Intrepid's real life experiences in india, nepal ... - Intrepid Travel

Circle Sri LankatripcodehpshOriginal15 days, Negombo to ColomboDEPARTUREGUARANTEEDITINERARY... Day 1 Negombo Find a comfortable perch towatch the fishing boats heading out to sea. Stroll along the beachto see the daily catch drying in the sun then enjoy a feast of freshseafood. Days 2-3 Anuradhapura Take a guided cycle touraround the ruins of this ancient city and see the sacred Bo Tree,a symbol of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Day 4Polonnaruwa The highlight of a bicycle ride through the wellpreservedremains of ancient Polonnaruwa is the famous reclininggranite Buddha. Day 5 Dambulla Caves/Sigiriya Visit theDambulla Cave Temple en route to Sigiriya, an impressive fortressbuilt as a royal citadel atop a 200 m-high rock. Hike to the top - themagnificent 360 degree panoramic views are worth the effort.Days 6-7 Kandy Sniff out fragrant herb gardens then head toKandy to join pilgrims as they visit the sacred Temple of the ToothRelic. Be entertained by a traditional dance performance and visitthe Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage to see gentle giants bathing inthe river. Days 8-10 Bandarawela/Haputale Head to the cool,green climes of the highlands. Learn the secrets of local cuisine andwalk through lush tea plantations. Days 11-12 Mirissa Soak upthe sun, relax on the beach and take a dip in the calm, clear watersof Mirissa. Perhaps hire a bike and ride to nearby fishing villages.Day 13 Galle Explore colonial Galle and watch the sunset from theramparts of the town’s fort. Days 14-15 Colombo Say goodbyeto the lovely south coast and catch up on some shopping in thecountry’s commercial heart.• Feast on fresh seafoodin Negombo• View the sacred BoTree in Anuradhapura• Cycle through theancient ruins ofPolonnaruwa• See elephants bathingin the river in Kandy• Learn the secrets ofSri Lankan cuisine• Relax in the clearwaters of MirissaPhysicalculturAL• Shop up a storm incolourful ColomboACCOMMODATION Hotel/basic guesthouse (14 nts) TRANSPORT Train, privatebus, local bus, auto rickshaw, bicycle GROUP SIZE Max 12 MEALS 1 Breakfast,1 Lunch, 2 Dinners BUDGET See trip notes for additional costs of meals notincluded, optional activities & personal spending DEPARTS Selected SunGUARANTEE Departure guaranteed CARBON EMISSIONS OFFSET 305 kg ppper trip TRAVELLER RATING 4.95 out of 5Start Finish 01 May 15 May 16 Oct 30 Oct 18 Mar 01 Apr201117 Jul 31 Jul 20 Nov 04 Dec 14 Apr 28 Apr09 Jan 23 Jan 07 Aug 21 Aug 18 Dec 01 Jan 20 May 03 Jun13 Feb 27 Feb 21 Aug 04 Sep 201213 Mar 27 Mar 04 Sep 18 Sep 15 Jan 29 Jan10 Apr 24 Apr 18 Sep 02 Oct 19 Feb 04 MarPhoto Competition, Elephants bathing, Pinnawela, Sri Lanka - Justyna Lorenc105 Sri Lanka & BhutanBhutantripcodehnkbComfort8 days, ex ParoITINERARY... Day 1 Paro Arrive in the small town of Paro and getan immediate sense of how just special Bhutan is. With colourfulbuildings, a main street that is only 25 years old and houseswithout front doors, peaceful Paro is a charming place to beginthe adventure. Day 2 Thimphu The fortress of Tashichhodzongdominates Thimphu, the world’s only capital city without trafficlights. See the National Library’s priceless collection of Buddhistmanuscripts, visit the Folk Heritage Museum and stop in at theNational Memorial Chorten. In keeping with the country’s goal of‘Gross National Happiness’ the stores here take it in turns to beclosed; stores on the upper lane are closed on Tuesdays and onthe lower lane they’re closed on Wednesdays. Days 3-4 PunakhaCross the Dochu La Pass to take in spectacular views of the BhutanHimalaya and stop in at the quirky Chimi Lhakhang, also known asthe ‘Temple of the Divine Madman’. Visit the Punakha Dzong andthe hillside Khamsum Yueling Temple. Day 5 Gangte Journeyacross the Pele La Pass to Gangte and visit the 450-year-old GangteGoemba. Explore Phobjikha Valley, a wonderfully remote areawithout telephones or regular power. Days 6-8 Paro Home toBhutan’s unusual red rice, Paro is the base for exploring the ruinsof Drukgyel Dzong and the dramatic Rinpung Dzong. Tour theNational Museum, housed in an original watchtower, and drive outto the beautiful Kyichu Lhakhang. A trek to Taktshang Goemba, thefamed ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery miraculously clinging to a cliff face,is a definite must-do in this region.PhysicalculturAL• Feast on red rice incharming Paro• Experience the world’sonly capital citywithout traffic lights• Visit unique temples• Join a pilgrim trek toTaktshang MonasteryGetting to BhutanWe can help with flightbookings to Bhutan,from Kathmanduor Bangkok. Ask anIntrepid consultant!ACCOMMODATION Hotel/guesthouse (7 nts) TRANSPORT Minibus GROUPSIZE Max 12 MEALS 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners BUDGET See tripnotes for additional costs of meals not included, optional activities & personalspending DEPARTS Selected Sun GUARANTEE Subject to min 4 CARBONEMISSIONS OFFSET 770 kg pp per trip NOTES 1. Flights to/from Bhutan areoperated only by Druk Airlines. 2. Arrival airport to hotel transfer included. 3. Asingle supplement is available on this trip. TRAVELLER RATING 4.78 out of 5Start Finish201106 Mar 13 Mar20 Mar 27 Mar03 Apr 10 Apr17 Apr 24 Apr08 May 15 May14 Aug 21 Aug04 Sep 11 Sep25 Sep 02 Oct02 Oct 09 Oct16 Oct 23 Oct30 Oct 06 Nov201211 Mar 18 Mar25 Mar 01 Apr08 Apr 15 Apr22 Apr 29 Apr06 May 13 MayPhoto Competition, Curious young monk, Punakha Dzong, Bhutan - Judy ConradAdditional information about this destination is available at intrepidtravel.com