Anuradhapura

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL, PINNAWALA,DAMBULLA

Meet and greet at the airport. This day you will visit Pinnawalla elephant orphanage, place where you can see around 70 elephants bathing in the river and feeding baby elephants.

Afternoon you will drive to the centre of Cultural triangle, to Dambulla. You will visit Dambulla Cave temple on the top of the rock with 5 caves and more than 150 statues. History of this place is from 1st century BC up to 18th century. Take picture of highest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka in gold color and name Golden temple.

Accommodation in Sigiriya/Dambulla.

DAY 2 - ANURADHAPURA ANCIENT CITY

Drive to Anuradhapura, first main city of Sinhalese kingdom. You will visit the biggest stupa in the island, oldest Bodhi tree and walk around ruined city. This monumental complex will take you 2000 years back and show you rich history of first kingdom.

Accommodation in Sigiriya/Dambulla.

DAY 3 - SIGIRIYA ROCK, SPICE GARDEN, KANDY

Early morning you will climb up Sigiriya rock, place where king Kassapa built palace in 5th century. It is one of the historical places under the UNESCO. You can see water gardens, terrace gardens and rock gardens before you start climbing up. From the top you can see amazing 360 degrees view.

Drive to Kandy, capital of last Sinhalese kingdom. On the way you will stop in Spice garden, where you can see ayurvedic herbal medicine and spice trees.

in Kandy you will visit local vegetable and fruit market and Kandyan cultural dancing show.

Accommodation in Kandy.

DAY 4 - TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH RELIC, BOTANICAL GARDEN, TEA FACTORY

Morning during praying time you will visit Temple of The Tooth relic. The most important place for all Buddhist.

Later you will have nice walk around Royal Botanical garden Peradeniya, where you can see trees from all around the world and trees which were grown by famous people like Queen Elisabeth or Jurij Gagarin.

On the way to ariport od Colombo you will see process and taste tea in tea factory.

Tour finish

Tour 1

DAY 01 – Airport / Pinnawala / Dambulla

Pick up from the Colombo Airport and depart to Dambulla. En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage(74 km’s from Airport).

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

The Ticket Counter opens at 08.30 a.m. And You see little baby elephants roaming within the 25 acre land as you enter the premises. Each day 76kg of green matter & a mixture of Rice & Maize around 2kg is been given to each of these giants. The Orphanage provides care to the Baby Elephants who had lost their parents in Jungles due to killing by farmers to protect their crops or by falling into pits.

This was established in 1975 and approximately comprise with 90 elephants which are 39 males and 51 females.

Daily Schedule

• 08.30 – Opening/ 09.15, 13.15 & 17.00 – Bottle Feeding
• 10.00 & 14.00 – Herd goes to the river for 02 hour bath
• 17.30 – Ticket Counter Closes
• 18.00 – Orphanage Closes

Upon completion depart to Dambulla.

Dambulla Golden Cave Temples

The climbing difficulty is moderate and it would take around 2.00 hours to climb up and down and it towers 160m over the surrounding plains. As you enter the site you see a 30m high gigantic Buddha Statue with Dhamma Chakka Posture. The history of this complex dates back to 1st Century B.C. and there are five caves which contains amazing drawings and which is unique to this era.

Overnight stay at Dambulla.

DAY 02 – Dambulla / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya

After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa upon completion of site visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and return back to Dambulla.

Polonnaruwa Historical Site Cycle Tour

The World Heritage Site comprise with Buddha Statues in different postures, Ancient Complexes, Hindu Sculptures and Irrigation canals where the main source is Parakrama Samudra(Lake). Due to Indian invasions the relics of the site is imposed by hindu influence where you could witness temples which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The site is on a flat plain and could be completed within 2.30 hours.

Sigiriya

A rock which stands up as a lone sentinel from the surrounding plane and on its summit is a royal palace. It is 200m in height and there are 1200 steps which would consume 3 hours to complete the whole site. On its rock walls fifth century paintings and the mirror wall is scribbled with ancient poetry.

Village Safari

An insight peep to the village rural life the tour comprise with a Bullock Cart Tour, Canoe Boat Ride and a Tuk Tuk Ride through the remote interior pathways into the village. While traveling village type lunch is arranged by villagers and also you could witness their crops and cultivation lands which is surrounded by lush greenery.

Overnight stay at Dambulla.

DAY 03 – Dambulla / Kandy

After breakfast depart to Kandy the last kindom.

Hot Air Ballooning

Surge among the bluish clouds above Golden Cave Temples, Kandalama Reservoir & Sigiriya Rock Fortress is an famous event that trends among the tourists which lasts between the months from November to April due to gentle winds and clear sky.

Kandy Tooth Temple

The complex is enshrined with the left canine tooth of the Buddha which is held in highest esteem. The difficulty of completing this Site is easy and it would take approximately 2 hours to complete.

Folk Show

The Folk Show depicts the rich culture which Sri Lanka resembles within 1 hour and during this time you could witness 12 different Folk dances and a fire walking ceremony.

Overnight stay at Kandy.

DAY 04 – Kandy / Kitulgala

After breakfast depart to Kitulgala. En route view beautiful landscapings & visit a functioning Tea Factory with its vast Tea Estate.

White Water Rafting

Kitulgala a famous terminus for Rafters adorned with Kelani River and Boulders creates tier 3/4 rapids conveying elating & tantalizing atmosphere. The voyage initiates with a bouldery defile before Kitulgala then passing the place where the film ‘The Bridge On the River Kwai’ was shot and ultimately ending the trip near Kitulgala Rest House.

Overnight stay at Kitulgala.

DAY 05 /06 – Kitulgala / Sinharaja Rain Forest

Breakfast at the hotel in Kitulgala and depart to Sinharaja Rain Forest.

Sinharaja Rain Forest

Located in the wet zone the vegetation and greenery is enshrouded with nimbus clouds recrudesce a shivery ambiance thus making the trek more interesting. Announced as a World Heritage Site in 1989 this reserve is margined by Koskulana River & Gin Ganga and amidst is the dazing flora, wild life & birds which most of them are endemic to Sri Lanka.  

Overnight stay near Sinharaja Rain Forest.

DAY 07 – Sinharaja Rain Forest / Udawalwe National Park

After breakfast depart to Udawalawe. Evening Half Day Game Safari at Udawalawe National Park.

Udawalawe National Park

Nourished and sustained on Udawalawe Reservoir the park is home to elephants, wild baffalo, sambar deer, crocodiles, sloth bear, jackals and leopards. The park distinguish itself with other parks in Sri Lanka due to less vegetation as this enables travelers to witness wild life without obstructions.

Overnight stay at Udawalawe.

DAY 08 – Udawalawe / Mirissa

After breakfast depart to Mirissa.

Overnight stay at Mirissa.

DAY 09 – Mirissa / Galle

Early morning Whale watching Safari at Mirissa.

Whale Watching

Though now the activity is doable through out the year the main season is from November to April. Indian Ocean is renowned for Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, and Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Striped dolphins. The boat leaves the coast around 7.00 a.m. And the tour would consume around 4 Hours.

Galle Fort

Constructed in 17th century the Galle Dutch Fort is among one of the best preserved forts in South Asia. The site is in abundance with Colonial Villas and the main tourist attractions are the Dutch Reformed Church, Museum & the Clock Tower.

Overnight stay at Galle.

DAY 10 – Galle / Bentota

Breakfast at the Hotel & depart to Bentota.

Moonstone Mines

Meetiyagoda a village near Ambalangoda town you could pay a visit to these mines where you could observe the mining process of this precious stone by going down into the deep into the narrow shafts. The moonstones are only concentrated into an area of one acre of land in Meetiyagoda.

Ambalangoda Mask Museum

Masks are of Sri Lankan tradition running deep into centuries they are hand carved with intricate ex cogitation and painted in vivacious manner which resemble the culture which was passed down to generations. The museum explicate the travelers the tedious process which is behind the scenes to produce such masks and their significance.

Island Hopping Madu River

Madu River is a lagoon which comprise with hundreds of islets which is located in southwest coast Balapitiya. During this compact tour you could witness an Old Buddhist Monastery, how local inhabitants carry out their occupations by Cinnamon cultivation and prawn fishing. The tour would consume approximately 2 hours.

Turtle Hatchery

The Sea Turtle Conservation Project was initiated in 1988 and here the hatchery pays fishermen for turtle eggs and buries them in the sand and upon completion of 50 days Baby Turtles would hatched and released to sea at night. However only one out of thousand would survive to maturity.

Overnight stay at Bentota.

DAY 11 – Bentota / Airport

Depart to Colombo Airport with delightful memories.

Day 01 : Arrival - Air Port to Anuradhapura

Arrival at Bandaranayeke International Ari Port and transfer to Hotel in Anuradhapura for two nights

Dinner & Overnight stay at a Hotel in Anuradhapure 

Day 02 : Anuradhapura

After breakfast visit ancient Anuradhapura City. Anuradhapura is an UNESCO World Heritage Site; Sri Lanka’s first capital, the greatest monastic city of the ancient world, dates back from the 4thc.BC to 11th c AD, ruled by more than 100 Sri Lankan kings. The World Heritage Site of Anuradhapura consists of a large number of sacred Buddhist sites including dagobas (gigantic dome-like structures), monasteries, palaces and the ancient Bo Tree, grown from the original tree in Budda Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. 

Evening visit Mihintale-The cradle of Buddhism of Sri Lanka. Just 13 kms away Mihintale, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant religious sites, where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC. Today it is very popular with Buddhist pilgrims and tourist, the complex consists of rocks caves, ponds and stupas. First monastery of Sri Lanka and the world’s first declared sanctuary; Mihintale’s ancient, spiritual ruins can leave you in awe.

Dinner & Overnight stay at the same hotel in Anuradhapura

Day 03 : Anuradhapura To Dambulla

After breakfast leave for Dambulle for two nights and en-route visit Aukene Buddha & Ritigale ancient Forest Buddhist Monastery

Aukene Buddha; One of Sri Lanka’s most perfect and elegant statues, built in 5th c AD, lies to the west of the large Kala Wewa tank.The statue stands 12m high, carved from a single rock and is completely free standing. The nearby Kala Wewa tank is an excellent place to stop off and have a picnic with a most satisfying view

The Ritigala Buddhist Monastery nestles deep inside the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, is the partially excavated ruins of an extensive Buddhist Monastery, dates back 7th to 10th c AD. Walking around the beautiful ruins does certainly give you a feeling of adventures in search of mythical pasts; it is easy to imagine yourself as Indiana Jones whilst clambering

Dinner & overnight stay at a Hotel in Dambulle

Day 04 : Dambulle / Polonnaruwa / Dambulla

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa -UNISCO World Heritage site and cycle through the ruined Kingdom. Polonnaruwe-the second kingdom of Ancient Sinhalese , became Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital in 10th c AD and remained the capital until the late 13th century.  Today, the ancient city’s ruins remain in remarkably good nick; huge Palaces, Monastic complexes, Giant Stupas, Hospitals, Image Houses etc... The most impressive are the ancient sculptures of the Buddha at the Gal Viahara cut into Granite stone dating back to the middle of the 12th century

Dinner & overnight stay at the same Hotel in Dambulle.

Day 05 : Dambulle To Kandy

After breakfast leave for Kandy for two nights. En route visit Cave Temple at Dambulla-UNESCO World Heritage site where large number of Buddha statues housed in 5 caves, including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock, The caves’ rock ceiling covered in one large sweep of colorful frescoes. It is the best place to see the classical Buddhist paintings & murals of the island. 

Next visit the ancient Aluvihara cave temple, which is of great significance in the history of Buddhism. It was here that the oral teachings of the Buddha, the Tripitaka, were committed to writing for the first time in 3rd century AD. The language of these Buddhist scriptures, Pali, influenced the development of the Sinhala language. The Alulvihara temple consists of large caves with Buddha images and frescoes. Further in is a cave dedicated to Venerable Buddhagosa, a Buddhist monk, who spent several years in this cave documenting the doctrines of the Buddha in Pali.

And evening see the Cultural Show in Kandy. At the Cultural Show, you can enjoy the Dancers & Drums of Traditional Artist with their magical Fire walking.

Dinner & over night stay at a hotel in Kandy

Day 06 : Kandy

After breakfast leave for sightseeing in Kandy city-UNESCO World Heritage site, the capital of hill country, was the last seat of Sinhalese kings who ceded power to the British in1815 after many battle with the western colonial forces, still remains much of its old world charm and traditions of the Sri Lankan life style

In the morning visit the sacred tooth relic temple of the Buddha. The temple, the most venerated place of Buddhist of Sri Lanka, was built in the 14th Century A.D. solely for the purpose of housing the tooth relic which was brought to the island in 4th c AD. 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

Evening meet a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and learn about Therevade Buddhism practice in Sri Lanka. Here you‘ll be engaged with a short Meditation Program and a Dhamme discussion as well

Dinner & overnight stay at the same Hotel in Kandy

Day 07 : Departure: Kandy / Colombo / Airport

After breakfast leave for Colombo, En route visit Keleniye Rajamaha Viharaye ; one of the most sacred worshipping places of the Buddhists of Sri Lanka since it is a site made hallowed by the visit of Lord Buddha. The Chronicles records that the original Dagoba at the temple, enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. This temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and paintings, which depict important events in the life of the Buddha and history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Afterward visit Colombo City before leave for departure. Colombo, The commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is a fascinating city with blend of East & West as well as a cozy mixture of past & present; the city is dotted with numerous interesting and important tourist attractions including colonial era buildings. The City Tour will include places of Tourist interest such as Colombo National Museum, Old parliament, Independent Square, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Buddhist, Hindu Temples and Town Hall.

Evening leave for Air Port at Ktunayake (according to your flight time) for the departure.