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Inter-Cultural Arts Exchange

Sri Lanka January 27 - February 3, 2010

Visit historic cultural sites, enjoy wildlife and natural beauty.

Detailed Itinerary

January 27 Day 1
ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO
Met on arrival and transfer to the Galle Face Hotel. Afternoon tour the fishing village Negombo. The fishing village of Negombo is a popular beach resort area for its golden beach fringed with palm groves. The amazing fact is that the development of the tourist industry has had no influence on changing the the quiet fishing village or the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Dinner and overnight at Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel - Negombo.

January 28 Day 2
COLOMBO
Full day city tour of Colombo a perfect blend of the East & West. Proceed to the bazaar area of Pettah and also visit The Dutch Period Museum, located in this area, to discover what life was like during the Dutch Period. The museum exhibits a wide-range of artifacts, including furniture, ceramics, as well as coins. Also visit Art Galleries: Lionel Wendt Center (9am-1pm & 2-4 pm)—has contemporary arts and crafts exhibitions. Sapumal Foundation 10-1pm Thu-Sat). Barefoot Art Gallery/textiles. Suggest lunch at the open air cafe (pay on your own).

Afterwards to the Fort where the foreign influences of the past are visible in the architecture of the ancient buildings. It is now a commercial center, offering an array of restaurants and shops to explore. Continue past the old Parliament, a stop if you wish, at the scenic Galle Face Green—the largest open space that you will encounter throughout the city. A variety of nooks and crannies can be found to keep you quite busy for independent exploration. Take a stroll along York Street in the fort past rows of grand Victorian shop-houses.

Visit the National Museum, established in 1877 and best known for its collection of antiques. Afterwards, visit the Capital of Sri Lanka—Sri Jayawardenapura—built on the banks of Diyawanna Oya. Drive past the Bandaranaika International Memorial Conference Hall, the New Exhibition Centre, and see the large Buddha Statue, replica of the one in Aukana.

Our guide will decide the order of the visits depending on the time and the traffic. Dutch Period Museum, Gangarama, National Museum, National Art Gallery, Independence Square, BMICH are all within 4 to 5 KM distance.

It became even more important when the Arhath Mahinda from India officially introduced Buddhism to King Dewanampiyatissa in the year 247 B.C. King Dewanampiyatissa, who was ruling from Anuradhapura, embraced the faith of Buddhism and began to spread it throughout the nation, making Anuradhapura the cradle of Buddhism.
Dinner and Overnight at Palm Garden Village - Anuradhapura

January 29 Day 3
COLOMBO
Morning visit inside the Gangaramaya Temple. Recieve blessing by a monk, if you wish.

Afternoon: Visit Cinnamon Gardens (5 km S of Fort & 2 km inland), one of Colombo’s ritziest areas—elegant streets with posh mansions, a cluster of museums and art galleries.

Evening attend Navam Perahara. Navam Perahara is similar to Esala Perahara held in Kandy. It starts a day prior to Navam Full moon Poya Day. The Procession commences from Gangaramaya Temple around 7 pm. The pageant passes Colombo Fort, President's House, Kollupitiya via Galle Face and reaches the temple by 9 pm. About 60 dressed and decorated elephants take part in this event. A variety of traditional dancers and drummers also participate in the Perahara while hundreds of people follow the procession.

January 30 Day 4
COLOMBO to ANURADHAPURA (4.5 hr drive) to HABARANA (1.5 hr drive)
Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. The influence of Buddhism which transformed this island, has produced magnificent architecture as seen in the massive Dagabas, the ornate pleasure gardens and palaces decorated with excellent sculptures. One of the most important places of worship here is the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest historically documented tree in the world, dating back to over 2000 years. This Bodhi tree was grown from the same tree under which Prince Sidhharth meditated in Bodhgaya India where he attained enlightenment and became known as The Buddha. Continue to Habarana (1.5 hr) for overnight at Cinnamon Lodge.

January 31 Day 5
SIGIRIYA to POLONNARUWA to HABARANA.
Morning visit Sigiriya, a massive rock fortress rising 183 meters above the surrounding green scrub jungle, just declared a world heritage site, is perhaps the most memorable place for visitors to Sri Lanka. The site was built under the orders of the paranoid king Kasyapa. The well-planned complex included caved temples, bathing pools, lovely ponds and Asia's oldest surviving landscaped gardens. Today Sigiriya is famous for its frescoes painted in the pocket of the rock. The “Lion Stairway,” the “Mirror Wall” and the “Water Gardens” are its other highlights. Climb to the summit of the rock to view the ruins of the monastic complex.

Continue to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Among the number of Kings who ruled the Thambapanniya with Polonnaruwa as their Capital, Parakramabahu the Great, Vijayabahu II & Kirthi Nissanka Malle hold very prominent positions in the history. King Parakramabahu II paved way for construction of many buildings, for religious upheaval as well as the communal benefit. The ruins of the palace built by King Parakramabahu are still to be seen, covering a large area. Return to Habarana fort overnight at Cinnamon Lodge.

February 1 Day 6
HABARANA to DAMBULLA to MATHALE to KANDY (2.5 hours)
Morning drive to Dambulla and visit Golden Temple and its caves. The temple was a monastic settlement as early as the 2nd century BC and is now among the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The rock rises over 400 ft. above its surroundings and consists of 5 cave temples spread out of about 50 acres. Here one can see one of the richest collections of 154 Sri Lankan sculpture in the form of a large number of Buddha images in standing, seated & recumbent postures as well as a few outstanding figures of gods. Well preserved massive wall and ceiling paintings covering 22,000 sq. ft. has made this temple complex more important to the world.

Lunch at a local restaurant (pay direct). After lunch, visit the Mathale Aluvihare Temple where the first Buddhist script was documented. Next, stop in Matale to visit a batik factory. Batik has been an ancient procedure of painting cloth and today Sri Lanka is among the world leaders in the design of Batik. You see the various phases of batik manufacturing..

Onward to visit spice garden. For centuries spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated exports. Spices such as such as cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, pepper, cardamom are grown in home gardens as home industry and used not only to flavor food, but also as home remedies. Afterwards drive to the city of “Senkadagalapura” today known as Kandy. Transfer to Hotel Suisseto refresh.

Evening attend puja (chanting) 630 - 745 pm, at the “Dalada Maligawa” where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is placed and preserved is undoubtedly the greatest attraction of the city. It is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists all over the world. Walk to the Royal Palace complex Raja Wasala, Council Chamber known as “Magul Maduwa” an unique Wooden pillared hall dated from 1784 and Devale complex. Overnight at Hotel Suisse.

February 2 Day 7
KANDY
Morning tour of Kandy, a World Heritage City which lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains, Green velvet tea plantations covering the hills, and the river Mahaweli, the longest river in the country. Kandy is a fascinating city rich in cultural heritage-arts and crafts, music, dance- and an interesting mixture of the old and the new. Most of the old structures either have been rehabilitated or are still in its original use, such as the ancient religious monuments which continue as living monuments.

After lunch 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.

Afterwards attend cultural show at the Lake Club featuring traditional Kandyan Dance performances, starts at 530 pm. Independent time to browse bazaars. Shops close at about 8 or 9 pm. Overnight at Hotel Suisse.

February 3 Day 8
KANDY
Morning free to enjoy hotel facilities or independently take a walk in nature surounding your hotel or stroll about Kandy city.

Suggest going to Queens Hotel for tea or lunch (pay on your own), the 150-year-old old hotel is right in front of the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Afternoon return to Colombo (approx 3 hrs drive). Transfer to airport for flight to Chennai. 9W251 dep. 1445 / arr. 1605 (daily). On arrival, transfer to GRT?Temple Bay Resort, Mahabalipuram.

Price: $2075 per person. Single room $TDA. Plus flight from Colombo to Chennai.

Includes:Accommodations as noted above, daily breakfast and dinner, accompanying guide, airport transfers and land transport by ac car/mini bus, entrance fees, 2 bottles of water per day.

Does Not Include: International flight, airport taxes, tips, travel insurance, personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, beverages.

NOTE: as this is an early announcement, prices may change slightly once 2007 hotel prices are given.

Hotels based on availability

This tour can be done as a private tour whereby you would select your own dates.

Optional Tour Extensions: South India, Maldives, Bangkok-Cambodia-Laos, Bangkok-Vietnam, Burma



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