MESMERISING MALDIVES & RAMAYANA TRAIL SRILANKA
GROUP TOUR 12TH-19TH OCTOBER 2018 (7 days/ 7 nights)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
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A small group tour (10-12 travelers), with an experienced tour director
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Seamless movement with shortest flights & other transport, and best located hotels
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Stay in 3*/4* Hotels/ resorts
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Meals (all meals in Maldives, Breakfast & Dinner in Sri Lanka)
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Travel by AC vehicle in Sri Lanka loaded with essential sight-seeing
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All airport transfers
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A pre-departure meeting with the tour director to facilitate preparation for the tour & meet fellow travelers.
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CD/ Presentation with detailed write-up/ pictures/ movies about the places to be visited, to be shared with each traveler.
The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. It’s known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. We shall visit the southern-most Addu atoll during this tour. Sri Lanka is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscapes range from rainforest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. We shall explore some of the historical Ramayana sites, visit a Wildlife sanctuary and relax at a beach resort during this tour.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 0 (Friday):
We embark on this wonderful journey from Delhi in the evening (SriLankan airlines flight) and arrive at Colombo for an overnight stay at the Colombo airport.
DAY 1,2:
We take the early morning flight to GAN island and check in at our resort for 2 night stay on the un-explored Addu Atoll. Heart-shaped Addu Atoll, just south of the equator, is the most southern point of Maldives. This island boasts of a refreshingly different Maldivian holiday with fabulous diving, waters pulsating with spinner dolphins and the thrill of getting far away from the rest of the world, by taking a 20-mile cycle ride around the atoll. We can also do snorkeling in the shallow waters around the island.
DAY 3:
After breakfast we board our flight back to Colombo, from where we start our 5 day journey through the diverse regions of Sri Lanka. On arrival we will be met by your English Speaking Chauffeur Guide at the Airport and will proceed to Kandy for one night stay. En route visit Pinnawala Elephant orphanage, witness baby elephant river bathing & bottle feeing times. We will also visit temple of the tooth and witness a typical Kandyan dance performance.
DAY 4:
After breakfast at the hotel we visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Gem museum, Handicraft Factory Silk. Next we visit Ramboda waterfalls, Explore the Tea estate and tea factory and witness the manufacturing process as well as an opportunity to taste the different grades of hill country tea. Enroute Visit Bhakthi Hanuman Temple Ramboda, Seetha amman Temple and Asoka Vatika. Thereafter enjoy scenic drive to Tea hill country town “Nuwara Eliya” for night stay.
DAY 5:
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Yala for one night stay. Enjoy the drive with the surrounding mountains expand in a panoramic view and the nature trails and treks provide the adventure. Enroute visit Rawana Falls, Caves and Rawana Royal Gardens. Yala is the ideal place to spot the “big four” of Sri Lankan wildlife, the elephants, the sloth bear, the illusive leopard and the wild buffalo, the unsung denizen of the park, The roaming elephant herds can be easily seen. Enjoy evening Jeep safari to Yala National Park.
DAY 6:
After breakfast we drive to Bentota for one night luxury beach stay. Enjoy the drive passing rice paddy fields and Visit Devundara Sri Vishnu Temple. En route visit Galle’s 17C Dutch Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the maze of narrow roadways edged with Dutch and British colonial era buildings that are still in use, well preserved ramparts overlooking the cricket stadium, museums, art galleries, shops and restaurants. Visit to Seenegama Temple place of King Surgrive and 1000 monkey army arrived.
DAY 7:
After early morning breakfast at the hotel we enjoy mangrove River boat safari in the morning & visit Turtle hatchery. Later we shall be dropped at the Colombo airport for our afternoon flight back to India.
Pricing:
Land cost for this tour: USD 495 (Rs.34,650 approx)
Flights: Chennai-Gan Island-Chennai (via Colombo) Rs.18,100
Delhi-Gan Island-Delhi (via Colombo) Rs.24,600
Flights from other cities also available (Prices as on 06/08/2018)
Total Cost: Rs.52,750 (ex-Chennai), Rs.59,250 (ex-Delhi)
Visa information:
Maldives: Visa on arrival (free)
Sri Lanka: e-visa – US$20 (to be applied online)