The Pearl in the Indian Ocean

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1 Activity Level: Enthusiast Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights The Pearl in the Indian Ocean Experience Sri Lanka WHY TRAVEL WITH B&R? We ve been waiting patiently to bring you Sri Lanka and now it s waiting for you. The country is open and welcoming, the scenery vast and diverse, the hotels extraordinary, and best of all, the right B&R team is in place to offer you flexibility, choice and exquisite service at every turn. Sri Lanka or Lanka the Blessed in the local Sinhalese has been seducing travellers for centuries. It s easy to get lost in the beauty of the region s cultural, physical and historical diversity. In this sensuous, once-troubled tropical paradise, we explore vanished empires, tea plantations, Hindu temples, and mist-shrouded highlands. A host of fascinating local experts join us along the way, including a tea expert, a botanist and an ex-pat journalist. We re the only people of our kind blazing a trail through Sri Lanka, and lucky us: we re invited for a rare stay at Ceylon Tea Trails. Call us at the journey p.2 view > / notes from the road p.5 view > / the details p.6 view > / next steps p.7 view >

2 The Journey 2 the journey Days 1 & 2 From the Kandyan Kingdom to the Coast AYUBOWAN AND WELCOME TO SRI LANKA! THIS MORNING we meet at The Wallawwa and head an hour up the coast to the heart of Little Rome (so-named for its abundance of Catholic churches) for our bike fitting and a briefing of the week ahead. From there, we set off on a gentle introductory coastal ride along palm-fringed shores, through small fishing villages and lively morning markets. We ll stop for lunch at a coconut estate before buckling for a 3-hour (air-conditioned!) drive to the island s cultural capital, the ancient Kingdom of Kandy. Once settled at Kandy House, our 200-year old manor hotel in the leafy outskirts of town, we will have time to relax before reconvening for an arrack sour under the stars. Tonight we ll enjoy a private performance of traditional Kandyan dance before dinner in the hotel s tropical gardens. The next day after breakfast, it s a 45-minute drive to the start of our walk. Today s route follows local footpaths and village roads, passing rice paddies, spice gardens, and three ancient temples one brick, one stone and one wood. From the final temple it s a short drive to a friend s ancestral home for lunch. Then we will head to the 148-acre Royal Botanical Gardens to explore with a resident botanist. The gardens have a fascinating history, dating back to 1371 when King Wickramabahu III kept court in the area. Those who would prefer some time to relax by the peaceful infinity pool or to have a massage can zip back to the hotel after lunch instead. We ll gather this evening for dinner on the terrace. HOTEL Kandy House, Kandy This exquisite 200-year-old ancestral manor house was built in 1804 and blends minimalist lines, atypical antiques and quirky strokes of colour around a central courtyard. With just nine romantic rooms named after indigenous butterflies, we take over the entire property. If you can bear to leave the genial grub and your chaise lounge on the veranda, enticing hammocks beckon around the infinity pool. THE BIKING Day 1: A 39 km (24 mi.) gentle introductory ride up the coast through fishing villages and morning markets. Day 2: An 8 km (6 mi.) walk through paddy fields, villages and spice plantations with three ancient temples en route. Days 3, 4 & 5 Hill Country Today, following in the footsteps of millions of devout Buddhists from all over the country, we make an early morning pilgrimage into town for rituals at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the aptly named Sacred Temple of the Tooth, home to a revered relic of the Buddha: his tooth! The relic has held both religious and political significance in the country for nearly 2000 years, and a visit to the temple is a must while in Kandy. We return to the hotel for breakfast before riding out on quiet suburban roads along the Mahaweli Ganga, one of Sri Lanka s most important rivers. Next, all aboard a 2.5 hour train ride, considered to be one of the greatest railway journeys in the world! We enjoy a specially prepared picnic onboard as we take in the dramatic landscapes of tangled green peaks and lush tea plantations and climb over 2,500 feet to our final stop in Hatton. A short drive delivers us to Tea Trails, our home for the next three nights. We will be welcomed with High Tea by our team of butlers and enjoy dinner in small groups at our respective bungalows.

3 The Journey 3 We wake up today in a land of tea estates an area that was first cultivated for coffee by the British 150 years ago. Our bike route will take us through the Norwood Tea Estate and the tiny communities where the plantations workers live. On clear days, there are prime views of Adam s Peak, another important pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka. We will have lunch at a former tea planter s bungalow followed by a behind-the-scenes tour at Dunkeld Tea Factory, where we will learn about the process of making tea, from bud to bag. We ll have a tea tasting led by the factory manager and then retreat to our bungalows to unwind before dinner this evening. This morning we head out on foot around Castlereagh Reservoir Sri Lanka at its most mesmerizing. The area s mist-shrouded mountains, colonial tea estates and colourful Hindu villages are the idyllic backdrop for our walk. For lunch, it s a picnic among the tea plantations before some downtime later that afternoon. Those looking for a bit more activity could get out in a kayak for fantastic panoramic views of the valley. We will have dinner at our bungalows tonight. HOTEL Tea Trails, Hatton Tea Trails is the world s first tea bungalow resort, perched at an altitude of 1,250 metres in Sri Lanka s panoramic Ceylon tea region, bordering the World Heritage Central Highlands. These restored planters bungalows befit a Somerset Maugham lifestyle, with timbered ceilings, panelled libraries, claw-foot baths and bay windows. Feast on tea-inspired cuisine and rustic views before exploring the surrounding tea estates, ravines and waterfalls. THE ACTIVITY Day 3: A 35 km (22 mi.) ride out of Kandy and along the Mahaweli Ganga to Gampola Railway Station. Day 4: An undulating 31 km (19 mi.) ride through tiny tea pluckers villages and the Norwood Tea Estate Day 5: An up-and-down 8 km (5 mi.) walk around Castlereagh Reservoir. Days 6 & 7 The Magic of Colonial Galle Fort & the South Coast After breakfast we bid farewell to Hill Country and our team of private butlers and head south with a 1-hour drive to Tientsin Bungalow to start our ride. The route starts with a gentle climb through tea estates to Bogawantala Town where we ll be greeted by tea pluckers already hard at work in the fields, and their children on their way to school. After cresting the ridge and passing through Horton Plains National Park, we begin a long descent, whizzing passed well-muscled peaks, waterfalls, eucalyptus and pine forests, revealing some of the most surprising land scapes of the week. An early, casual lunch just outside of

4 The Journey 4 Balangoda Town in the paddies below will have us ready to depart the Central Province and tackle the 4.5-hour drive south. Our next stop is Galle Fort, where we will settle in at the superb Amangalla and enjoy a bit of downtime. Later we explore the secrets of South Asia s largest living fort with an expat friend who is a fort-based author and former war journalist. You will have some more time to explore the fort with an evening on your own. We start early this morning with a drive a few minutes out of town to our vessels. It s a short boat ride inland from there along one of the country s many Dutch-built canals to Wakwella, where our steeds will be waiting for us for one last ride. Today we ll pass through rice paddies, coconut, rubber and cinnamon plantations and passed sleepy villages to the shores of nearby Koggala Lake. We finish on the palm-fringed coast for a casual beachside lunch. We end today s activities with a splash, a smile and a celebratory drink! This afternoon, look forward to a bit of downtime, some last minute shopping or challenge yourself with a bit more time in the saddle before your guides host you for a bit of magic to complete our South Asian adventure in style. Day 8 Goodbyes Today, we part ways but take a piece of Sri Lanka with us, we hope. After breakfast depart at your leisure back to. Or, even better, see a bit more of paradise by letting us connect you with one of our Private Trip Planners. HOTEL Amangalla, Galle In the historic port of Galle, Amangalla sits within the ramparts of the 17thC Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Offering views of the resort s 200-year-old gardens and of the Fort and harbour beyond, Amangalla provides for the leisurely exploration of this historic trading port and the surrounding countryside THE ACTIVITY Day 6: 43 km (27 mi.) beginning with a gradual 13 km (8 mi.) climb and finishing with a 30 km (19 mi.) descent through the eucalyptus and pine forests of Horton Plains National Park. Day 7: 38 km (24 mi.) ride takes a mostly flat route inland through Sri Lanka s deep south.

5 Notes From the Road 5 What took you so long? By Dane Tredway You eat with your eyes first. How many times have I heard this? Eating is a sensory experience. Well, it turns out that, much like eating, Sri Lanka is also a sensory experience: the fragrance of cardamom and curry leaves on the breeze, the feeling of the crisp air on your face in the morning mist of the up country, the splashes of colour that are tea pluckers dotting the green lushness of Hill Country, the silver-blue and azure waters along the palm-fringed coast, your toes in the sand, the call to prayer ringing out, rhythmic chanting from a nearby temple, and, of course, the fiery flavours of a Sri Lankan meal mixed and eaten with your hands. What could be more seductive? Any Sri Lankan meal with be accompanied by a local, telling you with a smile that there is no point in eating your rice and curry with cutlery, that you won t get the flavours. And it s true. Eating with your hands changes the flavour. You don t just smell and taste the food, but feel the texture of it and can mix it together much more throroughly than you ever could with a spoon. You end up getting closer to it, to the experience. My first time in Sri Lanka, pedalling and walking also got me closer to the country and the people. By getting in close, I felt the warmth, kindness and hospitality of the locals. I saw the smiles and got to return them. Sri Lankans are friendly. Almost disconcertingly so. Where are you from?. Where going?. Even, Bye! from the children, a direct translation of tata by which was meant, Hello!. My first day, this friendliness took me aback. Then, as days passed, I began to feel as if those I had crossed previously had rang up their friends and family all over the island. It was as if each village I walked though or whatever road I was riding along, that the locals were right there, waving, smiling, as if saying We ve been waiting for you! Where have you been? It s one of my favourite things about Sri Lanka. And I think it ll be one of your favourite things too. B&R REGIONAL EXPERT Dane Tredway Dane s worn many hats at B&R over the years. As a trip designer, guide, researcher and photographer, he s made a career out of making magic happen on all corners of the globe, from Chile and Ireland to Myanmar, Newfoundland and more.

6 The Details 6 KAZAKHSTAN AFGHANISTAN IRAN CHINA SRI LANKA Bay of Bengal PAKISTAN Goa India MYANMAR Indian Ocean Kandy Hatton SRI LANKA Indian Ocean Galle 2018 Price: From $8,995 ($2,500 single supplement) Single supplement is based on the most affordable rooms within B&R s allocation. Upgrades often available. Duration 8 days / 7 nights Please see our website for list of departures. Start The Wallawwa Morning Finish At the airport or in town After breakfast the details HOTEL TYPE Signature Hotels Hotels on our Signature trips are unique expressions of the region. Oftentimes that means they ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case it means they offer both an exceptionally comfortable stay and a taste of the region s culture. Best of all, we re friends with our hoteliers. (Translation? Preferential treatment for you.) THE WALLAWWA, KOTUGODA The Wallawwa boutique hotel offers colonial charm and exceptional service within five acres of tropical landscaped gardens. The tastefully furnished rooms, Z spa, à la carte restaurant and dedicated team of butlers ensures your every wish is catered for. HOW DO I GET TO COLOMBO? Your B&R trip starts in Kotugoda, about 90 minutes outside of the nation s Capital and about 20 minutes from s Bandaranaike International Airport. Depending on the airline you are flying with, you may hub through Hong Kong, Doha or Dubai. All of these cities have hotels near the airport with easy access to downtown areas should you want to have a stopover. WHAT S INCLUDED All accommodation All breakfasts, all lunches and dinners as indicated Services of B&R guide(s) and support vehicle All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees Use of a hybrid bicycle, with helmet Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off, including van support, bus and train transfers All baggage transportation All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Enthusiast The daily distances for bike rides range from 35 to 45 km (21 to 28 mi.); some days offer longer /shorter option rides. The terrain is mostly easygoing save a couple of moderate days in the first few days then easygoing for the rest of the trip. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.

7 Your Next Steps 7 your next steps At Butterfield & Robinson, the guiding starts while you re still at home. We make sure you know everything you need to know before you ve even left your living room. YOUR BIKE We pride ourselves on having the very best equipment for each activity and locale, maintained by expert staff and custom tweaked just for you. Visit us at to learn about our biking equipment and see pictures of what you ll be riding. And don t forget that we will modify your bike to accommodate most special gear requests. Just ask. Weather: month high low Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec READY TO BOOK? Call or a Travel Advisor (or your travel agent) with any remaining questions, and to reserve your space / Reserve your flights to and from the region. Book your night before hotel. Make sure your passport is up to date. Enquire after travel insurance. Once you are confirmed on a B&R trip, you will receive a Confirmation that contains tons of information to help you prepare for your trip. Then, about a month before you leave, we will send you a list of your fellow travellers, final rendezvous instructions and your hotel contact numbers. EXTENDING YOUR TRIP Reluctant to say good-bye to Lanka the Blessed? Consider a 3-day extension to the Cultural Triangle amidst lush jungles and ancient ruins or a little more time to luxuriate along the island s legendary palm-fringed coasts. STAY IN TOUCH! Sign up to receive The Slow Road our newsletter that is full of travel news, unique offers and B&R insider info. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.