Small Individual Hotel Tour Trip Notes (page 2)

	1	Day 9 Today, you drive to Kataragama. In the late afternoon, there is a game drive into Yala National Park, using jeeps, where you can see elephants, crocodiles, deer, wild boar, monitor lizards, water buffalo etc. There is also a very rich birdlife and there is always a chance of seeing a leopard or if you are lucky, a sloth bear. At Yala, you have the highest percentage chance of anywhere in the world of being able to see a leopard. Yala has a strikingly beautiful dry-zone landscape with an endless expanse of scrub and trees dotted with brackish lakes close to the coastline. Overnight at Mandara Rosen Hotel, Kataragama.
		Day 10 In the morning you can visit Kataragama Temple which is a very important Temple to both Buddhists and Hindus, alike – Kataragama is seen as a very powerful god capable of assisting in a wide range of practical endeavours. Free afternoon to lie by the pool. Overnight at Mandara Rosen Hotel, Kataragama.
		Day 11 Drive to the fabulous Villa Kusum at Hikkaduwa.One the way, stop at the Dutch Fort at Galle. The fort was originally built by the Portuguese in 1589 to store spices. You can walk around the fort within an hour and a half visiting the New Oriental Hotel, National Museum, the Dutch church, the clock tower, the lighthouse and some old colonial buildings. Free afternoon to relax on the beach or by the pool Overnight at Villa Kusum, Hikkaduwa
		Day 12 Free day Overnight at Villa Kusum, Hikkaduwa
		Day 13 Free day. Overnight at Villa Kusum, Hikkaduwa
		Day 14 You will drive to Negombo, via Colombo. On the way, drive to a turtle hatchery where you can see one, two and three day old turtles in different tanks. These turtles will be released in the sea at night.   Overnight at Villa Araliya, Negombo
		Day15 Transfer to the airport
Back		Trip profile **please note that there are two optional activities in trip: White water rafting and the elephant ride will cost you £ 20 (for each activity) per person. Other optional activities Climbing Adam's peak from December till April. It's a sacred mountain to the Buddhists and thousands of pilgrims visit the holy shrine on the top of the mountain. However you need to be very fit to do this climb because it takes about 6 hours. There is a chance of taking a hot air balloon ride in Sigiriya (optional). Accommodation We use star class hotels with character. However, there are two nights on the trip where you stay at rest houses because of non-availability of hotels. Most of the hotels you stay at have pools (see *)(10 nights).Single rooms are available at a supplement of £150. Please advise us at the time of booking. Transport We use an air-conditioned mini-bus during the trip. We take jeeps to Yala National Park. Group size Minimum 2 pax. Maximum 16 pax + guide and driver Food Breakfast is included throughout except the day you arrive in Sri Lanka. Lunch at the village on the day you cycle is included. We suggest you allow about £150 for all other meals. Currency information Sri Lankan unit of currency is the Rupee. At the time of writing, £1= 185 Rupees. You need to change some money at the airport. ATMs are available in towns. All hotels accept credit cards. What to take Cotton t-shirts and shorts. Trousers to visit temples. Sandals. Trainers for walks. A fleece. Umbrella. Waterproof jacket. Visa All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. A free 30 day Visa is obtained on arrival for most nationalities. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your Visa, if necessary. Vaccinations Please consult your doctor for up to date information before you travel. Flights Flights are not included. Tipping Tipping is part of the way of life in Sri Lanka and you need to allow about £2 per day per person for this.

Trip profile

**please note that there is one optional activitiy in the trip:
The elephant ride is an optional activity and will cost you £ 20 per person.

Other optional activities
Climbing Adam's peak from December till April. It's a sacred mountain to the Buddhists and thousands of pilgrims visit the holy shrine on the top of the mountain. However you need to be very fit to do this climb because it takes about 6 hours.

There is a chance of taking a hot air balloon ride in Sigiriya (optional).

Accommodation
These are all small individual hotels with character. All the hotels have pools other than View Point Villa at Ella Gap. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £150. Please advise us at the time of booking.

Transport
We use an air-conditioned mini-bus during the trip. We take jeeps to Yala National Park.

Group size
Minimum 2 pax. Maximum 16 pax + guide and driver

Food
Breakfast is included throughout except the day you arrive in Sri Lanka. Lunch at the village on the day you cycle is included. We suggest you allow about £150 for all other meals.

Currency information
Sri Lankan unit of currency is the Rupee. At the time of writing, £1= 175 Rupees. You need to change some money at the airport. ATMs are available in towns. All hotels accept credit cards.

What to take
Cotton t-shirts and shorts. Trousers to visit temples. Sandals. Trainers for walks. Socks are also recommended for walking round temples (when you have to take your shoes off) as the ground can be very hot. A fleece. Umbrella. Waterproof jacket.

Visa
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. A free 30 day Visa is obtained on arrival for most nationalities. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your Visa, if necessary.

Vaccinations
Please consult your doctor for up to date information before you travel.

Flights
Flights are not included.

Tipping
Tipping is part of the way of life in Sri Lanka and you need to allow about £2 per day per person for this.