Escorted Tours 2023-24 1st Edition

species of trees, plants and creepers, admire a vibrant collection of orchids before travelling to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage for an unforgettable encounter. Established in 1975 to care for a growing number of abandoned and wounded elephants, witness these magnificent creatures in close quarters being fed and bathed by experienced wildlife authorities. On a city tour of Kandy this evening, weave through the bustling market stalls of the arts and crafts centre which lavishly displays a wealth of antiques, paintings and wood carvings, and later, meander through a labyrinth of glistening jewels within Kandy’s extravagant gem museum. Day 6: Kandy to Yala B/L/D Departing Kandy this morning, breathe in the divine scent of Ceylon tea on a morning tour of Giragama’s sweeping tea plantation, before participating in a walking tour of Nuwara Eliya, whose idyllic mountainside setting strikingly overlooks its neighbouring valleys, meadows and peaks. A truly tranquil district often referred to as the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, take in vistas of misty hillsides, peppered with brightly dressed tea pickers en route to your hotel near Yala. Day 7: Yala B/L/D After a morning at leisure, an exhilarating Jeep safari in the nearby Yala National Game Park awaits; covering a vast 1200 square kilometres, Yala is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, boasting a unique oceanfront position. Home to an extensive range of flora and fauna, listen out for the tuneful chanting of migratory and indigenous birds, whilst darting around the park’s rocky pathways, zigzagging past towering trees and swampy lagoons in search of roaming elephants, sloth bears, buffaloes and leopards. Day 8: Yala to Colombo B/L/D Journey to the sleepy fortified city of Galle to embark on a city tour of the former chief port of Ceylon and centre of the 17th century Dutch regime. Famed for being Asia’s largest remaining fortress built by European occupiers, discover the majestic Galle Fort and surrounding buildings, whose distinctive appearance serves as a reminder of the Dutch heritage which once ruled the country. Within the walled city of Galle, uncover a mix of boutique art galleries and shops infused with the authentic scents of traditional Sri Lankan spices, before travelling north for your final night at the world-famous Mount Lavinia Hotel. Positioned on a rocky headland overlooking the Indian Ocean and exuding colonial charm, this 200-year-old hotel was once the Governor’s Residence when Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was under British rule. Day 9: Colombo to the UK B Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK or continue on to your chosen extension. Please note that Yala National Park may be closed for 30 days each year commencing around the month of September. The tour will visit Udawalawe National Park instead. Elephants, Yala National Park Kerala Nuwara Eliya Pinnawala Meal plan: All meals daily Accommodation: Dambulla, 4 H Amaya Lake Kandy, 4 H Amaya Hills Yala, 5 H The Chaarya Resort and Spa by Chandrika Colombo, 4 H Mount Lavinia Hotel Flights: London Heathrow to Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan Airlines. Regional flights available, please see page 168-169 Tour pace: Intermediate Galle Extend your tour Sri Lanka beach stay, 4 nights, All-Inclusive 4 H from £309 or 5 H from £359 Maldives beach stay, 4 nights, 4 H All-Inclusive from £889 Highlights of Kerala, 5 nights, B&B from £439 Colombo city stay, 2 nights, 4 H from £199 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £349 Departures & from prices 1 Jun 23 £1,749 14 Mar 24 £1,899 8 Jun 23 £1,999 21 Mar 24 £1,999 6 Jul 23 £2,099 18 Apr 24 £2,299 3 Aug 23 £2,099 25 Apr 24 £1,999 31 Aug 23 £1,849 9 May 24 £1,599 14 Sep 23 £1,849 30 May 24 £1,699 28 Sep 23 £1,649 6 Jun 24 £2,199 12 Oct 23 £1,699 4 Jul 24 £2,099 26 Oct 23 £1,899 1 Aug 24 £2,099 9 Nov 23 £1,849 29 Aug 24 £1,999 16 Nov 23 £1,849 12 Sep 24 £1,799 11 Jan 24 £1,999 26 Sep 24 £1,799 25 Jan 24 £1,999 10 Oct 24 £1,799 1 Feb 24 £1,899 24 Oct 24 £1,799 15 Feb 24 £1,999 7 Nov 24 £1,899 29 Feb 24 £1,999 14 Nov 24 £1,899 • Solo Group departures available 15 Jun 23, 7 Sep 23, 13 Jun 24 & 5 Sep 24 from £1,689 • Tipping paid locally £45 pp per tour 33 Southern Asia Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk