Kandy Overnight Journey (Double)
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port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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activityLevel
Strenuous Activity
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excursionType
Information Not Currently Available
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$4620
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
2 Days / 1 Night
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mealsIncluded
Meals included
Sacred City of Kandy
"This sacred Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, was the last capital of the Sinhala kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), which is a famous pilgrimage site."
Day 1 (L/D)Leave the city behind and travel three hours to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, created to care for baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned. Approximately 80 animals are looked after here -- fed, trained, and studied by the Sri Lankan Wildlife Authority. From the knowledgeable staff at the orphanage, you will learn all about the efforts being made to care for these magnificent mammals, as well as the ongoing battle for the conservation of their native habitats. Established in 1975, Pinnawela started out with seven orphans. Today, some of these now-adult orphans enjoy seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela has started a scientific captive-breeding program. The free movement of the herd enhanced chances for successful breeding. On the verandah of the Pinnalanda Restaurant, relax and enjoy lunch while watching the elephants as they have their daily bath in the nearby river.
Your road journey continues to the sacred city of Kandy where you will check in at the hotel.
This evening, you’ll visit the Temple of the Tooth. Built to house a tooth of the Buddha, which is enshrined in an inner chamber, the temple is a work of art in itself. An impressive stone rampart encloses the shrine, which stands two storeys high on a platform in the centre of the courtyard. The upper gallery is connected to the first floor of the temple by a small bridge. There, behind a gilt railing, the golden reliquary rests on a silver table. It contains a nest of six boxes -- the famous tooth lies within the smallest one. Ritual prayers by the monks are accompanied by beating drums, trumpets and hypnotic chants.
A private cultural performance showcases the dances and culture of Sri Lanka.
Dinner and overnight at the Kings Pavilion Hotel (or similar).
Day 2 (B/L)
After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic drive around Kandy Lake, ending at the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Originally built for the pleasure of Sinhalese queens in the 14th century, these beautifully manicured gardens, with huge trees and bright bougainvillea, contain a wide variety of tropical and temperate flora -- 4,000 species in all. There is also a spice garden with centuries-old nutmeg trees, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and clove trees, a medicinal herb garden with plants used in Ayurvedic medicine, and an orchid house that houses 450 hybrid species.
Drive to the Victoria or Pollgolla Reservoir to board your seaplane for a 45-minute flight back to Colombo.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the upmarket Gallery Café – the former studio of the famed architect Geoffrey Bawa, which has been converted into an art gallery and café.
After lunch, set off on a panoramic sightseeing tour, discovering the city’s rich architectural heritage – mostly legacies of the British era including Independence Square, the Old Parliament building and the Town Hall.
Then, delve deeper into Colombo’s culture at the elegant colonnaded National Museum. Among the displays are a fascinating mask collection and outstanding Hindu and Buddhist bronzes. The museum also houses a collection of the regalia of the King of Kandy. Enjoy a guided tour of the museum before returning to the pier.
Please note: Bring/wear light clothing. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Modest attire is required; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered; shorts and short skirts are not allowed. Shoes and hats must be removed before you enter the temple(s). Bring along a pair of thick socks to protect your feet from the hot pavement. Do not bring jewelry or large amounts of cash. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and larger shops. Vehicles and infrastructure are basic and are not of the same standard as in Western countries. Seaplane flight is subject to weather conditions. There is a weight restriction for travel on the chartered flight. Maximum weight is 175lbs and hand luggage should weigh no more than 10lbs. Larger luggage will be transferred by truck separately. The seaplane flight is unescorted, but the guide will meet you at the plane in Colombo. Guides in Sri Lanka tend to have a strong accent.
Important:
It is solely each guest's responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in Mid-Cruise Adventures or Overnight Journeys, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your Mid-Cruise Adventure or Overnight Journey, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. Your travel agent can assist you with your visa needs. If you require further assistance, Seabourn's preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. US and Canadian citizens can reach them by phone or email:
US citizens: 866 788 1100 or email customerservice@cibtvisa.com
Canadian citizens: 866 935 8472 or email customerservice@cibtvisas.ca
CIBTvisas phone numbers and email addresses for Dutch, German, Australian, United Kingdom, Belgian, Singapore, Spanish, Swiss and French citizens can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, in the Cruise Preparation area. Applications and additional information can be downloaded from the CIBTvisas website at <https://cibtvisa.com/Seabourn>. You must advise CIBTvisas of your Mid-Cruise Adventures or Overnight Journeys, as the visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise.