15 Day Family Trip Notes

		Day 1 Our airport representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Negombo which is on the beach. It would take only 20 minutes to get to our hotel. You can lie by the pool or beach for the rest of the day. Here as elsewhere on the coast, the seafood is fantastic – do try it if you can. *Overnight at Goldisands Hotel, Negombo.**
		Day 2 You will drive to Dambulla and visit the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple. This is the largest painted cave temple in the world which was built in the 1st century BC. There are 5 caves that were transformed by a Sinhalese king when he was forced into hiding here. There are over 200 statues of Lord Buddha and just about every surface of the caves (including the roof) are covered in the most intricate murals, the finest in Sri Lanka. There are over 200 statues of Lord Buddha. Dambulla temple is one of the few living world heritage sites in the country. You have some free time in the afternoon to relax by the nice pool of your hotel. *Overnight at Pelwehera Village Resort , Dambulla**
		Day 3 After breakfast, there is an opportunity to do an elephant ride which will take about 2 hours.The elephant camp is situated next to Habarana Lake, a really beautiful spot where over 130 species of birds have been recorded. The elephants will walk beside the lake for a while and will then cross the river which as you can imagine, is quite an experience and go in to the forest. The trekkers will spot some birds, lizards and if you are lucky, crocodiles, for you. After the elephant ride, you will drive back to the hotel for lunch. There is a midday break of about 2 hours to relax or lie by the pool. In the late afternoon, when it's cooler, you can climb the Lion Rock at Sigiriya which stands about 650ft high and was a capital of Sri Lanka in the 5th century. This was a rock fortress of a king who was hiding away from his brother. From the base, you walk through the royal pleasure gardens comprising the magnificent water gardens, and moat. You then make your ascent, seeing the Boulder Garden, mirror wall and oldest unpreserved frescoes (dating from the 5th century AD), to mention but a few. Arriving at the two huge lions paws(which always fires the childrens' imagination), this is all that is left of a gigantic lion statue which was the final staircase to the summit containing the Royal Palace and ramparts. The views from the top are stupendous and will take your breath away. If the children don't want to go right to the top, they can just go halfway whilst the adults continue to the top.Overnight at Pelwehera Village Resort *, Dambulla
		Day 4 In the morning, there is an optional excursion to Polonnaruwa, the 2nd indigenous capital of Sri Lanka. The temples, stupas and other monuments here date back to the 10th century AD. Polonnaruwa is the most visited ancient city in Sri Lanka. Everything here was built between the 10th and the 12th century and includes some of the Island’s most famous monuments. The ruins are well preserved and offer a fascinating snapshot of medieval Sri Lanka when Sri Lankan civilisation was at a real highpoint. You can spend over two and a half hours here before driving back to your hotel for lunch.We leave Polonnaruwa optional because the children might think they are seeing too many temples. There is a midday break of about 2 hours to relax or lie by the pool. In the late afternoon, when it's cooler, you can do a bike ride at a leisurely pace through a series of small villages and lakes. This is an amazing opportunity to get off the beaten track and see Sri Lankan life. After cycling for about 45 minutes, you can take a break at a farmer's house where he will climb a coconut palm and pick some coconuts for you to try. After the refreshments, you can cycle for about another 45 minutes. There are many birds to spot as well as monitor lizards, water buffalo etc. There is a back-up vehicle following so at any point, you can get into that, if you wish. Those who can't or don't want to ride a bike, can stay at the hotel to relax. Overnight at Pelwehera Village Resort , Dambulla.*
		Day 5 After breakfast, you will leave for Kandy. On the way, the drive will take you through a fertile spice growing area with plantations of coffee, cacao and rubber. You can visit a Spice Garden where there is the opportunity to see how Sri Lankan spices and herbs grow. You can also learn about Ayurvedic medicine and buy some spices, if you so wish. You will then drive on to Kandy to get there in time for lunch. The royal city of Kandy was the last indigenous capital of Sri Lanka which resisted capitulation for over 300 years despite the coastal areas having surrendered to European dominance. It is said to be the most picturesque town in Sri Lanka as it nestles in the hills beside a small lake. There is a midday break of about 2 hours to relax or lie by the pool. In the afternoon, you can visit the Gem Museum where you can see the products of the traditional (and rather scary) methods of gem mining, especially the famous Sri Lankan sapphires of cornflower blue. You then go on to see the Cultural Show with its magnificent costumes accompanied by amazing drumming. The Kandyan dancing dates back to the 3rd century BC and was performed by witch doctors to cure patients. There will also be some self-mortification activities like fire walking! There are lots of little restaurants in town to have dinner. *Overnight at Thilanka Hotel , Kandy.*
		Day 6 Today is a visit to the Temple of the Tooth which houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is the most secret of the Buddhist temples. The visit coincides with the Ceremony (of offerings accompanied by drumming) so you can see the Casket of the Tooth. The tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in the 5th century BC and thousands of worshippers visit the Temple every day to pay homage. You will then drive to Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage where you can see over 75 elephants playing in the river. These elephants have been rescued by the wildlife department and had it not been for the Orphanage, most of these elephants would have died. You can watch the elephants for about two hours and then return to Kandy where you can relax or lie by the pool for the rest of the day. *Overnight at Thilanka Hotel , Kandy.*
		Day 7 Drive to Kithugala which is surrounded by thick rainforest type vegetation. This is a little village untouched by tourism next to the Keleni River where “Bridge Over the River Kwai” was filmed in 1956. Your Resthouse is situated next to the river with lovely views. Though it has been classified as a Resthouse, you even have your own private patio and lawn.After lunch, there is the opportunity to go white water rafting (optional excursion) doing either Grade 1 or 3 rapids. Grade 1 rapids are very safe and easy . Going down the Keleni River is a brilliant experience, with fantastic views of virgin rainforest on either bank. Overnight at Kithulgala Resthouse.
		Day 8 After breakfast, you can do a walk taking about 1 hour into the village. Taking the local ferry across the river to go to the village, you will experience the true and unspoilt life of Sri Lanka. After the walk, you drive to Nuwara Eliya which is described as a misplaced English village as many of the buildings are copies of English ones and were built by the English to escape the heat of the Sri Lankan summer. The drive to Nuwara Eliya is through thousands of acres of beautiful tea plantations that blanket the hillsides. On the way, you can stop by two waterfalls and try to spot some brightly clothed tea pickers moving over the hillsides with their huge sacks strapped to their heads! There is the opportunity to have a fascinating tour of a Tea Factory to see just how your English cup of tea is produced. Much of the machinery is as it was in the 19th Century, when it was first installed. You will have the chance to try a fantastic cup of tea. You then have some free time to explore the old colonial buildings, racecourse, golf course etc in Nuwara Eliya. Of particular note is The Hill Club which is based on an English country house and is a real step back in time where you can enjoy lunch, if you so wish! The altitude is about 6,500ft so the climate is much cooler. Overnight at Windsor Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.
Day 9 - 15