Target Travels re-enters domestic travel sector

•  Plans tours to Nuwara Eliya and Mullaitivu in May

Target Travels, which is the wholly-owned travel arm of the conglomerate Ranfer Group of Companies, is reinitiating its activities in the domestic travel sector in keeping with the rapid changes occurring within the Sri Lankan tourism sector. In keeping with these changes it has already planned two tours for the month of May 2013.

The first tour will be during Vesak holidays in cooperation with Expo Rail and Hotel Galway in Nuwara Eliya. The tour will commence from the Fort Railway Station on 25 Saturday at 8 a.m. The super luxury First Class rail compartment is attached to the Badulla Express train and the guests are served with breakfast followed by lunch when passing Gampola.

The journey from Nawalapitiya will take you into the famous ‘Panoramic Drive’ with the train meandering its way through the rolling hills and beautifully manicured and carpeted tea gardens which will surely take your breath away.

One could also venture out to the ‘open deck’ area of the Expo carriage to take photographs or simply enjoy the freshness of the mountains and the misty salubrious climate. No sooner the train reaches Nanuoya, the group is whisked away to Hotel Galwey by local transportation. A grand dinner buffet is served at Hotel Galwey.

The next morning after breakfast the group will visit Sita Amman Kovil, Japanese Garden, Lake Gregory area, Bale Market and the Nuwara Eliya Market. After checking out from the hotel they will be transferred back to Nanuoya station to catch the ‘down’ train to Colombo. Lunch, tea and dinner will be served on board. ETA Colombo Fort Station 20.30hrs.

The second tour is to the ever-popular Mullaitivu war zone from 31 May to 2 June (2n/3d).The main focus is Mullaitivu (Pudukuduirippu) area where the Sri Lanka Army defeated the LTTE.

There are 12 vital site visits covered in the tour, namely Vishwamadhu area (Prabhakaran’s hospital bunker, fruit farm and torture chambers) in addition to Farah 3, the pirated Jordanian ship by the LTTE. Soosai’s house, submarine boat yard, the swimming pool, submarine testing tank, Prabhakaran’s 4 tier bunker, vehicle graveyard, SL Army Victory Monument and memorial for 1,600 slain SL Army officers. An officer from SLA will accompany as a guide to all the sites.

The stay for two nights will be at Green House and Lagoon’s Edge (overlooking Nandikadal) maintained by the Sri Lanka Army Mullaitivu Camp with sumptuous Sri Lankan meals served by the Army chefs. Both properties have AC facilities.

 On this tour the group will cover towns and villages that came to limelight during the 30 year war. Some of them are Anuradhapura, Medawachchiya, Vavniya, Omantai, Puliyankulam, Nedunkani, Oddusudan, Wellamullawaikkal and Pudumatalan in addition to Nandikadal Lagoon and Pudukuduirippu.

There are only 14 beds available for the tour and Sri Lankans and expats are advised to book early. Travel by a 25 seater luxury, AC mini coach.

For further information from Target Travels Ltd. call 077 3409828 (hotline) or 011 4605600. Target Travels is an IATA accredited travel agency and member of PATA and SLAITO.