Beach
Dambulla Cave Temples
Sigiriya Lions Paw
Feeding Baby Elephants
Galle Stadium
Beach
Colombo Market
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Cricket Tours »
Sri Lanka Tours 2012 »
Blue Sapphire Tour |
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Blue Sapphire Tour - sold out! |
Friday 16 March - Sunday 8 April (24 days)
Negombo - Cultural Triangle - 1st Test at Galle - 2nd Test at Colombo
This is our signature tour! We start with a 2 night stay on the beach at Negombo, followed by 5 days exploring Sri Lanka’s famed Cultural Triangle.
We then head for the beach again at Galle for the 1st Test, and finally end up in Colombo, for the 2nd Test. Along the way, enjoy 5-star luxury with all hotels superbly positioned to take best advantage
of the local attractions and cricket grounds.
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Tour Prices
(per person) |
Double/Twin |
Single |
Business Class Upgrade |
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Blue Sapphire |
£4,990 |
£6,940 |
£ on application |
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| DATES |
ITINERARY |
| Fri 16 March |
Evening departure from London Heathrow direct to Colombo on Sri Lankan Airlines or on Emirates from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle or Glasgow – all via Dubai. |
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| Sat 17 March |
Early afternoon arrival into Colombo International Airport. Short transfer to the nearby seaside village of Negombo. Check in at Jetwing Blue Resort for a 2-night stay, to recover from the journey and acclimatise to the tropical weather. |
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| Sun 18th March |
Day at leisure. This evening join us for our ‘Welcome’ cocktail party. Includes canapés & drinks. |
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| Sun 19 March |
This morning we head to the Cultural Triangle. En route, we will have lunch and visit the World Heritage listed Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla. We will then continue on to check in to the
Cinnamon Lodge Hotel in Habarana. |
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| Tue 20 March |
Day at leisure, to relax and enjoy the surrounding flora & fauna. You might like to take a safari in nearby Minneriya Wildlife Sanctuary and/or have an elephant ride (both at own expense). |
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| Wed 21 March |
This morning we visit the truly awesome 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. The climb to the top is well worth the effort! We will return to the hotel to freshen up and have lunch (own expense) before proceeding to visit the palaces and temples of the long-abandoned sacred city of Polonnaruwa. |
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| Thurs 22 March |
Today we depart Habarana and head to the Royal City of Kandy, stopping off en-route in a spice garden in Matale for a tour and lunch. We then carry on to the Earl's Regency Hotel |
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| Fri 23 March |
Today we take a tour of Kandy, visiting the Royal Botanical Garden in nearby Peradeniya, Kandy Lake, the bazaar, the new cricket stadium at Pallekele, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and,
if time permits, an arts & crafts centre and a gem lapidary. Lunch included. |
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| Sat 24 March |
Today we depart Kandy for Galle. En route we visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela. Get up close and personal as the orphaned baby elephants are bottle-fed and witness the daily bath
routine in a nearby river. Lunch is included. Late afternoon arrival to the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel in Galle. |
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| Sun 25 March |
Day at leisure to enjoy the beach and surrounding areas. |
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Sun 26 March -
Fri 30 March |
1st Test – Galle International Stadium Framed by the Galle Fort and the tragic tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, the Galle International Stadium is one of the most recognisable cricket grounds in the world. Traditionally the ground has been a Murali stronghold, but with the little maestro now retired will it be England’s turn to dominate?
Daily transfers to and from the ground are included.
One evening of the Test match, we will host our Cricket Cocktail Party, at which we will be joined by a luminary or two from the cricket world. Includes canapés and drinks. |
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| Sat 31 March |
Day at leisure to enjoy one more day on the beach or in the Spa! |
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| Sun 1 April |
Today we depart Galle for Colombo. On arrival, check in at Cinnamon Grand Hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. |
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| Sun 2 April |
Today we take you on a sightseeing tour of Colombo, visiting the famous Galle Face area, the commercial area of the ‘Fort’, the ‘Pettah’ oriental bazaar, various places of worship and Independence Square. |
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Tue 3 April -
Sat 7 April |
2nd Test – P. Sara Stadium, Colombo
As this is just a two Test series, whatever the result of the 1st Test, this match will be hard fought as England and Sri Lanka battle to win the series or pull back level.
Daily transfers to and from the ground are included. |
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| Sat 7 April |
This evening, re-live the highlights of the tour as you enjoy three courses and drinks at our celebratory Farewell Dinner. |
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| Sun 8 April |
Time to check out of the hotel and transfer to Colombo International Airport for our mid-morning flight which touches down briefly in Male (Maldives) - or via Dubai, if on Emirates - before proceeding to London Heathrow for an evening arrival.
Alternatively, stopover in the Maldives. |
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HOTELS |
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Jetwing Blue, Negombo – 5 Star
Located on a beautiful, golden beach just 30 minutes from the airport, the newly renovated Jetwing Blue will have you in the holiday mood in no time! The whole resort is open and breezy with a serene atmosphere. Rooms are cool, airy and spacious and feature free wifi and LED TV. There are two swimming pools, including a gorgeous infinity pool. The hotel also offers full SPA facilities, as well as a well-equipped gymnasium. There are 2 open-air restaurants and 2 bars, one of which is air-conditioned.
www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingblue |
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Cinnamon Lodge Hotel – 5 Star, Habarana
Ideally located in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, the Cinnamon Lodge is an eco-style resort, beautifully set beside a lake, amidst 25 acres of picturesque woodland. Accommodation is spread around the property in charming, spacious, air-conditioned chalets, with individual terrace or balcony. The convivial bar and restaurants are open-air, plus an air-conditioned fine dining restaurant. Activities include swimming in the lovely pool, tennis, table tennis, badminton, elephant safaris, cycling, bird watching and Ayurvedic treatments.
www.cinnamonhotels.com/CinnamonLodgeHabarana.htm |
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Earl’s Regency Hotel – 5 Star, Kandy
The Earl’s Regency sits majestically cut into on a hillside, overlooking the Mahaweli River and the historic town of Kandy beyond. The large bedrooms feature balconies with breathtaking views, bathrooms with separate tub & walk-in shower and a daybed/sofa. Both restaurants are air conditioned and the bar has both air-con & open areas. Other facilities include a spa, swimming pool and gymnasium. Activities on offer include cycling, tennis, squash, billiards, snooker, horse riding and bird watching!
www.aitkenspencehotels.com/earls/ |
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Jetwing Lighthouse – 5 Star, Galle
The Jetwing Lighthouse is THE place to stay for the Galle Test. Just 2km from the Galle International Stadium, the hotel sits on top of a hillock leading down to a stunning beach. Guest rooms are large (square metres) and airy with a terrace/balcony overlooking the ocean, 2-seater sofa and separate bathtub and walk-in shower. There are two swimming pools, tennis, squash, table tennis, pool, a gym & yoga. The hotel offers four different dining experiences and the Coats of Arms bar is the ideal location for a sundown cocktail, with outstanding views of the Indian Ocean.
www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwinglighthouse/ |
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Cinnamon Grand Hotel – 5 Star, Colombo
Arguably Colombo’s best hotel, the Cinnamon Grand is set in ten acres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens, yet is just a short walk from the city\ centre and main shopping areas. Rooms are bright and spacious and come with all the amenities you would expect from a luxury 5-star hotel. The hotel has a good choice of bars & restaurants offering local and international cuisine. Recreational facilities include the largest swimming pool in Colombo, gym, sauna, tennis, squash, billiards and the ‘Wellness’ spa.
www.cinnamonhotels.com/CinnamonGrandColombo.htm |
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