Sri Lanka. Life-changing retreats to the world s most beautiful and spiritual destinations. 11 Days/9 Nights Sunday 20th to Wednesday 30th MAY 2018

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1 Life-changing retreats to the world s most beautiful and spiritual destinations. 11 Days/9 Nights Sunday 20th to Wednesday 30th MAY 2018 Join award-winning author and qualified spiritual facilitator, Chrissie Astell, on a journey of discovery, healing and transformation.

2 DATE TBA - PREPARATORY ONLINE GROUP SESSION All travellers are invited to join Chrissie online in a private group session. You can join via telephone, computer, tablet or smartphone. Chrissie will offer advice and tips for preparing for the retreat and invite the angels to bless, guide and protect the group. There ll be an opportunity to ask questions before we meditate together for a safe, successful and inspirational retreat. 20th / 21st May ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO Assembling at Heathrow and check-in for flight to Colombo. An opportunity to meet each other and say hello before the flight in addition to meeting room mates for those who are sharing twin rooms. Arriving in Colombo, we travel by private coach to Dambulla for dinner and overnight accommodation. After checking in we will meet together for a group meditation where Chrissie will create a Sacred Circle to protect the group during the whole retreat. Monday is often associated with Archangel Gabriel s over-lighting energy, so we ll be calling this in to shine a light on our way.

3 22nd May DAMBULLA SIGIRIYA POLONNARUWA The suggested personal morning reflection will be to focus on the Angel of Joy as we engage with some of the most ancient and spectacular sites allowing ourselves to be free of issues that may be preventing fulfilment of complete joy in our lives. Today we ll be visiting Dambulla s beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sitting about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka s most important and evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art. This famed rock cave temple is an iconic Sri Lankan image and despite its many tourists this remains an important holy place where we shall find a quiet corner to tune in to the ancient beauty and sacred art. Dambulla Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka s single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilisation, thought to be once the epicentre of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa. We ll gather at the Rock Fortress to perform an exercise in grounding anchoring the Divine Light through our physical presence to the Earth whilst allowing our spirit to be free to explore and our hearts open to new experiences and wisdom. Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a thriving commercial and religious centre. The glories of that age can be found in the archaeological treasures that still give a pretty good idea of how the city looked in its heyday. You ll find the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures tombs and temples, statues and stupas in a compact core. The Quadrangle alone is worth the trip. Sigiriya Polonnaruwa Anuradhapura

4 23rd May ANURADHAPURA Our suggested personal morning reflection will focus on the Angels of Sun and embracing the clarity of colour and vibrance all around us. We ll visit one of the greatest and oldest civilisations in the world at Anuradhapura, one of the eight World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka. The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka. Having been hidden away in the jungle for centuries it was rediscovered in 1870 and became a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Today, several of the sites remain in use as holy places and temples; frequent ceremonies give Anuradhapura a vibrancy that s a sharp contrast to the museum-like ambience at Polonnaruwa. Kandy Matale 24th May DAMBULLA MATALE KANDY Thursday for me is always a day of healing and contemplation, so we ll be calling on Archangel Raphael and the Angel of Water to embrace all healing energies of the mountains and forests and lakes today. There will be visits to Kandy, the last capital of the ancient kings, and then on to Matale and the Knuckles mountain range. Kandy is situated in central Sri Lanka. It s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city s heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession. Kandy Whilst the name Knuckles was given to the mountains by early British surveyors (it appears like a clenched fist at a distance), the Sinhalese residents have traditionally referred to the area as Dumbara Kanduvetiya meaning Mist-laden Mountain Range. The wonderful scenery viewed from a distance is breathtakingly mysterious and it s a refreshing change from the warmer climatic experience in Colombo. We ll be staying overnight in Kandy and a perfect opportunity to share our experiences of the tour so far.

5 25th May KANDY ELLA Our morning reflection with the Angel of Air takes us on a tour of the cooler, misty hills of a local tea plantation, and visit to the Eliya Seetha Amman Temple. Ella is a relaxing small town in the middle of the beautiful greens of tea. There are a lot of things to do in Ella. Most travelers fall in love with its surroundings, which make them want to stay longer than they planned to! We re sure that Ella is going to be one of your favourite stops. It was here, back in 1890, that Sir Thomas Lipton planted the first seeds of what is Sri Lanka s biggest export product right now tea. The colourful Eliya Seetha Amman Hindu temple, 7km southeast of Nuwara Eliya, is said to mark the spot where Sita was held captive by the demon king Rawana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her. On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions said to be the footprints of Rawana s elephant. We ll be dining and staying overnight in Ella. Ella 26th May KANDY - ELLA Saturday will be a day to relax, unwind and explore Ella with its beautiful landscapes and varied activities. Chrissie will be hosting an optional morning workshop, where we ll be focussing the powerful energy of this sacred Island, connecting with our Guardian Angels and seeking clarity, guidance and wisdom. For the rest of the day you ll be able to explore the area and there are many sites worth a visit including Adam s Peak, the Nine Arch Bridge and the Ravana Waterfall. (Ella has been described to me as : One of the most beautiful and spiritual places I have ever experienced ) Udawalawe

6 27th May Sri Lanka UDAWALAWE BERUWALA Our morning personal reflection will be to focus on our own personal/spiritual transformation and how we bring our authentic presence into our own world. I particularly requested a visit to the Uda Walawe National Park, a sanctuary for displaced wild animals and important habitat for birds. Framed by soaring highlands on its northern boundary, the park is one of the world s best places to see wild elephants. Largely comprised of grasslands and bush forest, it s also one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for game spotting. We then travel on to Beruwala, where we will be staying at the Reef Ayurveda Resort. On a headland overlooking the harbour at the northern end of town, the Kachimalai Mosque is believed to mark the site of the first Arab landing, and to be the oldest on the island. Containing the shrine of a tenth-century Muslim saint, it s an important pilgrimage site at the end of Ramadan. Beruwala is the starting point of the 130 kilometres (81 miles) long stretch of beach. In the past few years great strides have been made in the field of resort development in this area. The bay around remains ideal for bathing almost for the whole year.

7 28th May Sri Lanka BERUWALA Monday has been kept aside as a full day for reflection and relaxation at the Reef Ayurveda Resort, with an optional session with Chrissie, plus yoga, Ayurvedic healing and relaxation activities. It will be an opportunity to review the revelations you have experienced during the trip and gain additional clarity on your true path and life purpose. (For anyone who would like to experience a Puja, Chrissie has been invited to take part in leading a prayer meeting with 500 people. Transport will be arranged for those who don t want to miss this exciting opportunity - at no extra charge.) 29th May COLOMBO We return to Colombo for our final night, with visits to its prominent Buddhist, Islam and Christian places of worship. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and, of course, its giant Buddha a highlight of any trip to the region. Our final day will include a group reflection of highlights of the trip, sharing of experiences and a meditation with grounding and closing down in preparation of the return home tomorrow. Proposed Flights HEATHROW/COLOMBO/HEATHROW LHR/CMB 20 May Depart Arrive (21st May) CMB/LHR 30 May Depart Arrive 30 May Proposed Hotels Quality 4 Star standard at Half-Board.

8 From tea plantations to temples, waterfalls to white-washed beaches, safaris to sacred temples, you can t help but fall in love with Sri Lanka and its history dating back over 2,500 years. Sites include the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the Historic Galle Fort and the Sacred City of Kandy. With some of the friendliest people in the world, you will enjoy a warm welcome during your time spent on this idyllic island. Fusing ancient spirituality with modern culture, Sri Lanka is a country of mountain vistas, sacred temples, elephant-filled national parks, and some of the best beaches in South Asia. Best-selling author, Chrissie Astell, will be offering daily meditations, reflections, and short workshops, along with spiritual guidance drawn from her highly acclaimed books and courses and her unique seven-step journey to spiritual empowerment. To find out more or book visit: