Sri Lanka - Paradies im Indischen Ozean

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1: Negombo
Members of our tour group will be arriving at different times throughout the day. So, after you have arrived in Negombo and checked into our hotel, the day is free for you to spend as you wish. We suggest you might like to take a look at some of the local areas of interest. Negombo is a busy town with an interesting historical past. It stretches along the west coast shoreline of Sri Lanka and one of the main things it is known for is fishing. The fisherfolk - known as Karavas - take out their oruvas/canoes onto the Indian Ocean for their catches. These are then sold in the local markets. You can walk along the coastline to visit the old Dutch fort, which was built in the 17th century. Nearby is a green where cricket is played. Dutch colonisers built canals in the area and if you feel energetic, hire a bicycle for a ride along the towpaths. But if you feel like taking things easy today you can laze on the beach.

The tour leader will give a Pre Departure briefing on your trip at 18.00pm. After that there is time for dinner.

Day 2: Drive to Anuradhapura
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we head to Anuradhapura.

En route we visit an Elephant Orphanage to see the world’s largest herd of domestic elephants, including young who are still being fed by bottle. This is your first opportunity to get close to these wonderful animals, which are so important to Sri Lankan culture. Centuries ago all elephants belonged to the Crown and to kill one was a terrible offence. Elephant imagery can be found throughout Sri Lankan art and the animal is a much-loved creature. Today there are 2,700 wild elephants in Sri Lanka’s National Parks and although it is a protected species it is still at risk.

We also visit Yapahuwa, an ancient fortress and capital in the year 1301. Yapahuwa is a rock rising abruptly from its surroundings, to a height of about 300 ft, and surrounded by moats and ramparts. Many traces of other ancient battle defence may still be seen, while the majestic Gateway remains to be seen as the proof of the grandeur that this former capital enjoyed.

We stop off at the Avukana Standing Buddha Statue, at 12m tall, a magnificent master piece of Sri Lankan craftsmanship.

In the afternoon we continue our journey to Anuradhapura, and check into our hotel for 2 nights.

Day 3: Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka's first capital was founded around the 5th century BC. According to the Mahavansa, the Sinhala Buddhist chronicle, the city was a model of precise planning. Precincts were set aside for huntsmen and scavengers and even heretics and foreigners. There were hostels and hospitals, separate cemeteries for high and low castes. A water supply was assured by the construction of reservoirs. Anuradhapura was to continue for over a thousand years as the national capital. But constant struggles for the royal succession grew, and it became more and more vulnerable to the pressures of South Indian political expansion. The city was finally abandoned and the capital withdrawn to more secluded areas. But the monuments of Anuradhapura's reign survived, surrounded by the solemn umbrage of trees.

We visit many sites of the City of archaeological and historical interest, including Isurumuniya, the first temple to be built on the island, and the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, which has an authenticated history of over 2300 years. It was planted from a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. We explore Runwanveliseya, the largest stupa on the island, Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya, which in their original form were equivalent in size to the Great Pyramids in Giza, and thus have been declared World Heritage Sites, as well as Twin Ponds and Thuparamaya, the first stupa to be built in Sri Lanka, and enshrining the left collar bone if the Buddha.

In the afternoon, we visit Mihintale, 12 kilometres east of the ruins of the great city of Anuradhapura. The sacred mountain of Mihintale is the cradle of Buddhism, where the message of Buddha was received by the then King of Sri Lanka, from the son of Emperor Asoka of India. Today the peak of Mihintale, approached by a grand stairway of 1840 granite steps, has many temples, lodgings for monks and several splendid statues of the Buddha. The walk to the peak will take about an hour. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Day 4: Anuradhapura to Giritale
After breakfast at the hotel we leave for Polonnaruwa, the Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka and on to Giritale.

When early in the 11th century AD Anuradhapura suffered one of the worst of its many Indian invasions, Polonnaruwa became the next seat of rule. Today's ruins, however, belong almost exclusively to the reigns of two kings, Parakramabahu and Nissankamalla. The city in its day was fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and gardens and sanctified by many shrines and sacred places. 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.

During our tour, we visit ancient monuments of historical and cultural interest in Polonnaruwa, including the Great Statue, Quadrangle, Royal Palace, Vatadage, Hatadage, Siva Devalaya, Gal Viharaya, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Kumara and Lotus Ponds, Thuparamya, Rankoth Vehera, Pabalu Vehera and Thiwanka Image House.

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. 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.

Overnight at hotel in Giritale

Day 5: Kandy Via Sigirya Fortress And Dambulla
Today we set off early in our private vehicle to visit the famous rock fortress of Sigiriya. Built in the fifth century by King Kasyapa, the fortress was first a palace and then a monastery and finally fell out of use. It was rediscovered by British archaeologists and is now one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. It is situated on top of a 200m high rock. The route on to the fortress takes us through the beautiful water gardens and the royal bathing pools. Half way up you will see the Sigiriya Damsels. These are 22 paintings of beautiful women on the walls of a gallery carved into the rock. It is believed they are part of 500 series paintings of women dating from the fifth century. You will also see the remains of a lion’s paw carved into the rock at the beginning of the ascent to the top. And from the top, where you will see foundations of the old buildings, there are wonderful views of the surrounding country. The climb takes about 2 hours.

We continue our drive to the nearby village of Dambulla. This is the site of the great cave temple. Five caves are cut into the granite outcrop and in them you will find 150 images of the Buddha including a 15m long reclining statue. In one cave, which measures 52m long and 23m wide with a ceiling that at one point reaches 7m, you will find many Buddha statues and frescoes of Hindu gods. Some of the images date back 2,000 years. These are considered to be the largest painted caves in the world. The walk is about 1 hour.

We walk through a Spice Garden to learn about the growth and uses of spices in Sri Lanka, and a visit to a Batik Factory will show you the beautifully coloured cloths made by the local villagers.

We continue on with a trip through stunning scenery to the old Sri Lankan capital Kandy, where we overnight in a hotel. Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second largest city with a population of around 100,000. Up in hill country it is a laid-back place set among lush green hills and with a picturesque lake in the centre. There are lots of shops and antique markets and gem stone sellers, which makes the city an interesting, and thriving place.

In the evening we include the chance to watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional "Fire Walking". We also 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

Day 6: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast we enjoy a City Tour of Kandy. This 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.

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.

Overnight in hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 7: Horton Plains, World’s End
After breakfast we transfer by vehicle to Belihuloya, via Horton Plains and World’s End.

The high plateau of Horton Plains is another world. This is a place of open spaces and silence. It is wonderful for walks. Horton Plains are high damp grasslands with rhododendrons and stunted trees covered in Spanish moss. It is Sri Lanka’s most isolated plateau, at an altitude of over 2000m. You may catch sight of a leopard or a bear as we walk. Other wildlife to look out for is Sambar deer, wild boar, long tailed grey Langur monkeys and the mountain hawk eagle. We visit World’s End - here the Horton Plains end suddenly with a 1050 metre straight drop. There are stunning views down below and you will also see Baker’s Falls. Today we enjoy a picnic lunch. The walk will take between 4 and 5 hours, and walking shoes are recommended.

Later in the day we continue to our hotel in Belihuloya near Bandarawela.

Bandarawela is a busy market town in the central cool hill country of Sri Lanka. It was once said to have one of the healthiest climates in the world. Some of the best and most 'flavoured tea' is said to come from this area. The best pears and strawberries are also grown here since the climate is dry and mild.

Day 8: To Belihuloya
After breakfast we transfer by train to Ohiya. Then we hike along gravel roads, footpaths, and cart tracks through tea plantations, villages and paddy fields to the Bambarakanda Waterfalls, the highest falls in Sri Lanka. There is the chance to dip in the pool at the foot of the falls. The walk is about 23kms, and takes us about 8 hours.

We enjoy lunch with a local family, and at the end of the day transfer to Belihuloya, where we overnight.

Day 9: Bentota
After breakfast we leave for the beautiful beaches of the South coast of Sri Lanka, and the coastal town of Bentota.

En route we visit the Wevurukannala Temple to see one of Sri Lanka’s tallest seated Buddha statues, Veherahena Underground Temple Complex, as well as the old Dutch Fortress in the historic city of Galle. 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.

Overnight at a guest house in Bentota, a short boat ride from the beach.

Days 10-11: In Bentota
Now you have time to spend on Sri Lanka’s beautiful coastline at Bentota, where there are fine beaches and many things to do. You can relax on the beach or try out some of the many water sports available here, or, if you fancy, go for a walk to some of the local fishing villages. We include a boat cruise along the river, giving you a glimpse of the different lifestyles of the local rural people.

Day 12: To Colombo and Negombo
Today we drive to Colombo, the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka. Here we have a City Tour which includes the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), Cinnamon Gardens and prime residential area.

Tour ends after the City Tour.

If you are extending your stay in Colombo at the end of the tour, you will be dropped in Colombo at the end of the City Tour. For those who are extending their stay in Negombo, you will be dropped in Negombo, and those flying out will be transferred to the Airport at the completion of the City Tour.