Devon Seniors Tour to Sri Lanka Thursday 24th March-Sunday 10th April 2016

3………. Itinerary 9………. Why Sri Lanka? 10………. Why Sport Arabia Worldwide? 11………. Accommodation 12……… Downtime Options 13…….. Cricket 14……... Testimonials 15……... On tour in the Sri Lanka 17……... Your Quote

17 Day Provisional Itinerary

Travel Day Thurs 24th March

AIRPORT / NEGOMBO

Depart Devon on a coach for London Heathrow for the overnight  flight, UL504 Heathrow to Colombo, from Terminal 3.

Meet at airport 18.30. LHR - CMB 2130 - 1245 +1

Day 1 Fri 25th

NEGOMBO Arrive in Negombo and check into the Goldi Sands Hotel for an evening of rest. www.goldisands.com Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel. Half board.

Day 2 Sat 26th

NEGOMBO Relax during the day Depart the hotel in the afternoon for a River Cruise on the Gin Oya river with BBQ included. Overnight stay in the hotel

Day 3 Sun 27th

NEGOMBO – 1st Match Depart the hotel and proceed to ground for Match 1 Lunch with drink will be served in the ground. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 Mon 28th

NEGOMBO

Breakfast in the hotel. Day is free to relax and enjoy.

Option: Visit Colombo City for shopping and sightseeing / or play golf

Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel

Day 5 Tues 29th

NEGOMBO / PINNAWELA / NUWARA ELIYA After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Pinnawela to visit the elephant orphanage. Enjoy a 3 course lunch then continue to Nuwara Eliya - arriving in Nuwara Eliya in the late afternoon. Check in and dinner served at the Araliya Green Hills Hotel. Half board

Day 6 Wed 30th

NUWARA ELIYA

Enjoy a Nuwara Eliya guided city tour which includes the spice gardens

and a tea plantation.

Rest of the day is free to relax. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 7 Thurs 31st

NUWARA ELIYA – 2nd Match

Depart for Match 2

Lunch with drink will be served in the ground.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8 Fri 1st Apr

NUWARA ELIYA/UDA WALAWE

Proceed to Uda Walawe and visit the Uda Walawe National Safari

Park by jeep. Dinner and overnight stay included at the Safari Park .

Overnight at the Grand Udawalawe Hotel, Embilipitiya

Day 9 Sat 2nd

UDA WALAWE / BENTOTA

Checkout from the hotel and proceed to Bentota. Check in to Ceysands Centara Resort or Bentota Beach Hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10 Sun 3rd

BENTOTA

Day is free to relax or go on a Charity day. Visit a local school and local club for handing over kit

Dinner and overnight stay in hotel

Day 11 Mon 4th

BENTOTA – 3rd Match

Depart for Match 3

Lunch with drink will be served in the ground

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12 Tues 5th

BENTOTA Day free for relaxing by sightseeing and shopping Dinner and overnight stay in hotel

Day 13 Wed 6th

BENTOTA / MT. LAVINIA Check out of the hotel and depart for Colombo. Check in to the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Half board. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel

Day 14 Thurs 7th

MT. LAVINIA – 4th Match

Depart for Match 4

Lunch with drink will be served in the ground.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 15 Fri 8th

MT. LAVINIA

Visit the Colombo City for shopping and sightseeing. Visit the Colombo

Cricket Café for lunch (Buy your own)

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 16 Sat 9th

MT. LAVINIA – 5th Match

Depart for Match 5. Lunch and drink provided at game.

End of tour dinner in hotel.

Day 17 Sun 10th

MT. LAVINIA / AIRPORT

Check out of hotel and depart for Colombo airport. Depart on day flight UL503 to London Heathrow 13:05 – 19:30. Coach transfer back to Devon

Why Sri Lanka? The first point that comes to mind is the location of the country.  One of the key factors in selecting the best suited destination for any sporting tour is the location. Sri Lanka, being ideally located just above the equator, proudly presents a warm tropical climate with lush evergreen foliage, every day of the year.  With no hindrance from season changes or cold winters, Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for any sports tour, all year round.A second factor is the quality and availability of the facilities to host sports tours. Although still a developing country, Sri Lanka boasts a myriad of high quality hotels, superior logistical support and amazing sporting venues that vary from good to international standards.

•  Great sporting facilities varying from Schools, Club & International standard

•  Excellent value for money •  Safe destination – low crime rate and no

alcohol available to anyone under 21 •  Steeped in history with over 2500 years of

culture with some amazing wildlife •  Great variety of quality accommodation •  Sri Lanka being the ideal sporting holiday

for any family.

Why Sport Arabia Worldwide? Sport Arabia has been running successful sports tours since 2006, working with high profile clients including MCC, Surrey, Sussex, Lancashire. In that time over 250 groups have toured with us and enjoyed the opportunity to play sport in the fine facilities offered by one of the world’s fastest-growing sporting destinations. In planning and arranging group tours, we work very closely with groups concerned to ensure that we understand their exact requirements. We have an extensive international network in place that enables us to liaise with local and overseas teams in order to arrange sports fixtures and cultural activities, as required. For international flights, we mainly use Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Virgin, Sri Lankan, Royal Brunei Airlines and Qatar Airways and are able, through the volume of business we do, to negotiate the very best fares. Sport Arabia Worldwide holds a full ATOL bond meaning any monies paid are secure in case of any financial irregularities as departure date approaches.

Accommodation – our hotels…..

•  Well located with excellent transport links by road to relevant sporting venues and cities.

•  Safe and secure locations allowing tourists to explore the local area in comfort, day and night

•  Experienced and ‘group friendly’ hotel staff

•  The hotels that your quote is based on are:

•  Goldi Sands •  Green Araliya Hills •  Grand Udawalawe •  Ceysands Centara •  Mount Lavinia Hotel

Negombo Nuwara Eliya Embilipitiya Bentota Mount Lavinia

A Selection of Downtime Options •  Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – The Elephant Orphanage is about 2½ hours drive

from Negombo and is a good chance for people to get up close and personal with a pachyderm. It is a good idea to go and have lunch by the river as after feeding, they are all brought down to bathe and to watch them from a vantage point with a cold drink is a pleasant experience.

•  Cultural Show in Kandy – experience traditional dance performances

•  Temple of the Tooth Relic – Ever since it was founded in the 16th Century, it has housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre and which is now protected within the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth. See the blessing ceremony with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly coloured Monks performing their rituals.

•  National Park Jeep Safari – Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favourites such as sambhur deer and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3 rd century AD by King Mahasena); this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

•  White Water rafting Expedition – Experience White Water Rafting in the picturesque

Kelani River in Kitulgala covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids. This activity is for anyone above the age of 10 years with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing will be given by our white water rafting instructors beforehand. The distance covered is around 5 KM. Tours can be arranged for anything from 1 hour to a half-day including lunch.

Cricket in Sri Lanka Cricket is almost a religion in Sri Lanka and you can be sure that a good crowd will come to watch even school games in this cricket loving nation! With our close relationship with cricket in Sri Lanka we are able to offer a range of unique and high quality cricket experiences. Our tours can run at anytime of the year so whether clients require a pre, mid or end of season experience, Sri Lanka is a viable option. Tours are tailor made to your own club or school’s requirements. Whether you want a nine day tour, a ten night tour, an extended 10+ day tour, our aim is to give each team at least one game in an international standard cricket stadium.   Whether playing at a school, club or international venue, the pitch will be excellent as will the opposition and you can be sure of a typical Sri Lankan welcome.

“Thank you and all the team for making our tour so fantastic in many ways! The fixtures were what I expected and wanted – tough but competitive for our boys and many lessons would have (and will be) learned from these experiences.” Chris GangeMaster in Charge, Millfield School

“This was Emanuel School’s first Tour to Sri Lanka, and it is safe to say that it is going to take some beating in years to come! Sport Asia’s staff were flexible, reliable, easy to deal with and offered excellent value. All the details of the tour ran smoothly and they helped to make it an enjoyable experience for all involved. Fantastic organisation, ideal accommodation, and some great fixtures against friendly but competitive opposition. Would happily recommend Sport Asia Tours to any school looking to mix cricket with a fantastic cultural experience in Sri Lanka.” Brendan McKerchar Master in Charge, Emanuel School

“The tour was a great success and allowed the team to gel throughout the week, providing an opportunity to work on their game in different and inspirational surroundings. They were also able to enjoy a range of cultural experiences broadening their horizons and growing as young people. It was also a lot of fun! ” C.Igolen-Robinson, Master in Charge, Haileybury !! !!

Testimonials

On tour in Sri Lanka…Some helpful information Safety and Security - To ensure the health and safety of all guests in Sri Lanka, every tourist hotel is required by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board to be equipped to manage illness and injury. Almost all the hotels that are approved by the Tourist Board have the Doctor on Call facility, and are equipped with first aid to treat emergencies. The major cities also have on call ambulance services provided by the hospitals. It is advisable that you use the safety lockers provided by the hotel (in your room or at the Front Office) to store your valuables in. When visiting wildlife parks or marine sanctuaries, it is strictly advised to adhere to the safety standards set by the Authorities. The beaches on the eastern, western and southern coasts are usually safe for swimming, when the respective monsoons are not in effect. If the undercurrents are strong or the tide is high, there will be red flags on the beach warning the public to stay off the water. Alcohol/Drinking - Sri Lankans enjoy their alcohol famously. The most popular local brew is known as Arrack, which is made of coconut water. Foreign alcohol beverages are also widely available in all the major cities. In Sri Lanka, it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to minors below the age of 21. Alcohol is also not available on full moon Poya Holidays, as the liquor stores and bars are not permitted to be open on such days. Drinking in public on Poya days is also considered an offense. In the hotels, the bars will remain closed on the Poya days. The guests can order room service and consume the beverages in their rooms.

Continued…… Dress - Sri Lankan culture requires modest attire. Whilst the young population of the commercial capital of Colombo may display a certain degree of modern and western influenced clothing, the greater population of the rest of the island still adheres to somewhat minimal skin exposure. The Saree is the most commonly seen dress for women, although they can also be seen wearing long dresses, skirts, jeans, pants, blouses, t-shirts etcetera. Whilst the traditional attire for men is the sarong and the shirt, they are also seen wearing trousers, jeans, t-shirts etcetera. In the more modern environs of Colombo, the casual dress code is mostly flexible and comfortable, whilst the corporate employees will wear the commonly accepted office attire. For foreign tourists, given the warm tropical climate of the country with its constantly high levels of humidity, garments made of cotton which are comfortable and modest are highly recommended. When travelling to the higher altitudes of the Central Province, it is advisable to wear warm clothes, as the temperatures can drop as low as 6-8c in the Nuwara Eliya district. When relaxing in the beach hotels, the tourists are very welcome to indulge in the sun in their swimwear. When visiting religious places such as temples and kovils, it is imperative that arms and legs are covered, and any headgear and footwear are removed as a display of respect. Nudity is strictly prohibited by law of Sri Lanka, and is deemed a punishable offense. Medical – Sri Lanka has hospitals in all major cities, mainly public & also on a private basis. Your quote does not include individual travel insurance, so we recommend that individuals purchase cover for themselves. Currency - The currency in use in Sri Lanka is the Rupee. The widely used and accepted denominations of the Sri Lankan Rupee are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000. Whilst 1, 2, 5 and 10 are available as coins, the notes are available from 10 up to 5000.

Players Quote

The cost of your proposed tour will be £2455 per person which is based on the following: •  18 players staying on a half board basis in accommodation in the mentioned

hotels on Page 11 for 16 nights in double/twin rooms •  Return airfare on economy class and visa costs •  ATOL bonded protection •  Welcome and assistance upon arrival at the airport by representatives •  A banner welcoming the visiting team to Sri Lanka will be displayed at the

airport, hotels and match venues •  Transport in an air-conditioned large coach for the entire tour, with the service of

a chauffeur and assistant •  Reservation of the grounds for the five match days and services of local

umpires •  3 litres of Mineral water per player for each match. •  Provision of opponent teams of the quality similar to the visiting team for the

matches •  Lunch packs and drinks at the grounds on the match days for both visiting

teams and local opponent teams (40 Pax – 30 Players/4 officials/2 umpires/2 staff x 5 matches

•  Entrance fees to the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela, and lunch •  Entrance fees to Uda Walawe National park •  Jeep hire to Udawalawe National park •  River Cruise on the Gin Oya River

Players Quote continued… The price does not include: •  Transport from Devon to a UK airport •  Single supplement. The cost for an individual to stay in a single room

is an additional £785. •  Cricket gear and balls. •  Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks or any other beverages, except for

tea / coffee provided during the matches at the grounds •  Video / photo permits at any of the sites visited •  Lunch, except for lunch provided at the ground on the match dates

and at Pinnawela •  Entrance fees to any sites other than the Elephant Orphanage. •  Tips and gratuities •  Extras such as laundry, telephone calls, mineral water bottles etc. •  Expenses of a personal nature •  Services other than those specified.

Supplements

•  A Group Photograph for each member of the team: •  £4 per player

•  A Personalized Souvenir for each member of the team: •  £10 per player

Supporters Quote The cost of your proposed tour will be £2205 per person which is based on the following: •  20 supporters staying on a half board basis in

accommodation in the mentioned hotels on page 12 for 16 nights in double/twin rooms

•  Return airfare on economy class and visa costs •  ATOL bonded protection •  Welcome and assistance upon arrival at the airport

by representatives •  Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with

team for the tour. •  Service of an English speaking National Guide

Lecturer for the entire tour •  Two free guided tours of Kandy and Colombo for

shopping •  Entrance fees to the Elephant Orphanage at

Pinnawela, and lunch •  Entrance fees to Uda Walawe National park •  Jeep hire to Udawalawe National park •  River Cruise on the Gin Oya River

Supporters Quote continued… The price does not include: •  Transport from Devon to a UK Airport •  The cost for an individual to stay in a single room is an

additional £785. •  Mineral water, Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks or any

other beverages •  Video / photo permits at any of the sites visited •  Lunch, except at Pinnawela Elephant orphanage •  Entrance fees to any sites other than the Elephant

Orphanage •  Tips and gratuities •  Extras such as laundry, telephone calls, mineral

water bottles etc. •  Expenses of a personal nature •  Services other than those specified. The price is subject to confirmation at the time of booking and a deposit of 20% per person is required to secure the tour at the price quoted. To discuss this quote or for more information please contact Mark Stear at mark.stear@sportarabia.co.uk or visit www.sportarabia.co.uk

Supplements •  Lunch for accompanying non players/supporters during the matches

•  £10 per person •  Golf rate at present 18 holes in Victoria Golf & Country Resort, Kandy:

•  Adult £31 per head •  Golf rate at present 9 holes in Kandy:

•  Adult £20 per head •  Golf rate at present 18 holes in The Royal Colombo Golf Club,

Colombo: •  Adult £45 per head

•  Golf rate at present 9 holes in Colombo: •  Adult £25 per head

•  Golf rate at present 18 holes in Nuwara Eliya (2000 metres high): •  £ 31 per head

•  Golf rate at present 9 holes in Nuwara Eliya: •  £25 per head

•  Supplement for Mineral Water (500 ml): •  £0.50 per bottle (Mineral Water will be made available in the bus

and in the grounds).