2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Sri Lanka A CULTURAL ODYSSEY ON A TROPICAL ISLE

Tropical Sri Lanka is an enchanting world of lush landscapes and deep cultural traditions. On our active adventure, we explore the monumental

temples of Polonnaruwa, hike up the stone steps of King Kashyapa’s fortress at Sigiriya, visit cool highlands where legendary tea is cultivated, and look for wildlife along the coast at Yala National Park, haunt of elephant and leopard. We’ll get delightful insights into the island’s unique cultural identity as we visit temples and villages and meet a wonderful array of people, from tea planters to art collectors to monks who follow the traditions of Theravada Buddhism, introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC. Days 1-5 Colombo / Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya The royal cities of ancient Sri Lanka fill our days as we explore three World Heritage Sites: the Buddhist gardens of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s capital for 1,300 years, 10th century Polonnaruwa, with its graceful pagodas, and King Kashyapa’s impressive citadel at Sigiriya. At a local martial arts school, we’ll watch students perform angampora , the ancient Sri Lankan fighting art. Days 6-10 Dambulla / Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Ella We climb up to the great cave-temple complex at Dambulla, enjoy a private lunch in the home of a local professor and art collector, and head up to tea country. In Kandy, the hill capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, we visit the famous 16th century Temple

“Annie was an excellent guide. Loved having so many special meals and such a range of different experiences.”

Zac G. San Marino CA

JOANA KRUSE

of the Tooth, and from our heritage hotel above colonial Nuwara Eliya, walk through tea plantations and learn the fine art of “tasting” tea. A rail journey brings us to the peaceful town of Ella, where we enjoy a village bike ride and a lesson in preparing Sri Lankan cuisine. Days 11-13 Yala National Park / Galle Yala is home to fabulous bird life, troops of monkeys chattering in the trees, and herds of wild elephant. After walking the ramparts of the historic seaside trading post of Galle, founded as a Dutch fort, we depart on Day 13 via Colombo. ON OUR WEBSITE FESTIVALS, CULTURES & WILDLIFE OF NORTHEAST INDIA Tribal villages, the Hornbill festival, Kaziranga National Park. Nov 26-Dec 7, 2018; Nov 26-Dec 7, 2019. From $6495.

HIGHLIGHTS • Explore Anuradhapura, where Buddhist shrines date to the 3rd century BC, colonial Nuwara Eliya, and the Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla • Charming accommodations, from seaside hotels to a resort overlooking the rock fortress of Sigiriya • Be welcomed into Sri Lankan culture, meeting monks, tea planters, artists, and students, and learning about ancient traditions DETAILS • 13-day trip begins and ends in Colombo • 12 nights hotels • All meals included except 1 lunch

We bring you into Sri Lanka’s diverse beauty and ancient culture, from the wild elephants of Yala National Park to the pagodas of Polonnaruwa. PHOTO: BARTOSZ HADYNIAK

DATES Jan 19-31, 2019

Feb 17-Mar 1

TRIP COST $6695 (14-16 members) $6995 (10-13 members) $7395 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $1595

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 + 3 4 5 6 7 A mix of easy to moderate walks and hikes, cultural explorations

JAGDEEP RAJPUT

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 94