Our professional English speaking chauffeur will warmly welcome you at the arrival of Bandaranaike International Airport and then start more safely the great journey to Colombo to Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka founded in the 4th Century AD and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is very famous among Buddhists pilgrims. Anuradhapura was earlier the capital of the Island (in ancient times) and most of the Kings who ruled Sri Lanka resided in this vast city. While you are here, be sure to marvel at the sight of the three main dagobas, which were among the largest structures ever built in the ancient world. The city is now named as a world heritage site by UNESCO. According to facts, this city has been started by the ancient minister called “Anuradha” over two thousand years ago. Also, this city based on agriculture for that reason in near Anuradhapura found many reservoirs that specially made for irrigation and agriculture purpose. Anuradhapura located in a dry zone and needed to develop the irrigation process. With this found over two thousand well-furnished irrigation system in Anuradhapura. There are many ancient ruins locates in here. Also, it is one of the holy city of Sri Lanka. Many ancient pagodas, Lord Buddha Statues, Irrigation ponds and many more located in here. Not even that Ruwanwali, Jethawana, Mirisawatiya, Thuparamaya are some of the well-known pagodas in Anuradhapura and kept Lord Buddha Relics. Anuradhapura is a city for observing great civilization over two thousand years. Many stone carving things still remaining in a good condition. Everything has been made with stones. Hospital, Buddhist Monasteries also found in here. Not even that recorded world oldest tree found in Anuradhapura. It is the sacred Boo tree that Lord Buddha sat on enlightenment. A great place to explore more and more things with great variety.
Over night in Anuradhapura.
Leave in the morning to visit Sigiriya.
Sigiriya is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka. The palace is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level. It is also called "The Lion Rock" for its initial name of "Sinhagiri", was a royal citadel for 18 years (477-495) when it was fortified by King Kasyapa. The architectural and irrigational technologies of Sigiriya, such as the Water Gardens, still baffle engineers. The palace and fortress complex is recognized as one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning. Considering the uniqueness of Sigiriya UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 1982. Sigiriya is an unmatched combination of urban planning, water engineering, horticulture and arts. The frescoes are probably Sigiriya most popular attraction. The whole face of the wall has been used as a picture gallery which to this day have been preserved. The paintings are said to have been of the Anuradhapura period. However the style of painting is unique to that of any found in Anuradhapura during its golden years.
Lunch at Sigiriya on Village tour.(Sri Lankan traditional food).
Evening safari at Minneriya national park.
Minneriya National Park, located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, attracts a large number of visitors as wild elephants gather in the grasslands. Elephants have become a significant part of the park as there are over 700 wild elephants that dwell within the premises. The elephants thrive on the Minneriya Tank; the water sustains the forest and is the main source of survival for all the other animals. The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka. purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka. Minneriya National Park has recorded over 170 species of birds. From Migrating waders like Woodsand Piper, Common Sandpiper & Kentish Plovers to forest birds like Malabar-pied Hornbills, Rufus Woodpecker the globally endangered Lesser Adjutant and the endemics Sri Lanka Grey Horn-bill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Brown-capped Babbler and Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl are some of the highlights.
Over night in Sigiriya or Habarana.
Visit in the morning Dambulla golden temple, spice garden, on the way to Kandy.
Dambulla Cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. There are five caves (Deva Raja Viharaya, Maha Raja Viharaya, Maha Alut Viharaya, Paschima Viharaya) in the Dambulla Temple and 157 statues of the Lord Buddha. Most of the paintings on the ceiling and walls emphasize the artistic talents of ancient days. Dambulla Rock Cave Temple can be reached by coming from Kandy (68km) along A9 road which runs up through Dambulla and Anuradhapura, or direct from Colombo. Located at an elevation of 1118 feet from the sea level, the Dambulugala raises as a massive rock from the surrounding plains of Dambulla. It is home to the World’s most acclaimed Cave complex of magnificent Buddha Images and Rock Paintings of vivid colours and shapes constructed and painted from around the 2nd Century BC (Anuradhapura era) and continued up to the Kandyan era of the 18th Century, thus forming an unbroken line of history and painting styles of Sri Lanka through 2500 years. The statues and art found within the cave truly highlight the artistic abilities of those living in the past. It is well persevered and a walk through the caves will prove to be both insightful and a very memorable experience.
Evening cultural dance show in Kandy.
Over night in Kandy.
Morning visit Temple of Tooth Relic, Kandy.
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most important place in Sri Lanka. Also known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, this place of worship was constructed in the 16th century AD. Situated adjacent to the Royal Palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, the shrine overlooks the vast expanse of the Kandy Lake.
Next visit Botanical garden, Gem museum, wood carving factory and afternoon you can enjoy with Kandy city tour.
Over night in Kandy.
On the way to Colombo airport visit Pinnawala Elephant orphanage.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of the most popular and accessible places where a large number of elephants can be seen in a natural habitat. The elephant orphanage is located in Pinnawala in the Kegalle District of the Sabaragamuwa Province. It was started in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife on a twenty five acre coconut property on the Maha Oya river at Rambukkana. The orphanage was primarily designed as place for shelter and care the wounded elephants and abandoned baby elephants found in jungle. Daily, form the bulk of the elephants food. Visitors can see different elephant’s events such as bathing in river, drinking milk in the bottle, eating foods and their playing games. Currently Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has become one of the largest tourist attractions in the country due to its distinctive population of elephants. The two main attractions for visitors is the bottle feeding session which is followed by the bathing time. If you are lucky the handlers might even pick you to feed the baby elephants, who happen to be just plain adorable most of the time. Most of the elephants at the orphanage are very domesticated and friendly so they have even got platforms set up where you can feed the larger elephants fruits.
On completion of this tour, you will be driven back to your hotel or Katunayake International Airport for Departure.
