A couple of bits of advice/information required please

I have been fortunate and have been to Sri Lanka 3 times, however most of the arrangements have been made by others. This time we are going under our own steam this time and I cant remember some stuff. We are planning 5 to 7 days there and then off to Maldives for some R%26amp;R ..

How far is it from Columbo to Pinawella ?

We want to stay in Pinawella but despite going there 3 times I cant remember any of the hotels or accommodations. I think there are 2 on teh left as you walk down to the river... Can any of you tell me?

How far from Pinawella to Sigiriya Rock, I cant remember it is a day trip?

We then want to go back to Hambatota we stayed in the Oasis hotel as it was the only one standing, but are there any others now?

We would like to hire a driver for 5 or 6 days and a car, we have someone in mind but would like a ball park of costs, please.

How long is the drive down from Columbo to Galle?

many thank in advance

Tazness x

A couple of bits of advice/information required please

Hi Tazness,

1) Colombo to Pinawela: make it 100 km, that means about 2.5 hours travel.

2) Pass on the GH%26#39;s at Pinawela. Tulip of Ceylon near Mawanella (about 10 km south of it) is the closest star-class hotel.

3) About 100 km to Sigiriya, but partly on byroads. Can be done in a day trip as long as you make sure you arrive at the Rock before 10:30 AM, so an early leave.

4) Hambantota still has Oasis and Peacock Beach as the main hotels, both equally old.

5) Use Rs 35-40 per km as ballpark. For distances this site

srilanka.travel/lang/鈥istancefinder.php

Comes in handy. A day rate of Rs 6,000, if you don%26#39;t make more than 4 hours driving per day, is also an option.

6) Colombo-Galle is 116 km, so 3 hours if you%26#39;re lucky.

All the best,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

A couple of bits of advice/information required please

Hi,

You turn off Colombo-Kandy road at 82 km post, so about 85 km.

There is a hotel at the river where the elephants go bathing. It%26#39;s called Elephant .... Hotel. However, I would prefer to stay a bit from the orphanage to avoid the noisy tourists. Tulip of Ceylon could be at good choice. It%26#39;s located between Kegalle and Mawanella, so it%26#39;s close to Pinnawala.

http://www.tulipofceylon.com/ENG/index1.html

Pinnawala to Sigiriya a little more than 100 km.

AFAIK Oasis is the only hotel in Hambantota. The area is very touristy.

Car with driver should cost you around LKR 5500/day based on an average mileage of maximum 150-160 km/day.

Colombo to Galle is 115 km, so it will take 3-4 hours depending on the time of the day you travel.

Hans

Tulip of Ceylon is a wonderful place from which to visit the elephant orphanage and, indeed, a fantastic place to stay. However, it is currently closed ... check the position if you are looking to go there in the immediate future.

Sue

Yep, The Tulip of Ceylon is currently closed. BIG shame as I wanted to stay there!!!

The manager is hoping to reopen as soon as he can get some legal problems sorted out.

I had an email from him yesterday.

Back to Hambantota:

Oasis is decent (about 3-star) but

http://www.peacockbeachonline.com/

_really_ also exists. It%26#39;s closer to town centre, whilst Oasis is more a resort-like location on a lagoon.

When we stayed at Peacock we rated it about 2 star, but both are in the TA hotels section so better compare quality and prices yourself.

All the best,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

Thanks you everone.. Exactly the informaiton I wanted to know.

Good to know the Peacock hotel has been rebulit, there was only the Oasis when I was there both times in the past after the Tsunami.

Thanks for the tips on the other hotels near the Orphanage, but I particulary want to be in Pinewala this time.... I thought there was another on kind of behind the Elepahnt hotel ??

MelinB .. thanks for the note, but we are doing our own thing, not a trip but thanks anyway for the tip.

Taz x

Forgot to say

Thanks for the tip about the Tulip of Ceylon, it looks lovely. I will keep it in mind if its open and Pinnewala does not work out

Thanks