SPIRITED SRI LANKA TOURS
If you are interested in a tour through our lovely
island in combination
with our Retreat Program we can assist you to plan
your perfect Sri Lanka Expedition.
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The island offers a huge variety of flora & fauna,
landscapes and climates
as well as many beautiful and interesting cultural
spots.
We have put together for you a selection of Tour
Options that you can
choose from or take inspiration from for your
individualized Tour.
TOUR A
Part 1 - Kandy -
3 days
Day 1 – Elephant Orphanage & Kandy
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Early Breakfast.
Leaving early morning from the Retreat Venue in
Avissawella.
FIRST STOP -
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
The Elephant Orphanage has been a popular tourist
attraction since 1975. Around 70 elephants have found a new home here. Feed
the baby elephants and have your lunch while watching them on their daily
bath in the river.
SECOND STOP - Temple of Tooth Relic
The famous tooth temple in the center of Kandy town
is said to preserve one of Buddhas teeth that an Indian princess smuggled from
India to Sri lanka after his funeral in 313 A.D. It is an important buddhist
cultural spot and enjoyed with a lovely barefeet walk through the spacious
temple areas. (cover your knees and shoulders to enter the temple)
Relax and have Dinner at the Hotel in Kandy.
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Day 2 – Temple Tour Kandy
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Leaving in the morning after Breakfast from the Kandy Hotel.
FIRST STOP - Embekka - Gadaladeniya - Lankathilake
The Embekka shrine houses 3 sections, the
"Sanctum of Garagha", the "Dancing Hall" and the
"Drummers' Hall" with beautiful wood carvings.
The two around 670 year old temples Gadaladeniya and
Lankathilake are located close by, build on a huge rock with a great view of
the surrounding nature.
SECOND STOP - Royal Botanical Gardens (since 1750)
Take a walk around the famous Botanical Garden in
Kandy, admire the abundance of different trees, plants, herbs and flowers
(around 4000 different species on 147 acres) in the huge park and the green
houses.
Enjoy your Lunch at the location.
THIRD STOP - Aluwiharaya Rock Temple
Founded around the 3rd century BC, this temple was
used by King Tissa when introducing Buddhism to the country. It houses
a significant piece of Buddhist writing - an original piece of the Pali
Canon. Many parts of the temple including the library that preserved many
Buddhist manuscripts were destroyed by the British during the Matale
Rebellion of 1848.
After visiting the temple we will have dinner at a
pub or the hotel.
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Day 3 – Meditation Center
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Option 1: NILAMBE - Spend the day in on of Sri Lanka’s
famous Meditation Centers and get insight into the daily routines of the
Center and visit the well-stocked library with literature about meditation,
yoga and Buddhism in many different languages. Located close by the town, overlooking Kandy’s hills it
can accommodate around to 30 people in its Meditation Halls. Lunch and Snacks
will be taken at the Center.
Option 2:
PARAMITHA - Spend the day at the international Buddhist Center. A
large Meditation Center close by Kandy, also equipped with a comprehensive library
and large Meditation Halls that can accommodate up to 500 people. Experience
the daily meditations and activities; vegetarian meals will be served at the
Center.
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Part 2 – Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa – 2
days
Day 4 – Climbing Sigiriya Rock
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Leaving early morning from Kandy to Sigiriya. It is better to start climbing the rock before the sun gets too hot.
The famous Lion Rock is actually an ancient Palace
equipped even with an ancient water pumping system that pumped water through
long stone tubes to the top of the 200m high rock in ancient times, to
provide water for the pools and palace on top of the rock, where the King
lived with his abundance of wife’s. With enchanted gardens all around the
rock and many little hidden stairways and balconies along the climbing route,
this mythical ancient place has a unique magical flair. Once climbed you can
rest and reside on the ancient stone thrones and overlook the surrounding
jungle.
Rest and have dinner in the Hotel in Sigiriya.
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Day 5 – Polonnaruwa – Ancient City
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Leaving from the Hotel in Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa after breakfast. Explore the archaeological relics of the ancient city by walking or by bicycle (available for rent).
Have snacks for lunch and have dinner in a restaurant in Polonnaruwa
before traveling to Trincomalee (if you have booked Part 3 of Tour A as well,
otherwise spend another night in the Sigirya Hotel and leave to the Retreat
Location the next day morning).
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Part 3 – Trincomalee Beach – 2 days - November to March
Day 6 & 7
–Trincomalee Beach
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Relaxing at the beach - Trincomalee offers stunning untouched beaches and excellent snorkeling and diving spots with colorful fish and corals.
Also you can enjoy
all kinds of water sports and Whale & Dolphin watching trips.*
*boat rides and watersports have to be payed seperately
Trincomalee is recommended in the months from
November-March but mind that in November & December it can rain frequently.
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Day 8 – Traveling
back to the Retreat Location
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Traveling back to the Retreat Location after Breakfast (7-8 hours) –
have lunch on the way and dinner at the Retreat.
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TOUR B
South Tour – Rainforest & Relaxing on the Beach –
4 days - November to April
Day 1 – Sinharaja Rainforest
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Leaving from the
Retreat Location after Breakfast to Sinharaja Rainforest.
Stay the night in the Rainforest. (Bungalows available)
Sinharaja Forest
Reserve is a national park and of international significance, and has been
designated a a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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Day
2
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Explore
Sinharaja Rainforrest and leave in the afternoon to Mirissa Beach.
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Day
3 & 4 – Mirissa Beach
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Relax
on the beach and go on Whale & Dolphin watching boat rides or enjoy some watersports.*
*boat rides and watersports have to be payed seperately
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Day
5
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Travel
back to the Retreat Location (max 2 hours on the highway route)
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1-Day Trip's
One Day in the Capital Colombo
FIRST STOP - Thapowane Temple
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A lovely temple in a
magical little piece of forest. Go on a walk through the little roadways in
the jungle-like area, have a chat with some monks, watch the monkeys jumping
from tree to tree, meditate for a while in one of the beautiful shrine
buildings and light some oil lamps and incense for the gods. Colombo’s Secret
Garden of tranquility.
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SECOND STOP - Janakala Village
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This is the perfect
place to do some gift shopping for absolutely fair prices! The little
handicraft village surrounded by a large park and avenues of huge trees does
not only offer authentic Sri Lankan wood carvings, handicrafts and fabrics
for very reasonable rates but also lets the visitors get an insight into how
this products are made.
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THIRD STOP -
The Good Market
*only on Thursdays and Sundays
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The Good Market is an excellent event that happens
every Thursday and Sunday in Colombo. It is a great place to have a healthy
lunch or snacks and do some more shopping.
As the name suggests the Good
Market only features "good" - you could say it's our local fair-trade-market, you can find all kinds of products that promote local industry, organic fruits and
vegetables, healthy foods and beverages, natural beauty products, and organic materials and
ingredients. The event also often features activities for children and
adults (like Yoga for children & adults, Workshops, music etc..)
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OPTIONAL OTHER STOPS
Siris Crystal & Health Spa
Victoria Park
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There are a few other optional stops that you can
choose from. Just let us know what you would like to see or buy and we will
arrange the perfect day trip for you.
Siris Crystal and Health Spa is Colombo’s largest
Crystal Supply. From Crystal Jewelry, Pendants, Angels, Animals, Pyramids,
Yoni Eggs to alternative Health & Beauty Treatments, Massages as well as
personal Reiki, Crystal Healing Sessions or Clearings & Past Life
Regressions and Ceremonies you can expect some intensive spiritual pampering
or just buy a few lovely Crystals as souvenirs.
Colombo’s largest Park is always a good spot for a
relaxing walk within the hectic city. You can see many different kinds of trees and huge bats hanging
from high branches. Also there is always some lovely paintings by local
artists to be found along the parks surrounding fences, especially on
weekends!
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Climbing Adam’s Peak - December to May
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Located in Central Sri Lanka, this 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall mountain is a holy spot for many religions. Christians believe Adam has left his footprint here, Hindus believe it was Shiva and Buddhists of course believe it was Buddha, however, climbing Adam’s Peak is definitely a spiritual and physical achievement that you will never forget for the rest of your life! And the view of the sunrise is definitely breathtaking. You should be physically fit for this trip but you don’t have to be a professional climber either. In a relaxed pace and with plenty of breaks the average fit person is able to undertake this hike/climb with the only side effect of some more or less strong muscle tensions for a few days (don’t forget stretching before and after the climb!).
Leave the Retreat Location in the night (around 10-11pm)
and Reach Adam’s Peak around 1-2am. Start climbing the top with many resting
breaks at the plenty of tea and snack shops along the climbing path of all in all 6000 steps.
Reach the top in time for sunrise (pack warm clothes
and sleeping bags, it can be very cold on the top before sunrise, warm
jackets and hoods are available for very cheap prices along the climbing
route in little shops up till the top if necessary)
Start climbing down – you will reach the bottom by
around 11 am (again with plenty of stops to rest your exhausted legs, have
snacks and breakfast, refresh yourself with a cold river bath at the bottom
stream after climbing down.
Have Lunch at a Restaurant close by and travel back
to the Retreat Location.
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The season runs
from December to May reaching its peak mid-season at Medin poya. At this
time, there is a constant stream of pilgrims - The busiest period is January
to February.
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Experience "Vesak" - the most important Buddhist holiday
first full moon in May
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Visit Sri Lanka before the first full moon in May to
experience the holy Vesak Festival on the Vesak Poya Day. This event is like the
Buddhist Christmas and all houses and streets will be decorated in colorful
lanterns and you get free food everywhere on the streets. On this day we are
celebrating Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Death, it is the most important
Buddhist holiday. The decorations will be there many days before and after the festival day.
read more here – VESAK FESTIVAL
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TOUR RATES
Please send us a email request with your wishes and let us know how many people
will be joining you and we will estimate the tour rates for you.
The rates will include the car or van + driver, accomodation, breakfast, entrance fees to sightseeing spots.
spiritedsounds(at)gmail.com
Individualized Holidays
If you are looking for a unique Tour that fulfills all
your personal wishes, we have put together a Questionnaire for you
to find out exactly what you are looking for. Please
send us your answers (for example: 1) a,c 2) b,c,f etc…)
per mail to spiritedsounds(at)gmail.com and we will
contact you
to assist you in planning your perfect Sri Lanka Tour.
TOUR QUESTIONNAIRE
a.
Authentic Sri Lankan
Cuisine
b.
Western food
c. Vegetarian
d. Vegan
e. Raw Food
2) Which water activities
do you prefer?
a.
swimming
b.
snorkeling
c.
diving
d.
surfing
e.
wind surfing
f.
kite surfing
g.
white water rafting
3) Where would you like to
swim?
a.
In the sea
b.
In a lagoon
c.
In a river
d.
In a lake
e.
In a pool
4) What kind of landscape
do you prefer?
a.
beach
b.
mountains
c.
jungle
d.
lakes/rivers
e.
rural areas with a lot of
paddy fields
5) Which activities sound
most appealing to you?
a.
Relaxing/swimming/sunbathing
b.
hiking
c.
sightseeing
d.
learn more about Buddhism
e.
Meditation/Yoga
f.
Ayurveda - experience
ancient healing techniques
g.
wildlife/safari/adventure
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6) Which climate do you prefer?
a. hot and dry
b. warm and comfy
c. cool and refreshing
d. I don’t mind any climate
7) What aspects are most important to you on a journey?
a.
An authentic experience
with the culture and the country.
b.
That there are no bad
surprises.
c.
That I see as much as
possible of the country.
d.
That I can go with the flow
and stay flexible.
e.
That there is enough time
to relax.
f.
That I always feel 100%
comfortable with the room and washroom.
g.
That I have access to
familiar food and drinks.
h.
That the traveling won’t be
too exhausting.
8) Which way of traveling do you
prefer?
a.
Bus/train (for adventurous
people)
b.
With a private Van &
Driver
d.
With a rented car or bike
(for people with a good sense of orientation)
9) What kind of room do you need?
a.
AC (fully Air-conditioned)
b.
Only fan (rooms without AC
are usually cheaper)
10)
Shopping – what kind of items/gifts would you be interested
in?
a.
Wood Carvings, Masks &
other Sri Lankan Handicraft
b.
Artworks & Fabrics
(Paintings & Batic-/Fabric Artworks)
c.
Clothes (authentic and
modern clothes)
d.
Gems and Jewelry
e.
Tea, Spices, Herbs etc.
f.
Ayurvedic Products
g.
Crystals
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