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Sri Lanka Balooning Festival (21st of March to 4th April 2008) |
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Hot air ballooning is a popular adventure sport and with good reason. After all which other sport offers its enthusiasts the thrills of picking leaves from a treetop, skimming a few feet above water or soaring thousands of feet above breathtaking scenery?
The inaugural Sri Lanka Balloon Festival was held in 2003 and since then has been continued almost biennially. March-April 2008 is slated for the third such gathering. The 2008 festival has been declared a national event by the Ministry of Tourism and is organized by the Ceylon Airship and Ballooning Club (CABC) headed by its Chairman, Captain Anil Jayasinghe who is Sri Lanka’s pioneer and only hot air balloonist. It is currently the only aviation event in the country.
80-100 participants from Europe and Japan are expected together with 25 hot air balloons. This event is unique for balloon participants in that they will have an exclusive, two-week organized tour built around the hot air ballooning experience in Sri Lanka.
The ballooning excursions include a few days of flying in the Uda Walawe area, the Cultural Triangle and the general area of Sigiriya as well as a trip to Nuwara Eliya and helicopter rides. |
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Train
Travel
Accommodation :
Not Applicable
Travel via the Viceroy steam engine which is a unique feature of the event. No other balloon festival in the world has such a mode of travel for the participants. Steam-powered rail travel is a throwback to a bygone era and such a facility is rarely found in modern times in most countries around the world.
Sky
Diving
Accommodation :
Not Applicable
Sky diving is an added feature. The festival has attracted a few parachutists who get their thrills in jumping from the balloon.
Night
Glow
Accommodation :
Amaya Reef (Hotel Reefcomber), Asian Jewel Hotel
Musical Show - The tour traditionally starts off in Colombo with a “Night Glow musical show” with the balloons tethered, lit up and glowing like large light bulbs against the evening darkness, providing a spectacular sight to the viewers. Music, food and beverages are available for spectators in a carnival-like atmosphere allowing many families to enjoy a quality evening of entertainment.
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The Price Includes;
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Welcome and assistance on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
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Transportation in an air-conditioned Large Coaches with the service of an English speaking National Guide Lecturers for the entire tour on sectors with coach transfer.
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Accommodation on Half Board basis, starting with Dinner of 21st March and ending with Breakfast on 04th April 2007
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Transfers by the Viceroy Special
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21st March 2008 From Airport to Mount Lavinia
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23rd March 2008 From Mount Lavinia to Nuwara Eliya
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02nd April 2008 From Sigiriya to Negombo
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Lunch on board the Viceroy special on the 23rd March 2008 and 02nd April 2008
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Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary – Horton Plains, Yala National Park, Kataragama Temple, Buduruwagala Temple Complex, Udawalawe National Park, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa
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Jeeps to visit Yala and Udawalawe National Parks
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Local transport to visit Horton Plains.
The Price Not Includes;
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· Airfare - international only Domestic helicopter transfer is complimentary
· Mineral water, tea / coffee, soft drinks, alcohol or any other beverages.
· Lunch, except for those included in the Viceroy Special on the 23rd March and 02nd April 2008
· Laundry, telephone or any other services at the hotels
· Tips, gratuities and insurance
· Video, photo permits at any of the sites
· Services other than those specified.
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