ITINERARY (tentative)

Proposed Summer Trip 2014 – India & Sri Lanka

July 22^nd – Aug. 6th

Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala, Patankhot, Delhi, Colombo, Hikkaduwa, Yala National Park, Pinnawela, Dambulla

Day 1 – Denver to Delhi

•       Depart Denver  London  Delhi

•       Arrival at Delhi, early dinner at Laziz Affaire

•       After dinner transfer to hotel (Preferably near Old Delhi ie. Bloomrooms or “fun/unique hotel” 3 stars plus. 

Day 2 – Delhi to Amritsar

•       Early morning transfer to Delhi Railway station to board train to Amritsar (~6 hours)

•       Upon arrival in Amritsar, transfer to hotel and late lunch

•       After lunch drive to Wagah border (The final frontier is located about 47 kms from Amritsar. This is the only border crossing between India and neighbor country Pakistan. Every evening at sunset the parade takes place between the soldiers of India and Pakistan. It is a great moment to see the soldiers of both the countries in high enthusiasm and respect for each other.)

•       Return to hotel

Day 3 – Amritsar, Amritsar to Dharamshala

•       After breakfast visit Golden Temple. It is the holiest shrine for the people of the Sikh religion. The temple was the main center of the old Amritsar city, which is visited by the Sikh devotees form all parts of the world. Built between 1588 and 1601, the temple architecture is a combination of Hindu and Muslim styles.

•       Later visit Jallianwala Bagh. The park is situated close to the Golden Temple. It commemorates 2,000 Indians who were killed or wounded by the British soldiers during a meeting.

•       Lunch provided by hotel

•       After lunch drive to Mcleodganj (~6-7 hours)

•       On arrival, check into hotel

Day 4 – Dharamshala

•       After breakfast, full day sight seeing of Macleod-ganj covering Dalai Lama Temple and Tibetan Medical Center

•       Return to hotel for lunch

•       Later in the afternoon visit the Dal Lake, Bhagsu Nag Temple and St. John’s Church

•       Evening is free to visit Mcleod-ganj Market

•       Return to hotel

Day 5 – Dharamshala

•       After breakfast, drive towards Sarah Village (where the Tibetan University is located)

•       Time with the Monks (2-3 hours)

•       In the afternoon drive to local village for cooking classes. Our professional Indian Cook will teach our students about Indian Cuisine.

•       In the evening enjoy live Kangra Folk dance and music

•       Campfire followed by dinner

•       Drive back to hotel

Day 6 – Dharamshala to Pathankot to Delhi

•       After breakfast, free time at leisure

•       After lunch, drive to Pathankot station

•       Early dinner arranged at restaurant in Pathankot before transferring to the railway station to board overnight train for Delhi

•       Over night stay on board

Day 7 – Delhi

•       Early morning arrival at Delhi

•       On arrival, transfer to hotel and proceed to breakfast

•       Rest of the day is free at leisure.  Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi/afternoon sites?

Day 8 – Delhi to Sri Lanka

•       Early morning departure from hotel to airport

•       Flight to Bandaranayke International Air Port (Sri Lanka)

•       Immediate transfer to Colombo

•       Free time/leisure/check in at hotel

Day 9 – Colombo, Colombo to Hikkaduwa

•       Breakfast at hotel

•       Later proceed for city tour of Colombo, the island’s capital

•       There after leave for Bentota: Madhu River Boat excursion through the mangrove forest, and also visit a 200 year old Kothduwa Temple

•       Proceed to Hikkaduwa, a small fishing village, beaches & coral sanctuary

•       Overnight in Hikkaduwa

Day 10 – Hikkaduwa

•       After breakfast visit a Natural Moostone Mine in Meetiyagoda

•       Afternoon – free/beach time

•       Overnight in Hikkaduwa

Day 11 – Hikkaduwa to Yala National Park

•       After breakfast leave for Yala

•       Check in to hotel

•       Afternoon Jeep Safari to Yala National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka – home for wild elephants, wild boars and buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles

•       Jungle BBQ dinner at the hotel

Day 12 – Yala

•       Full day visit to Yala National Park

•       Picnic lunch arranged by hotel

•       Overnight in Yala

Day 13 – Yala to Pinnawela

•       Early morning safari to NP

•       Return to hotel for breakfast

•       Leave for Pinnawela with a Tea Plantation visit en-route

•       Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – Established in 1975, located on the banks of the Maha Oya river, commenced with seven orphans. The government created an asylum for small elephants and grown up, found wounded in the jungle. We will see how they are taken care and how they enjoy their bathing in the river nearby.

•       Thereafter proceed to Dambulla

•       Evening visit Dambulla Cave Temple

•       Overnight in Dambulla

Day 14 – Dambulla (excursion to Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa)

•       After breakfast climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya – According to the ancient Srik Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa the site was selected by King Kasyapa for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes.

•       Thereafter enjoy an elephant-back ride in Sigiriya

•       Afternoon excursion to Polonnurawa, a UNESCO World Heritage site that rose to fame as the capital after the decline of Anuradhapura

•       Overnight in Dambulla

Day 15 – Dambulla to Colombo

•       Fly to Delhi  overnight in Delhi

Day 16 – Delhi to Denver