This park is comprised of grasslands, thorny scrubs and many valuable species of trees. Large herds of elephants, species of deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackals are some of the wild animals found, along with a variety of avifauna that abounds the park. The park has become synonymous with the annual “Elephant Gathering”.

If numbers interest you, there are 9 species of amphibians, 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish (three of which are endangered), 75 species of butterflies and 160 species of birds.

Making your way through the park, you will see elephants, and maybe Spotted Deer, Sambar, (a deer with no spots) or even a leopard. Other creatures you may not care to meet include the Sloth Bear, Indian Python and the Mugger Crocodile, also known as Tank Crocodile. Sri Lanka, home to over 400 species of birds, has long been a birdwatcher’s paradise, and in Minneriya National Park alone, 160 species crowd the trees or strut the banks.

We again overnight at our hotel in Giritale.

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.  Kandy literally the "City on the Hills" was so named as it was protected by nature - water, rocks and jungle. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815 AD and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha .The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the City. It is a City for arts and crafts as well as culture and history.

After breakfast we enjoy a City Tour of Kandy. We visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which contains one of Sri Lanka’s most important relics - a tooth of the Buddha himself - and which is the most important place of worship for Buddhists. The tour also includes the Upper lake Drive, with its bird’s eye view of the city below; and the Royal Botanical Gardens, with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora, and which was the Headquarters of Lord Louis Mountbatten - the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the 2nd World War.

There is also the chance to visit a Gem Museum to see how the valuable gems are turned out from the raw stone.

Then it is off to Nuwara Eliya or "Little England", through the Ramboda Pass, and surrounded by hills covered with tea plantations and cascading waterfalls. The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful.

En route we visit a Tea factory and Plantation, to witness the manufacturing process of the world famous "Ceylon Tea", and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea. The tea is sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo for export.

Nuwara Eliya is nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest peak. This region at 6,183ft above sea-level has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys provide a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.

The evening is free for walking or exploring the city. You might like to visit Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, the Golf Course or market. Or you might like to walk to Lovers Leap Waterfalls, just outside the city, about an hours walk in each direction.

The golf course is one of the finest and most picturesque in Asia, there is the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well kept lawns and hedges which give the place an air of nostalgia.

We overnight at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

To Galle via Elephant Transit Home at Uda Walawe National Park.  After breakfast we leave for Galle. En route we visit the Elephant Transit Home.

Elephant Transit Home is located just outside the Uda Walawe National Park in the south western Part of Sri Lanka. It opened its doors to baby elephants in need in 1995. The babies are well looked after, fed and groomed to integrate back into a jungle environment, after a stay of approximately four years. This has turned out to be a successful conservation exercise where interested elephant conservation enthusiasts can become foster parents for these baby pachyderms, until they are weaned away from milk and learn to eat other types of food.

We continue on to Galle, the port city, standing on one of the main sea routes in the southern part of the country. It has a unique charm among the many historic places in Sri Lanka. The Dutch built the first Protestant church in Sri Lanka here, and it is also famous for its Dutch Fort. Galle is the southern capital of the island and has an 80,000 population. The main attraction is the Fort built in 1663 by Dutch colonists and now designated a World Heritage Site. The old town inside the fort walls contains a Dutch Period Museum, a Cultural Museum and a Maritime Museum.

We overnight near to Galle, so there is time for you to explore the Galle Dutch Fortress - a World Heritage Site, and the narrow streets full of colonial buildings.

Negombo. The tour ends after breakfast.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.

You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

The Kandy Perahera Festival is held over a period of 10 days during July/August. The exact dates are calculated by the Temple of Authorities according to the lunar movements, and are sometimes not known until April. Originally the festival was held following the harvest period, as a Thanksgiving to Lord Buddah and other deities for helping the people of Sri Lanka to harvest with no problems. Over the years the festival became more religious, and over the course of the festival, with each passing day, the level and beauty of the Perahera (Pageant) increases, the final night being the most beautiful.

During the festival, many elephants and hundreds of dancers parade the streets of Kandy. The replica of the Tooth Relic is also taken in procession on top of the leading elephant who is decorated and illuminated heavily, and accompanied by other elephants. They walk on a white cloth laid in respect.

In addition to the elephants and dancers, other attractions will be whip crackers, flag bearers, torch bearers and stilt walkers. Thousands of people - local and tourists, will line the streets to witness this colourful Kandy Perahera Festival.

Dates for 2010: The Kandy Perahera Festival is from 15th to 24th August 2010. The 20th August 2010 departure will coincide with the festival. The festival pricing which applies to this departure will include a reserved seat by the side of the road to observe the festival.

Please note that on Day 5 of the Kandy Perahera Tour, we will probably have to arrive into Kandy earlier than on normal tours, before entry roads are closed in readiness for the festivities. We will, therefore, only visit the Spice Garden and Batik Factory if time is permitting. The Cultural Performance will be replaced by the Kandy Perahera Festival. 

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY of the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel. Your Tour Leader will leave a notice at reception on the first day of departure with information as to where he/she can be contacted and you should inform him/her that you have arrived.

PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Vaccination Certificate.
3. Travel Voucher.
4. Travel Insurance Policy.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it before when you check out of the hotel.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Exit Tax from Sri Lanka International Airport if not included in airline ticket - US$15 (1500 LKR)

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

Despite its relatively small size Sri Lanka enjoys a hugely varied climate. It always seems to be raining somewhere and sunny somewhere else. In theory there are two monsoons and it rains more in the south and west from May to August and in the northeast from October to January. Highest temperatures are usually from March until June, lowest from November to January. But in fact there are no real seasons to avoid in Sri Lanka, it always seems hot and humid in the coastal regions and cool in the hills. Nights can be surprisingly cold in the hills because of the altitude.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe. Dress discretely, especially if you are visiting religious sites. For women this means skirts or long pants with T-shirt. For men, this means long shorts or trousers with a T-shirt. Always take your shoes off when entering temples or any religious site.

Care should be taken to respect the conventions of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other religious and ethnic groups, particularly in respect of clothing and footwear.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available.

Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Sri Lanka is common with most Asian countries the opportunity to sample the local cuisine will be one of the highlights of your visit. Sri Lankan food is often described as simply ‘Rice and Curry’, even by Sri Lankans, but reality this description hides a huge variety of delicious dishes. Around a huge plate of freshly cooked rice you will given a variety of different dishes, some meat or fish but most vegetarian, some spicy but many mild.

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs.

The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different areas. We try to ensure that you get the most experience from your Kumuka trip and one of the ways to do this is by trying local cuisine.

Pre-booked transfers - If you have booked an arrival transfer, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name or Kumuka once you have cleared Customs and Immigration.

Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier. If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival and are therefore making your own way to the Meeting Point it is best upon arrival at to take a metered taxi. Drivers may want to negotiate a price before leaving the airport. Do not agree to this, insist that they switch on the meters and pay the amount that it displays when you arrive at your destination.

Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Although Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by a third party.

Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your Asia tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf. The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

All costs are in US$

             - Deep Sea Fishing-Half Day US$ 235.00

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com