On the first club cricket tour to Sri Lanka we ever got involved in, way back in 1997 when Red Dot was just an idea in the back of the mind, the tour group managed to miss its flight home.
It’s a long story, but we like to think we have come a long way since then.
Club tours at Red Dot Sports come in many forms.
At the highest level, English counties might be looking for some serious pre-season practice; at a somewhat lower standard, a conversation in a pub might be the catalyst for a motley group of clubbies optimistically turning up for the experience of their lives.
Some clubs are obsessed about the standards of net practice, or the chance to practice under lights. Others just want to stay on the beach and are happy just to get to the match on time with enough sun cream to see them through the day.
Whatever sort of Sri Lanka club cricket tour you need, Red Dot does not just stop at the cricket. With the support of our holiday division, Red Dot Tours, we offer an unrivalled range of Sri Lanka activities and experiences to make your holiday just a little bit more special.
Away from the pitch, you can explore stunning beaches, the heritage of the Cultural Triangle and the spectacular hill-country. Visit one of the island’s game parks, try a variety of water-sports, sing with a local pub band or play golf on some of Asia’s finest courses.
Our reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s leading tailor-made holiday companies also ensures us great rates at more than 400 carefully-selected properties on the island from luxury to best budget.
The island is thriving – and with Red Dot you can discover it for yourselves.
Day Guide
Day 01, 02, 03
Upon arriving in Sri Lanka transfer to central Colombo and relax and unwind after your long flight. Fully refreshed, you will be ready for a light training session the following day at an Indoor Academy or a first-class Colombo ground. Red Dot will be happy to supply net bowlers if required. In the evening of Day 2 have a welcome dinner at The Cricket Club Café.
Match Day | 01 against a Colombo club side. Colombo remains the centre of Sri Lankan cricket and all its first-class grounds love to play host to touring sides whenever they can. After the match spend your third night at the Galle Face Regency before heading the next day to Kandy in the central hills. By now you should be in the mood to sample some of the best restaurants, bars and even the odd nightclub in this easily explored city.
Day 04, 05, 06
Journey to Sri Lanka’s hill capital – the lakeside town of Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) with traditional music and drumming are held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening where guests can participate. Continue on to the Victoria Golf & Country Resort located 45 minutes north east of Kandy town. Check-in to the Victoria Golf Chalets situated within the 500 acre estate of the Resort, edged by the vast Victoria reservoir and overlooked by the Knuckles mountain range. The Victoria Resort has a host of activities on offer such as swimming, tennis, horse riding, and nature trails. However, it is the Donald Steel designed golf course that is Victoria’s star attraction. It is not just a well-kept, rewarding golf course, the setting and design offered by stunning scenery makes it one of the world’s best courses.
Match Day | 02 From your base at Victoria, travel to the Pallakelle International Stadium for MATCH 2. This ground was developed in preparation for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Day 07, 08, 09, 10
Today you travel south to the historic city of Galle – famous for its sunkissed beaches and the 17C Dutch Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay your final four nights at the Jetwing Lighthouse, a five-star beach hotel designed by the late Geoffrey Bawa – Sri Lanka’s iconic architect. Hours can be spent exploring the fascinating Galle Fort with its maze of narrow streets lined with Dutch and British period buildings still in use, the sturdy ramparts looking out to sea and overlooking the Galle International Cricket Stadium; museums, cafes and restaurants. There are some fine beaches nearby including Wijeya, Unawatuna, Mirissa and Hikkaduwa.
Match Day | 03 is at the Galle International Stadium which is one of cricket’s most-loved venues. Flanked by the Indian Ocean and the impressive 17C Galle Fort behind the bowlers at one end, you could barely imagine a more stunning environment in which to enjoy a cricket match. After the 2004 tsunami, it was thought that international cricket would never return to Galle. But thanks to the global cricket community, the ground has been restored to its former glory.
The next day, head off to the Foundation of Goodness situated in the village of Seenigama north of Galle. This village was destroyed as a result of the 2004 Tsunami and redeveloped by the Foundation of Goodness charity, with the help of Surrey and MCC among others and worthy of your support.
Match Day | 04 vs Seenigama Village XI at the Seenigama Oval. The wicket is a good quality Astroturf, and the outfield is lush. As a part of the Foundation of Goodness programme, the cricketers will be interacting, learning and helping out the local village community in various capacities, giving a memorable insight into island life. On day 11, leave well in time for your airport transfer 3 hours north.
Red Dot is entirely flexible. For example, you could extend your tour with additional matches in Colombo or a trip to the cultural triangle.
Accommodation
Note: We have priced this accommodation as affordable mid-market. Many other options are available on request from our range of more than 400 carefully-vetted and much-loved Sri Lanka properties.
Day 01, 02, 03
Cinnamon Red
Cinnamon Red offers comfortable accommodation in the centre of Colombo. This ultra-modern hotel spans 26 floors and has fantastic views across the city centre. It has a pool, gym and rooftop bar and is decorated throughout with vibrant bursts of crimson.
Day 04, 05, 06
Victoria Chalets
The Victoria Golf Chalets offer exceptional value and are perfect for the golf enthusiast, who wants to waste no time before getting on the first tee. The Victoria Golf & Country Resort also offers a host of recreational activities that even non-golfing travelling partners as well as children will enjoy. All chalets have private verandahs with stunning views of the Knuckles Mountain Range.
Day 07, 08, 09, 10
Citrus Hikkaduwa
Citrus is a mid-market beach hotel in Hikkaduwa, a chilled-out resort which sprang to prominence as a favourite haunt on the Sixties backpacker trail and is regaining its youthful, informal feel, with one of the best surfing beaches in Sri Lanka and a scattering of decent beachside bars, restaurants and sporadically-appearing nightclubs.