Sri Lanka
Premium Small group Medical conference and Photo tour
13D/12N
November 25th to 07th December 2020
Physical Difficulty- No intense trekking or similar activities, mostly road trips.
Maximum Number of Participants- 10 (minimum 6 participants needed for the medical education tour)
Please note that this tour is NOT only for serious photographers, but also for anyone who are interested in image-making or exploring beautiful places. Non photographers can also join. However as being a photo tour the agenda will be followed accurately to cater the photography needs of participants.
As this is a small group conference, to enable the learning, participants will be asked to deliver a medical talk on a topic of specialty or interest.
Legendary explorer Marco Polo who traversed across Sri Lanka during his many voyages referred to it as ‘The finest island of its size in all of the world’. Sri Lanka is an island paradise, lined with amazing golden sandy beaches and azure blue waters which are rich with life, and amazing coral reefs. The deeper waters are home to marine giants such as the Blue Whale, the largest animal to have ever lived. Sri Lanka has a rich natural heritage and is an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot teaming with endemic flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Incredibly for an island of its size, Sri Lanka can boast of large terrestrial animals that include leopards, sloth bears and some of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants in the world.
The island has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to over 2,000 years during which Buddhism thrived in the country with magnificently constructed stupas and the ruin remains of ancient kingdoms. Controlled from the 16th century onwards by the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British prior to gaining full independence in 1948, the influences of colonial powers remain visible in architecture and a number of forts across the country. The world famous Ceylon Tea is grown predominantly in the mystical highlands, known for its cooler climes, numerous waterfalls and scenic vistas. Enjoy Sri Lankan cuisine, which is rich in spices with its own distinct flavour and is a fusion of traditional dishes mixed with influences from traders and colonial powers. The real treasure of Sri Lankans are its people who are renowned for their warm hospitality and are among some of the friendliest people in the world. The Emerald Isle has something to offer for everyone.
Our main focus during this tour is to enjoy the island paradise while updating our medical knowledge through small group education session, not less than 2 hours a day. Compare to the typical day long education sessions, this is less tiring and being a small group sessions everyone will have the opportunity to actively participate.
Your tour leader and photography mentor will be Bhagi Siva, an award winning photographer with an experience spanning over a decade. His Pictures have been published in many publications including National Geographic, Lonely planet, etc. He was nominated twice as a finalist in the Travel photographer of the year contest - One of the most prestigious award in the world for Travel photographers and twice as a finalist in the Australian photographer of the year contest by Australian photography magazine. He has won several other competitions.
With a beautifully crafted itinerary with premium inclusions, a tour to one of the most exotic location in the world, led by an award winning photographer who will be guiding you all the way through the journey in making beautiful images you can just sit back, relax and enjoy a trip of a lifetime.
ITINERARY
Please Note- The photo tour component of this tour means almost all the places we visit will be based on gaining best photography opportunities. The following itinerary has been prepared to give an overall idea on the important features of the tour. However due to inherent nature of such photo tours, we will stop at many places en-route whenever we see beautiful locations and scenes.
Day one
Group arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport & Transport to Koggala
Attractions - Aluthgama Kande Vihara, Traditional mask making private shoot, Stilt fishermen private shoot at Sunset
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at South Point Ocean luxury Villa
Day Two
Early morning - Visit Mirissa Fish market shoot
Late afternoon Galle Fort guided tour
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at South Point Ocean luxury Villa
Day Three
Stilt fishermen private shoot at sunrise
Yala national park Half-Day wildlife safari
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 6.30pm
Overnight at Cinnamon Wild, Yala
Day Four
Yala national park Half-Day wildlife safari
Transfer to Ella- Attractions Ravana Ella falls, Iconic 9 arches bridge at sunset
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Melheim Resort, Haputale
Day Five
Photo shoot - Sunrise over the mountains
Full Day photo tour to World heritage Horton Plains, Worlds end viewpoint, Bakers Falls (Easy Trekking- 3 hours)
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Melheim Resort, Haputale
Day Six
Sunrise photo shoot at Liptons Seat viewpoint, Dambetenne Tea factory tour and photo shoot at tea estates
Lunch at Nuwara Eliya and short visit to Nuwara Eliya lake
Late afternonn visit to Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic and Kandy lake
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy
Day Seven
Private shoot- Elephant bathing
Private shoot- Kandyan styled cultural dance show with dancers and drummers
Brief visit to local village for photo opportunities
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Aliya resort, Sigiriya
Day Eight
Early morning Private shoot - Angampora ancient martial art
Rural village scenes with boat ride in Hiriwadunna wewa.
Afternoon- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress- Easy
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Aliya resort, Sigiriya
Day Nine
Hot Air ballooning from Dambulla
Later visit to ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura
Late afternoon shoot at Anuradhapura for rural landscapes and ancient temples
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Palm Garden Village hotel, Anuradhapura
Day Ten
Early morning visit to historic monuments and landscapes in Anuradhapura
Transfer to Jaffna - Northern Sri Lanka
Late afternoon photography shoot at Jaffna fort and Kayts seaway
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Jetwing Hotel, Jaffna
Day Eleven
Early morning - Bird photography shoot - Migrating greater Flamingos and other water birds.
Local markets of Jaffna and Nallur Kandaswamy Hindu temple
Late afternoon- Private shoot - Folk Dancing session/ Traditonal crafts
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm
Overnight at Jetwing Hotel, Jaffna
Day Tweleve
Early morning photograph around Jaffna Landscapes and photography of busy streets.
Domestic flight from Palali Airport to Ratmalana and transfer to Galle face hotel
If time permits sunset walk and shoot at galleface
Medical Conference - 2 hours at 7pm including farewell Dinner
Overnight at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
Day Thirteen
If time permitting early morning photography of Pettah and old colonial buildings in the colombo Fort
Transfer to Bandaranayake International Airport.
End of tour
INCLUSIONS
All accomodations - 4/5 star
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Photography mentor + Guide fees
Airport transfers
Domestic flight between Colombo and Jaffna
All ground transports
All entrance tickets
All private shoot fees
EXCLUSIONS
International Air-Fare
Drinks or alcoholic beverages
Extra meals
Personal expenses
Any type of insurance including Travel insurances
Any type of medical expenses
Tips to locals/drivers/waiters
Visa fees
