| After heading north up the coast
from Katunayaka, we head inland to visit various sites of cultural/historical/religious
importance. Unlike the more crowded sites in the ‘Cultural Triangle’
area, visitors to the beautiful “Munneswaram” Hindu Temple, the
ancient sites of Panduwasnuwara and Yapahuwa, and the famous St
Anne’s church in Talawila will have a real cultural experience of
Sri Lanka, without the usual hoards of tourists!
See below for more details of the individual sites.
TURTLE POINT LODGE
Guests will arrive at their destination of Turtle Point Lodge (approx.
6 km from Kalpitiya) in time for early evening. This ocean-side
lodge is situated near the small fishing village of Kandakuliya
on the west coast of the Puttalam district of Sri Lanka, approximately
7 km from Kalpitiya. The lodge is a true escape from modern-day
civilisation, and guests can enjoy the romanticism of using oil
lamps instead of electricity. There are 3 basic but comfortable
twin bedrooms (mosquito nets are provided), each with an attached
bathroom with cold water shower, seated toilet, wash basin and mirror.
It therefore has a total capacity for 6 people, with the option
to put up extra beds on the porch area or pitch tents in the area
next to the lodge.
Evening at the bungalow can be spent at leisure - enjoying a game
of cricket with the locals, sea-bathing whilst watching the sun
set or simply relaxing at the lodge and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle.
Flaming torches light up the outside area of the lodge from which
guests can relax and marvel at the beauty of the open starry skies
whilst enjoying a hearty barbecue dinner of locally caught fresh
fish or have a go at making the traditional Sri Lankan ‘kotthu roti’!
Details of visits to cultural/historical and
religious sites:
MUNNESWARAM HINDU TEMPLE
This Hindu temple, dedicated to the Lord Ishwara, is located on
the outskirts of the coastal town of Chilaw. As one of the oldest
temples in Sri Lanka, it is reminiscent of other celebrated and
renowned temples like Koneswaram and Thiruketheeswaram, in which
three Sivalingams are enshrined. According to the legend, Rama,
after slaying Ravana, was returning to India with Sita when he was
overcome with guilt about his actions. Whilst passing Munneswaram,
he decided to stop and worship there. While praying, Lord Siva and
his consort Parvathy appeared before him and ordered him to enshrine
three Sivalingams, one in each of the most sacred places: Munneswaram,
Koneswaram and Thiruketheeswaram.
The main temple has been well restored, largely due to generous
donations and assistance by religious devotees, especially Hindus
who visit this shrine annually in August for the festive season.
In the vicinity of the main temple, is the imposing temple of goddess
Badra Kali. Visitors who explore the temple will not only experience
its visual beauty, but also the smells of burning incense (purifying
the environment) and a general aura of peace.
PANDUWASNUWARA.
This ancient archaeological site, located on the road between Wariyapola
and Chilaw, is home to the 12th century remains of this ancient
capital of King Parakramabahu I.
The site covers an area of approximately 20 hectares and visitors
are free to explore at their leisure, offering a fascinating insight
into the layout and ground plan of a medieval Sinhalese royal palace,
complete with inner courtyard (meda midula) and fortifications.
There is also a small onsite museum with a display of interesting
finds from various excavations, including a small bronze statue,
very similar to the famous sculpture of King Parakramabahu at Polonnaruwa's
Potgul Vihara.
Further along the road past the local school, one can visit the
ancient remains of the ‘Round Palace’, which is surrounded by a
circular moat. There are many differing stories that attempt to
explain the reasons behind the palace’s construction. One of the
most popular legends is that it was intended to keep the king’s
daughter (Princess Unmada Chitra) away from any prospective suitors
due to prophesies that if she bore a son, he would become king.
YAPAHUWA
This ancient rock fortress, also known as ‘Fire Rock’, was built
in the early 13th century as a fortress to defend against the invading
South Indian armies. The famous sacred tooth-relic (now kept in
Kandy) used to be located at the top of the fortress. However, it
is believed that invading Indians stole it when the fortress was
the capital of King BhuvanekabahuI.
The fortress rises an impressive 100 meters up a beautifully ornate
staircase, and at the top of the steep climb visitors are rewarded
by a fabulous view of the surrounding area. Expect to see monkeys
and a variety of birds in the trees on the way up! The intricate
rock carvings at the top of the fortress (where the tooth-relic
was originally located) include the lions that feature on the Rs
10 note.
The small onsite museum displays some stone sculptures of the Hindu
gods, Vishnu and Kali as well as various fragments of pottery. There
is also a Buddhist cave temple, located behind the museum, displaying
various wooden and bronze images of Buddha.
FURNITURE-MAKING WORKSHOP
Further along the road to Maho, we can visit a furniture-making
workshop where locals carry out painstaking work in order to create
incredibly beautiful wooden carved chairs (amongst other things).
Much of the furniture made has a strong Dutch influence dating back
to the Dutch period of rule.
ST ANNE’S CHURCH, TALAWILA
At the nearby fishing community of Talawila on the Kalpitiya Peninsula,
this well-known Roman Catholic church is the focal point of a pilgrimage
for the Feast of St. Anne, which is dedicated to the mother of the
Virgin Mary, held on July 26. The church was founded by a 17th century
Portuguese who had a divine vision of St. Anne herself. Although
it is particularly overwhelmed by the number of pilgrims at the
time of the Feast, it has year-round importance because of its reputation
as a place of healing, and is well worth a visit.
SCHEDULE
• Early morning departure from Katunayaka International Airport
or Colombo City – pick-up guests from requested location.
• Visits to Muneswaram hindu temple, Panduwasnuwara, Yapahuwa &
St. Anne’s Church, Talawila.
• Lunch – Client’s own arrangements.
• Evening at leisure.
• Dinner & Night stay at Kalpitiya. Standard – Turtle Point
Lodge.
| Day 02 - Option A – Scuba-Diving/Snorkeling
or Option B – Non Scuba-Diving (FB) |
|
OPTION A (FOR DIVERS/SNORKELERS):
After an early morning cup of tea, depart from the lodge at
approx. 7 am for an exciting morning of scuba-diving or snorkeling.
Enjoy a light breakfast during the 1 hour boat journey (approx.
9 nautical miles) to the ‘Bar reef’ that is located at 8 degrees
23’N latitude and 79 degrees 44’E longitude. The colourful live
coral reef is the largest reef in Sri Lanka (at 3km in length
and 1km breadth) and offers diving on the main reef of 2 - 8
meters (40 meters slightly further out). The beautiful reef
is home to an incredible variety of tropical fish as well as
offering sighting of manta rays, reef sharks and the occasional
turtle!
N.B. It is possible to use
this first morning as a basic introduction to diving in shallow
water, with training for beginners. The next morning would
therefore be a chance to put the training into practice and
experience a proper dive on the reef!
OPTION B (FOR NON-DIVERS)
– VISITS OF CULTURAL/COMMUNITY/HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE:
Depart the lodge early (approx. 7am) after
breakfast, in time to explore the nearby fishing village of
Kandakuliya and watch the local fishermen returning from the
night’s catch. Observe the unraveling of their nets to prepare
the fish for exportation to other areas of the island and
abroad. Guests have the option to choose from the fresh catch
to cook on the evening barbecue!
Visit some/all of the following:
VISIT KUWENI'S SHRINE
(need all the relevant info) and experience the local way
of worshipping by lighting the top of a coconut and smashing
it. Local belief is such that this ritual can also be used
to bring good fortune and predict the future.
VISIT ANOTHER FISHING AREA
(near entrance to town of Kalpitiya) where local fishermen
are unraveling their nets from the early morning catch. Fishermen
use canoe-style boats (known as ‘vallam’ in Sinhalese). The
boats have a sail that is used when there is enough wind,
and an outboard motor for other times. The majority of the
boats fish for prawns. Option to go out into the lagoon in
one of the canoes for an hour or so.
Visit to local prawn farms.
Watch a local demonstration of climbing a coconut
tree in order to pick the coconuts.
VISIT THE DUTCH FORT
that was constructed in 1676 on the spot where the Portuguese
had a stockade and a Jesuit chapel. The Fort is located approx.
1 km from town’s entrance, at the extreme tip of the peninsular.
Roofless, but otherwise in reasonable condition, the fort
is four-sided with two whole and two half bastions. The walls
are about 4 meters high and inside are the remnants of the
chapel, a commander's house, barrack rooms, a prison and several
god-owns.
VISIT THE LOCAL DUTCH CHURCH
(connected to the ort by an underground tunnel). The
church, called St. Peter’s Kerk lies about a half-mile west
of the fort. Although the church is Dutch in origin, it now
displays the architecture of the British who rebuilt the church
in 1840.
EXPLORE THE TOWN OF KALPITIYA
(known as Calpenteyn or Calpetty by the Dutch). The town is
predominantly a Muslim fishing community, strategically located
at the mouth of the Puttalam Lagoon. This community is as
yet completely untouched by tourism so visitors can enjoy
a real insight
into the local way of life.
OPTIONS A & B:
Return to the lodge at about 1 pm for lunch and a rest of
3-4 hours, perhaps having a siesta in the shady covered cabana
by the lodge or taking a dip in the ocean. Option A (divers/snorkelers)
could use this time to do a selection of the optional activities
(done in the morning by Option B group) if they should so
wish.
Depart the lodge at around 5 pm in the 4WD
for an incredible drive along the sand dunes on the beach
between the Indian Ocean and the Puttalam lagoon. The empty
beach offers breathtaking views of the area, and apart from
the wild donkeys, prolific birdlife and fishermen in the distance,
guests will be the only visitors! Driving through the mangrove
trees offers a chance for bird enthusiasts to spot a wide
variety of birds before turning back to the empty beach and
relaxing with a cold drink in time to watch the sun set.
A stay at Turtle Point Lodge wouldn’t be complete
without a night walk along the beach to look for turtles.
Turtles are very nervous when they are looking for a place
to nest and can be easily scared. The turtle can only be approached
when she starts laying the eggs. By then the turtle is engaged
in a very mechanical, almost trance-like behavior and it is
unlikely for her to be frightened by spectators. Turtle watching
can include some waiting and some walking on the beach as
this is nature and it is the female turtle, which sets the
time and place of the event. Of course there is no guarantee
that the turtles come to nest every night, but sitting on
a deserted beach under the open starry sky is an incredible
experience in itself.
SCHEDULE
• Divers will dive in the morning after breakfast.
• None divers will visit the cultural, community & historical
sites.
• Lunch – at the lodge.
• In the evening around 5pm a 4WD along the Sand Dunes.
• Return to the Lodge by 7.00pm.
• Dinner & Night stay at Kalpitiya. Standard – Turtle
Point Lodge. |
| Day 03 - Option A – Scuba-Diving/Snorkeling
or Option B – Non Scuba-Diving Option (FB) |
|
| Option A (for divers/snorkelers)
– Morning diving/snorkeling. Enjoy
an afternoon at leisure - sea bathing/any other optional activity
not previously done (see list for day one)/relaxing at lodge.
Depart at 7 am for a second morning
of diving or snorkeling (breakfast to be eaten en route).
Guests can choose to return to the same reef as the previous
day (even a full week of diving at the reef would not be sufficient
time to explore all that it has to offer!) or to go to a ridge
only 30 minutes from the shore (approx. 4 nautical miles).
The ridge is 2 km in length and offers dives at a depth of
20 – 30 meters. At this location, as well as observing the
numerous fish, it is also possible to explore underwater caves.
Option B (for non-divers) – Morning
and afternoon at leisure - sea bathing/any other optional
activity not previously done (see list for day one)/or simply
relaxing at the lodge.
SCHEDULE
• For divers & snorkelers - Morning diving/snorkeling.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
• None divers - Morning and afternoon at leisure.
• Lunch – at the lodge.
• Dinner & Night stay at Kalpitiya. Standard – Turtle
Point Lodge.
|
| Day 04 - Lagoon/river boat trip and Wilpattu
National Park (FB) |
|
| Leave the lodge at 7:30 am
after an early breakfast to the Kalpitiya harbour from where
you will go on a boat ride up the Puttalam lagoon and the river
channel off the lagoon (“Malwatu Oya”). If the water levels
are very low we will be doing a canoe ride from the river mouth
to our disembarking point. There will be an early picnic lunch
at 11:30/12 noon, served on the sandy beach area next to the
river where guests can enjoy freshwater bathing. At
about 12:30pm, guests will do a small trekking trail of about
2km and then get picked up by a jeep and driven to the coach
/ car (bags will be brought from the lodge). It is then just
under a 2 hour drive to Wilpattu National
Park where guests will be in time for an afternoon/evening
safari – a fascinating guided tour of the national park.
WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
is located 26 km north of Puttalam (approx. 180 km north of
Colombo) spanning from the northwest coast inland towards
the ancient capital of Anuradhapura (50 km to the east of
the park). Covering an impressive 425 sq miles, the park is
Sri Lanka’s largest, and having reopened in 2003 after a period
of ethnic violence, it is now an increasingly popular eco-tourism
destination. The camp boasts an impressive variety of flora
in huge expanses of forest, and wildlife, including deer,
elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards.
OVERNIGHT CAMPING IN PARK…
but this is no ordinary camp! The camp is set up that morning
or previous day just for you, with everything from the kitchen
sink and toilets to a full wine list and extensive menu of
food, transported in to make guests as comfortable as possible.
A fantastic barbecue supper will be served in the camp area,
lit only by the stars, a roaring campfire and traditional
flame torches.
There are guards keeping watch all night, and a total of ten
staff with two vehicles will ensure you will have the most
unforgettable camping experience ever!
SCHEDULE
• A boat ride to Puttalam from the Kalpitiya harbour along
the lagoon after breakfast. (if the water level is very low
we will be doing a canoe ride)
• There will be an early picnic lunch at 11:30/12 noon
• Guests will engage in a short trekking trail for 2 km.
• Guests will be picked up by jeeps & driven to Wilpattu
National Park
• Dinner & Night stay at Wilpattu National Park. Standard
– luxury camping. (supper luxury camping can be provided for
this day on request) |
| Day 05 - Departure for next destination
(Option to visit Ayurveda Centre, Maho) |
|
SCHEDULE
• After a hearty breakfast, guests depart Wilpattu National
Park for their next destination.
Option
to go via the Ayurveda Centre in Maho for an introduction
to Ayurveda therapy.
Ayururvedic treatments are designed especially for each individual
guest with “the intent to restore the harmonic balance of
body, mind and spirit” (source: Ayurveda Centre, Maho).
Treatments can include facial massage, head massage, acupuncture,
steam bath, herbal massage, herbal water bath and herbal inhalation
treatment. An initial consultation with a doctor, experienced
in Ayurveda, will ensure that you get the right treatments
for your individual needs. |
| - End of Programme - |
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make programmes. How ever we are flexible enough to do minor changes to the ready made itineraries, with out any charge. ? Please write to us.
Do you own programme – Visit the location and activity pages on our site and you will come across mini tours in all of those pages. By combining them you can design your own tour. We will complete it by adding on the hotels and other cultural locations you may require.
Your tour will be handled by an experienced travel consultant who will provide a personalized service.
Our programmes are offered in the following 3 standards. Accommodation options have been selected after careful evaluation.
Standard -Value: Basic but clean. With a typical Sri Lankan touch , relaxed atmosphere and personalized service at Small family / enterprise run operations.
Standard - 3 Star equal: Better comforts and facilities with extra comforts. Mostly large establishments with Standardized service.
Standard - Deluxe: High standards of quality, décor, service and much more, with many extra comforts and activities to indulge yourself. We have offered locations with a unique Sri Lankan individuality, measuring up to international standards. |
 Please inquire for our special group rates for more than 4 pax. |
| Tour operators/agents & tourism related web portals may contact with all information for special rates. |
| Expectations ours and yours. |
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