Kandy

This city is the heart of the Buddhist culture and the last seat of the Sinhala royalty, a royalty that ended with the signing of the Kandyan convention and becoming a dominion of the British rulers. It has the greatest historical and religious significance to all Buddhists with the Temple of the Sacred tooth relic is most enduring .The relic is held with great reverence and its yearly exposition and the great procession as it is carried around the city on the back of a majestic tusker is a grand spectacle to behold, and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is in a high elevation of over 500 meters nestled among surrounding hills, and has a mild to cool climate which is refreshing to the visitor. The hills surrounding the city are carpeted in green tea estates, and the country is covered in green foliage with several waterfalls cascading down the mountainous countryside. The city itself is steeped in old world colonial charm. There are several places of interest in Kandy for the visitor. The Temple of the tooth with its reflection on the manmade Kandy Lake giving the impression of floating in clouds, and the Peradeniya Botanical garden is the most popular. The drive along the country roads along hills and valleys, and rivers and waterfalls, is a wonderful experience for the discerning traveller.

Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress

“The Lions rock” the 8th World Wonder is in our Central plains was chosen by King Kasyapa in the 5th century AD as his citadel. Jutting out of the countryside this famous rock is over 200 meters high and dominates the surrounding terrain. The King ruled for 18 yrs from this rock fortress, and is a colourful part of the Islands history .It is a marvel of engineering .The wall murals and the lions paws are a marvel of Art and architecture. The view of the surrounding countryside from the top is astounding. The Palace and its gardens on the crest and the design of surrounding landscape are beyond compare. Sigiriya has been designated an 8th wonder of the world and is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. A must visit for any traveller!

Dambulla Golden Rock Cave Temple

The Golden Temple! This world heritage site is in the central plains of Sri Lanka and within the cultural triangle. Its History dates back to the 3rd to 7th centuries BC with new evidence showing even older occupation .Its magnificent rock cave temple complexes are well preserved and leave the visitor with a sense of awe. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha’s first sermon.

Activities & Attractions

Day 1

• Pineapple Plantation
• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
• Tea Plantation & Tea Factory
• Wood Carving Centre & Gallery
• Batik & Silk Factory
• Gem Museum & Showroom
• Peradeniya Botanical Garden
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Cultural Dancing Show
• Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 2

• Herbal Garden
• Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress
• Dambulla Golden Rock Cave Temple