DAY 01
ANURADHAPURA
Anuradhapura in the northern centre of Sri Lanka is a sacred place worshipped by many Buddhists, as a sapling of the Bhodi tree of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, was planted at this holy place. The Sri Maha Bodhiya is the oldest documented tree that is still living. This ancient city consists of palaces, monasteries and monuments which are all in ruins today, which are really fascinating to visit.
Ruwanwelisaya, an ancient stupa, is revered by the Buddhist community. Thuparamaya enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha and is considered to be the first dagaba, or pagoda, built in Sri Lanka. Lovamahapaya also known as the Brazen Palace is between the Ruwanvaliseya and Sri Maha Bodhiya. Jetavanarama is the largest stupa in Sri Lanka. As well as these beautiful places there are other stupas and relics, soaring over the vast acres of paddy fields in the area.
DAY 02
HIRIWADUNA VILLAGE TOUR
This trip enables you to get to know the life of the village and experience a bullock cart ride, village walk, tuk tuk ride and even a catamaran boat ride. Join this 3-hour trip for the chance to emerge in the true Sri Lankan village's nature and culture. Hiriwadunna Village in Habarana City is a beautiful rural area. Start your tour with a Bullock cart ride near the lake of the village and you will experience a boat ride to the next side of the rural village. You can reach the village house after a brief walk in the paddy areas and vegetable cultivation. You can relax and taste a delicious Sri Lankan lunch in the village house. Tuk Tuk will bring you back after the trip.
SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS
Called for its initial name of "Sinhagiri" by many names including "The Lion Rock," Sigiriya is close to the town of Dambulla and is a colossal rock column nearly 200 m elevated. It was a royal citadel for 18 years (477-495) when it was fortified by King Kasyapa. Sigiriya's architectural and irrigation technologies, like the Water Gardens, are still baffling engineers. Steep metal steps with railings climb up pass a wall adorned with bare-breasted women's frescoes. They are considered unique by art specialists. The rock's summit is a hectare in region and the palace's exterior wall was built on the rock's edge with gardens and a lake softening the eerie’s harshness. Because it was built more than 1,500 years ago, it is asserted as the Eighth Wonder of the World by enthusiasts and is still a World Heritage Site.
DAY 03
DAMBULLA
The temple of Dambulla has five caves and 157 Lord Buddha statues, many paintings on the ceilings and walls that emphasize the ancient artistic talent. The cave, rock and temple history dates back to the first millennium B.C. These caves' attraction is not only the statues, but also the many complex and sensitive paintings produced with indigenous traditional paintings that cover the ceiling and walls. The premises were proclaimed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991 due to the history, archeological and artistic consequences. For over 22 centuries, the temple has been in use and still has a feeling of benevolence and spirituality. Visitors may climb up steps to the temple and the view from the top of the rock is as inspiring as the temple's golden interior.
CEYLON SPICE GARDEN
Sri Lankan spices, wealth and diversity offered perfect grounds for traditional Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an ancient medicine type, the Long Life Science, which uses natural remedies to attain physical and mental well-being. In Ayurveda massage and alternative therapies, herbs, spices and their natural oils are prominent. Sri Lankan spices are used with 24 herbs and spices in a range of perfume, soap and other cosmetics, essential oils aromatherapy and Ayurvedic toothpaste.
SRI MUTHUMARIAMMAN TEMPLE
The temple is renowned in the region for both Hindu and Buddhist individuals. Hindus venerate the Hindu goddess of rain and fertility, Muthumari Amman, while Buddhists venerate this temple as a location devoted to Pattini goddess, the patron deity of fertility and health. Sri Muthumariamman Temple history can be traced back to the nineteenth century.
KANDY
The ancient kingdom of Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha as well as Edwardian buildings, a king-made lake, a nature reserve and exciting shops.
As the island's largest town and the capital of the Central Province, Kandy has evolved from being a medieval kingdom to a friendly, busy town set in wooded hills encircled by tea plantations and close to Peradeniya's Royal Botanical Gardens. There are many Buddhist monasteries and Hindu worship areas to visit as well as cultural dance performances to watch as well as the Tooth Temple.
Kandy is a convenient base for staying for a couple of days while exploring the Cultural Triangle as there are comfortable hotels suitable for every budget. The town can be readily reached by rail and highway.
TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH
The golden canopy of the medieval Temple of the Tooth is a landmark dominating the ancient kingdom, now contemporary town, of Kandy. The Sacred Relic of Buddha's tooth was brought from India in the 4th century before being placed in the 16th century in a specially built temple in Kandy. The moat was later added to the octagonal structure. The relic of the tooth is enclosed within the confines of the temple in seven golden caskets decorated with gemstones, in the form of a Stupa. The temple is open to visitors. In August there will be an annual procession (Perahera) of a tooth casket replica. Elephants are colorfully caparized and garlanded with flowers and lights as crowds love the sight of fire eaters, stilt dancers, whip crackers and jugglers parading Kandyan drums' rhythmic vibrations.
KANDYAN CULTURAL SHOW
This cultural display, held in Kandy town, portrays multiple types of Kandyan dancing that was once indigenous to the region but has now spread to distinct areas of the island. Originating from a dance conducted by Indian shamans who went to the island, Kandyan dance plays a significant part in the culture of Sri Lanka and is a highly anticipated event during the processions of perahera. During the show, you will see several dances depicting the graceful motions of birds and animals that trace their roots back to the ancient ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya, as well as vigorous acrobatic performances where people execute a sequence of jumping pirouettes and stunts such as plate-spinning and the spectacular fire walk that ends the show.
DAY 04
CEYLON GEM MUSEUM & ARCADE
Sri Lanka is a renowned nation for Precious Gems & Minerals as Blue Sapphire is one of Sri Lanka's most popular products and you'll be trailing on an advanced Gem Museum & Arcade that offers a one-stop shop in Gem Museum, Model Mines, Crafters Workshop and Gem Arcade that you can buy even on your manner or the budget you're earning. Through Sri Lanka customs, the all bought are duty free and likely more cost-effective compared to other nations.
RAMBODA WATER FALLS
Ramboda Falls is 109 meters elevated and 11th largest waterfall in Sri Lanka, consisting of 03 parts and 729th highest waterfall in the globe located in the region of Pussellawa, on the Ramboda Pass highway. It was created by Panna Oya, a Kothmale Oya tributary. The fall’s altitude is 945 meters above sea level.
TEA PLANTATION & FACTORY
Nuwara-Eliya Located at approximately 2000 meters above sea level which is surrounded by lush tea plants and misty mountains. It is also the "heart" of the tea productions of Sri Lankans and produces the world's finest tea. Ramboda Tea Factory is located in the town of Ramboda at about 1200 m above sea level. And it's surrounded by quiet, scenic surroundings. Visiting the tea factory is an education on the procedures engaged in the withering, rolling, fermentation, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. It's likely the most extensive tea factory tour around, and then you can taste the finest cup of tea from Sri Lanka and purchase the highest quality tea products from the showroom at the factory.
NUWARA ELIYA
At an altitude of more than 1,800 m above sea level, Nuwara Eliya's scenic landscape is known as "Little England" due to its similarity to English bungalows and its cool climate (in some hotels there are even log fires).
Piduruthalagala, Sri Lanka's highest mountain overlooks Nuwara Eliya. It was the retreat for British residents from coastal heat in colonial days and even today rituals such as horse racing, boating on the lake, lovely flower garden contests and golf tournaments take place during the April and August local holiday season. Most of the new flowers, fruits and vegetables in Sri Lanka are cultivated in the region and dairy and strawberry farms are also available. The Haggala Botanical Gardens close the city, like a walk across Horton Plains, is a prime attraction.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
Queen Elizabeth toured this quintessentially British church when she arrived at Nuwara Eliya during her official visit to Sri Lanka in 1954. The Queen later gifted the church a royal-blue carpet and a beautiful stained-glass window to commemorate what she considered to be a special highlight by all accounts. It is reported that she was particularly fascinated by the enormous (and unfortunately now obsolete) pipe organ of the church and the two ancient lych-gates, where the planters who went to the church would dismantle. The church's first wedding was of a Ceylonian pair, and the first baptism in 1843 was of a soldier's girl in the 95th Light Infantry.
GREGORY LAKE
Built in 1873 by a former British governor, this amazing lake in the middle of Nuwara Eliya is now a favourite attraction for inhabitants and tourists alike. It also offers an increasingly famous seaplane taxi and airborne sightseeing services landing strip, as well as frequent flights between Nuwara Eliya and Colombo. Features include swan boat rides, pony rides, paddle boats and jet skiing, while paved walkways and bicycle trails run through hedged gardens in forms like birds and animals.
DAY 05
SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEY
This highland scenic train rides a glimpse of panoramic green highland through the clouds as well as train moves through long tunnels with never-ending sequence where train reaches the highest elevation track in Sri Lanka and you pass through Tea Plantations, Tunnels, Bridges, Mountain Forests, Deep Valleys and Typical Highland Countryside during this 03 hours ride.
NINE ARCH BRIDGE
This is certainly Sri Lanka's most lovely train bridge, and the amazing surroundings throughout the region make it a paradise. When you travel from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, between Ella and Demodara railway stations, you come across this colonial-era railway. It's a solid, up to 300 feet long building. Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara has become one of the island's top tourist attractions, so make sure you see it and don't miss it when you visit Ella.
RAVANA FALLS
This waterfall measures an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop about 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades. During the local wet season, the waterfall becomes what is said to look like an areca flower with fading petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where water flow dramatically decreases. The falls are component of the Wildlife Sanctuary of Ravana Ella and are situated 6 km (3.7 mi) from Ella's local railway station. This popular fall has its origins in connection with the Ramayana, the renowned Indian epic.
DAY 06
YALA NATIONAL PARK
Also known as the Ruhunu National Park, Yala National Park is one of the country's largest jungles. It is a 305 km drive from Colombo, located in the southeast of Sri Lanka. Elephants are the primary attraction of the Park, although leopards are often seen and occasionally the sloth bears. Yala is also home to hundreds of endemic and foreign bird species, including jungle fowl, domestic bird of Sri Lanka, and peacocks flocks. Yala also has a front beach and crocodiles haunted swamps. As one of the first national parks to be developed in Sri Lanka (1938), Yala is an established location for visitors to visit and stay as it has plenty of accommodation close to its doors, both luxurious and budget, and even camping. Morning and evening jeep safaris can be readily arranged.
MIRISSA
Mirissa’s harbour is renowned as the best place to charter a boat for whale and dolphin watching from November to April. In reaction to backpackers flocking there, the tourist settlement on Mirissa's shoreline has sprung up to enjoy hours of paragliding, body boarding and sea kayaking as well as snorkeling and diving. The seas are perfect for surfing from September to April months. Mirissa's beach is popular with budget and mainstream visitors despite the opening of upmarket properties nearby. It is located at 150 km from Colombo off the south coast highway and can be reached rapidly from Colombo to Matara via the new Southern Expressway. The finest beach cove extends east of the headland that distinguishes Mirissa from Weligama Bay and is covered in stuffed shacks with sunbeds and restaurants.
STILT FISHING
This is a very exciting traditional Sri Lankan fishing technique to watch. Fisherman Stilts is the name given to those who do it. For a few years, the tsunami that destroyed a significant proportion of the coastal region of Sri Lanka prevented this traditional fishing technique, but you can now witness it along the southern coastal fields of Ahangama, Koggala, and Kaththaluwa. Even under the guidance of specialist fishermen, you can attempt this exciting fishing method.
UNAWATUNA BEACH
Unawatuna's vibrant city remains one of Asia's top holiday spots, even deemed one of Asia's finest beaches by some. The Dutch settlers, who fought for Galle in 1640, constructed houses in this town for their officers, some of whom are seen to date, in their untouched outskirts during the Dutch colonial period. During most times of the year, the city is alive today, attracting visitors and fun-seekers to its quiet beaches. In this region, the coral reef and shipwrecks can be studied through the many scuba diving and snorkeling operations provided along the beach by different diving centers.
DAY 07
GALLE DUTCH FORT
Galle Fort, begun in the 16th century by the Portuguese, expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century and consolidated by the British in the 19th century, is not a historic ruin but has been transformed into a living, thriving contemporary settlement. Located at the island's southwest corner, the Fort covers 52 hectares and includes nearly 500 buildings within its wide, gray granite rampart walls. Entrance to the Fort is through either of two main gates, one of which includes on one hand the Dutch Coat of Arms and on the other the British. The Fort is World Heritage Sites Number 200 on the UNESCO list and is free to enter and explore. The paved roads are lined with buildings from the Dutch and British eras, with some masterpieces of art deco, many of which have been transformed into boutique stores and stylish guest houses.
BENTOTA
Bentota is the place to be for a wonderfully relaxing beach holiday; it claims Sri Lanka's finest golden sand beach with scuba diving, snorkeling and a wide variety of water sports. It is now available via the Southern Expressway at 62 km south of Colombo and has a portfolio of guesthouses and restaurants to match the budget of every tourist: from low-cost bed & breakfast in local households to luxury suites in refurbished top-notch hotels. But there is not only the sprawling beach and ocean, Bentota also has a vast lagoon at the mouth of its river with many water sports centers on its banks where water skiing, jet skiing and pleasure riding can be arranged by catamaran or motorboat on inflatable rafts as well as deep sea fishing and inland river cruises. The holiday scene is completed by stylish restaurants and bars.
MADU RIVER SAFARI BALAPITIYA
First you will meet "Captain" at River Excursion Point as you will welcome by himself very prominent way and will tell you about the "Safari" and compliments of the excursion with many security advice, then you will take a Boat Safari in River Madu a Wetland Conservation which Shallow Water Body (River & Lake) where extremely cultivated Mangrove ecosystem that lives from 248 animal Species and untouched environment of beautiful sceneries. Also River Safari is featured with Fish Doctor Treatment (On Extra Cost) which would be very pleasurable activity you will also experience on some instructional path about Ceylon Cinnamon Industry and typical Southern genuine lifestyle. The wetland estuary covers more than 900 hectares, 770 hectares of which are covered with water and 64 islands are inhabited.
SEA TURTLE HATCHERY
The Kosgoda Beach Turtle Care Center is one of 18 turtle hatcheries along Sri Lanka's southern shoreline. The center is situated in Kosgoda southwest coastal village and was set up in 1981. It is also very common as all five turtle species that visit Kosgoda Sri Lankan nest. This is not so with many of the island's other hatcheries whose beaches host only some of the species. The center acts primarily as a hatchery and makes enormous attempts in their very original phases to boost the hatching rate and the survival of baby turtles. But the Care Center also operates on individuals who are sick or wounded; they are treated and released back into the ocean. They also run volunteer programs and awareness programs for local and international visitors.
BENTOTA WATER SPORT
The Bentota water sports center provides various water sports events and classes to practitioners from the beginner stage. Enjoy the latest water sports operations like Fly Fish, Jetski, Wake Board, Water Ski, Knee Board and more. They also offer inflatable rides like Donut Ride, Banana Ride, Sofa Ride and more. There is always a well-trained team to make sure you get the unforgettable experience and safety. They make sure their customers have the finest experience to make their journey memorable and enjoyable.
