SRI LANKA

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE

HOLY ISLAND
JANUARY 23 FEBRUARY 8, 2017
TOUR LEADER: JUDY TENZING

Sigiriya
 Sri lanka
Overview
A journey through
One of Asias true hidden gems, Sri Lanka translates in Sanskrit to the the holy island
Holy or Blessed Island. A country full of unspoilt natural beauty, World
Heritage-listed ancient sites, gardens, tea plantations and beautiful
beaches, we experience the wonders of ancient Buddhist culture and Tour dates: January 23 February 8, 2017
civilisation, wildlife on par with an African safari, and the old-world charm Tour leader: Judy Tenzing
of Sri Lankas colonial heritage. Some sites date back to the 3rd century
CE and the wealth of fine sculpture and painting on offer is testament to Tour Price: $7,475 pp, twin share (land only)
the richness of the culture. This tour is perfect for those with an interest in
the history, religions and culture of one of Asias least known, most Single Supplement: $1,990 for sole use of
beautiful and long overlooked destinations. double room
Booking deposit: $500 per person
This 17-day itinerary begins in Negombo and travels north to the ancient
cities of Anuradhapura, Dambulla, and Sigiriya, where we see amazing Recommended airline: Singapore or
rock formations, cave temples filled with images of Buddha and Malaysian airlines
archaeological ruins. In Kandy we visit one of Buddhisms most sacred
Maximum places: 20
sites and possibly run into a few elephants. We visit a tea plantation in the
hills and go on safari to search for elusive leopards. We then spend a Itinerary: Negombo (1 night), Anuradhapura (3
relaxing three days exploring the colonial town of Galle, famous for its fort, nights), Dambulla (3 nights), Kandy (2 nights),
spices and colonial Dutch, Portuguese and British architecture before our Nuwara Eliya (1 night), Yala National Park (2
final two days in the capital Colombo. nights), Galle (4 nights), Colombo (1 night)
Date published: March 24, 2016
Your tour leader
Judy Tenzing has a lifelong passion for
travel and over 30 years experience as a tour
leader on the sub-continent and in Asia. Judy
has a degree in South Asian History and has
regularly presented courses at Sydney
Universitys Centre for Continuing Education
on the history and culture of this remarkable
region.

Judys interests in the great subcontinent are

varied and while its history from ancient
times through the period of the Raj and post-independence is her great
passion, she is also keenly interested in, and has taught courses, on
Buddhism and its role in the cultures of the region. A deep understanding
of these great societies is dependent upon a sound grasp of their spiritual
beliefs and traditions. Sri Lanka specifically has long been the sanctuary
of the original Thervadin texts and teachings for Buddhists across Asia.

Sri Lanka has also been a leader in the region for environmental
sustainability and wildlife conservation and Judy is keenly interested in the
many and varied projects which are underway in these fields, in particular
Enquiries and
several elephant conservation programs which have been so successful in bookings
this unique island nation.
For further information and to
Since 2013, Judy has developed and led successful tours to Burma and secure a place on this tour
India for Academy Travel, always receiving wonderful feedback from her please contact Erin Laffin at
clients. A passenger on Judys most recent tour commented: Judy Academy Travel on 9235
Tenzing was an excellent tour leader and the tour was very well paced. 0023 or 1800 639 699
The accommodation choices were excellent. (outside Sydney) or email
erin@academytravel.com.au
 Image: heavenly maidens frescoes adorn the walls at Sigiriya

A short history of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been continuously inhabited for more than 2 million years, with the original inhabitants descended from Stone Age
hunter gatherers. Immigration arrived from northern India around the 5th century BCE, forming the basis of the modern
Sinhalese population. Tamils from the south of India arrived approximately two centuries later, settling in Jaffna. In contrast to
the largely Buddhist Sinhalese, most Tamils are Hindu or Christian and form a minority in the Sri Lankan population.

The legendary north Indian Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers landed near Puttallam and formed the first Sinhalese kingdom
around Anuradhapura. In the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism arrived from India at Mihintale, where the conversion of Sinhalese
King Tissa occurred. Early Buddhist emissaries brought a cutting from the Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment; it survives in Anuradhapura and is an important pilgrimage site. Tensions with Tamil Kingdoms in India were
never far away and a Pandyan invasion in 432 led to the establishment of the rock fortress at Sigiriya as the capital. Legends
surrounding the fortress also tell a story of King Kassapa building the residence on top of the rock after murdering his own father.
Following Kassapas short rule, the capital returned to Anuradhapura before moving to Polonnaruwa in 1070 where it remained
for 150 years.

Kandy came into prominence after the Portuguese arrived in 1505 and was soon the only independent kingdom in Sri Lanka,
falling to the British in 1815 after defying the Portuguese and the Dutch for 300 years. By 1518 the Portuguese had established
good relations with the King and were allowed to build a fort at Colombo, with favourable trading concessions in return for the
kings protection. Meanwhile, the Dutch established a trading fort in Galle, destroying the earlier Portuguese outpost. It wasnt
long until the Dutch East India Company controlled most of Ceylon. But Frances control over the Netherlands and defeat in the
Napoleonic wars saw British control of Sri Lanka confirmed at the Treaty of Amiens.

Unrest under colonial rule saw the Ceylon National Congress formed in 1919, uniting Sinhalese and Tamils. A constitution was
written and some concessions provided but it wasnt until the 1947 constitution came into effect that Ceylon gained
independence in 1948. The 1972 constitution proclaimed the Republic of Sri Lanka but tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils
grew into a civil war that lasted from 1983 to 2009, with the defeat of the Tamils.

On Boxing Day 2004 a disastrous tsunami struck the southwest coast, killing 30,000 people and displacing 1.5 million more.
Today Sri Lanka is a democratic republic governed by a president and prime minister.
Tour Highlights
The temples, dagobas and archaeological sites around
Anuradhapura, the first Sinhalese kingdom
Three luxurious nights at the Geoffrey Bawa-designed
Heritance Kandalama Hotel, emerging from the jungle and
set into the cliff face
The imposing Lion Rock fortress at Sigiriya, with its brilliant
frescoes and landscaped royal gardens
Dambullas Royal Rock Temple and its 150 cave images of
Buddha
Above: Rankoth Vehera, an ancient stupa at Polonnaruwa
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, one of Buddhisms most
sacred sites
A relaxing stay among the tea plantations of the hill country,
remnants of the British Raj
A full day safari in Yala National Park, spotting leopards,
elephants and a diverse range of migratory and indigenous
birdlife
Galle and its fantastic history, an exciting mixture of British,
Portuguese and Dutch influences and now a Muslim enclave
A morning wandering amongst the faded colonial architecture
of downtown Colombo and a visit to the National Museum,
one of the best in South Asia
Above: hard working ladies pick tea by hand

Above: lions paws guard the fortress at Sigiriya Above: colonial architecture in downtown Colombo

Above: impressive carved Buddhas at the Gil Vihara in Polonnaruwa

Detailed itinerary
Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

monday 23 january
Arrive negombo
Flights depart Australian cities during the day arriving very
late on Monday evening or in the early hours of Tuesday
Overnight Negombo.

tuesDAY 24 january
to Anuradhapura
Meet Judy after breakfast for a tour briefing in the hotel.
Departing Negombo, we travel to Anuradhapura. This
evening there is a welcome dinner in the hotel. Overnight
Anuradhapura. (B, L, D)

wednesDAY 25 january
The ancient capital
We begin at the rock temple of Isurumuniya Vihara, which
houses a large seated Buddha and is famous for the carving
of the Lovers. Continue on to Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba
guarded by a frieze of elephants, and the the sacred Bodhi
tree. Nearby are the ruins of the Brazen Palace, which once
housed 1000 monks. After lunch we visit Samadhi Buddha,
depicting the Buddha in a state of deep meditation.
Overnight Anuradhapura. (B, D)

thursDAY 26 january
mihinTale
Mihintale is a hillside temple complex where Buddhism was
first introduced to Sri Lanka. At its base is a ruined hospital
dating from the 9th century where Ayurvedic healing
techniques are evidenced by a stone trough in the shape of
a human. A stairway of 1,840 steps leads to the summit. We
stop at a series of dagobas, assembly halls, pools, shrines
and relics. Leaving the main site, we explore the tranquil and
rarely visited Kaludiya Pokuna or Dark Water Pool. The
afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Anuradhapura. (B)

friDAY 27 january
Dambulla Caves
We leave for Kandalama, stopping at the standing Aukana
Buddha sculpted in the 5th century. Continue to Dambulla
rock temple, a complex of five caves accessed by 200 steps.
It features 2000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings
and over 150 statues of many Sri Lankan kings, gods and
goddesses, offering some of the finest examples of Buddhist
art in Asia. Overnight Kandalama. (B, L, D)

saturDAY 28 january
sigiriya
This morning we visit Sigiriya rock fortress or Lion Rock.
Rising 200 metres from the jungle, Sigiriya can be broken
into separate stages. Easily accessible at the base are the
moat, ramparts and terraced gardens. The first level unveils
the beautiful frescoes painted onto the sheer rock face and
the mirror wall covered in 1000 year old graffiti. Two
enormous lions paw carvings have been excavated at the
base of the ascent to the summit. Reaching the top requires
climbing a metal staircase bolted to the rock face and is not
for the fainthearted or sufferers of vertigo, but the views are
spectacular. Once covered with buildings, only the
foundations remain. Overnight Kandalama. (B, D)

sunDAY 29 january
Polonnaruwa
A full day trip to Polonnaruwa begins at the excellent
archaeological museum, followed by the Royal Palace and
Audience Hall. After lunch we travel to the Northern Group of
ruins and the Gal Vihara, four separate, beautifully carved
images cut from one piece of granite. Finally, we stop at the
Southern Group of ruins to see the Potgul Vihara or library
before returning to our hotel. Overnight Kandalama. (B, L, D)

monDAY 30 january
Kandy and Spice
Today we head to the cooler highlands on our way to Kandy.
We visit a spice garden at Matale, a sensory experience
where a guide explains how the islands famous spices grow
in their natural environment. We stop at the Peredeniya
Botanic Gardens, a pleasure garden for the Kandyan kings,
and see the fine orchid collection. Arriving in Kandy there is
a short orientation tour before checking into our hotel and
dinner. Overnight Kandy. (B, L, D)

tuesDAY 31 january
temple of the tooth
This morning we visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic,
housing, as its name suggests, the tooth of Lord Buddha,
rescued from his funeral pyre in India and brought to Sri
Lanka in the 4th century. Apart from the tooth shrine, the
temple consists of several halls and museums showcasing
gifts to the temple and artefacts from the Kandyan kingdom.
This evening we enjoy a Kandyan dance performance.
Overnight Kandy. (B, D)

wednesDAY 1 february
tea plantations
Today we ascend 1400 metres, winding through jade-green
tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya. We take a guided of a tea
factory, learning about the tea-making process and enjoying
a cup of their finest brew. Arriving in Nuwara Eliya is like
stepping into a small English village and we spend the
afternoon exploring the remains of this time gone by.
Overnight Nuwara Eliya. (B, L, D)
Images clockwise top left: Ruvanvelisaya Cetiya, in the sacred city of
thursDAY 2 february Anuradhapura; stunning orchids at the Peredeniya Botanic Gardens; the
sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic at Kandy; the lush plantations of
to yala
Nuwara Eliya; the Aukana Buddha stands at a height of 12 metres,
Travelling south, we descend from the hills to Yala National carved out of a granite rock face in the 5th century; and the stairway
taking you to the summit of the Mihintale temple complex
Park. Overnight Yala. (B, L, D)
FriDAY 3 february
On safari
Today we head out in safari jeeps for a full day safari in Yala
National Park. The largest in Sri Lanka it is home to
elephants, buffalo, leopard, crocodiles as well as many bird
species. Overnight Yala. (B, L, D)

saturDAY 4 february
To galle
Departing Yala, we travel to Galle along the beaches of the
south coast. The 2004 tsunami inundated much of this
coastline. Galle was badly damaged but the fort remained
intact as the walls protected the town. Arriving in Galle in the
late afternoon, we check into the hotel with time to relax
before dinner. Overnight Galle. (B, L, D)

sunDAY 5 february
galle fort
Established in 1505, World Heritage-listed Galle Fort has a
rich and vibrant history. Originally Portuguese, it was
conquered by the Dutch who further fortified the walls
against invasion. In 1796 the Dutch handed the forts keys to
British officer Lachlan Macquarie following the Treaty of
Amiens. This morning we take a guided walking tour around
the fort and the districts Muslim and colonial architecture,
and hear the stories behind the buildings and the characters
who live within them. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure
to explore at your own pace. Overnight Galle. (B, L, D)

monDAY 6 february
Free day
Today is at leisure. Overnight Galle. (B)

tuesDAY 7 february
To colombo

We depart for Colombo, driving up the west coast before

stopping at Lunganga Estate, the country home of Geoffrey
Bawa. In Colombo, we visit the National Museum, which
houses an excellent collection of ancient statuary, carvings,
art and paraphernalia from the colonial period. We gather in
the bar of the Galle Face Hotel this evening before our
farewell dinner. Overnight Colombo. (B, L, D)

wednesDAY 8 february
colonial colombo
This morning we enjoy a walking tour through the colonial-
era buildings that are in abundance in the city. Some have
been restored, while others languish unmaintained and await
more prosperous post-war times. We have a late checkout
organised for 6pm so the afternoon is free to relax before
transferring to the airport for our flights, which depart in the
early hours of Thursday 9 February. (B, D)
 Temple Etiquette

Local etiquette dictates that you will need to remove

your shoes and walk over bare ground at the following
sites: Isurumuniya Vihara, Mihintale, Aukana Buddha,
Dambulla, Gal Vihara and the Temple of the Tooth in
Kandy. (Image: Dambulla cave temple)

Hotels
Hotels on this tour are all of a very comfortable four- and
five-star standard. The Heritance in Dambulla and the
Jetwings Lighthouse in Galle are both designed by Geoffrey
Bawa. The recently restored Galle Face Hotel in Colombo is
a Sri Lankan historical icon dating back to 1864.

Negombo, Jetwing Blue Hotel (1 night)

www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingblue/

Anuradhapura, Palm Village Hotel (3 nights)

www.palmgardenvillage.com

Dambulla, Heritance Hotel (3 nights)

www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama

Kandy, The Grand Kandyan (2 nights)

http://grandkandyan.com/

Nuwara Eliya, Grand Hotel (1 night)

www.grandhotelnuwaraeliya.com

Yala National Park, Cinnamon Wild (2 nights)

www.cinnamonhotels.com/cinnamonwildyala/

Galle, Jetwing Lighthouse (3 nights)
www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwinglighthouse/
Colombo, Galle Face Hotel (1 night)
www.gallefacehotel.com/
Images clockwise top left: a leopard relaxes in Yala National Park; stilt
fisherman perched gracefully along the beaches at Galle, hoping for the
catch of the day; the Heritance Hotel in Kandalama and the Jetwings
lighthouse hotel; extraordinary gem-set Bodhisattva sandals discovered in
Avalokitesvara, now housed in the National Museum, Colombo; and the
shining light at Galle has been guiding mariners since 1848
Tour Inclusions
Included in the tour price
All accommodation in selected hotels
All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 14 dinners in hotels and
local restaurants
Land travel by air-conditioned coach
Services of Australian tour leader throughout the tour
Comprehensive tour notes
All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary
National guide to accompany the tour throughout
Qualified local guides
Tips for all services included in the itinerary
Porterage of one piece of luggage at all hotels
Visa Fees
Not included in the tour price
International airfares (competitive quotes available)
Travel insurance
Meals and activities not stated as included in this
itinerary
Personal expenses
Air travel
The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour
we recommend Singapore Airlines which offers daily flights
into and out of Colombo from most Australian cities. Please
contact us for the best possible prices on economy, business
or first class fares. Transfers between airport and hotel are
included for all passengers booking their flights through
Academy Travel. These may be group or individual
transfers.
Enquiries and
bookings
For further information and to secure a place on this tour
please contact Erin Laffin at Academy Travel on 9235 0023
or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email
erin@academytravel.com.au
Weather on Tour
Sri Lanka is tropical, with distinct dry and wet seasons
complicated by having two monsoons. The Maha monsoon
blows from October to January, bringing rain to the North
and East. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have
an average temperature of 30C. At Kandy and Nuwara
Eliya, the average temperature is 20C, with the chance of a
little rain.
Fitness Requirements
of THIS tour
Physical rating Grade two
It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that
you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this
tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness
required to participate on our tours, we have given them a
star grading. Academy Travels tours tend to feature
extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater
fitness than coach touring. We ask you instead to consider
carefully your ability to meet the physical demands of the
tour.
Participation criteria for this tour
This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active
lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of
physical activity per day on most days, including longer
walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing
stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and
a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or
several internal flights.
You should be able to:
keep up with the group at all times
walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only
short breaks
stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and
museums
tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions
walk up and down slopes
negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites,
which are often uneven and unstable
get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or
boat unassisted, possibly with luggage
move your luggage a short distance if required
A note for older travellers
If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility,
it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging.
You will have to miss several activities and will not get the
full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until
after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your
situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour.
While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the
physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to
refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour
are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean
we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.