Destination : Arrival - Colombo - Kandy - - Pinnawela - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Golfing At Nuwara Eliya Golf Club - Nuwara Eliya - Colombo - Departure
Duration : 11 Days Tour

Although relatively unknown in the field of Golf, Sri Lanka has three of the finest 18 whole courses in Asia. More than 100 years of association with Golf, the Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship which was instituted in 1891 follows the British Amateur as the oldest National Championship in the world.Our three courses are situated in Colombo, Victoria (near Kandy) and Nuwara Eliya - Colombo at sea level, Victoria, 1500 ft above sea level and Nuwara Eliya at an elevation of 6000 ft have distinctly different terrain and climatic conditions. You can experience the enjoyment and challenge of playing Golf in three different countries!Though the programme is planned primarily for Golf, a City Tour of Colombo and a visit to Kandy (a cultural high-point) is included in the programme. Golf is played on all three courses throughout the year but in Colombo it is fairly dry between the months of March & May.

Day 01 : Arrival - Colombo
Late night arrival. Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car. Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Welcome to Sri Lanka & thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you! Galle Face Regency Hotel is situated in the heart of the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. An oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city by the side of the Indian Ocean. The Galle Face, hailed as a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, retains the dignified and polite atmosphere that gave it such fame in the colonial age. Sympathetic renovations and refurbishments are helping to protect its historic status in more demanding times. The Sea spray restaurant, specialising in fish, is blessed by an ocean frontage. There is nowhere better place to watch a Colombo sunset than from its immaculate terrace and gardens. Overnight at Galle Face Regency Hotel (Oceanic Deluxe)

Day 02 : Colombo
Following a leisurely breakfast we proceed on a sightseeing tour of Colombo. We drive through the commercial and city centre area known as the "Fort", built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. A highlight would be a visit to the bustling and colourful markets and bazaars of Pettah; the National Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lanka. Drive past town hall, Independence square, the B.M.I.C.H (International Convention Centre) and Cinnamon gardens residential area. We also visit the Zoological gardens at Dehiwala and enroute to your hotel visit a Buddhist and a Hindu Temple.

Rest of the day is at leisure, you may choose to be at the beach or you could explore some of the shopping options. My suggestion would be the 'House Of fashion' where you could buy a wide range of outfits at a great price.

If you love eating, my suggestion would be to try out the hotel's fine dining restaurant called '1864'. This place has fine tuned dinning to an art with fish being imported as far off as from Australia. However, this is just a suggestion.

Evening you may wander along Galle Face. This is the sea front of Colombo where scores of middle class Sri Lankans arrive for a small picnic. They either bring their own food or could make inexpensive buys from the several inexpensive food stalls that dot the walkway along the shore. Little family's huddle in small groups, children fly kites or play soft football. The several inflatable toys add colour and atmosphere to the place. Of course the lovely sea breeze does relax one. Overnight at Galle Face Regency Hotel (Oceanic Deluxe)

Day 03 - 04 : Colombo
Days are at leisure to play golf at Royal Colombo Golf Club. The Royal Colombo Golf Club is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. The Galle Face Green was the birthplace and nursery of golf in Ceylon. This same Galle Face was the cradle of all British sport in Ceylon. The grounds were used for Horse Racing, Cricket, Golf, Rugby, Football, and Hockey & Tennis. At present this course is 5'770 m long (par 71). A flat course with broad fairways which looks simple to beginners but there are many water hazards and well guarded bunkers which quickly change the opinion . Overnight at Galle Face Regency Hotel (Oceanic Deluxe)

Day 05 : Colombo - Pinnawela - Kandy
Following a leisurely breakfast we drive to Kandy, En route we visit Pinnawela, an interesting and amusing elephant orphanage. Pinnawala is the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy and never forget. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human visitors are harmless

Sri Lanka is the only country in the world to open elephant orphanages to protect the destitute young wild elephants. Young elephants left in the jungle without care are brought to this orphanage and tendered till they reach maturity. Interesting time to visit the orphanage is at the bathing time when the herd is brought to a river flowing close by or at feeding time to see the babies being bottle-fed.

From here we continue our drive to Kandy. On our way, we would have an opportunity to witness typical Sri Lankan crafts. The art of batik printing can be seen as we visit a batik factory. Woodcarving is also a major art of Sri lanka and we would witness the performance of this art in our visit to a wood carving center.

As we ride on, we would also have an opportunity to tour a Spice garden. The air is rendered with the incredible aroma of a variety of spices. You would have an opportunity to witness not only spice farming undertaken by traditional tools and implements, but. Would have an opportunity to buy garden fresh spices at good prices. There are also massage oils available for body and joint pains. You could have an impromptu massage to check out the efficiency of the oil. Upon arrival check into Mahaweli Reach

After rest & relaxation we proceed on a guided tour of Kandy. The Hill Capital of Kandy was the last bastion of the Sinhala kings and is a charming city offering a living record of a magnificent past. Center of attraction in Kandy is the Dalada Maligawa, the temple housing the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Kandy Lake enhances the charm of the City. Kandy is a romantic city any time of the year. We also visit to the Market Place, an art & crafts show room. Following this, we drive along the Upper lake road to get a panoramic view of the Kandy Lake and its environs. We continue driving to Peradeniya and visit the Botanical Gardens, where you can view a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora can be viewed and also famous Orchid House.

A highlight of our tour of Sri Lanka would be the witnessing of the Kandiyan dances this evening at an auditorium. The spectacular display of a wide range of dances is spell bounding. The colour, the vigour and the grace are amazing. Several martial dances too are performed. The highlight of course is the fire dance where dancers swallow fire, walk on fire and rub fire sticks on their body. Overnight at Hotel Mahaweli Reach

Day 06 - 07 : Kandy
Days are at leisure to play golf at Victoria golf Club. Victoria offers a unique golfing challenge to players of all abilities, and is rated amongst the 100 most beautiful courses in the world by Golf Digest. Set within the grounds of a former mixed farm the 6945-yard par 73 Championship layouts has taken full advantage of the existing undulating terrain, with coconut and majestic hardwood trees incorporated into the overall design.

Former European ladies Champion Katrina Douglas remarked in 1998: "This will be one of the top 10 golf courses in the world. The setting is spectacular and the course offers a test to even the most accomplished of players".
Overnight at Hotel Mahaweli Reach

Day 08: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast we ride through incredible natural scenery to Nuwara-Eliya. As we gain elevation the vegetation of the region too changes as also the driving. Tea Gardens begin to appear on the slopes and waterfalls of various strengths appear frequently. The road to clings to the mountains as it twists and turn climbing all the way. The scenes of Terrace cultivation of tea and occasionally of Paddy are a very fascinating sight.

We would also stop at St. Clair Tea estate's restaurant for a 'garden fresh' cup of tea. You may choose from the various brands of flavour teas - we recommend 'Broken Orange Pekoe' for its flavour and body.

Upon arrival we check into your Golf Wing room of the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel has a heritage exceeding a 100 years. The former residence of Sir Edward Barnes, Governor of Sri Lanka from 1830 to 1850, the Grand Hotel is an excellent example of a mansion from the Elizabethan era. It retains the stateliness and grandeur of a Colonial Mansion and rightfully claims its place as one of the best hill country hotels in Asia. Like a misplaced bit of Europe set in the centre of a tropical island, the hill country resort town of Nuwara Eliya nestles in a cradle formed by three mountains at an elevation of 6,182 feet (1,884 meters) above sea level

Rest of the evening is at leisure for your independent activities. You may choose to eat at the Continental restaurant in the basement or at the Indian restaurant across the Driveway. Overnight at Grand Hotel (Golf Wing)

Day 09 : Nuwara Eliya
This morning we commence on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara-Eliya. In 1819, during the British colonial era, a few British on a hunting expedition in the hill country spotted the site where the present day Nuwara Eliya town stands 1890 metres above sea level and decided to set up a health resort for their use. It was Sir Samuel Baker who later converted it to a holiday resort with a touch of an English village, which earned it the name 'Little England'. We visit Hakgala Botanical gardens with exotic trees, shrubs and herbs known to thrive best in hill country. It has an excellent and rare collection of roses, orchids, and a carefully tended fernery. It would be interesting to walk along the gardens exploring and enjoying the natural beauty of the region. W also visit the Nuwara-Eliya Town, Golf Course, the hill club, and drive around this hill station viewing Lake Gregory. Nuwara Eliya is a picture post card country with scenic lakes and terrace farming with tea gardens on the slope. It is also a law in Nuwara Eliya that all homes here have to conform to European design. This is a fascinating implant into typical Sri Lankan lifestyles

Afternoon is at leisure your independent activities. We suggest that you stroll down the main bazaar of Nuwara Eliya. Now, this is not an upmarket area, but, the concept and construction is very English with arches and collums, but, the wares are very Sri Lankan including stores that sell vegetables, dresses, confectionaries etc. Of course besides Sri Lankan tea, Nuwara Eliya is famous for her coffee, especially filter coffee. There is a very reputable store (Apsara Traders) at the end of the bazaar selling quality tea and coffee, but, at very reasonable cost. There is also the fruit market section too where a huge variety of fruits are beautifully arranged . Overnight at Grand Hotel (Golf Wing)

Day 10 : Nuwara Eliya - Golfing At Nuwara Eliya Golf Club!
This course which is reputed to be one of Asia's finest is 5'520 m (par 71). The fairways are long and narrow and bordered by fir trees and thick bushes. It demands skilful "position play" and the hilly terrain makes it essential that players can cope with up-hill and downhill lies. The Golf Club is 10 minutes walk from your hotel. Overnight at Grand Hotel (Golf Wing)

Day 11 : Nuwara Eliya - Colombo - Departure
Morning is at leisure for your independent activities.

Later in the day, transfer in time to the Colombo airport to board your onward flight

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We do hope the flavor of Sri Lanka will remain on your taste buds for all times to come and hopefully would kindle an indelible fondness for the country and her people; Thank you for being our guest, and as we say in India 'Please Come back Soon"