Sri Lanka and South India
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(Escorted)
Thursday 10th April - Sunday 27th April
2008 |
We combine the beautiful island of Sri Lanka with
the tropical south of India. On board the 'Viceroy
Express' we steam through palm trees, along
sparkling beaches and up into the cool highlands –
the train winds through pristine tea gardens
revealing dramatic views and scenery. In India we
follow the south-western coast from Trivandrum to
historic Cochin, a fusion of Portugese, Jewish,
British and Indian influences. We explore the Kerala
waterways by barge before continuing to the
outstanding Nilgiri Rack Railway. We relax on our
train and enjoy this unique railway climbing the
escarpment of the Blue Mountains to 'snooty' Ooty,
high in the Western Ghats.
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Price per person: |
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Includes flights in economy class,
rail journeys specified, hotels & breakfasts,
transfers, excursions indicated and other meals as
specified. |
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Escorted holiday: |
£3780.00 |
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Single room supplement: |
£500.00 |
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Deposit for the holiday: |
£200.00 |
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For
insurance please request a quotation. |
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(Click map to enlarge) |
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Day 1 - Fly London to Colombo.
We fly from London to Colombo viaDubai.
Day 2 - Free afternoon.
Arrival and transfer to the historic Mount Lavinia
Hotel for three nights. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 - Sightseeing in Colombo.
Full day sightseeing in Colombo. Morning in the city
to include Cinnamon Gardens, Pettah Market and
Kelaniya Temple. Later we visit Dermatogada railway
depot and Museum or shop in the city centre.
Day 4 - Viceroy Express to Galle
Depart from nearby Mount Lavinia station on the
Viceroy Express, steam hauled along the palm-fringed
coast to historic Galle. Lunch is served on
the train. In Galle we visit the Dutch Fort and
Lighthouse. Return by Viceroy Express to Mount
Lavinia.
Day 5 - Steaming into the Hills
Depart by the 'Viceroy Express' from Mount Lavinia
to Kandy. The train now begins its climb through the
jungle and plantations into the hills. Stop en route
to visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela. Arrive
at Kandy and transfer to our hotel for two nights.
Day 6 - Relaxing day in Kandy Morning
sightseeing tour including the Temple of the Tooth,
Lake and Botanical Gardens. Afternoon free to relax
in this attractive town.
Day 7 - Steam to Nanu Oya
Continue in the very comfortable 'Viceroy Express'
with steam to Nanu Oya. This is one of the finest
rail journeys in the world with stupendous views.
Coach transfer from Nanu Oya to the
luxury Tea Factory Hotel.
Day 8 - Relaxing in Nuwara Eliya
Morning sightseeing tour of colonial Nuwara Eliya
nestled in the cool highlands. Visit the Botanical
Gardens and a tea plantation. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 9 - End of the line at Badulla
Start with a coach journey to Badulla – a notable
journey in its own right. Here we rejoin the
'Viceroy Express' and travel back to Nanu Oya, the
most spectacular part of this amazing railway.
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya.
Day 10 - The Viceroy Express
Morning departure from Nanu Oya for an all-day
journey returning to Colombo Fort station. Overnight
in Colombo.
Day 11 - Colombo to Trivandrum
Transfer to Colombo airport for a morning flight to
Trivandrum. A sightseeing tour is scheduled and then
we transfer to Varkala, located on the beaches of
Kerala.
Day 12 - By train to Cochin (Kochi)
Late morning transfer to Quilon to join an express
train to Ernakulum arriving mid afternoon. Transfer
by coach and boat to our hotel on Willingdon Island
for two nights.
Day 13 - The Kerala Waterways
Morning departure for a memorable boat cruise of the
famous Kerala waterways. Lunch is included -
isolated amongst the canals and palm trees in this
unique part of India. Return to Cochin.
Day 14 -
Cochin to Coimbatore
Transfer to Cochin Harbour Terminus station for
morning departure to Coimbatore arriving mid
afternoon. Transfer to hotel on the city outskirts
for one night.
Day 15 -
Nilgiri Rack Railway
Transfer to Mettupalayam Junction station for a
charter steam train to Ooty, using comfortable
carriages and pushed by a huge SLM Metre gauge rack
tank engine. An astonishing climb up a shear
escarpment into the Blue Mountains on the last
steam- worked ‘every day’ rack railway in the world.
Transfer to Hotel.
Day 16 -
Touring the Blue Mountains
Morning sightseeing taking in Dodabetta Peak, the
highest point in the Western Ghats, Charing Cross
and the Botanical Gardens. Afternoon visit to a Tea
Garden and Coonoor depot and station to see the
afternoon departures. Return to Ooty.
Day 17 -
Coimbatore to Chennai
Morning transfer to Coimbatore Airport. Mid
afternoon flight to Chennai and transfer to our last
hotel. Farewell Dinner included.
Day 18 -
Back to London
Transfer to Chennai Airport and fly to London via
Dubai. Arrive London the same day.
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