01st Day
Arrive in Sri Lanka. You will be met by a representative of Welcome Holiday Travels and transferred to Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura
Is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient
ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas
constructed of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in
shape. The most notable of these dagabas are the Ruvanveli
which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in
diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama
which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s
most renowned relic is the sacred Bo-Tree which is said to
have grown from a branch of the tree under which the
Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago
and is the oldest historic tree in the world.
Overnight stay at Anuradhapura..
02nd Day
After breakfast proceed to City tour of Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura
Is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities.
The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed of
small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most
notable of these dagabas are the Ruvanveli which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines
the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic
is the sacred Bo-Tree which is said to have grown from a
branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained
enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the
oldest historic tree in the world.
Overnight stay at Anuradhapura..
03rd Day
After breakfast proceeds to Sigiriya to climb Sigiriya Rock.
Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky”
which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of
the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the
huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the
fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge
rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its
summit are the foundations of what was once a great
and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with
swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known
ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the
form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the
freshness and delicacy of their original color.
Sigiriya was never conquered by any of the invading
forces that had such an affect on the Island of Sri Lanka.
It was however ceded to the British during the colonial
rule without force.
After Proceeds to Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa - the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th
Century, contains some splendid and spectacular statues.
Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful
and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of
frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and
Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare -
a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one
standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are
examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a
unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists.
Overnight stay at Kandalama.
04th Day
After breakfast proceed to Pasikudah, En-route visiting Dambulla Cave in Dambulla
Dambull is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island.
In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th - 18th Centuries.
In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of Gods from the Buddhist religion along with numerous images of the Buddha himself. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people
Overnight stay at Pasikudah.
05th Day
After breakfast proceed to Kandy.
Kandy
The hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement.To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), “Palle Wasala”- where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri samudraya” (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse.Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture.
Afterwards proceed to Royal Botanical Garden – Peradeniya
Royal Botanical Garden At Peradeniya
147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists.
There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.
Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.
Overnight stay at Kandy
06th Day
After breakfast proceed to Colombo, En-route visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawala, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more then 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Afterwards proceed to Colombo.
Colombo a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.Visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, ready made garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items, visit the Odel shop at Lipton place and’ House of Fashion’
In the evening view The Kelaniya Rjamaha Vihara Perahera.
The Annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara will be held January. The historic Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera had its origins in the year 1927, due largely to the efforts of that great Philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helana Wijewardene Lamathani.
This Religious Cultural pageant has evolved over the years to become the country’s most elaborate and grandest low country pageant in its category. Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya is the most sacred temple in the Western Province of Sri Lanka since Lord Buddha’s sojourn here during his 3rd historic visit to Sri Lanka. It celebrates this event annually in the "Duruthu Poya" during January by conducting a historic, traditional and cultural pageant, the "Kelani Perahera". Whilst the Kelani Perahera commemorates the religious significance of Lord Buddha’s visit, it also supports and revives Sri Lanka’s cultural traditions of drummers, dancers, singers, caparisoned elephants and colourful parades, which have always made this event a night of all nights.
Overnight stay at Colombo.
07th Day
After breakfast proceed to Hikkaduwa,
Rest of the Day
Overnight stay at Hikkaduwa
08th Day
After breakfast proceed to Galle City Tour
Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European invaders. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although IbnBatuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who developed the harbor at Colombo.
You can spend hours exploring the famous Dutch fort, go shopping at one of the oldest markets of Sri Lanka and the modern shopping complexes or you can enjoy the feeling of "the good old times" at one of the colonial-style hotels and
restaurants.
Over the last years Galle became very "boutique" with beautiful, perfectly restored colonial houses and estates. If you really want to get pampered on your holiday in Sri Lanka, a couple of days in Galle should be on your list.
Return To the Hotel ,
Overnight stay at Hikkaduwa
09th Day
Take a Breakfast.
Rest of the Day
Overnight stay at Hikkaduwa
10th Day
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect departure flight.
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