Dambulla to Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

Sigiriya

Sigiriya is situated 166 km from Colombo and 97 km from Kandy. It is located in within the cultural triangle.

Main Attractions:Sigiriya Lion’s Rock

This is a UNESCO World Heritage site is commonly known as ‘The Lion’s Rock’ which is 370 m above sea level. The fortress built on Sigiriya Rock by King Kashyapa (477 - 495 AD) displays ancient paintings of ‘Sigiriya damsels’ called ‘Sigiriya Frescos’ done on plaster which are reminiscent of the paintings of the Ajanta Caves of India.

Polonnaruwa

This ancient city is situated 218 km from Colombo and 133 km from Kandy. It is the second most ancient city in the country with its interesting ruins.

Main Attractions:: Ancient Ruins

This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site offers so many ancient marvels for curious travellers. The ancient city is recognized as one of the best planned archeological relic sites in Sri Lanka.

Accommodation :Overnight stay in Dambulla.

Dambulla to Anuradhapura

Main Attractions:Mihintale Missaka Pawwa (Missaka Pabbata - The Cradle of Buddhism).

Ashoka the Great was an emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty of Jambu Dweepa or India (269-232 BC). He was also known as King Dharmashoka. His close contemporary in Sri Lanka was King Devanampiyatissa (306-266 BC). The two kings respected each other so much that they often exchanged gifts. King Devanampiyatissa sent pearls, gems and many other gifts to his great friend. King Dharmashoka was an ardent Buddhist. He wanted to make Buddhism a world religion. He thought of sending a team of five Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka, including his son ‘Mahinda Thera’. ‘Missaka Pawwa’ or ‘Mihintale’ was the place where they met each other while the king was chasing a ’deer.

Main Attractions:: Aukana

The Buddha Statue in the Anuradhapura district is one of the most striking standing Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. Owing to the majestic grandeur of the statue, the site has become a highly popular tourist hot spot. The statue has been neatly and delicately carved out of a huge rock face, leaving only a narrow strip of rock to hold the statue from behind. The statue measures 38 feet 10 inches without the pedestal and the ‘Siraspatha’ or the ‘Universal Force Generator’ which decorates the head of some Buddha statues. The masterpiece is considered as the work of a sculpture named ‘Barana’. King Dhathusena (459 – 477 BC) presented the sculptor with a whole village called ‘Galwaduwagama’ meaning ‘The Village of the Sculptor’ which is the world’s oldest historical record. The Great Chronicles of Sri Lanka (The Mahavamsa).

Accommodation :Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Visit to Anuradhapura Temple (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya)

Anuradhapura

This city was one of the ancient capital cities in Sri Lanka and is situated 211 km from Colombo. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Central Province and is known for its famous ruins & ancient civilization.

Main Attractions:Anuradhapura Temple (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya).

‘Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya’ or ‘The Sacred Bodhi Tree’ in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is the south branch of the Mahābodhi Tree at the Sri Mahābodhi Temple, which is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, India where Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

According to “The Great Chronicle” or ‘The Mahawamsa’, the branch of the Sacred Fig (ficus religiosa) was brought to Sri Lanka by Sanghamittā, the daughter of Emperor Asoka in 288 BC. The Sri Mahā Bodhiya in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is the oldest living human planted tree with a definitive planting date.

Accommodation :Over night stay in Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura to Trincomalee

Trincomalee

Trincomalee is a panoramic natural port city built on a peninsular in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka is situated 258 km from Colombo. The Great Chronicles of Sri Lanka or ‘The Mahavamsa’s reference to ‘Trincomalee’ as ‘Gōkanna’ is the earliest recorded reference to this blue natural harbour. The Venetian merchant traveler Marco Polo, the Roman citizen of Egypt Ptolemy, and the English sea captain historical writer Robert Knox are only a few of historical figures who were attracted to this great city. Trincomalee a.k.a Trinco has the largest Dutch fort in Sri Lanka.

Main Attractions:Nilaveli Beach

Nilaveli Beach in Trinco is one of the most scenic beaches in the island. The word Nilaveli means ‘Open-land of the moon-shine’. This is a highly popular tourist resort and is famous for beach front hotels, local and western cuisine, great pools, long wide stretches of white sandy beaches, marine diving, and lots more. Be wise to select the best.

Accommodation :Over night stay in Trincomalee

Trincomalee

Main Attractions:Pigeon Island

The Pigeon Island on the Nilaveli beach is a wonderful geological formation across the ocean gifted to the holiday makers visiting Trincomalee. The island should not be confused with the two-storied ‘Pigeon Island Beach Hotel’. Guests can hire a small boat and enjoy a ride to this island where you do not feel the time being spent. There are no residents on the island, but fun loving holiday makers. This is an ideal and safe place for swimming, fishing or climbing to the very top of the island from which place you could see the whole of Trinco.

Accommodation :Over night stay in Trincomalee

Trincomalee to Kandy

Main Attractions:Matale Spice Garden.

Travellers can also see a rare collection of Sri Lankan spices in the Spice Gardens with descriptive explanations by aids in your language. Ayurvedic massaging, meditation, yoga is also available.

Kandy

This city which is situated in the center of Sri Lanka was the last capitol during the time of the kings and is 116 km from Colombo. It is one of the most scenic cities which lie in the midst of hills covered by tea plantations.

Main Attractions:Traditional Kandian Dance

This is a form of dance originated from an exorcism ritual called ‘Kohomba Kankariya’. It is a religious practice in which it takes control of a human body or a place. This form of spiritual possession can be heard from many religions as well and ‘Vannam’.

Accommodation :Overnight stay in Kandy.

Kandy Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Kandy City & Kandy Temple of the Tooth

Main Attractions:Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Temple of the Tooth

Depart Kandy hotel after breakfast and proceed to Pinnawala where the world famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. The orphanage acts as a breeding ground for elephants and visitors get a rare chance of bottle feeding the baby elephants and feeding the others at 9.15 am every day. You can also enjoy elephant bathing twice a day.

Kandy City a.k.a ‘Maha Nuwara’ or ‘Senkadagala’ is an all-time romantic hill capital of Sri Lanka. It is the last capital of the Sinhalese Kings and the most celebrated and venerated city. Geographically, it lies in the centre of the country. The city houses a unique architectural master pieces constructed and developed by several Sri Lankan Kings.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha, as the name suggests, houses a gold casket which enshrines the Tooth Relic of the Buddha. The Kandy Procession which is the most spectacular cultural and religious pageant in the world with elephants decked with golden attire and traditional dances is a rare treat for the visitors coming in during the months of July/August.

Accommodation :Over night stay in Kandy.

Kandy to Nuwara-Eliya

Main Attractions:The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

Enjoy the tranquil beauty of a huge collection of widely different plants, especially a surprising collection of orchids that you may not have ever seen anywhere else. With a total area of 147 odd acres, a nature lover could stay the whole day there without feeling the time being spent.

Main Attractions:Tea Plantation & Factory

Bluefield Tea Gardens, Tea Factory, Tea Centre, and Restaurant. Enjoy a complementary cup of steaming tea and take a guided tour to the Bluefield tea plantation at Ramboda, Nuwara-Eliya. With an experienced guide to explain the entire process of tea-things such as growing, plucking, withering, rolling, sorting, packing, transporting and until you have your steaming cup of tea.

You can enjoy your breakfast or lunch at the restaurant, visit the Tea Lounge to taste the finest tea and cakes, and let your kids have some fun in the Kiddies Park.

Accommodation :Overnight stay in Nuwara-Eliya

Nuwara-Eliya to Ella

Nuwara-Eliya

Nestled at 6,128 feet above sea level, overlooked by the highest mountain of Sri Lanka. Nuwara-Eliya means the ‘city of light’ but is more commonly known as ‘Little England’ where the British colonialists visited as a retreat for fox and deer hunting, polo and golf also with its picturesque landscape and cool climate that range from 16 to 3 degrees. The town acts as a base for other tourist attractions in the vicinity such as the World’s End. It is situated 160 km from Colombo.

Interested travellers could see colonial style buildings and hotels. The average temperature ranges between 7- 22 ºC. The town becomes busy during April due to the Sinhala and Tamil New year. During this season, travellers can see horse racing, motor racing, and road races.

Main Attractions:World’s End

The World’s End or ‘The Maha Eliya Plains’ is a very popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka. It is a popular tourist destination and covers an area of 2000 hectares of montane grasslands (‘patina’ in Sinhalese) forest’ or ‘Afromontane forest’ in some other countries as it has a low level cloud cover. It has the best view that allows you to see the town below which is a marvelous sight.

Main Attractions:Train Ride

Enjoy an unforgettable ride around the mountains, through tunnels and around tea clad hills, and over fantastic bridges with a wonderful train view.

Accommodation:Ella

Ella to Tissamaharamaya

Ella

Ella is a small village located in the high mountains. It has a climate that resembles a Hot English Summer.

Main Attractions:Rawana Water Falls

‘The name comes from the famous Sanskrit epic ‘Ramayana’ (Rama’s Journey). Rawana is considered to be the demon Rama in the caves behind this waterfall, thus giving it the name ‘The Rawana Falls’. Rama was the 7th Avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism.

Main Attractions:Buduruwagala Temple

Located on Wellawaya – Hambantota Road, turning off from the 3-mile post, about 5.5 km inside, stands the Buduruwagala Buddhist Temple Complex. It has seven statues carved on a rock and the statues show the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. With a height of fifty-one feet from head to toe.

Accommodation :Tissamaharamaya

Tissamaharamaya

Main Attractions:Yala National Park Safari, Katharagama Temple

Tissamaharamaya (Magama)

Tissamaharamaya is a historically important place in the south-eastern part of Sri Lanka. Tissamaharamaya used to be the medieval era Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna in the 3rd century BC. The town serves as a base to visit the Yala National Park and Kataragama Temple. The area has several reservoirs or lakes scattered in the area. A visitor can also see a number of pure white mount like structures called ‘dagabas’ in Sinhalese. They typically contain the relics of the Buddha. These ‘dagabas’, ‘stupas’ or ‘pagodas’ actually function as huge ‘containers for relics’ and severs as ‘reliquaries’.

Tissa Lake

It lies in close proximity to the famous Tissa vehera, ‘Tissa dagaba or ‘Tissa Pagoda’.

Tissa Temple

According to chronicles, ‘Tissa Temple’ or ‘Tissa Pagoda’ was built by King Kavantissa of ‘Ruhunu Rata. He reigned during 205 – 161 BC. The king was interested in beautifying and expanding his region and had this temple build in this tranquil place which the Buddha is believed to have visited.

Yala National Park Safari

Yala provides ideal safaris which covers an area of 979 square km. This tourist hot spot has 5 blocks (or sections) with leopards. The park provides shelter for a large variety of fauna and flora. It boasts of 215 odd species of especially if you love photography. Don’t forget your telephoto lenses!

Tissamaharamaya to Unawatuna Beach

Main Attractions:Tangalle Beach, Blow Hole, Weherahena Cave Temple.

Tangalle Beach

Stretches of long sandy beaches and a milder climate than Tissa, Kataragama or Hambantota. The tow has a beautiful harbour and provides a fishing port for the local fisherman. The sea is shallow and ideal for holiday makers both local and foreign.

Blow Hole at Kudawella

The Blow Hole or ‘the Hummanaya’ at Kudawella, on Tangalle-Dickwella Road is a wonderful geographical formation sea level. The bottom of the blow hole is naturally formed in such a way that it can accommodate a large volume of water that gushes up through the narrower upper part and blows it out at the top up to about 25 meters making an exciting whistling sound. Care must be taken not to go too close to the opening to show your bravery as there are reported cases where some heedless travelers have fallen into hole and never seen the light of day again.

Unawatuna Beach

The Unawatuna beach is a very popular tourist resort close to Galle where the historical Portuguese/Dutch/ British fort stands. It has spectacular pocket-like sandy beaches where travelers can have endless fun on the beach or enjoy glass-bottomed boat rides. The tranquil beaches are ideal for travelers to be totally immersed in many hours of matchless beauty. It is situated 131 km from Colombo.