Worldwide Escorted Tours

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 a 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 1,200 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: Yala National Park may be closed for 30 to 60 days each year commencing around the month of September. The tour will visit Udawalawe National Park instead. What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan Airlines. See p130-131 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Dambulla, 4 H Occidental Paradise Kandy, 4 H Radisson Hotel Kandy Yala, 5 H The Chaarya Resort and Spa by Chandrika Colombo, 4 H Mount Lavinia Hotel ✔ 20 meals ✔ 11 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Intermediate Maldives Yala National Park Galle Sigiriya Rock Fortress Dambulla Departures & from prices May 24 £1,699 Mar 25 £2,099 Jun 24 £2,249 Apr 25 £2,499 Jul 24 £2,149 May 25 £1,749 Aug 24 £1,999 Jun 25 £1,849 Sep 24 £1,799 Jul 25 £2,299 Oct 24 £1,899 Aug 25 £2,299 Nov 24 £1,999 Sep 25 £1,999 Jan 25 £2,099 Oct 25 £1,899 Feb 25 £2,099 Nov 25 £1,999 • Lead-in price based on 30 May 24 • A single supplement starts from just £359 • Tipping paid locally £56 pp per tour Extend your tour Colombo city stay, 2 nights, 4 H from £179 Sri Lanka beach stay, 4 nights, All-Inclusive, 4 H from £299 or 5 H from £365 Highlights of Kerala, 4 nights, B&B from £389 Maldives beach stay, 4 nights, 4 H All-Inclusive from £795 Includes: Private vehicle & driver/guide or driver and local guides; return flights; accommodation, meals & excursions as per Group Tour PRIVATE TOURING FROM ONLY AN EXTRA £299 PP • AVAILABLE DAILY • Visit our website or call 0800 954 9329 to book or for further details Central Asia, India & Sri Lanka  31