2 weeks in Sri Lanka - help me tweak my itinerary
Apr 10th, 2012, 12:38 PM
#1
2 weeks in Sri Lanka - help me tweak my itinerary
i say "my itinerary" in fact it's one that the experience Travel group has come up with [and very quickly after my initial enquiry I might add, so full marks to them for speed!]
our brief was a mixture of culture and wildlife, not spending more than an average of £100 per night, and to be able to take in a couple of the T20 cricket matches [which was what prompted our trip in the first place], one in colombo, and another in Kandy.
This is what she has come up with:
2 nights in colombo at the Lake Lodge - http://www.taruhotels.com/
2 nights at the Mud House, Andamaduwa - http://www.themudhouse.lk/
3 nights at the abode hibernation - http://www.abodetours.com/abode_mannar_tour.asp
[I'm not sure about this, i think it is probably outside our comfort zone, which will probably be tested enough by the Mud House]
2 nights Thilanka Hotel, Dambulla - http://www.thilankahotel.com/location.htm
3 nights Serendip bungalow, Kandy - http://www.go-lanka.com/Kandy/serend...low_kandy.html
1 night st. Lachlan Hotel, Negombo. http://www.stlachlanhotelandsuitesnegombo.com/ppc
-----------------------------------------------------
having spent the day looking at maps and hotel reviews, i think that this gives us too long in the north, and i would really like to see something of the Hill country and Galle.
so i was thinking about this:
3 nights Anamduwa - The Mud House
3 nights Dambulla - Amaya Lake hotel http://www.amayaresorts.com/srilanka/lake/amayalake.htm
3 nights Kandy ??? Thilanka hotel or Kandy House -http://www.thekandyhouse.com/indulge/goingout
3 nights Hill Country ? Melheim Resort - http://www.melheimresort.com/
2 nights colombo - lake Lodge - [yes, i know I've gained an extra night!]
comments anyone? - many thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
our brief was a mixture of culture and wildlife, not spending more than an average of £100 per night, and to be able to take in a couple of the T20 cricket matches [which was what prompted our trip in the first place], one in colombo, and another in Kandy.
This is what she has come up with:
2 nights in colombo at the Lake Lodge - http://www.taruhotels.com/
2 nights at the Mud House, Andamaduwa - http://www.themudhouse.lk/
3 nights at the abode hibernation - http://www.abodetours.com/abode_mannar_tour.asp
[I'm not sure about this, i think it is probably outside our comfort zone, which will probably be tested enough by the Mud House]
2 nights Thilanka Hotel, Dambulla - http://www.thilankahotel.com/location.htm
3 nights Serendip bungalow, Kandy - http://www.go-lanka.com/Kandy/serend...low_kandy.html
1 night st. Lachlan Hotel, Negombo. http://www.stlachlanhotelandsuitesnegombo.com/ppc
-----------------------------------------------------
having spent the day looking at maps and hotel reviews, i think that this gives us too long in the north, and i would really like to see something of the Hill country and Galle.
so i was thinking about this:
3 nights Anamduwa - The Mud House
3 nights Dambulla - Amaya Lake hotel http://www.amayaresorts.com/srilanka/lake/amayalake.htm
3 nights Kandy ??? Thilanka hotel or Kandy House -http://www.thekandyhouse.com/indulge/goingout
3 nights Hill Country ? Melheim Resort - http://www.melheimresort.com/
2 nights colombo - lake Lodge - [yes, i know I've gained an extra night!]
comments anyone? - many thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
Apr 10th, 2012, 01:32 PM
#3
Why are you staying at Anamduwa - it doesn't seem to be close to anything. And you did notice the Mud House hardly has any electricity, and therefore no AC? There's no way I'd stay there.
I thought you wanted wildlife, what happened to Yala? Didn't you originally mention the beach?
What do you want to do in the Hill Country? Do you want to hike to World's End? To Adam's Peak? Ride the railway? Will basing in Haputale work for what you want?
I thought you wanted wildlife, what happened to Yala? Didn't you originally mention the beach?
What do you want to do in the Hill Country? Do you want to hike to World's End? To Adam's Peak? Ride the railway? Will basing in Haputale work for what you want?
Apr 10th, 2012, 02:22 PM
#4
hi Thursdays, that's just the sort of comment I need to keep me on track, thanks!
Anamduwa is quite close ti the Wilpattu National Park, [Yala will be shut while we are there] and i quite fancy getting away from it all [though i take your point about the AC!]
and i recognise that we've lost the beach somewhere - but it is quite close to the mud house, i gather. [but I'd have liked to get to Galle too - sooo difficult to fit it all into 2 weeks!]
if we lost the Mud House, we could do this:
3 nights Dambulla - Amaya Lake hotel http://www.amayaresorts.com/srilanka/lake/amayalake.htm
3 nights Kandy ??? Thilanka hotel or Kandy House -http://www.thekandyhouse.com/indulge/goingout
3 nights Hill Country ? Melheim Resort - http://www.melheimresort.com/ - quite close to world's end, i think.
3 nights Galle - ???
2 nights colombo - lake Lodge - [yes, i know I've gained an extra night!]
does that make more sense?
Anamduwa is quite close ti the Wilpattu National Park, [Yala will be shut while we are there] and i quite fancy getting away from it all [though i take your point about the AC!]
and i recognise that we've lost the beach somewhere - but it is quite close to the mud house, i gather. [but I'd have liked to get to Galle too - sooo difficult to fit it all into 2 weeks!]
if we lost the Mud House, we could do this:
3 nights Dambulla - Amaya Lake hotel http://www.amayaresorts.com/srilanka/lake/amayalake.htm
3 nights Kandy ??? Thilanka hotel or Kandy House -http://www.thekandyhouse.com/indulge/goingout
3 nights Hill Country ? Melheim Resort - http://www.melheimresort.com/ - quite close to world's end, i think.
3 nights Galle - ???
2 nights colombo - lake Lodge - [yes, i know I've gained an extra night!]
does that make more sense?
Apr 10th, 2012, 03:11 PM
#5
How does that fit with the dates of the T20?
How keen are you on beaches? (I don't think the western beaches are as highly rated as the southern, but I don't have a guidebook handy.) I don't think Galle has one, and it doesn't rate three nights - you could do two nights beach and one night Galle, or visit Galle on the way from the beach to Colombo. Colombo doesn't really rate two nights, but I understand you may need two in order to see the cricket.
The Melheim Resort says it's an hour and a half from World's End - I'd check whether you can enter the park from the south.
How keen are you on beaches? (I don't think the western beaches are as highly rated as the southern, but I don't have a guidebook handy.) I don't think Galle has one, and it doesn't rate three nights - you could do two nights beach and one night Galle, or visit Galle on the way from the beach to Colombo. Colombo doesn't really rate two nights, but I understand you may need two in order to see the cricket.
The Melheim Resort says it's an hour and a half from World's End - I'd check whether you can enter the park from the south.
Apr 10th, 2012, 03:26 PM
#6
thanks, again, thursdays - I haven't got much idea of the distances [or more importantly how long it takes to get from one place to another] and I've got to the stage where my brain is starting to fry! a good point about Melheim and World's end though - they looked closer on the map! i think I need to make a list of the things we want to see and do and find places to stay that are reasonably close to them.
it will fit with the cricket if we co-ordinate the stay in Kandy and that in colombo with the T20 matches and our arrival and leaving dates! [does that make sense?]
I probably need to sleep on it. [BTW, if Galle doesn't itself have a beach, there are definitely some either side of it, so that doesn't bother me too much].
it will fit with the cricket if we co-ordinate the stay in Kandy and that in colombo with the T20 matches and our arrival and leaving dates! [does that make sense?]
I probably need to sleep on it. [BTW, if Galle doesn't itself have a beach, there are definitely some either side of it, so that doesn't bother me too much].
Apr 10th, 2012, 04:21 PM
#7
How about putting up the actual itinerary? It looks like you need to be in Colombo Sep 21st AND 23rd, or are you only going to one of those matches? Is Colombo at the beginning or the end?
Bear in mind that roads in Sri Lanka aren't the fastest at the best of times. Something that looks like an A road on the map more closely equates to a B. Or C.
Bear in mind that roads in Sri Lanka aren't the fastest at the best of times. Something that looks like an A road on the map more closely equates to a B. Or C.
Apr 10th, 2012, 05:19 PM
#8
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Was in SL in Feb. stayed at Melheim and really liked it, one of the better places we stayed. That was at the end of Hill Country train from Kandy, full day, very nice scenery.
For Galle I agree with above, 1 night is plenty, for us a half day tour would have been fine. Not much beach there but some decent ones close.
Too bad about Yala, even so the area nearby is nice, fairly quiet - we stayed at The Safari, vg. on the lake.
Bon Voyage.
For Galle I agree with above, 1 night is plenty, for us a half day tour would have been fine. Not much beach there but some decent ones close.
Too bad about Yala, even so the area nearby is nice, fairly quiet - we stayed at The Safari, vg. on the lake.
Bon Voyage.
Apr 11th, 2012, 12:18 AM
#9
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Totally agree with thursdaysd's comments re Andamaduwa - we booked the Mud House for a couple of nights but then realised that it was miles from anywhere so we cancelled.
We stayed at the Melheim Resort which, as you say is a good jump off point for Worlds End (we decided against We as our legs were still too sore from our ascent of Adams Peak. The Melheim has great views and nice rooms and was probably the most luxurious place we stayed in but it was just too sterile for my tastes.
Loved Galle and stayed there for 3 nights whilst the Cricket World cup was on (not that we watched any matches as being forced to play it at school put me off for life!!). The town its self is fascinating and has some great places to stay an eat and despite the cricket there seemed to be plenty of availability. There is a beach in town and some other close by.
Do try and fit in a train trip somewhere along your route it will be well worth it.
A link to my TR from 2011:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-and-curry.cfm
We stayed at the Melheim Resort which, as you say is a good jump off point for Worlds End (we decided against We as our legs were still too sore from our ascent of Adams Peak. The Melheim has great views and nice rooms and was probably the most luxurious place we stayed in but it was just too sterile for my tastes.
Loved Galle and stayed there for 3 nights whilst the Cricket World cup was on (not that we watched any matches as being forced to play it at school put me off for life!!). The town its self is fascinating and has some great places to stay an eat and despite the cricket there seemed to be plenty of availability. There is a beach in town and some other close by.
Do try and fit in a train trip somewhere along your route it will be well worth it.
A link to my TR from 2011:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-and-curry.cfm
Apr 11th, 2012, 02:53 PM
#10
thanks for bearing with me, and for all your useful tips! here, at last, is my bet shot at an itinerary:
23 Sept - arrive Colombo from LHR
23-26 Sept - Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla
26-28 Sept - Theva residence, Kandy [putting us in Kandy for the match on 27th]
28 Sept - 1st Oct - Warwick Gardens or similar [somewhere with good access to World's end, etc]
1st - 3rd Oct - Chaaya Wild [dependent on whether Yala is open - is there any point in going there if it's not?]
3-- 5 Oct - Thambapanni retreat
5th Oct - Colombo - Galle Face Regency, if possible
6th Oct - fly home
we've decided to end in colombo, hopefully to see england in the semi finals, and just watch one match in Kandy. the itinerary is being booked through BoutiqueSri lanka, who are proving considerably cheaper [so far] than Experience travel, who we started off with, so thank you Kathies and thursdays for the recommendation.
crellston- thanks for the tip about the train, which we could fit in between Kandy and Nurawa Ella, i suppose; do you all think that 2 nights [and therefore about 1 1/2 days] is long enough in Kandy? should we be looking at booking half board at places like Kandalama [where both Kathies and Thursdays stayed i think - or was that the Kandy House?]
anyway, thanks in advance for any and all help!
23 Sept - arrive Colombo from LHR
23-26 Sept - Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla
26-28 Sept - Theva residence, Kandy [putting us in Kandy for the match on 27th]
28 Sept - 1st Oct - Warwick Gardens or similar [somewhere with good access to World's end, etc]
1st - 3rd Oct - Chaaya Wild [dependent on whether Yala is open - is there any point in going there if it's not?]
3-- 5 Oct - Thambapanni retreat
5th Oct - Colombo - Galle Face Regency, if possible
6th Oct - fly home
we've decided to end in colombo, hopefully to see england in the semi finals, and just watch one match in Kandy. the itinerary is being booked through BoutiqueSri lanka, who are proving considerably cheaper [so far] than Experience travel, who we started off with, so thank you Kathies and thursdays for the recommendation.
crellston- thanks for the tip about the train, which we could fit in between Kandy and Nurawa Ella, i suppose; do you all think that 2 nights [and therefore about 1 1/2 days] is long enough in Kandy? should we be looking at booking half board at places like Kandalama [where both Kathies and Thursdays stayed i think - or was that the Kandy House?]
anyway, thanks in advance for any and all help!
Apr 11th, 2012, 10:32 PM
#11
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2 nights in kandy is about right IMO. The temple of the tooth ceremony one evening is a must. Not sure if it will fit in with your route but the Elephant orphange is not too far and definitely worth a visit.
Half board in Dambulla would probably be a good idea. We struggled to find a good palce to eat in that area. Bentota Bake House on the main street in Dambulla was great for short eats and currys at lunch time but not really an evening sort of place.
Half board in Dambulla would probably be a good idea. We struggled to find a good palce to eat in that area. Bentota Bake House on the main street in Dambulla was great for short eats and currys at lunch time but not really an evening sort of place.
Apr 12th, 2012, 05:57 AM
#13
That looks reasonable. I skipped Yala because I couldn't find anywhere I was willing to stay. The only places you list that I stayed at were Thambapanni and Galle Face. You don't want to stay on the unrenovated side of Galle Face! Are you staying at Unatwatuna for access to Galle? Because otherwise it's not the best beach.
Apr 12th, 2012, 08:43 AM
#14
thursdays - you are being so helpful. the agent has quoted for the Regency side of the Galle Face which i gather is the renovated side, but DH has been put off by the "mixed"reviews the hotel gets. so we may not take the chance. Any one know anything about the Havelock bungalows? http://www.havelockbungalow.com/
yes the idea of Unawatuna is to be able to go to Galle and laze around on the beach as well - as an alternative they have suggested the Apa Villa at Thalpe - http://www.villa-srilanka.com/ [it's twice the price of the Thambapanni, though.]
DH has now decided that we ought to spend another night in Colombo, so it's back to the drawing board with that one.
yes the idea of Unawatuna is to be able to go to Galle and laze around on the beach as well - as an alternative they have suggested the Apa Villa at Thalpe - http://www.villa-srilanka.com/ [it's twice the price of the Thambapanni, though.]
DH has now decided that we ought to spend another night in Colombo, so it's back to the drawing board with that one.
Apr 12th, 2012, 09:47 AM
#15
annhig - I suspect the mixed reviews for Galle Face are because it's really two hotels. There is such a difference between the renovated rooms (yes, they are in the Regency) and the original ones it's kind of silly to put the reviews for both against the same property.
Why does DH want another night in Colombo? I had a personal reason for spending some time there, but otherwise I agree with all the advice to skip it.
Why does DH want another night in Colombo? I had a personal reason for spending some time there, but otherwise I agree with all the advice to skip it.
Apr 12th, 2012, 10:18 AM
#16
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The Kandalama was very nicer, and the food there is excellent. When offered fresh juice upon arrival, opt for the avocado juice. The location is good for access to the Dambulla cave temples and two of the three ancient cities.
We loved the Kandy House, but it's quite small (maybe 6 rooms), so may be hard to get a room.
We loved the Kandy House, but it's quite small (maybe 6 rooms), so may be hard to get a room.
Apr 17th, 2012, 07:11 AM
#18
Hi thursdays - we just in the process of doing it. i have been very impressed with boutique Sri Lanka - thanks to you and Kathies for the tip.
they have been by far the most user friendly and responsive of the local agencies, though Experience Travel [a UK based firm] were good as well. In the end it came down to price, with the locals being substantially cheaper for the same accommodation. DH was determined to have a 2nd night in Colombo, so i hope that we'll be able to fill our time there somehow- if only with the cricket! [our last day is finals' day!]
we have gone for 1/2 board at the Kandalama too - we don't want to have to think about too much when we we first get there. hopefully by the end of the trip we will be a bit more savvie! and it turns out that Yala should be open so we are having a couple of nights there, before going onto Galle.
we have moved our dates a day forward - when i came to look at flights [which we are booking ourselves] there was a £300 premium for flying home on the Sunday -so we're going to make it the monday instead.
thanks for all your help, and I'm sure I'l be back asking for sightseeing recommendations and restaurant tips before too long.
they have been by far the most user friendly and responsive of the local agencies, though Experience Travel [a UK based firm] were good as well. In the end it came down to price, with the locals being substantially cheaper for the same accommodation. DH was determined to have a 2nd night in Colombo, so i hope that we'll be able to fill our time there somehow- if only with the cricket! [our last day is finals' day!]
we have gone for 1/2 board at the Kandalama too - we don't want to have to think about too much when we we first get there. hopefully by the end of the trip we will be a bit more savvie! and it turns out that Yala should be open so we are having a couple of nights there, before going onto Galle.
we have moved our dates a day forward - when i came to look at flights [which we are booking ourselves] there was a £300 premium for flying home on the Sunday -so we're going to make it the monday instead.
thanks for all your help, and I'm sure I'l be back asking for sightseeing recommendations and restaurant tips before too long.
Apr 17th, 2012, 02:18 PM
#19
ok - done it. here's the itinerary:
24 Sept - arrive Colombo from LHR on Sri Lankan airlines landing about 1pm. Drive to Dambulla, Kandalama Hotel. [? 3-4 hours, I assume] Anything to see on the way? anywhere good to stop for our first Sri lankan meal? [we have booked 1/2 board here based on suggestions that there's not really anywhere much else to eat at night, and the recommendations for the food which is said to be good]
25 Sept - Visit ancient city of Polonnaruwa, over night @ Kandalama. anywhere to stop for lunch?
26 Sept - visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, over night @ Kandalama - ditto re lunch?
27 Sept - Visit Dambulla temple, a spice garden in Matale. Drive to Kandy. Visit T20 cricket tournament in Pallekelle. stay Theva residence, Kandy. [probably eat in, to try it out]
28 Sept - Visit Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela, Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, Temple of the Tooth and the cultural show [not sure about some of this - ideas , anyone?] overnight Theva.
29 Sept - drive to Warwick Gardens visiting a tea garden/plantation on the way. [food said to be good, so will try it out the first night].
30th Sept - Visit Horton Plains - overnight Warwick Gardens.
1st Oct - ???? - overnight Warwick gardens.
2nd Oct - Drive to south coast - overnight at Chaaya Wild [what to see on the way?]
3rd Oct - Yala safari - overnight at Chaaya.
4th Oct - tour south coast, ending at Thambapanni retreat.
5th Oct -visit Galle and environs, overnight at Thambapanni
6th Oct - drive to colombo, [again, ideas on what to see on the way?] stay Galle Face Regency. food recommendations in Colombo?
7th Oct - cricket finals - plus??? overnight Galle Face Regency.
8th Oct - leave for airport for flight at 13.00.
24 Sept - arrive Colombo from LHR on Sri Lankan airlines landing about 1pm. Drive to Dambulla, Kandalama Hotel. [? 3-4 hours, I assume] Anything to see on the way? anywhere good to stop for our first Sri lankan meal? [we have booked 1/2 board here based on suggestions that there's not really anywhere much else to eat at night, and the recommendations for the food which is said to be good]
25 Sept - Visit ancient city of Polonnaruwa, over night @ Kandalama. anywhere to stop for lunch?
26 Sept - visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, over night @ Kandalama - ditto re lunch?
27 Sept - Visit Dambulla temple, a spice garden in Matale. Drive to Kandy. Visit T20 cricket tournament in Pallekelle. stay Theva residence, Kandy. [probably eat in, to try it out]
28 Sept - Visit Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela, Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, Temple of the Tooth and the cultural show [not sure about some of this - ideas , anyone?] overnight Theva.
29 Sept - drive to Warwick Gardens visiting a tea garden/plantation on the way. [food said to be good, so will try it out the first night].
30th Sept - Visit Horton Plains - overnight Warwick Gardens.
1st Oct - ???? - overnight Warwick gardens.
2nd Oct - Drive to south coast - overnight at Chaaya Wild [what to see on the way?]
3rd Oct - Yala safari - overnight at Chaaya.
4th Oct - tour south coast, ending at Thambapanni retreat.
5th Oct -visit Galle and environs, overnight at Thambapanni
6th Oct - drive to colombo, [again, ideas on what to see on the way?] stay Galle Face Regency. food recommendations in Colombo?
7th Oct - cricket finals - plus??? overnight Galle Face Regency.
8th Oct - leave for airport for flight at 13.00.
Apr 17th, 2012, 03:06 PM
#20
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There is a guesthouse to eat at in Dambulla. If you want your food spicy, you'll have to ask for it.
There is also a guesthouse at Polonnaruwa to eat. BTW, if your driver says he can guide you around Polonnaruwa, insist on getting an official guide. It will make all the difference! We had a fabulous guide there and he brought the place alive for us. Do visit the excellent museum on-site.
We did not find a place near Sigiriya for lunch, and ended up going back to the hotel for an excellent lunch. Get to Sigiriya as early as possible - you want to finish your climb before it is too hot.
You may want to visit the Dambulla cave temples in the afternoon, as your next day looks like too much.
Enjoy!
There is also a guesthouse at Polonnaruwa to eat. BTW, if your driver says he can guide you around Polonnaruwa, insist on getting an official guide. It will make all the difference! We had a fabulous guide there and he brought the place alive for us. Do visit the excellent museum on-site.
We did not find a place near Sigiriya for lunch, and ended up going back to the hotel for an excellent lunch. Get to Sigiriya as early as possible - you want to finish your climb before it is too hot.
You may want to visit the Dambulla cave temples in the afternoon, as your next day looks like too much.
Enjoy!
