Sri Lanka

Twelve nights from only £1,699 per person

Selected departures July to November 2013

As soon as you arrive, your senses are overwhelmed by Sri Lanka! The warm tropical air, the colourful, wild flowers and the jungle, the sights and sounds of stepping into an unfamiliar civilisation, the striking colours of the saris adorning every woman, the variety of exotic fruits and spices, the beauty of the countryside, the mystique of countless temples and orange-clad Buddhist monks, wild elephants, and the over-loaded bullock carts taking produce to market – this is a varied place indeed! Marco Polo, arguably the greatest explorer of all time, described it simply as the finest island in the world!

During two thousand years of recorded history, Sri Lanka has attracted countless invaders and visitors over the centuries from nearby India, the Arabs, the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British, all leaving their influence in the tea-estates, churches and forts. The 145 years of British rule left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s culture and institutions – from a deep love of cricket to the red pillar-boxes still found on street corners. Today, this fabled island of spices and gems is a vibrant blend of entrancing Buddhist culture, ancient cities, wildlife, rich lowland jungles - the home of leopards, elephants and monkeys, a mist-shrouded hill country and tropical palm-fringed beaches.

A further attraction of this remarkable country is the Sri Lankans themselves, one of the most friendly and hospitable people you’re likely to meet and immensely proud of their beautiful homeland. The fertile plains, the colourful towns and villages, the lush forests of the interior with the vast plantations of tea, rubber and coconuts will entrance you while its history and traditions will capture your imagination.

Fully escorted price includes:

• Return direct scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Colombo

• Twelve night three and four-star, half-board accommodation

• A cultural tour taking you deep into the past to find old Ceylon, sacred caves, ancient temples and lost cities, including two nights relaxing on one of Sri Lanka’s idyllic tropical beaches

• Experience superb scenery, paddy fields, rubber and spice plantations, endless coconut groves and exotic wildlife

• Visit to Kandy, heart of the cultural triangle, Sri Lanka’s last pre-colonial capital with tours of the Temple of the Tooth – one of Buddhism’s holiest shrines

• See the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens, created over 150 years ago in the days of the British Empire

• Guided tour of the 5th century Royal Palace and Citadel at Sigiriya Rock

• Guided tour of the 12th century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa

• Galle city tour and visit to the Bentota turtle hatchery

• Visit to the Buddhist Monastery of Dambulla and its incredible Cave Temples

• Stay in the colonial hill-station of Nuwara Eliya

• Visit to the famous Pinawella Elephant Orphanage & see the elephants bathing in the river

• Take two safaris in Yala National Park, famed for its leopards and elephant herds

• Visit to a working Tea Estate and spice garden

• All transfers and porterage of one item of luggage per person

• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

• The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room

• Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement

Visa and Health Matters:

Terms and conditions:

The code must be quoted at time of booking to receive offer prices

Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to availability. Operated by Riviera Travel Atol 3430 protected, Abta V4744, a company independent of Independent Print Ltd. Single rooms are subject to availability and at a supplement. Optional insurance available at a supplement. When you respond to offers we may use your information to contact you with offers/services that we believe will be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive offers by sms or email. We will not give your data to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to to so. Prices are correct at the time of publishing. Please call or email for details. 0844 calls charged at 5ppm from BT landlines

Supplier info: Riviera Travel

Since their inception 25 years ago, Riviera Travel have endeavoured to exceed the expectations of the discerning traveller, on their fascinating and innovative European and Worldwide escorted tours.

They have passion for quality and looking after all their guests in the most personal manner possible and really ‘go the extra mile'. Over the years they have received many commendations from many household names in the publishing industry. They have recently been voted by the members of one of the country's most respected consumer organisations in their biannual survey of travel companies, as one of the UK's top two Tour Operators and the most outstanding of all in terms of value for money - by some considerable margin.

Riviera Travel offers European and Worldwide Escorted Tours by Eurostar and by Air.

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Call: 0844 571 1980

Offer Code: The Independent website

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independent@rivieratravel.co.uk