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Sri Lanka Attractions

Heritage Sri Lanka

Heritage Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka with its nearly 3000 years of history holds some of world’s ancient cities including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Digamadulla. Remnants of these once glorious cities, their palaces, temples, monasteries, hospitals and theaters intricately carved and mo...

Heritage Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka with its nearly 3000 years of history holds some of world’s ancient cities including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Digamadulla. Remnants of these once glorious cities, their palaces, temples, monasteries, hospitals and theaters intricately carved and modeled out of stone lay abandoned amidst the soaring mountains.

Of all the ancient sites the most famed and most exquisite is the Kingdom of Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka’s third and the longest serving capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world is also one of the most sacred cities of World Buddhists. It was the capital of Sri Lanka from the Fourth Century BC up to the turn of the eleventh Century and was one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. However the city itself is much older than the Kingdom of Anuradhapura and according to archeological evidence could have originated as far as tenth century BC. Anuradhapura was abandoned due to the due to repeated South Indian Invasions and was eventually forgotten with time until it was rediscovered in the early 19 th century.

Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient kingdom of the country was first made the political center of the country in the ninth century BC. Irrigation systems that are far superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age were constructed in Polonnaruwa kingdom, and still provide irrigation water to the farmers in and around Polonnaruwa. Yet the kingdom’s glory was short-lived and a South Indian invasion pushed the political centre towards the centre of the country by the eleventh century. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, a testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers.

Digamadulla, the Eastern kingdom of Sri Lanka was the agricultural and spiritual capital of the country during the Anuradhapura kingdom. Ruled by a viceroy of the Anuradhapura king Digamadulla was a prosperous province with grand palace, monasteries and temples at every juncture. Having received lesser attention of archaeologists compared to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa many a great creations of ancient Digamadulla had been lost to time, war and plunder while many more silently awaits in the midst of the forests covering the lands of Eastern Sri Lanka.

Kitulgala

Kitulgala is a small town perched on the hills that slope down to the gushing waters of the Kelani River. The road that snakes its way up the central hill country bifurcates the little town that is one with the myriad charms of its surroundings. It is directly accessible from Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya,...

Kitulgala is a small town perched on the hills that slope down to the gushing waters of the Kelani River. The road that snakes its way up the central hill country bifurcates the little town that is one with the myriad charms of its surroundings. It is directly accessible from Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Ratnapura and Colombo.discovery of fossils connected to pre-historic man in nearby Beli Lena caves and the filming of “Bridge over River Kwai” where David Lean chose the river nearby to narrate the cruelty of modern man makes Kithulgala a place to see in any of Sri Lanka holiday deals.Known to be the largest cave in Sri Lanka, the excavations at Beli Lena have unearthed skeletal remains of the pre-historic “Balangoda man” (Homo sapiens Balangodensis) believed to be more than 32,000 years old.

 

White Water Rafting is what attracts the seekers of adventure. The river at its scenic middle section consists of 10 level two, and level three rapids. They are separated by a quietly flowing patch of the river. The higher part is more of a challenge that is recommended to the more experienced.It is a picturesque little riddle of a town and village that you can unravel at leisure enjoying every moment of this Eden Resort in Sri Lanka. A Sri Lanka tour has many such places where you can unwind by bike or hike, Kitulgala being one such place.

Kandy

Kandy is a city with graceful charm, radiating an ambiance of antiquity that you will find only in a Sri Lanka holiday. Do insist on spending at least two whole days in the city of the last Sinhala Kings of the island, your Sri Lanka tour operator will not hesitate!Cocooned in the comfort of a pr...

Kandy is a city with graceful charm, radiating an ambiance of antiquity that you will find only in a Sri Lanka holiday. Do insist on spending at least two whole days in the city of the last Sinhala Kings of the island, your Sri Lanka tour operator will not hesitate!Cocooned in the comfort of a protected valley in the central hills of Sri Lanka, the city at 500 meters (1640 feet) above sea level is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a vast array of shrines, and temples dating back to the 14th century.In 1592 Kandy became the capital of the Sinhala kings who repulsed the Portuguese and Dutch invaders. They held out against the British until 1815. The proud city is also home to several monuments, including the Dalada Maligawa the “Palace of the Sacred Tooth Relic”- the symbol of sovereignty of the nation, a must visit site in your Sri Lanka Holiday. The Magul Maduwa – The Audience Hall with its wooden columns is the epitome of Kandyan architecture. It is in this space that the Sinhala chieftains ceded the kingdom to the British Crown in 1815.The City is built with the Temple Palace of the Sacred Tooth Relic at its epicenter. Four shrines – the devales that surround the Temple Palace are dedicated to the Gods Vishnu, Skandha, Natha and Godess Paththini. The God Vishnu is the guardian deity of the Buddhist Island, God Skandha is the god of war, God Natha is an incarnation of the Bhodisathva the next Buddha and Goddess Paththini is the goddess of chastity and health.  

 

The two monasteries Asgiriya and Malwatte house two chapters of the Main Buddhist sect that is referred to as the Siamese school. The two prelates of Asgiriya and Malwatte are vested with the ecclesiastical authority of administering the temple palace – the Dalada Maligawa. Malwatte which literally means floral abode has preserved its impressive hall with its imposing columns and the magnificent painted ceiling. Kandy is the cultural and religious capital of Sri Lanka.The splendor of the great pageant of the “Esala Perehera” reaffirms its sanctity every year. It is a spectacle held usually in the first week of August with the full moon. To include it in your Sri Lanka holiday needs some planning including your Sri Lanka flights. Kandy is virtually hidden behind a thick curtain of natural foliage in the form of lush tropical forests and a 60 hectare botanical garden. This is another reason why you need two days in Kandy in your Sri Lanka Holiday plan.The garden was first conceived by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe on the loop of the Mahaweli River that partly encircles Kandy.Under their care and meticulous attention the Botanical Gardens took shape as the best in Asia. A promenade of palm trees is an unusual example of creative gardening that the English are known for. The palm saplings were brought from Panama in 1903. The garden has plant species from all over the world from exotic orchids to a tree that spreads its canopy to cover 1.600 square meters.

 

One of the most endearing sights during your Sri Lanka vacation will be the scene of work elephants reposing in the gently flowing Mahaweli River, spraying a steady stream of water with their trunks in carefully orchestrated symphony. In tandem you will hear the Drums and Bells of the Temple palace.

Negombo / Airport

A photographer’s paradise – from gaudy, chaotic festivals erupting on the streets, to the bleached, beached and beautiful Oruva outrigger canoe catamarans. It’s hard to believe these driftwood sculptures have been braving the breakers for centuries but, if you’re up early, you’ll spot them ...

A photographer’s paradise – from gaudy, chaotic festivals erupting on the streets, to the bleached, beached and beautiful Oruva outrigger canoe catamarans. It’s hard to believe these driftwood sculptures have been braving the breakers for centuries but, if you’re up early, you’ll spot them delivering their catch. And this is really what keeps Negombo’s heart beating, the exchange of fish at dawn markets such as Lellama, with its pipe-smoking fisherwomen. Just north of the airport, Negombo is equally cursed and blessed. The proliferation of hotels along the beach strip behind Lewis Place are often only used as an overnight stopping point with complaints that both beach and town are seedier than other parts of this ideal island.

But you don’t have to cast far to reel in delight after sumptuous delight on Sri Lanka’s largely uncharted northwest coast. A cruise inland, through Andalankawa – “moon of Sri Lanka”, takes you through the idyllic rice paddy and coconut plantation landscape chosen by locals as a wedding backdrop. Another handy bit of tackle is a hired bike which allows you to dissolve into the tiny warren of streets along the extensive network of canals. Built by the Dutch to transport spices and gems from the luscious interior, they can lead you back to old-world life and unexpected treasures.
If you were seriously energetic, you could follow the canals 130 kilometers north, past Puttalam, and go kite-surfing to cool off. An old Portuguese port on a long spit of a peninsula, Kalapitiya is fast becoming a destination. Here you can watch dolphins and whales an hour from the coast. Past the prawn farms, the clever kids of Colombo play on perfect, pink sandy beaches, swimming in water, warm as tea, clear as gin. No need to fish here – the compliments come easy.

Tangalle

At Dondra Head, the southern most tip of the island an octagonal lighthouse brings home that there is nothing between you and Antarctica! The indigo sea is a swirl of coral, rock and foam. At Maha Vishnu devale – a 7th century shrine once pillaged by the Portuguese of its gilded Copper roof...

At Dondra Head, the southern most tip of the island an octagonal lighthouse brings home that there is nothing between you and Antarctica! The indigo sea is a swirl of coral, rock and foam. At Maha Vishnu devale – a 7th century shrine once pillaged by the Portuguese of its gilded Copper roof, a week long Dondra Festival and a full scale Pera Hera venerates God Vishnu with fire-walking and devil-dancing at midnight. Talalla Beach is a mile of picture-postcard crescent around a cove of glassy calm when most beaches have strong winds. An Oz-run restaurant yards from the beach does excellent fusion sea food. After Dickwella where brackish lagoons yield harvests of delicious prawns, the beaches don’t even have names but picking-your-own here means having a whole piece of heaven to yourself! Nilwala Cove this side of Tangalle is enchanting with a reef which provides surf further out and safe swimming within. At Kudawilla, the ferociously noisy Hoom-mane Blowhole spurts a spectacular 60 foot high fountain of water for its Cabaret in June. Villages say when the sea is rough it reaches a height of “three coconut trees”. North of Tangalle is Mulkirigala, a black rock temple thrusting 300 feet into the sky with beautifully preserved murals. In 1826, erstwhile government Agent of Ratnapura, George Turnour discovered ola leaf scripts which unlocked 23 centuries of Lanka’s missing history. On your way back try to visit a citronella distillery.
Bundala Bird Sanctuary (also elephants/crocodile/monkeys) is 75 minutes east of Tangalle but as you approach Hambantota in a white fog of un-mechanised salt pans there is much birdlife; finally holy Kataragama, a pilgrim destination where Muslims, Hindu, Buddhist gather in July after walking the length of the island from Jaffna to venerate Lord Skanda by boldly strolling on burning coals. 

Sri Lanka Articles

Top Sri Lanka Tours

$50 Per Day

ONE DAY TREKKING TOURS

Option - 1 :
Knuckles Mountain Range - ( unesco world Heritage site. )
Marvelous view / Pigmy forest / Waterfalls

After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to knuckles mountain range, It is informed that while going to knuckles range. we have to pass through remote village. and it around 1800 m from the mean sea level. which is a amazing area comprise with pigmy forest fauna and flora. the science of several kinds endemic birds. monkey, porcupine, wild pole and civet cats etc. and also able to have glimpse of sambur deer, barking deer, and leopard. once in a blue moon and this will be a tour that will never forget one who attend same.
After visit returning to kandy

Total working around 14 km
morning leave about at 7.30 am.

 

 

Option - 2 :
Knuckles Mountain Range - ( unesco world Heritage site. )
Marvelous view / Pigmy forest / Waterfalls

After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to knuckles mountain range, Through the amazing tea plantations and pigmy forest it is possible to witness the science of sceneries over the forest area together with waterfalls and those working under forest canopy, with a panoramic view. several kind of endemic birds, beard monkey, porcupine, wild pole and civet cats etc.
After visit returning to kandy,

Total working around 08 km
morning leave about at 7.30 am.

 

 

Option - 3 :
Bible rock
Rice land / beautiful sceneries / Remote village

A popular destinations for the adventure-seeking traveler is the bible rock. also known as the batalegala mountain. in the midst of marvelous views of craggy, densely wooded hills. it is the prominent flat topped bible rock which acquired it's pious name thanks to dutiful local victorians on account of it's resemblance to a lectern. A 798 meters high rock offer a sheer face for those who seek to scale challenging surfaces. moreover, is an ecologically important area in the central hills.
After visit returning to kandy

Total working around 8 km
morning leave about at 8.30 am.

 

 

Option - 4 :
Alagalla rock
Vegetable cultivation / Beautiful sceneries

After breakfast ( 8.30 am ) proceed to alagalla rock, The alagalla rock is a steep mountain located near the ihala kotte railway stations, it makes the entrance of the rail way to be up country. a train tunnel has been bored 300 feet, through the solid rock of the alagalla the mountain offers a variety of summit. which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
After visit returning to kandy

Total working around 8 km.
morning leave about at 8.30 am.

 

 

Option - 5:
Ritigala
Architecture / Monastic ruins / CAVE'S

After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to ritigala, This has been called as arittha pabbatha (the mountain of aritta) which can be translate as "dreadful rock" or "safty rock" or even riti trees growing upon it around 3 rd century B.C. aritta, who was the chef minister of king dewanampiyatissa who later was ordained as the fist sri lankan monk and become an arahath spend his monastic life at ritigala there are many monastic ruins of stones, terrace way a stone brige and remain of a giant stone banked pond build across a water strem.

Returning from ritigala to kandy visiting to see the dambulla cave's temple,Dambulla Cave's Temple

Dambulla cave temple also know as the golden temple of dambulla is a world heritage site declared by since 1991. King walagamba return to the throne at Anuradahapura kingdom in the 1 st centure B.C. he had a magnificent rock temple built at dambulla, in gratitude to the monk in dambulla , it is the largest and best preserved temple a most impressive place of sri lanka, the rock 160 m over the surrounding plains , more than 85 caves in the surrounding area. major attractions are spread over 5 cave's.
After visit returning to kandy,

Total working around 15 km.
morning leave about at 7.30 am.

 

 

 

Option - 6:
Pidurangala Rock
Ancient forest monastery / Beautiful scenerice / Opposite sigiriya

After breakfast ( 7.30 am ) proceed to pidurangala rock, History of pidurangala flows beyond the 1 & 2 century from those days. but this place becomes a prominent buddhist monastery during the king kashyapa time ( 477 - 495 AD )

some believe that sigiriya also a buddhist monastery before the king kashyapa time once he decided to build his fortress in sigiriya. he requested the monk to move to pidurangala. and had contributed lot of the development of it. it is believed that the ' uppalawanna kashyapa giri viharaya ' which was constructed by king kashyapa was located in the pidurangala.

Returning from pidurandala to kandy visiting to see the dambulla cave'temple, Dambulla cave's Temple

Dambulla cave temple also know as the golden temple of dambulla is a world heritage site declared by since 1991. King walagamba return to the throne at Anuradahapura kingdom in the 1 st centure B.C. he had a magnificent rock temple built at dambulla, in gratitude to the monk in dambulla , it is the largest and best preserved temple a most impressive place of sri lanka, the rock 160 m over the surrounding plains , more than 85 caves in the surrounding area. major attractions are spread over 5 cave's.
After visit returning to kandy,

Total working around 10 km.
morning leave about at 7.30 am.

$60 Per Day

One of tour in Sri Lanka

1st Day

Pick up from Airport will Transfer Dambulla On the way visit elephant orphanage at Pinnawela.  It is an orphanage for baby elephants set up by the Department of National Zoological Gardens. The Orphanage was established to feed, nurse, and house young elephants found abandoned
by their mothers. Other inmates are those found displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found wounded.

Than can visit  the Rock Caved Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is famous for its 01st Century BC cave complex and its vast area of mural painted on the surface of the rock. It is also known for its large number of statues of Buddha carved out of the living rock
Stay in Dambulla. Or Habarana or Sigiriya


2nd Day
Morning can visit Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of ancient Ceylon . The city of Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Ceylon, with its comparatively brief history with over a dozen rulers. Visit the sites where once seven storey castles and temples were situated

Afternoon can do safari at Minariya or Kaudulla National park
Stay in Dambulla or Habarana or Sigiriya

3rd Day

Dambulla to Kandy

On the way visit Sigiriya, a massive rock fortress rising 183 meters above the surrounding green scrub jungle, just declared a world heritage site, is perhaps the most memorable place for visitors to Sri Lanka. The site was built under the orders of the paranoid king Kasyapa. The well-planned complex included caved temples, bathing pools, lovely ponds and Asia ’s oldest surviving landscaped gardens. Today Sigiriya is famous for its frescoes painted in the pocket of the rock. The “Lion Stairway”, the“Mirror Wall” and the “ Water Gardens ” a

En route a brief stop at Matale to visit a spice garden /

PMProceed to Kandy and visit the city and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. In the evening view a cultural show featuring traditional dance performance

Stay in Kandy

4th April
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, En route, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens of  Peradeniya, The Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya were established in 1821 and now covers 140 acres, snuggled in a loop in the Mahaweli River , the longest river in Sri Lanka. Its primary purpose was the testing and acclimatizing of plants for commercial use in Sri Lanka. Today the Gardens have one largest collections of flora from sub tropical climates around the world. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
 
En route visit a tea plantation and a tea factory / water falls .

PM Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and visit the city

Stay  Nuwara Eliya

5th April
Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train
Drop you at Nanu Oya railway station and pick up Ella station
Ella we and do many adventure drive to Ella Going to visit Ravana Ella Falls, Hikeing Little Adam’s Peak. Visiting real Sri Lankan Village Stay in Ella.

6th April
Ella to Mirissa
Last tow day you can visit Galle fort / water sport / surfing

 

$50 Per Day

LUXURY Island tour-

LUXURY ISLAND TOUR ( 6 NIGHTS / 7 DAYS)

DAY 1 - Negombo / Anuradhapura
After you get picked up from the airport or hotel, we will proceed to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, on the way visiting coconut plantations and observing the famous toddy tappers at work. After checking into your hotel at Anuradhapura you start the city tour. Anuradhapura dates back to the 3rd century B.C to 10th century A.D. You will visit the Sri Maha Bodhi, the Brazen Palace, the Ruwanveli Seya Dagoba (biggest dagoba in Sri Lanka), the Thuparama Dagoba, the Lankarama Dagoba, the Elephant Pond, the Abhayagiriya Monastery Complex, the world famous Samadhi Buddha Statue and the Isurumuniya Temple (Stone carving of the Sri Lankan Romeo & Juliet).Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

DAY 2 - Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to sightseeing of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (10th-12th century A.D). You will visit the modern Museum, the Parakrama Samudra, Statue of King Parakramabahu, the Library Shrine, Palace of King Parakramabahu, the Kumara Pokuna, the Shiva temple, the Thuparama shrine room with its glittering statues, the Alahana Monastery Complex, the Gal Vihare, the Lotus Pond and and the Thivanka Image House. Following afternoon tea you will proceed to Sigiriya.Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

DAY 3 - Sigiriya / Dambulla / Nalanda Gedige / Aluvihara / Kandy
In the early morning you will have the opportunity to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built in the 5th century A.D, see the Water Garden, Boulder Garden, Mural Paintings, the Mirror Wall, the Lion's Paws and the Royal Swimming Pool on top. Return to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. After this you will proceed to the Dambulla Cave Temple. This is followed by Nalande Gedige (a temple built in the geographical centre of Sri Lanka), the Aluvihare Cave Temple (where Buddhism was brought into book form in the 1st century B.C).Overnight stay in Kandy.

DAY 4 - Kandy / Elephant Orphanage / Kandy
You will visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinawela where you can see the feeding of baby elephants by milk bottle, and elephants bathing in the river. A visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya is followed by a Kandy city tour including the Market, Bazaar, the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, and a traditional Kandyan Dance performance.Overnight stay in Kandy.

DAY 5 - Kandy / Nuwara-Eliya / Ella
After Breakfast at the hotel leave for Ella and enroute visit Tea Factory and Tea Plantation. After a picturesque drive through Sri Lanka's hill country you will reach Nuwara Eliya (often called Little England) with its colonial hotels, Race course and Golf Courses, followed by a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens and you will proceed to Ella, Sri Lanka's highest village. Overnight stay at Ella.

DAY 6 - Ella / Buduruwagala / Tissamaharama
After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Tissamaharama - enroute visit Buduruwagla and see the magnificent views of Ella valley and the Rawana Waterfalls. After stopping at the Buduruwagala Temple, you will continue to the hotel at Tissamaharama. Afternoon Jeep safari to the National Park where there are leopards, elephants, bears, and thousands of local and migrant birds in the wild. Overnight stay at Tissamaharama.

DAY 7 -Tissamaharama - South & South-West Coast
After breakfast at the hotel we drive back to the airport or your hotel along beautiful beaches, with the opportunity to stop wherever you like to take a dip. The best known beach resorts are Tangalle, Mirissa, Kosgoda, Induruwa, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Beruwala.

Contact for the prices for the above program