DAY 01 Negambo / Anuradhapura Tour

After the arrival you will meet Serendivus Representative at the airport arrival lobby. Transfer to Anuradhapura, visit the Anuradhapura Ancient city,

Anuradhapura – Anuradhapura is considered as the first prominent antient kingdom of Sri Lanka. It is a world heritage site and famous for it well preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. It is also considered as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. According to historical records, city was first founded by the Prince Anuradha. Later it was made the capital by the King Pandukabhaya about 380BC. Anuradhapura era is considered as one of the golden eras for Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka during the rule of King Devanampiya Tissa. The king himself donated land for a great monastery in the heart of the city. This is only the beginning of great monuments in Anuradhapura.  Today they are well preserved and maintained where travellers from around the world come to visit.

Check in to your hotel in Anuradhapura for the dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 02 Mihinthale / Hbarana / Optional: Elephant Back Safari

Breakfast at the Hotel transfer to Habarana, visit the Mihintale Monastery en-route,

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures. Mihintale is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, but, regardless of your beliefs, it is unforgettable: a sequence of beautiful shrines, stupas and caves strung out across wooded hills, usually busy with crowds of devout, white-robed pilgrims. Transfer to Habrana

Continue to Habarana, check in to your hotel in Habarana for the dinner and overnights stay.

DAY 03 Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya /Habarana

After breakfast visit Polonnaruwa,

Pollonaruwa – Pollonaruwa holds another mystic attraction to all travellers due to the fact that it was ruled by ancient kings of sri Lanka for over 800 years. It is the second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa was first established by the Chola dynasity and it is declared as a world heritage. During the rule of Vijayabahu I, trade and agriculture flourished, because the king was so adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted. Hence during his time irrigation systems were built that are superior to today. Visitors from around the world visit Pollonaruwa to see its ancient architectural wonders and to observe the wild animals and nature.

Upon completion, Visit Sigiriya rock fortress,

Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Sigiriya the Lion Rock of Sri Lanka is officially the 8^th wonder of the world. It is a rock fortress listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. It is world famous among historians as the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. Sigiriya was selected by King Kashyapa as his capital during the years 477 – 495 CE. The whole face of the wall has been covered with paintings of over 500 ladies. This is considered as one of the world’s biggest frescoes. Even though most frescoes have been lost for ever, still some remains to enchant us with the attention to detail of the artist. As per historians, originally the wall was polished so the king could see his reflection which was named as the mirror now it is covered with hundreds of poems written by visitors. Among the oldest landscapes in the world lies the gardens of Sigiriya.

Overnight Stay at Habarana

DAY 04 Dambulla Cave Temple/ Mathale / Kandy Temple of Tooth / Cultural Show

Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to Kandy, visit the Dambulla cave temple en-route,

Dambulla – Dambulla, a town which is quite near to Sigiriya is world famous for the cave temple. It is also the central point of distribution for vegetables in Sri Lanka and quite a busy city 24 by 7. Dambulla cave temple the main attraction of the town, was originally built in 80BC. It is the biggest and best-preserved cave temple which is also a world heritage site. There are 153 Buddha statutes found inside the temple. Other attractions are Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, largest rose quarts mountain range in South Asia and the Iron Wood Forest also known as Na Uyana Arana. Dambulla is more recommended for stop over rather than a complete stay in the town.

Upon completion visit Mathale Aluwihara rock temple,

Aluvihara rock temple, located in Matale. Aluvihara is of great significance in the history of Buddhism. It was here that the oral teachings of the Buddha were committed to writing – the Tripitaka – for the first time.

Proceed to Kandy, visit the Temple of tooth relic and do a city tour of Kandy before checking into the hotel,

Kandy – Kandy, broken from Kanda in Sinhala simply means the hill. I think that would clearly outline the geography of the city. Kandy is a major tourist attraction and world famous for the Kandy Perahera. This extravagant parade is happening once a year, a magical event that is one of the main events of our culture. Tens of thousands of visitors around the world visit Kandy during the month of July to witness this event. Kandy also host and protects Lord Buddha’s tooth in a beautiful palace, which is sacred to all Buddhists around the world. Sri Lankan’s believe that the relic brings prosperity and protects the island. Royal Botanical Garden & Udawaththakele, a forest behind the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth), are few other attractions in Kandy that will create pleasant memories for visitors.

Evening Cultural Show thereafter witness a cultural show (Kandy dance)

Overnight Stay at Kandy

DAY 05

After breakfast transfer to Nuwara Eliya, visit waterfalls and Tea plantation en-route,

Nuwara Eliya – Nuwara Eliya, a city in the hill country is also called as Little England due to the similarity between the two climates. The city is all about beautiful landscape and cool climate. It is also the heart of the tea plantation industry of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya hosts the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka and some wonderful waterfalls making any visitor fall in love with her. To name few famous attractions of Nuwara Eliya are Gregory lake, Golf Club, Grand Hotel, Race Course & Haggala Botanical Garden. You will also get to visit Strawberry farms and pick your own strawberries and observe how your tea is plucked and sent to you while enjoying a hot cup of Ceylon tea.

Check in to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya for the dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 06

Breakfast at the Hotel, transfer to Kataragama via ella,

Ella – Ella is a small town situated at an elevation of 1041 meters above sea level. Ella is considered as one of the musts visits of Sri Lanka due to its rich bio diversity, varieties of flora and fauna and its cool climate. Surrounded by tea plantations, forests, hills and clouds that covers, the town is like a picture out of a fairy tale with the misty mountains and spectacular natural views. Ella is most famous for the view through the Ella gap which is stunning and on a cloudless night you can see the glow of the Great Basses lighthouse on Sri Lankas south coast.  There is a selection of waterfalls, tea plantations and temples an adventurer can visit in Ella. It is also one of the preferred destinations for hikers and back packers.

Transfer to Kataragama via Ella

Upon completion, visit the Buduruwagala Temple

The group of statues, finest example of Mahayana sculpture in the island is over 1000 yrs old. Buduruwagala is an ancient buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted.

Continue to Katharagama ,

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also go there to worship. The town has the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio. It is believed that King Dutugemunu the warrior king and Sinhala folk hero built a shrine here for the worship of the Kataragama God in the 2nd century BC.

Overnight Stay at Thissamaharama

DAY 07

Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to Colombo, Visit the Galle Dutch fortress en-route,

Dutch Fort: Portuguese built the first fort to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdoms to the north. The Dutch entrance to the fort with it VOC with 1669 carved in the inner archway is still in use.

Dutch Museum: For a peep into life in the days of the Dutch East India Company, look into this small museum at 31 Leynbaan Street

The town of Ambalangoda along the south coast road is the home of devil dancing and mask making .Visit mask museum & factory. Also visits Moonstone mine. Moonstones are beautiful stones which are white and give a blue shimmer when watched from an angle.

Madhu River Boat Safari – Take a boat ride through the Mangroves of Bentota, you will witness the diverse wildlife such as Water Monitor Lizards, River birds even a crocodile in their natural habitat while cruising through the third longest river in the country. Absorb the nature and enjoy the Mangroves which play a huge part in preventing soil erosion by acting as a natural barrier. This was well proved when the Tsunami strike down south in 2004.

The biologists and ecologists find this place a treasure trove for the fertile soil in this region. There are many undiscovered species in the depth of this mangrove forest.

Overnight stay at Colombo.

DAY 08

Breakfast at the Hotel and visit,

Gangarama Temple

Gangayamaya Temple – Gangaramaya is one of the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist temples you will find in the heart of Colombo, this was started in the 19^th Century by the scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera. He laid the foundation to convert this temple to an institute of international reckoning.  The next chief incumbent was the Ven. Devundara Keerthi Sri Sumangala Jinaratana Vacissara Thera, the teacher of the Ven. Galboda Gnanissara, who worked for what Gangaramaya is today: This is a main tourist attraction in Colombo.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is a main sacred and religious temple near Colombo.  This temple has a history from 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha has hollowed Kelaniya during the third visit to Sri Lanka. The wall paintings and especially sculptures in the temple is a different experience. It is only 12 km and 40 minutes’ drive from the middle of Colombo city.

Colombo City Tour

Colombo – The latest metropolitan of South Asia, Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo host more tourist attractions than any other city in the country. Few of the attractions are National Museum, Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi park, Dutch period museum, Dutch Hospital, Federation of Self Employees market in Pettah, Old City hall, House of Geffory Bawa, Seema malakaya Meditation centre, Jaami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Pelican Perches, Wolvendaal Church, St Anthony’s church, University of Colombo and newly opened Lotus Tower. Colombo is most famous for its colourful night life, restaurants, clubs and entertainment. A walk along the Galle face costal line during the night is a good suggestion to get a beautiful view of the city. Don’t forget to go shopaholic among the latest shops.

Departure