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Sri Lanka’s second airline to fly to Male, Dhaka…

Sri Lanka’s state owned budget airline Mihin Lanka has expanded its services to Male, Dhaka and Jakarta, the airline announced earlier this week. Mihin Lanka Airlines currently operates flights to Dubai and Kuwait in the Middle East, and Tiruchi, Varanasi, and Bodhgaya in India.

The budget airline has special easy payment schemes for the elders and the country’s war-disabled servicemen to visit the sacred city of Bodhgaya in India. Bodhgaya is highly relevant for Sri Lankan Buddhists as it is for all Buddhists, being the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Mihin Lanka is to operate flights four times a week to Male and three times a week each to Dhaka and Jakarta. The airline was formed to cater for low cost air transportation to the traveling public and it commenced operation on 24th April 2007 flying to Dubai in the UAE.

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Sri Lanka

Whale watching gathers momentum in Sri Lanka

In the coastal waters off the southern tip of Sri Lanka, whale watching is becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction. The whale watching industry is gathering momentum with a number of large private sector companies already engaged in the business. However, last week the newest tour operator to offer whale watching tours to the public, both tourist and local, is none other than the Sri Lanka Navy.

The navy launched a special vessel with a capacity to carry 300 passengers, which will not only take visitors on tour to see the whales, but will also use state-of-the-art equipment to locate the huge mammals and then guide other operator boats to the location. Such a service is highly welcomed by all the operators, as it increases ones chances of sighting the whales.

Sri Lanka media portal News First (website) further states that the Fisheries Harbour Corporation is also set to launch its own whale and dolphin watching vessel off the southern coast in April. The vessel with a capacity to carry 50 passengers is somewhat of a luxury vessel boasting many cruise-ship like facilities including a restaurant, the website said.

Whale watching is a relatively new activity on the Sri Lanka tourism itinerary, as it has only become available after the end of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict. During the 27 years of conflict between government troops and the ruthless militant Tamil Tigers, the defense ministry had banned the sale and use of boat motors above 5hp. There was also several restrictions imposed upon the movements of baot traffic in the costal waters off-shore. But, now with the war well in her past, Sri Lanka is becoming the indomitable tourist paradise it so deservedly is.

Between the months of December and April the seas south of Dondra Head and Mirissa are known for Blue and Sperm whales sightings close to shore. Dolphins too are plentiful.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka reopens Pigeon Island National Park to tourists

The Department of Wildlife in Sri Lanka has again re-opened to tourists the Pigeon Island National Park, as the north-eastern monsoon season in the country has now come to an end. The island’s name which is a reflection of the Rock Pigeon which has colonized it contains some of the best remaining coral reefs in Sri Lanka.

The coral reefs surrounding Pigeon Island harbors many Vertebrates and Invertebrates. Several of the 100 species of corals and 300 coral reef fishes recorded around the Trincomalee area are found in the national park. Juvenile and adult Blacktip reef shark are often seen around the shallow coral areas. Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle and Olive Ridley are the visiting sea turtles of the coral reef. The island is also an important breeding ground for the Rock Pigeon.

Pigeon Island National Park, one of the two marine national parks in Sri Lanka is located off the coast of Nilaweli in the eastern Trincomalee district, and is a tourist hot spot that has to be accessed via boats. The boat service to the island had been suspended due to the monsoon season and prevailing rough seas considering the safety of the tourists.

As the new tourist season begins, the Department of Wildlife together with the Sri Lanka Navy has issued a new set of guidelines to the boat operators to follow when transporting tourists to the island. The guidelines basically consider the health and safety of visitors to the island, but also address some concerns in regards to environmental impact foreign tourists could have on the islands biosphere. Accordingly, and although not completely banned, tourists are strictly advised against the consumption of alcohol during their visit to the island.

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Sri Lanka

Pakistan International Airlines tri-weekly flights to Colombo

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has now resumed tri-weekly flights to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka; it was revealed in a report published by the Airport and Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.

The report further revealed that the first PIA flight arrived at Colombo’s Katunayake International Airport on 19th February at 1930hrs, and departed on its return journey at 2045hrs. Since the inaugural flight, a tri-weekly schedule has been established with regular connections on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the same arrival and departure times mentioned.

On the inaugural flight was a group of representatives from PIA led by its Managing Director, who were received by a group of Sri Lankan parliamentary Ministers upon arrival in the country. It is widely speculated that the aim behind establishing these air connections between the two nations is for the purpose of boosting trade. Currently, bilateral trade between the two countries stands at approximately USD 300m, with talks underway to increase this figure to USD 2b, by 2015.

Sri Lanka has also seen a vast increase in tourist arrivals from Pakistan since the launch of PIA’s new tri-weekly service to the island just over a month ago. However, “it has only been a short period since the service began, and we are expecting the number of tourist arrivals to grow significantly give time, said Sri Lankan MP Susil Premajayantha.

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China

Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!

From £52.00
Location: Beijing, China
Rating: based on 40 reviews

If your time in Beijing is short, take this full-day tour to see all the essential sights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. You’ll see why the capital of the People’s Republic of China continues to be a historic center of power, culture and wealth today.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Comprehensive tour by air-conditioned bus/coach
All entrance fees included
Lunch included
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included

Your sightseeing day tour of Beijing’s essential sights starts at Tiananmen Square, with an overview of China’s communist history. You’ll tour the grounds and see Tiananmen’s vast array of halls and monuments.

From Tiananmen Square it’s a short walk to the Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace Museum. The history of every dynasty is represented in four palatial halls, plus antiques and treasures from China’s thousands of years of history.

After a stop for lunch you will visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall, one of the best preserved sections of this 2,000-year-old architectural wonder. You will be able to climb the Great Wall and take in the panoramic views from the top.

The day tour also includes a stop at the famous Longdi Jade Factory where you can shop for beautiful bargains.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from your Beijing city hotels.

Departure Time: 7.30am – Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions –
Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pick up time.

Return Details: Returns to original departure point

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

The tour was a great experience, and I never worried that I would not be taken care of. My tour guide Thomas called the day prior to confirm pickup, and he was prompt to meet me in the lobby. He spoke very good English and gave great information the entire time. The only drawback to the tour was the lunch, which was obviously an agreement with the “restaurant” to feed us mass-produced and typical Chinese food then leave us in the shops to spend money for about 30 minutes. This and stopping at the jade and silk manufacturers took extra time and were obviously agreements to bring tourists in to buy souvenirs. I’d have preferred to stick with just the sights I wanted to see. Otherwise, a great tour and well worth the money paid!

Reviewed by: Teresa R

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China

Great Wall of China at Badaling and Ming Tombs…

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!

From £43.00
Location: Beijing, China
Rating: based on 57 reviews

See two of China’s most popular destinations, the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs on one unforgettable guided day tour from Beijing. You’ll visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall, one of the best preserved sections of this colossal structure, and explore the Chang Ling Tomb, the largest of the excavated Ming emperor burial sites.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
All entrance fees included
Lunch included
Led by a English speaking local guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Travel by air-conditioned coach
Chinese style lunch

First stop on your full-day tour north of Beijing is the Great Wall of China, the greatest symbol of ancient Chinese engineering and one of the world’s most famous structures. Here at the Badaling section of the Great Wall you will have the opportunity to climb either the north or south face of the wall.

From Badaling it’s on to the sacred Ming Tombs, burial grounds to 13 of the 16 Ming emperors. You’ll explore the largest of the excavated burial sites, the Chang Ling Tomb, which is divided into three separate, impressive courtyards.

Lunch is included in your day tour to the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs, along with a shopping opportunity at the renowned Longdi Jade Factory.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from most Beijing city hotels

Departure Time: 7:30am – Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions – Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pick up time.

Return Details: Returns to original departure point

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Great trip. Excellent tour guide, lots of information, but also knew when to shut up and not be annoying with irrelevant chatter, with a need to fill those pauses, like so many others. No negative points, all brill… or maybe that was more to do with the wonderful company with me.. !!!

Reviewed by: Bernard P

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Santiago Airport Shared Departure Transfer

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From £17.00
Location: Santiago, Chile
Rating: based on 3 reviews

Pre-book your departure transfer when you are leaving Chile to take the hassle out of getting from your hotel to Santiago airport. Book your shared transfer in advance and save precious vacation time.

Inclusions:

One-way shared departure transfer
Driver/guide

Avoid the hassles of public transport and risking being ripped off with taxi fees, book your transfer from the airport to your Santiago hotel. You’ll be picked up from the airport and taken in an air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.

Take the easy way out and book your departure transfer in Santiago now. Don’t forget to also book your arrival transfer!

Schedule

Departure Point: You will be met at your Santiago city hotel by your driver at the hotel reception lounge

Departure Time: Your chosen time (transfers operate from 9:00am to 9:00pm)

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Transfers great – early every time, guide and driver excellent.

Reviewed by: Anonymous, Canada

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Santiago Airport Shared Arrival Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!

From £17.00
Location: Santiago, Chile
Rating: based on 5 reviews

Start your holiday now by pre-booking an arrival transfer to get you and your luggage from the airport to your Santiago hotel! Enjoy the convenience of a shared airport to hotel transfer with your English speaking driver and guide who will help you get orientated upon arrival as you are delivered in safety to your Santiago hotel.

Inclusions:

One-way shared arrival transfer
Meet and greet
Driver/guide

Take the easy way out and book your arrival transfer in Santiago now. Don’t forget to also book your departure transfer!

Schedule

Departure Point: Santiago Airport arrivals lounge

Departure Time: Your chosen time (transfers operate from 9:00am to 9:00pm)

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

We found the services somewhat pricey, but our experience at Santiago Airport was very satisfying. Our flight from Lima was supposed to arrive in Santiago at 02.20 but was delayed by some three and a half hours no reasons given and arrived in Santiago around 05.30, with no certainty of being met. We need not have worried – there were our pick-up people smiling and ready to make us welcome with a quick trip to our hotel and help with our bags etc. We think that they were worth every peso paid.

Reviewed by: June W, Australia

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Santiago Airport Private Departure Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!

From £17.00
Location: Santiago, Chile

Finish your Chilean adventure in style with a private transfer from your hotel straight to Santiago Airport. End your holiday with a pre-booked departure transfer to get you and your luggage to Santiago airport on time.

Inclusions:

One-way private transfer
Driver/guide

Avoid the hassles of public transport and risking being ripped off with taxi fees, book your transfer from the airport to your Santiago hotel. You’ll be picked up from your Santiago hotel and taken directly in an air-conditioned vehicle to the airport.

Take the easy way out and book your departure transfer in Santiago now. Don’t forget to also book your arrival transfer!

Schedule

Departure Point: You will be met at your Santiago city hotel by your driver at the hotel reception lounge

Departure Time: Your chosen time (transfers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

BOOK HOTELS IN SANTIAGO, CHILE

Airport/Resort Transfers

Santiago Airport Private Arrival Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!

From £17.00
Location: Santiago, Chile
Rating: based on 4 reviews

Arrive in style with a private transfer from Santiago Airport straight to your hotel door. Start your holiday now by pre-booking an arrival transfer to get you and your luggage from the airport to your Santiago hotel.

Inclusions:

One-way private transfer
Driver/guide

Enjoy the convenience of a private airport to hotel transfer with your English speaking driver and guide who will help you get orientated upon arrival in Santiago as you are delivered in safety to your selected hotel.

Take the easy way out and book your arrival transfer in Santiago now. Don’t forget to also book your departure transfer!

Schedule

Departure Point: Santiago Airport arrivals lounge

Departure Time: Your chosen time (transfers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

We would definitely do this again. Made things very easy for us. They were waiting for us at both exits so they wouldn’t miss us. It was very easy and no stress.

Reviewed by: Lisa U

BOOK HOTELS IN SANTIAGO, CHILE