SRI LANKA 2023

CONFERENCE ITINERARY

 02-09 October

                                                                      B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

This will be a roaming conference, being held in the fishing town of Negombo (45 mins north of Colombo), the Sacred City of Kandy - a UNESCO Heritage Site - & in the Dutch colonial city of Galle, with its UNESCO World Heritage fort

SUN    02

Depart Australia & travel to Colombo via Singapore. You’ll be met on arrival & transferred to our 5 star resort in Negombo

MON   03

This morning we’ll visit the local hospital to learn about Sri Lanka’s Health & Hospital systems then do a walk-through of the hospital. As we head back to the hotel, we’ll travel by tuk tuk around the fishing town of Negombo, known as ‘Little Rome’ for its number of Catholic churches. We’ll go to the fish market where you’ll see fisherman unloading their hauls then visit Angurukaramulla Temple complex, best known for its 6ft tall sitting statue of a Buddha. Inside the temple are amazing murals, sculptures & paintings on the ceiling, depicting the Buddha's journey to enlightenment & stories of Sri Lanka's former rulers as well as a lovely reclining buddha. Next to the temple is the stupa with lovely carvings in the walls & windows. There’s also a 300+ year old ruin of a historic library. We continue to St Mary’s Church to view the beautiful paintings on the inside of its roof. Welcome lunch followed by afternoon conference sessions                                                                                                                                                                 BL

TUE    04

Morning conference sessions before your exciting elephant encounter. This organization is dedicated to improving the welfare of domestic elephants throughout Sri Lanka & funds care, medical treatments & running costs as well as having a Mobile Veterinary Unit which travels round the country treating sick elephants in need. We won’t be riding elephants but instead you’ll feed them before walking with them through the estate & finish off bathing your elephant - a once in a lifetime experience! After lunch we’ll tour a Spice Garden where you’ll learn how numerous spices grow, the use of them by the locals & the benefits of spices & herbal medicinal plants. Overnight in Kandy                                                                             BL

WED   05

Morning conference sessions then a city tour in the Sacred City of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see some British colonial buildings & visit one of the most culturally important sites in Sri Lanka, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, located in the royal palace complex. This is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic - a tooth of the Buddha, which is kept in a gold casket shaped like a stupa. As well as the revered main temple, the complex includes smaller temples, shrines & museums. You'll also enjoy watching a cultural performance of music, dance, drumming & fire walking with elaborate traditional costumes                                                                                                                                                                               BL

THU    06

Morning conference sessions & lunch, then relax while we drive south to the Dutch colonial city of Galle, with its UNESCO World Heritage fort     BL 

FRI     07

The tea industry is an important part of Sri Lanka’s economy. They're the 4^th largest producer of tea & the 2^nd largest exporter in the world. We’ll tour a tea plantation & factory known for its virgin white tea, to learn the process from leaf to cup. After a walk through the plantation & viewing the factory, you’ll enjoy a cup of tea & cake & can sample up to 42 varieties. There’ll be a stop at Koggala Beach to see the stilt fisherman & then onto the colonial-era Galle Fort for a guided walking tour. Hear the history of the 16^th century Fort, see Galle Lighthouse & admire the Dutch-style architecture & former government buildings. There’ll be some free time to stroll around the ramparts, visit a museum or do some shopping before our farewell dinner     BLD

SAT   08

For those going home, enjoy a relaxing morning at the resort before driving to Colombo for a city tour. Skyscrapers rise from where old buildings once stood but some parts still retain the old world charm - a 100 year old clock tower, several British built colonial buildings, Pettah bazaar, the old Parliament & the beautiful red Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Colombo. Dinner will be held at the iconic colonial-style Galle Face Hotel on the seafront, built in 1864 before being transferred to Colombo airport for your flight back to Australia.

Arrive home 09 October OR join our Post Conference tour through Sri Lanka                                                                         BD

CONFERENCE INCLUSIONS

• Economy class airfare to Colombo on Singapore Airlines
• Airport taxes
• 6 night’s accommodation at 5 star resorts
• Daily buffet breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 morning teas & 1 afternoon tea
• Hotel Porterage
• Conference sessions incl room hire & AV equipment
• Hospital visit including donation
• Tuk tuk tour of Negombo
• Elephant Walk Experience including elephant handlers tip
• Visit of a Spice Garden
• Kandy city tour, Temple of the Tooth Relic entrance fee & Cultural show
• Visit of Tea Factory with cup of tea & cake, Koggala fisherman stop & Galle walking tour 
• Colombo city tour with buffet dinner
• Air-conditioned coach travel throughout with English speaking guide & bottled water
• Gratuities for guide & driver & local taxes
• Medical Tours Australia staff on site

For more details & costs, please complete the Contact Form below & we'll email all the conference information to you