Dear Serious Traveler,

Condé Nast Traveler listed Sri Lanka as one of the top two destinations on their list of “The Top 16 Places to Go in 2016”. We agree! Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), a tiny island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean, is a rugged land of rainforest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes, and the sacred city of Anuradhapura. Its flavorful cuisine reflects its history as a maritime hub and cultural melting pot.

In the twelfth century, the explorer Marco Polo wrote that Sri Lanka was the finest island in the whole world. For centuries it had been a tourism destination, particularly for European travelers. Recently, the Sri Lankan Civil War that spanned over 25 years and ended in 2009 has had a negative impact on tourism and the growth of the industry stagnated. However following this era a resurgence in Sri Lanka as a tourism destination has been evident. (Wikipedia)

Only slightly larger than West Virginia, we are able to comfortably see six of the eight UNESCO designated World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka (described to the right). In the highlands we’ll journey through verdant hills and sip phenomenal tea. We’ll find Buddhist temples, 16th-­century European forts, colonial-era tea plantations and the beautiful Bogawantalawa Valley in the island’s interior. Amidst incredible scenery of Sri Lanka’s national parks, we’ll watch for herds of elephants at Minneriya, be amused by the antics of baby elephants at the Orphanage, and search for leopards in Yala National Park.

Delight in the cuisine and savor the aroma of spices. We’ll not only learn about Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, the world renowned Geoffrey Bawa, but also stay in his masterpiece hotel, the Heritance Kandalama.

Travel in the best of company. We can operate this trip with a minimum of two persons. In no case will our group go over 15. Our private coach driver and guide will attend to your every need. We have study material to help you prepare for this exquisite journey and we’ll gladly assist you with flights if you wish.

We look forward to welcoming you on this carefully designed adventure.

Gwen Erwood

President, Travel Concepts International

See the photo album by Paulette Lewis from her January 2015 trip with us here
https://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0MatWbli1ZMge

Outstanding religious and cultural sites, memorable scenery and wildlife, this tour includes:

Anuradhapura (1982)
From immense dagobas to mysterious forest monasteries, this vast ruined city bears witness to the great Sinhalese civilization which flourished for almost 2000 years.

Galle (1988)
Sri Lanka’s most perfectly preserved colonial townscape with sedate streets of personable Dutch villas enclosed by a chain of imposing ramparts.

Kandy (1988)
Beautifully situated amidst the central highlands, the historic city remains the island’s most important repository of Sinhalese culture, illustrated by the Esela Perahera festival and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Dambulla (1991)
The first century BC rock temple contains the largest Buddhist mural painted surfaces in the world, 20,000 square feet.

Polonnaruwa (1982)
Home to the island’s finest collection of ancient Sinhalese art and architecture, from the giant Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara to the remarkable religious buildings of the Quadrangle.

Sigiriya (1982)
Sri Lanka’s most remarkable sight, this towering rock outcrop is home to the fascinating remains of one of the island’s former capitals, complete with ancient graffiti, elaborate water gardens, a giant lion statue and perfectly preserved frescoes of voluptuous heavenly nymphs.

Also included:
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was started in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife on a twenty-five acre coconut property on the Maha Oya river at Rambukkana. It has now become quite well known world wide. Both it and Kandy and are featured in the March 2011 NY Times article, 37 Asian Odysseys.

Discovery Highlights

• Attend the colorful Perahera Festival* in Kandy with it many distinct dances and uniquely adorned elephants
• Take two jeep safaris: one through Yala National Park, and the other through Minneriya National Park
• Ascend Sigiriya Rock to see its “Fortress in the Sky”
• Be charmed by the activities of baby elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
• Marvel at the dozens of reclining Buddhas inside Dambulla Cave Temple
• Walk to the “World’s End” in Horton Plains
• Learn about Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth and its 400-year old history
• Explore the Galle Fort built by the Dutch in the 17th century
• Step into the past in Nuwara Eliya with its setting reminiscent of an English country town
• Delight in a visit to a tea plantation
• Wander through the Orchid House at the Royal Botanical Gardens
• Take an excursion to the Mamangam Hindu Temple in Batticaloa
• Relax for three nights at our beach-side hotel in Passikudah
• All meals and tips are included