BEACH AT BERUWELA
SACRED SITES TOUR OF SRI LANKA
'The Resplendent Isle'
5 - 12 February, 2009
THE ISLAND NEEDS YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT NOW!
On the 'Ides of March' 2002, the Sarvodaya organisation
(www.sarvodaya.org - largest NGO on Sri Lanka) successfully drew a then world record crowd of 650,000 people to meditate for Peace at Anuradhapura, the island's ancient capital. This was then surpassed by nearly 1 million at the same venue in 2006! Happily, after 20 years of civil warfare, the Vedic astrological cycle shifts as from November 2008 to allow for a much more settled and harmonious 20 year period for this Paradise island. Wholistic World Vision has operated powersite tours annually to the Sacred Sites since 2003 in an attempt to underpin the fragile peace movement . As in Australia - during the Olympic year of 2000 - we create an Infinity symbol on the landscape to facilitate a heart-centered, geomantic reconciliation and healing of land and people as we travel in full conscious awareness. The first tour in the series in February 2003 was life-transforming for many of the participants, especially as the 'Angel of Sri Pada' greeted us in cloud form on the mountain top at the first raising of the Aquarian Cross! As we all know, the island underwent further suffering with the Tsunami in Dec 2004. Wholistic World Vision supported the relief effort within days of the tragedy through the above-mentioned SARVODAYA NGO and we have many other contacts for those wishing to become involved in rehabilitation projects for the coastal population and their surroundings. Beach tourism and infrastructure are now back to normal and this "tropical jewel" awaits your visit and support in the long recovery process. If your heart leaps at this unique opportunity to serve our planet and fellow humanity, then you are most welcome to join this happy band of Lightworkers in action!
TOUR ITINERARY.
DAY 1 Check into pre-booked hotel at the resort of NEGOMBO (20 mins from airport) from midday onwards.
(5/2) Optional afternoon tour of the local Don Bosco Orphanage. Overnight accommodation included on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 2 Departure at 8am for drive to Pinawella to visit the famous Elephant Orphanage. Continue across the island for lunch and check in at our SIGIRIYA hotel. Late pm sightseeing of the 5th century 'Lion Rock' fortress powersite with a steep climb to the palace ruins on top and the famous 'Sigiriya Damsels' frescoes.
Day 3, 8am Departure for world heritage site of POLLONARUWA - a former 10th century capital city. Visit the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya - 4 colossal granite statues, the Lotus bath, the Moonstones and the Tivanka Image house with the best known of the island's Buddhist frescoes. PM drive to MIHINTALE, powerful site where Buddhism was first established on the island. Continue to ANURADHAPURA for dinner and overnight.
RAJA MAHA VIHARA, DAMBULLA
Day 4 Visit this (4 BC) city that was the Sinhalese capital for a thousand years - including the famous Bodi tree donated as a sapling in 247BC from the original tree in India under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. PM drive to KANDY via the fabulous (2BC) DAMBULLA Rock Caves Temple with exquisite frescoes and many huge reclining Buddhas. Visit a herbal Spice Garden en route. Evening 'Kandyan Fire Dance' performance for the group.
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ADAM'S PEAK (SRI PADA) |
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ANGEL IN THE CLOUD - AFTER RAISING THE AQUARIAN CROSS ON
SRI PADA |
Day 5 Kandy sightseeing includes the Temple of Buddha's Tooth and the world famous Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with its Orchid houses. Free afternoon. Option late evening to participate in the HIGHLIGHT of this tour - THE OVERNIGHT ASCENT OF ADAM'S PEAK (SRI PADA) MOUNTAIN (just hours after the February Full Moon) - one of the island's most profound spiritual experiences! This mountain is listed in Robert Coon's vision as one of the 156 major powerpoints making up the planetary New Jerusalem `Christ grid' now being activated.
OVERLOOKING DALADAMALIGAWA, KANDY
Day 6 The Peak is 2,200m above sea level - approx 5 hour footpath climb on steps with many rest stations. For non-climbers, there is a scenic mountain drive to NURWARA ELIA with a visit to a Tea Factory en route. The split groups meet up again after lunch in NUWARA ELIYA - a charming 'English Raj' Hill Station in the island's picturesque 'Green Gold' tea plantation country. Afternoon at leisure with option to visit the renowned 'Hill Club' for English tea!
Day 7 We drive through beautiful hill country with lunch at the spectacular ELLA waterfalls to the holy city of KATARAGAMA on the south east plains. Visit the famous Buddhist, Hindu and Moslem shrines at the time of the evening Puja to the God Murragan. Overnight nearby.
Day 8 The tour ends with a drive along the still Palm fringed, beautiful beaches and holiday resorts on the
(12/2) south west coast with lunch en route. Drop off along the way for guests staying on for a 2nd week with self-booked arrangements. Those leaving the island next day
(13/2) will be dropped off at an airport hotel of their choice (at own expense) late in the evening.
This 7 night tour is based on half board (except 1st night on B&B) with transport and guiding included - site entrance fees extra (approx £40). We use comfortable, tourist standard hotels and a 15 seater aircon tourist minibus.
PRICE is £550 pp in twin share en suite with single supplement of £150.
A deposit of £150 secures a place and final balance is due by 1st December
2008. Refunds only if the place is filled Comprehensive insurance is recommended in case of cancellation, loss or illness. NB. In the current climate of financial/fuel instability, we may need to surcharge if the relevant rates vary over 5% on our budget.
SUGGESTIONS FOR LEISURE TIME BEFORE AND/OR AFTER THE TOUR:
NB Guests to book their own arrangements direct with the suppliers per website contacts below and get themselves to/from the airport for their flights. Please ask us for advice/recommendations/further contact details. Between massages, why not visit the inspiring SARVODAYA NGO headquarters just south of Colombo: www.sarvodaya.com or the Don Bosco Orphanage and Technical Training Centre in central Negombo? www.donboscotecng.lk
AYURVEDA HEALING & MASSAGE PACKAGES AT BEACH RESORT HOTELS & ECO TOURISM IDEAS
- these are increasingly popular and need to be booked early due to high demand and limited capacity.
1) Herbal Holiday resorts at Bentota (Swiss management) www.sribudhasa.com
2) Siddhalepa Health resort at Wadduwa. www.ayurvedaresort.com
3) Jetwing Eco holidays - Royal/Blue Oceanic beach hotels Ayurveda packages at Negombo, plus comprehensive eco/safari packages. Contact: www.jetwingeco.com
4) Barberyn Reef Ayurvedic resort, Beruwala www.barberyn.com
5) In KANDY (in cooler mountain air!). 'Weda-medura' residential and day clinics. www.ayurvedawedamedura.com
Your self-booked flights to and from Colombo need to conform with the tour schedule. Sri Lankan Airlines flies direct from many European capitals, but the many Gulf state and Indian airlines are usually cheaper with transit stops en route. Arrival recuperation time is recommended! If leaving immediately after the tour please do not book a flight before midnight on 12th February and book yourself a room for 12th February if leaving on 13th February.
WE SUGGEST YOU BOOK EARLY AS FEBRUARY IS 'HIGH SEASON' AND TOURISM IS RECOVERING FAST! NB. Wholistic World Vision is also offering the 'Vedic Fires of India' tour (11 - 22 January, 2009) followed by a 1 week Retreat in South India to experience the energy of the self-realised, Master Sri Ramana Maharshi, on the holy Mt Arunachala (22-29 January). Why not book both tours and combine with a beach rest and then the above tour in Sri Lanka - or a combination of any of these tours?
RESERVATIONS - email SimonPeter@wwv.me.uk