Tours with Quickshaws
August – September  2009

August 1st & 2nd :

Minneriya calls! Witness 'the Gathering' of elephants by the hundreds, with  herds assembling early  this  year.   Srilal Miththapala  will  accompany  us, and tell us about his research, into their habits and habitats that  evening.   This is a two day trip, leaving early  morning  Saturday, returning  Sunday afternoon. We'll visit the IFS Popham Arboretum, Dambulla on the way, walk through the woods, and enjoy ‘a village lunch’ there.

August 1st -5th:  ( OPTIONAL ) :  

The Kandy  perahera is on July 27th - August 6th:  the final

(Randoli) processions, with all shrines participating, take place the nights of August 1st - 5th. An excursion could be  arranged on request, with transport, dinner, and return the same evening, or the following  day.

August 5th, Wednesday, Poya day :

Fire walking at Udappu.   The shrine is connected with the story of Draupadi ,  cekebrated wife of the five Pandyan brothers in the epic   Mahabharatha. Members of this Hindu karava community, (mukkuvars) take part in the ceremony, from 7.30 pm onwards.  We might weave in some other activity, visit an interesting site.  Departure, tentatively late morning, with  return late night.

September 4th – 6th :  

Using  Anuradhapura as  a base  we’ll drive to Tantirimalai,  taking in a visit
to Hasthikuchchi ( a major 'breakaway' 9th century Mahayanist monastery ) on  the  way  up. Time
permitting,  we could  visit  lesser known  sites in Anuradhapura too,  such as  Asokaramaya,  and the Western  Monasteries. 
Worship at the Sri Maha Bodhi,  Jetavana or other major shrine, could also be arranged with advance notice.

Other tours planned  for later in the year :

Ritigala 
Strict Natural Reserve – said to be a chunk of the Himalayas dropped by Hanuman bearing herbs to save Prince Lakshman’s life (Ramayana legend);   climb to the ancient forest monastery.  In colonial times, Ritigala was a retreat from the heat for British government servants! We’ll visit some villages to learn about the human elephant conflict, the effects on it’s unique flora and fauna of deforestation  and settlement .
We can meet researchers working there, learn of  the traditional knowledge of the  villagers, enjoy a village meal. We could view the Jaya Ganga and drive past the controversial Eppawela phosphate mountains too.

the temples of Sabaragamuwa - one night out
Visit a few lovely Ramayana sites in the hills: the Matale district perhaps, or the  magnificent Hanuman temple, Ramboda,  Sita Amman Kovil, the caves  near Nuwara Eliya or Gurulupotha.  There are reputed to be over fifty, so we'll  break
this up in to a series of weekend tours, to run over the year.

Overnight  in Dambulla
at the IFS Popham  Arboretum,to learn about ‘Sam’ Popham’s path breaking work rehabilitating chena lands, restoring the indigenous forest – including some of the world’s most valuable timber species.  This sanctuary in the Dry Zone is also a haven to watch for native fauna, including the resident loris, birds, visiting elephant.  Especially lovely when ‘blue mist’ -  the ‘korakaha’-  and gal kera are in bloom.  You can also purchase  young ebony and other plants of the region from their nursery.

Lunuganga
a day excursion  to enjoy Geoffrey Bawa's marvellous landscaped estate near Bentota. It is possible to stay overnight, by prior arrangement.
Brief, Bevis Bawa's more formal garden is not far away - and one could visit both   in a day.  

These special tours  take us to lesser known treasures of the island,  introduce us to people involved in conservation of culture and customs, the environment, traditions and  ceremonies.
 All  arrangements for accommodation and meals, transport, a special guide,  are made for you.  Early booking is advisable to ensure availability of accommodation with confirmation and payment a week prior to departure.  
These costs are based on a minimum participation of 12 persons per departure. However tours  to these or other locations can be arranged for a common interest group on request.