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TRIP TO SRI LANKA FROM 12th till 23rd OF FEBRUARY 2011
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Dear ,
Join us for an unforgettable trip to Sri Lanka from 12th till 23rd of February 2011.
Bearing in mind divers and non divers, we have tailored 2 different programs with our partner and friend Dive the Med Club with whom we share the same vision about activities, quality and safety.
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Dambulla rock temple
Dating back to the 1st century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Asia. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry.
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In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Valagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.
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Horton Plains National Park
The importance of conservation of the park Horton Plains National Park, a World Heritage Site perched on the southern edge of the Central Highlands, midway between Nuwara Eliya & Haputale consists of montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 meters above sea-level. Horton Plains is home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot. The Park (10,000 ha), named after British governor Sir Robert Horton is a world apart from rest of the tropical island. This is the island's highest & most isolated plain, a result of millions of years of erosion. The importance of conservation of the park lies in, among others, in its role as the catchment area of the major rivers of the island.
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COMMON PROGRAM FOR NON-DIVERS (Group 1) & DIVERS (Group 2)
Day 1 : Saturday 12th
- Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport.
- Welcome by a representative and transfer to your hotel in Dambulla.
- Relax at the hotel & in the evening visit Dambulla rock temple built by King Walagambahu, in the 1st Century B.C.
- Dinner and overnight at Palvehera Village Hotel in Dambulla.
Day 2 : Sunday 13th
- After breakfast, climbing the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD).
- Drive to Habarana to make an optional safari on an elephant into the jungle. If you are a safari lover, enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park.
- Later in the day, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Monday 14th
- After breakfast, leave for Kandy.
- En route, stop at Matale to see a Hindu temple, visit to a batik factory and an amazing spice garden to see different spices, and how some of these spices are grown and processed - (optional massage using spices)
- Later in the evening, visit to the temple of tooth, afterwards experience a show of cultural Performers.
- Dinner and overnight at Senani Hotel in Kandy.
Day 4: Tuesday 15th 
- Breakfast at hotel & proceed to Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela.
- See the elephants in nature, being fed, working & bathing in the nearby river.
- Ride on an elephant. Visit Royal botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.
- Afternoon, Visits to Gem Museum, Upper Lake, Arts & Crafts Centre and explore the city of Kandy.
- Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.
Day 5: Wednesday 16th
- After breakfast, departure for Nuwara eliya, known as “Little England”.
- Watch the mountains covered with tea bushes and cascading waterfalls.
- En route visit a tea factory and a plantation to see the tea manufacturing process.
- Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea.
- Hiking in Horton Plain Evening make the city tour of Nuwara eliya.
- Dinner and overnight at Hotel Silver Falls in Nuwara eliya.
- After breakfast departure for Hikkadwa.
- Travel through a beautiful landscape & see the widest waterfall of Sri Lanka, “St. Clair”. Enjoy the rich nature. Make a brief stop at the Tea Kiosk passing the “Devon” waterfall. Drive through Kithulgala where the Oscar winning movie “Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed.
- Make a visit to a rubber plantation. See the rubber manufacturing process.
- For those who love adventure, (optional) white water rafting could be arranged at Kitulgala, down river Kelani, Sri Lanka’s second largest.
- Dinner and overnight stay at Sunils Beach Hotel in Hikkaduwa.
Day 7: Friday 18th
Day 8: Saturday 19th
- Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport for onward flight.
---------------------------------END OF TRIP FOR NON-DIVERS (Group 1)-----------------------------------
Day 7: Friday 18th
- After breakfast, Group 2 heads to dive center for equipment assembly and check.
- First dive around 10 am and after lunch we head for a second
 dive.
Day 8: Saturday 19th
- After breakfast, first dive followed by a second dive after lunch.
- Chillout drinks before heading for a night dive.
Day 9: Sunday 20th
- Third and final diving day with 2 special dive sites on the Indian ocean.
Day 10: Monday 21st
- After breakfast, drive to Negombo.
- En route, sightseeing tour of Colombo.
- Visit the independence square, the Galle Face green, the old Parliament building, Fort & Pettah areas.
- Dinner and overnight stay at Sunset Beach Hotel in Negombo.
Day 11: Tuesday 22nd
- Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport for onward flight.
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PRICE
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Rate for Group 1 - NON-DIVERS
USD 1375
Round Tour Packages Includes:
Airline ticket + taxes
Meeting at the airport upon arrival and assistance during the stay
Private transport in Air conditioned coach for all mentioned transfers
Service of English speaking guide
Accommodation in mentioned hotels in air conditioned rooms with breakfast and dinner in sharing double rooms.
Meal Plan start from day 01 dinner to departure day breakfast
Site entrances
Mentioned activities
Single room supplement: USD 105
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Rate for Group 2 - DIVERS
USD 1790
Round Tour Packages Includes:
Airline ticket + taxes
Meeting at the airport upon arrival and assistance during the stay
Private transport in Air conditioned coach for all mentioned transfers
Service of English speaking guide
Accommodation in mentioned hotels in air conditioned rooms with breakfast and dinner in sharing double rooms.
Meal Plan start from day 01 dinner to departure day breakfast
Site entrances
Mentioned activities
Single room supplement: USD 60
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Not included for both groups
Visa fees 50 USD
Lunch and beverages
Extras of personal nature
Tips and gratuities
Extra services other than those specified
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TRIP SCHEDULE - UPDATES
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Group 1 - NON-DIVERS
Departure: Saturday 12 Feb.
Beirut - Doha 03:15 am - 07:00 am
Doha- Colombo 08:50 am - 04:05 pm (12 Feb. arrival to Colombo)
Return: Saturday 19 Feb.
Colombo – Doha 09:20 am - 11:55 am
Doha – Beirut 04:55 pm - 07:10 pm
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Group 2 - DIVERS
Departure: Saturday 12 Feb.
Beirut - Doha 03:15 am - 07:00 am
Doha- Colombo 08:50 am - 04:05 pm (12 Feb. arrival to Colombo)
Return: Wednesday 23 Feb.
Colombo – Doha 04:20 am - 06:55 am
Doha – Beirut 07:40 am - 09:55 am
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Requirements for reservations and deadline:
- Upon registration kindly provide us with: a minimum 6 month valid passport -an employement letter (Ifadet 3amal) - 2 recent photo passport.
- Registration deadline prior to February 5th, 2011
- A 50% down payment upon reservation is a must to guaranty your place and not refunded in case of cancellation from your side.
- The 50% down payment should be transferred to the following IBAN account
SERGE SOUED
BANQUE AUDI
Sodeco Branch
LB05 0056 0002 3050 5461 0020 4404
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 RESERVATION
FOR NON DIVERS : Chantal 03-336193, Serge 03-214989, André 03-360027
FOR DIVERS : Kamal 03-119002
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