Escorted Tour: Services of Bike Assistant and Local Tour Leader and/or English speaking Chauffeur Guide with Local Guides where necessary.

Groups of up to 7 will be escorted by a English speaking Chauffeur Guide. Groups of 8 and above will be escorted by a Local Tour Leader.

Chauffeur Guides and Tour Leaders are trained and licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

Additional support crew will be used for the biking.

Negombo to Dickoya. After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer by vehicle to Kitulagala. We then start biking towards Dickoya. The route will be through tea plantations, and along paved roads, dirt tracks and streams.

Approximate mileage  of about 45 kms, with an altitude gain of 3400 feet. 

Horton Plains to Welimada/Iddagama.   After breakfast we start cycling along paved roads and dirt tracks alongside tea plantations and through remote villages up to Welimada - although this is a rough route it is mostly down hill.

Approximate mileage of about 45km with an altitude drop of 3800 feet.

Nuwara Eliya to Galaha. After breakfast we begin cycling towards Pussellawa via Wedamulla and Ramboda, along hard tracks and paved roads. En route we visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of the world famous "Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before the tea is sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to export.

You will be picked up by vehicle and transferred to Galaha where we overnight.

Approximate mileage of about 42km with an altitude drop of 3200 feet.

Kandy - City Tour, Royal Botanical Gardens.  After breakfast we leave for a City Tour which includes a visit to the beautiful  Royal Botanical Gardens.

From Upper lake Drive, there is a bird’s eye view of the city below. The Royal Botanical Gardens, with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora, and which was the Headquarters of Lord Louis Mountbatten - the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the 2nd World War.

World Heritage Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Minneriya National Park.  Early in the morning we climb the famous Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, a Royal Citadel for 20 years.  It is considered as the 8th Wonder of the modern world, and a World Heritage Site.

Built in the fifth century by King Kasyapa, the fortress was first a palace and then a monastery and finally fell out of use. It was rediscovered by British archaeologists and is now one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. It is situated on top of a 200m high rock. The route on to the fortress takes you through the beautiful water gardens and the royal bathing pools. Half way up you will see the Sigiriya Damsels. These are 22 paintings of beautiful women on the walls of a gallery carved into the rock. It is believed they are part of 500 series paintings of women dating from the fifth century. You will also see the remains of a lion’s paw carved into the rock at the beginning of the ascent to the top. And from the top, where you will see foundations of the old buildings, there are wonderful views of the surrounding country. The climb takes about 2 hours.

We return to the hotel for a late breakfast, and then leave for Giritale.

In the afternoon we undertake a Jeep Safari in the Minneriya National Park famous for its many large herds of wild elephants. This is your first opportunity to get close to these wonderful animals, which are so important to Sri Lankan culture. Centuries ago all elephants belonged to the Crown and to kill one was a terrible offence. Elephant imagery can be found throughout Sri Lankan art and the animal is a much-loved creature. Today there are 2,700 wild elephants in Sri Lanka’s National Parks and although it is a protected species it is still at risk.

The Jeep Safari gives you the opportunity to spot an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including wild elephants. If numbers interest you, there are 9 species of amphibians, 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish (three of which are endangered), 75 species of butterflies and 160 species of birds. Making your way through the park, you will see elephants, and maybe Spotted Deer, Sambar, (a deer with no spots) or even a leopard or sloth bear. Other creatures you may not care to meet include the Indian Python and the Mugger Crocodile, also known as Tank Crocodile. Sri Lanka, home to over 400 species of birds, has long been a birdwatcher’s paradise, and in Minneriya National Park alone, 160 species crowd the trees or strut the banks.

Negombo.  The tour ends after breakfast.

Bentota: The palm fringed beaches that adorn over 1000 miles of the unpolluted coast line of Sri Lanka, are a haven for sunworshippers. Bentota is a paradise of unlimited sun, sea and sand. Nestled in peaceful surroundings with lush tropical foliage bordering the coast, Bentota has become an area not only for a relaxed holiday, but for many activities such as windsurfing, water skiing and diving to explore the treasures of the underwater sea world.

So why not add a few extra days in Bentota at the end of your tour? Transfer to Bentota for 3 nights in Bentota, with days free at leisure and plenty of optional watersports available, before being transferred back to Negombo on Day 4.

The Kandy Perahera Festival is held over a period of 10 days during July/August. The exact dates are calculated by the Temple of Authorities according to the lunar movements, and are sometimes not known until April. Originally the festival was held following the harvest period, as a Thanksgiving to Lord Buddah and other deities for helping the people of Sri Lanka to harvest with no problems. Over the years the festival became more religious, and over the course of the festival, with each passing day, the level and beauty of the Perahera (Pageant) increases, the final night being the most beautiful.

During the festival, many elephants and hundreds of dancers parade the streets of Kandy. The replica of the Tooth Relic is also taken in procession on top of the leading elephant who is decorated and illuminated heavily, and accompanied by other elephants. They walk on a white cloth laid in respect. In addition to the elephants and dancers, other attractions will be whip crackers, flag bearers, torch bearers and stilt walkers. Thousands of people - local and tourists, will line the streets to witness this colourful Kandy Perahera Festival.

Dates for 2010: The Kandy Perahera Festival is from 15th to 24th August 2010. The festival pricing which applies to this departure will include a reserved seat by the side of the road to observe the festival. Please note that on Day 7 of the Kandy Perahera Tour, we will probably have to arrive into Kandy earlier than on normal tours, before entry roads are closed in readiness for the festivities. The Cultural Performance will be replaced by the Kandy Perahera Festival.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY of the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel. Your Tour Leader will leave a notice at reception on the first day of departure with information as to where he/she can be contacted and you should inform him/her that you have arrived.

PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Vaccination Certificate.
3. Travel Voucher.
4. Travel Insurance Policy.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it before when you check out of the hotel.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$20-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

US dollars cash is more widely accepted than pounds sterling.

US dollars cash are needed to pay for visas on borders.

Carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable.

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport.

You can change money at the Banking Area of the Arrivals Lounge at the Airport as you come out from Customs upon arrival in Colombo.

Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns.

Most Hotels will also change money however rates will vary.

Most international Credit Cards are accepted for payments at most places in Sri Lanka.

How much should I take?

- Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times.

- Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main frameless backpack or holdall and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.

- A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions, and for carrying with you whilst cycling.

- We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

Please note that there will be a support vehicle with you throughout the tour, and your main luggage can be carried in the support vehicle whilst you are engaged in activities. 

Please bring with you your own bike helmet.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard. All accommodation is in comfortable tourist class accommodation. Depending on the tour, this ranges from overnight sleeper train or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star or above).

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.

In this area tipping is a recognised part of life. Some local Staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly you should allow US$35 for tipping. Your tour leader will account for any organised tipping. Bargaining is the rule in markets, when hiring vehicles and taking a room.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com