Dambulla
Leave Negombo in the morning after a breakfast of your choice. Your first visit is to a historical landmark city, Dambulla, which boasts of the largest and best preserved complex of Buddhist cave temples of Sri Lanka. These caves, where the Buddhist monks once used to meditate, provided King Valagamba, a 1st century BC king, protection from his enemies. When the king returned to power, he had this magnificent temple built as a gratitude to the Buddhist monks. Statues of the Buddha and that of the Hindu Gods and paintings dating back to the first century can be seen inside the caves.
Sigiriya Rock Temple
The UNESCO World Heritage site Sigiriya or The Lion's Rock is a 370 m huge rock with a fortress and castle built on it by a patricidal King called Kashyapa (477 -495 AD). Also famous for the mirror wall with ancient paintings of 'Sigiriya damsels' called 'Sigiriya frescos' done on plaster on the rock which are reminiscent of the paintings of the Ajanta Caves of India. The site also has a royal park with water retaining structures, sophisticated hydraulic systems some of which still working today, and many more amazing features.
Sigiriya is situated 166 km from Colombo and 97 km from Kandy. It is located in within the cultural triangle. Main Attraction: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Anuradhapura
This city was one of the ancient capitol 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 Attraction: 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 MahÄbodhi Tree at the Sri MahÄbodhi 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 SanghamittÄ, the daughter of Emperor Asoka in 288 BC. The Sri MahÄ Bodhiya in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is the oldest living human planted tree with a definitive planting date
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 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 July/August.
Traditional Kandian Dance
This is a form of dance originated from an exorcism ritual called Kohomba Kankariya. It is a religious practice in which take control of a human body or a place. This form of spiritual possession can be heard from many religions as well and Vannam
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.
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.
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
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.
Enjoy an unforgettable ride around the mountains, through tunnels and around tea clad hills, and over fantastic bridges with a wonderful train view.
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. 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.
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.
Tissamaharamaya(Magama) 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'.
It lies in close proximity to the famous Tissa vehera, 'Tissa dagaba or 'Tissa Pagoda'.
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 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!
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.
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 travellers have fallen into hole and never seen the light of day again.
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 travellers 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.
