Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Asia sticks to you. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated & confounded travellers for centuries. Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilisations: this is Asia as you have always imagined it. The joss sticks lit for the household shrines in Thailand impart a sweet perfume to the thick air & the heavenly aroma of Indian spices follows you for days

Welcome to idyllic Sri Lanka - with its endless Beaches, timeless Ruins, welcoming People, oodles of Elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun Trains, famous Tea & flavourful Food. You might say Ceylon has been hiding in plain sight. Few places have as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8) packed into such a small area. Sri Lanka's 2000 plus years of culture can be discovered at ancient sites where legendary Temples boast beautiful details even as they shelter in caves or perch on prominent peaks. More recent are evocative colonial Fortresses, from Galle to Trincomalee. Across the Island, that thing that goes bump in the night might be an Elephant heading to a favourite waterhole.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant Colombo, with its ‘erstwhile’ 19^th century moniker of 'Garden City of the East'. It makes an excellent start - or finish - to your Sri Lankan adventures.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Check-in at your centrally located hotel & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Colombo, the Capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a Port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and draws together all the colours & cultures that make up this Island nation, condenses them into a patchwork of Markets, Gardens & buildings both humble & grand, and knocks them against a narrow slab of beachfront. Colombo like many Capital cities in developing countries is fast changing. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood yet in some parts the old world charm is retained.

History | Culture | Unforgettable Experiences

Thanks to its natural Harbour, Colombo & Sri Lanka was one of the vital nodes along the maritime Silk Road for thousands of years, visited by Traders from as far as China & the Roman Empire. From the 8^th century, Arab traders settled in the area & eventually came to control the trade through Colombo.

They were followed by the Portuguese, who in 1505 made a treaty with the Kingdom of Kotte where they were allowed to establish a Trading Post in Colombo & trade in cinnamon in exchange for protection from other invaders. The Portuguese eventually set up a Fort, expelled the Arabs from Colombo & proceeded to take over the entire Island, formerly ruled by many Kingdoms, over the course of the 16^th century. The surroundings where the Fort stood are now known as the Fort district, though the Dutch tore it down replacing it with their own Fort, which the next invaders British replaced with military Barracks & related buildings. The Barracks were demolished in the 1970s to make room for the Colombo World Trade Center.

The Portuguese presence in Sri Lanka was marked by a long war, the Sinhalese-Portuguese war from 1527 to 1658. The Dutch, Portugal's main rival during the age of colonization became involved in the war & took over Colombo in 1656. The city evolved into a centre for the Dutch East India Company's operations on the Island & they also came to control the rich cinnamon fields in the region.

In 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars, Colombo was captured by the British, first serving as a military base & from 1815 on as the Capital of British Ceylon. During British rule, Colombo grew & started developing into the city it is today when many of its notable ’existing’ landmarks were built during this period. The first representative government on Sri Lanka, the Legislative Council of Ceylon, was established in 1833.

After World War II, in 1948, Ceylon became a British dominion & in 1972 an independent Republic & it was decided to move the Capital to the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The new Parliament opened in 1982 but the relocation of governmental offices is reportedly still in progress today. Even so, Colombo, the biggest city on the Island, remains the commercial & cultural centre of much of what's goes on in Sri Lanka.

Although the city cannot reclaim its 19^th century moniker of 'Garden City of the East', it has nevertheless emerged as a worthy destination in its own right. However, the legacies of colonial Colombo's ‘garden’ roots are still very much intact along its often-shady Boulevards.

Cosmopolitan Colombo, gateway to the wonder of Sri Lanka, boasts a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of races, religions & cultures. The legacies of colonial Colombo's garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises & Shopping Malls. Bordering the sprawling Viharamahadevi Park & its giant Buddha is the imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, houses marvelous antiquities, including artifacts that date back to 4^th century BC.

A city of contrasts, it is both an eclectic mix of shiny hotels & swanky office blocks, neighbouring beautiful red-tiled colonial-era buildings. Sprawling bustling street markets brim with fragrant spices, colourful silks, cottons and fresh fruit & vegetables

This seaside city offers a plethora of exciting adventures, experiences & places to visit. Delight in an exhilarating tuk tuk ride around the city, relish high tea at a magnificent colonial style hotel overlooking the azure ocean & play a round of golf on scenic green courses. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish Eateries, Galleries & exquisite Boutiques that feature international brands & the charming shops offer colourful local Art & textured Fabrics. The home of the famed Ceylon tea, delve into the vast array of fragrant flavoured teas, including banana & brandy.

Surprises abound: with a little exploration you will find great local food, characterful shops & tiny, convivial Cafes. Plunge into Colombo’s enticing street food scene, eat like a local & immerse yourself in the sights, sounds & aromas of the whirling Pettah Bazaar brimming with markets & rampant commerce, where one can shop for bargains.

Some visitors will tire quickly of the diesel fumes & the modern buildings on Galle Road, the city’s main artery. There are plenty of cultural & historical attractions in areas such as the Fort, Cinnamon Gardens. Discover Colombo’s multi-ethnic legacy with Churches, Mosques & Temples congregating on the same streets, and delve into iconic sites including Fort Station, the Red Mosque & the Khan Clock Tower.

Other places of interest are a Hindu & a Buddhist Temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall - a gift from the People's Republic of China.

Featuring a fascinating heritage & enticing culture, Sri Lanka‘s Capital is one of Asia’s favoured travel destinations. You will appreciate Colombo’s colonial heritage, its fine dining & shopping opportunities, and the dash of urban buzz in an overwhelmingly rural country.

With thousands of years of history, a wealth of cultural diversity and incredible flora & fauna, there is a wide variety of places to see. The Island’s colonial past is visible in Dutch buildings from the 17^th & 18^th centuries and British structures (including the Old Clock Tower) from the 19^th century.

With thousands of years of history, a wealth of cultural diversity and incredible flora & fauna, there is a wide variety of places to see. The Island’s colonial past is visible in Dutch buildings from the 17^th & 18^th centuries and British structures (including the Old Clock Tower) from the 19^th century.

Meet the Tour-guide around 09.00 am & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of colourful Colombo, in tourist friendly colourful 'tuk-tuks' distinguishable by their unique paintings, operated by Sri Lankan Tourist Board.

First stop will be Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple. It is believed Buddha visited the site of this grand & labyrinthine Temple, with a dramatic past, on his 3^rd visit to Sri Lanka. The original Temple was destroyed by Indian invaders, restored & then destroyed again by the Portuguese in the 16^th century. The Dutch restored it again in the 18^th century in order to curry favour locally.

Then drive to Galle Face Green, the main north-south artery of the city in the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many Government buildings & interesting shops. At the south end of the Green is the beautiful colonial-era Galle Face Hotel.

Walk by the ocean-facing urban park of Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal Cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll & / or trying delicious local cuisine.

Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district - a colourful retail experience. A Clock Tower marks the entrance to the Market, where you can browse the beautiful gold jewelry & see the red & white Jani Ul Alfar Mosque. Sri Lanka is known for its garment industry, manufacturing high quality clothes at affordable prices.

Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district, Colombo’s most gentrified area. A century ago, it was covered in 289 acres of cinnamon trees on the Plantations. Today, it contains elegant tree-lined streets with posh Mansions, as numerous foreign Diplomatic Missions, stylish Cafes & shops, sports grounds & a cluster of Museums & Galleries.

The cinnamon trade in Sri Lanka goes as far back to the time when Augustus Caesar ruled Rome. The Romans had communications with India & it is said that they traded largely in cinnamon obtained from Sri Lanka.

Colombo’s vivid white, domed 1928 Old Town Hall overlooks the area’s heart, Viharamahadevi Park. To the south is the striking Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, which opened in 2011. It is also the location of the Department of Meteorology & its Observatory, which gained due prominence after the Tsumani & is a major part of Emergency Management structure. The Prime Minister's Office is located here.

Drive by & stop for photo-break at the Independence Square located just a few minutes away from the Old Parliament building & the War Memorial.

Located within Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in Cinnamon Gardens, is the Independence Commemoration Hall, the national monument built at the location where the formal ceremony to commemorate the independence of Ceylon from British rule with the establishment of the Dominion of Ceylon, marking the start of self-rule & the opening of the first Parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium February 4, 1948.

Located at the head of the monument is the Statue of the first Prime Minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake, considered the ' Father of the Nation'. Most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations take place here.

Next stop will be Gangaramaya Temple, among Columbo’s most visually stunning Buddhist Temples where a mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian & Chinese architecture contains lavish collections of artifacts, including statues of Buddha & other gods. Run by one of Sri Lanka’s more politically adept Monks, Galboda Gnanissara Thera, this bustling Temple complex has a Library, a Museum & an extraordinarily eclectic array of bejewelled & gilded gifts presented by devotees & well-wishers over the years (plus one lonely & chained Temple elephant named Ganga). Gangaramaya is also the centre for the most extravagant annual festival Navam Perahera Vesak celebrations on the February poya (full moon) day.

The sightseeing ends & you return to the hotel.

Balance of the day free for independent explorations or for optional activities (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

You may catch up on your shopping. Sri Lanka is known for its garment industry, manufacturing high quality clothes at affordable prices. Most of big-name international Brands source their products from here.

Early morning, depart for Kandalama, travelling inland towards the Cultural Triangle routing, that includes the sacred cities of Anuradhapura & Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya & Dambulla which contain many of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Enroute, stop at Sigriya Rock, one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Referred by locals as the 8^th Wonder of the World, this ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the heart of the Island between the towns of Dambulla & Habarane, is famous for the remnants of a ruined Palace, surrounded by an extensive network of vast Gardens, Ponds, Canals, Alleys & Fountains, Reservoirs & other structures, on top of a massive Rock plateau 370 meters above the sea level, surrounded by jungles.

The Palace & Fortress complex on Sigiriya rock plateau formed from the magma of an ancient extinct Volcano, has significant archaeological importance & is recognized as one of the finest examples of an unmatched combination of ancient urban planning, Water Engineering, Horticulture & Arts. The construction of Buildings & Gardens on the massive Rock, show that the Creators of this amazing architectural monument used unique & creative technical skills & technologies & required advanced architectural & engineering skills.

Rising from the central plains, the iconic rocky outcrop is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped Summit that contains the ruins of an ancient Civilisation, thought to be once the epicentre of the short-lived Kingdom of Kasyapa & there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning. The surrounding territories were inhibited for several thousand years.

Sigiriya has water Gardens, Cave & boulder Gardens and also 5^th century landscaped terraced Gardens, among the oldest in the world. Fountains built in the 5^th century, are perhaps, are the oldest in the world. They are located in the western part of the rock & include a complex Hydraulic System, consisting of Canals, Locks, Lakes, Dams, Bridges, Fountains, as well as surface & underground Water Pumps. In the rainy season, all Channels are filled with water, which begins to circulate through the entire area of Sigiriya.

Since 3^rd century BC, the rocky plateau of Sigiriya served as a Monastery. In the second half of the 5^th century, King Kasyapa decided to construct a royal residence here. After his death, Sigiriya again became a Buddhist Monastery until the 14^th century, when it was abandoned. 

The main entrance is located in the northern side of the Rock. It was designed in the form of a huge stone Lion carved into the bedrock. The paws have survived up to today but the upper parts of the body were destroyed. Thanks to this Lion, the Palace was named Sigiriya (the term Sigiriya originates from the word Sihagri, i.e. Lion Rock).

The western Wall was almost entirely covered by ancient Frescoes, created during the reign of Kasyapa. 18 frescoes have survived to this day. The frescoes feature bare breasted ‘cloud maidens ‘depicting the typical dress of the Palace courtesans (similar to those found at Ajanta Caves in India). considered to be either the portraits of Kasyapa’s wives & Concubines or Priestess performing religious Rituals. Despite the unknown identity of the females depicted in the Frescoes, these unique ancient Paintings are celebrating female beauty & have incredible historical significance. It is generally agreed, however, that the Sigiriya Frescoes exhibit a uniquely Sri Lankan style panorama of the surrounding jungles.

One of the most striking features of Sigiriya is its Mirror Wall. In the old days it was polished so thoroughly that the King could see his reflection in it. The Wall is painted with Inscriptions & Poems written by the visitors of Sigiriya. The most ancient inscriptions are dated from the 8^th century, proving that Sigiriya was a tourist destination more than a thousand years ago. Today, painting on the Wall is strictly prohibited.

The surrounding landscape - lily-pad-covered Moats, Water Gardens & quiet Shrines - & the excellent Sigiriya Museum on the site, only add to Sigiriya's rock-star appeal. The Museum shows photos of the excavation of Sigiriya, reproductions of the frescoes, examples & translations of some of the graffiti on the Mirror Wall & artifacts excavated from the site. You might spend an additional 30 - 60 minutes exploring the various nooks & crannies in the gardens.

Get ready to climb to the top to arrive at Sri Lanka’s most important archeological legacies. The ruins of the ancient Castles are attractions that bring many pilgrims & tourist to this historical site. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily & you will have to climb a series of vertiginous Staircases attached to sheer walls to reach the top.

At the mid-level terrace, see your reflection in the Mirror Wall, which protects a series of exquisite frescoes of celestial maidens using natural pigments.

Sigiriya Rock is rich in both legend & architecture & ascending 1200 steps to the Summit is well worth the effort. You can probably walk up to the top & down again in 1.5 - 2 hours.  Apart from the ruins of the Palace & Penthouse of the Parricidal King Kashyapa, you will be rewarded with the breathtaking views.

Understand also that, even though Sigiriya is maybe the most famous tourist attraction in Sri Lanka & must have been a truly amazing place in the past, right now the ruins are only the 2 brick-tall foundations of the Palace walls; absolutely nothing remains standing.

Located about 1 km north of the Sigiriya Rock near the entrance, is the Pidurangala Cave, Temple & Rock. This Rock plateau is almost as high as its famous neighbor & provides a pleasant view of its sibling as well as the surrounding area, which beats every postcard image you have ever seen.

The trail going up starts on the right. Further on, this will become a rocky Stairway leading to the meditation bunks of the Monks. The scenery & the view is really something & well worth the effort, & the vegetation is of a rough, almost unearthly beauty. From the summit, you can also see the mountains of Kandy, Pollonaruwa, Anuradhapura & the Rain Forest.

Come down after capturing some memorable photos & continue on to the hotel in Kandalama.

Arrive at the hotel by late afternoon & Check-in.

Kandalama village is a jumping off point for 2 UNESCO Heritage sites - the 1^st century BC Dambulla Cave Temple & the 5^th century AD Sigiriya Rock Fortress (which you just saw). There is also an ancient Irrigation Tank built by King Vasabha 1700 years back. But, the small Village is more noted as the location of one of Sri Lanka's most sought after & very first 5* hotel – the iconic Heritance Kandalama, a minimalist, contemporary hotel designed by Sri Lanka's famous Architect, Geoffrey Bawa who conceived it `as an austere Jungle Palace' from where you can enjoy the beauty of UNESCO World Heritages sites.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Morning, at 08:00 am, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to the sacred town of Anuradhapura, the ancient Capital of Sri Lanka in 3^rd century BC to 11^th century AD & a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Anuradhapura is a major city located in north central plain of Sri Lanka on the banks of the historic Malwathu Oya.

Buddhism played a major role in the Anuradhapura period, influencing its Culture, Laws & methods of Governance. The Society & the Culture were revolutionized when the faith was introduced during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa.

This cultural change was further strengthened by the arrival of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka & the patronage extended by the Rulers. During this era, the country was invaded by South Indian Kings several times. Rulers such as Dutthagamani, Valagamba & Dhatusena are noted for defeating the South Indian invaders & unifying the country. Other rulers such as Sena II are notable for dispatching forces to the South Indian mainland, just across the water & gaining several victories such as the sacking of Madurai in 862.

The Kingdom was largely based on Agriculture, hence the construction of irrigation works was a major achievement, ensuring water supply in the dry zone & helping the country grow mostly self-sufficient. Several Kings, most notably Vasabha & Mahasena, built large Reservoirs & Canals, which created a vast & complex irrigation network in the Rajarata area throughout the Anuradhapura period. These constructions are an indication of the advanced Technical & Engineering skills used to create them.

The famous Paintings & structures at Sigiriya, the Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavana & other very large Stupas & mammoth buildings like the Lovamahapaya & religious works (like the numerous Buddha Statues) are landmarks demonstrating the Anuradhapura period's advancement in Sculpting.

The city itself is not much & feels more like a big village, but the reason why most people come to Anuradhapura is the ancient Old Town, a large site full of excavated Temples, Baths & Museums spread over an area of 40 square kilometres.

Current-day Anuradhapura is a rather pleasant albeit sprawling city. It feels a bit like a big Park with a lot of greenery around the Temples & buildings. Mature trees shade the main Guesthouse areas & the main Street is orderly compared to the ugly concrete agglomerations elsewhere. There are Lakes & Rice fields, too.

Excavations were not started until the end of the 19^th century. Dozens of Temples, remains of Stupas & Monasteries emerged from the ground & have been carefully restored. However, the majority of the Temples have been completely rebuilt, refurbished & look brand new.

The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights known for its well-preserved ancient ruins of past Sinhala Civilizations. Exploring the ancient city, one can expect to find enormous Dagobas (Stupas), soaring brick Towers, ancient Water Cisterns (irrigation systems) & crumbling Temples & Monasteries, steeped in antiquity, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka.

The sprawling Complex contains a rich collection of Archaeological & Architectural wonders & today, several of the sites remain in active use as holy places & Temples. Frequent ceremonies give Anuradhapura a vibrancy that is a sharp contrast to the ambience at Polonnaruwa.

You will see a couple of the more famous or popular, well-preserved & popular Dagobas.

Dating back to the 1^st century BC, the colossal Abhayagiri Dagoba was the ceremonial focus of the 5,000 Monks strong Abhayagiri Monastery. Originally over 100 meters  high, it was one of the greatest structures in the ancient world, its scale only matched by the Pyramids of Giza (& nearby Jetavanarama). Today, after several reconstructions, the Stupa soars over 75 meters above the forest floor. Visually stunning, the first glimpse of this brick monument through a gap in the surrounding forest is breathtaking.

The name means ‘Hill of Protection’ or ‘Fearless Hill’. The Saddarma Rathnawaliya scripture records that a Statue of a Golden Bull containing relics of the Buddha was buried in the core of the Stupa.

It has some interesting bas-reliefs, including one near the western stairway, of an Elephant pulling up a tree. A large slab with a Buddha footprint can be seen on the northern side & the eastern & western steps have unusual moonstones made from concentric stone slabs (the word 'moonstone' relates to the shape of the stone, not the type of stone itself). As you walk around the northern side of the Stupa, look for the octagonal Yupa (spire) & shaft that originally topped the Dagoba before the current Square top was added.

The magnificent white Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba is guarded by a wall with a frieze of 344 elephants, standing shoulder to shoulder. Apart from a few beside the western entrance, most are modern replacements of the originals from 140 BC. Today, after incurring much damage from invading Indian forces, it rises to 55 meters, considerably less than its original height; nor is its form the same as the earlier ‘bubble’ shape.

During the Stupa’s consecration, a portion of Buddha's ashes were allegedly enshrined here, in a grand ceremony attended by Monks from Rajagriha, Vaishali, Patna, Kashmir & Afghanistan. At the time, it was the biggest Stupa in the world, with a 7 meters deep foundation made of limestone broken with hammers & then crushed by elephants. This Dagoba surrounded by the remains of Ponds & Pools & collections of Columns & Pillars, all picturesquely leaning in different directions, was commissioned by King Dutugemunu, but he didn’t live to see its completion. However, as he lay on his deathbed, a false bamboo & cloth finish was placed around the Dagoba so that the King’s final sight could be of his ‘completed’ masterpiece. A limestone Statue in a small Pavilion south of the great Dagoba is popularly thought to be, of Dutugemunu.

Slightly southeast of the Dagoba, enroute to the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple, one can see one of the many Monks’ Refectories. This Temple features the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, central to Anuradhapura in both a spiritual & physical sense. In fact, it has grown from a branch of the original Bodhi fig tree, brought from Bodhgaya in India, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is said to be the oldest historically authenticated Tree in the world, tended by an uninterrupted succession of Guardians for over 2,000 years. Today, thousands of devotees come to make offerings, particularly on Poya (full moon) days & on weekends. Sunset is a magical time to visit.

The faithful believe it was Princess Sangamitta, daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka & sister of Mahinda (who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka), who brought the cutting from India. These days there many bodhi trees here; the oldest & holiest stands on the top platform. Railing & other structures around the Trees are festooned with Prayer Flags. In 1985, during the Civil War, Tamil Tigers opened fire in the Enclosure, killing several worshippers as part of a larger offensive that took the lives of almost 150 civilians.

Just a short distance away, stands the Brazen Palace. Once an imposing structure, with a bronze roof, today we see just the remains of this 1600 column Palace. Also, see the 2 Ponds & the Queens’ Bath. April & December are particularly busy months as pilgrims converge on the site for Snana Puja (offerings or prayers).

The main ceremonial Stairway, lined with frangipani trees, leads to the Ambasthale Dagoba, built over the spot where Mahinda converted Devanampiya Tissa to Buddhism. A nearby Statue of the King wearing traditional dress marks the spot where he met Mahinda. To the side, up a flight of rock-carved steps, is a large white Buddha Statue.

Ranmasu Uyana, also known as the Park of the Goldfish (or Royal Pleasure Gardens), the extensive 2000 year old royal Gardens encompassing 14 hectares & containing 2 Ponds skillfully designed to fit around the huge boulders in the Park. Once unmarried Prince & Princess came here to bath & meet new Partners, a kind of Tinder from 2000 years ago.

Look out for the fine elephant carvings. Also carved onto the back side of a rock face in the southwest corner of the Park, is an intriguing geometric mandala design of Circles & Crosses, that some have suggested, is one of the earliest ever depictions of a world map. It was here that Prince Saliya, the son of Dutugemunu, was said to have met the low-caste Asokamala, whom he married, thereby forsaking his right to the Throne, a story captured in the 'lover's' sculpture in nearby Isurumuniya Vihara.

Surrounded by forest, Eth Pokuna, is a huge body of water, thought to have acted as an ancient water storage tank for the Abhayagiri Monastery rather than as a pool for pachyderms. Such is the scale of the tank - 159 meters long, 53 meters wide & 10 meters deep - that 6 Olympic-sized swimming pools could comfortably fit inside it. Underground channels from the Periyamkulama Tank keep the Pond topped up & are still in working order - during very heavy rains, water pours into the Pond from inlets. The Monastery also has a19 meters long stone Batnava (or Rice Canoe) that would have been filled daily with cooked Rice to feed thousands of resident Monks. To the west are the remains of a Kitchen & a smaller stone Canoe used to store Curry.

If time (& Tour-guide), you may also visit Mihintale Temple Complex with several white coloured Temples on top of rocks, just outside town. The sunset view over the green rice fields & forests is especially engrossing.

After spending a couple of hours exploring the town, drive west to Aukana.

Aukana (or Avukana) Village in the Anuradhapura district, is a peaceful area with lush vegetation & shades encompassing several small Temples with Stupas & Statues. It is famous, however, as the location of the ancient Rock Temple with numerous worth-seeing sacred residues including the towering specimen of  excellent ancient sculpture technology of the nation – the Aukana Buddha Statue, not only the tallest ancient completely free-standing massive Statue in Sri Lanka, also arguably the most elegant & considered to be one of the finest ancient stone sculptures in entire Asia, visited by both local & foreign pilgrims & tourists to explore the ancient civilization & culture & the antique yet finest stone-art of Sri Lanka. There is also a lily-filled rock-cut Pond behind the white Stupa at the edge of the site.

The magnificent 39 feet rock-cut Statue, is carved out of single solid granite stone without complete separation, but with a narrow layer of rock left at the rear side of the Statue offering assurance. It was made during the reign of Dhatusena in the 5^th century, though some sources date it to the 12^th or 13^th century. There are several intrusting stories behind it. The Statue is said to be the result of competition between a stone-sculpting Master & a Pupil, who decided to construct Budhha Statues for themselves.

Whoever finishes it first has to announce the success by ringing the big Bell. As per the story, the Guru (Master) won & his creation preserved for posterity. Interestingly enough, the Statue (Sesseruwa) made by the Student is located 16 kilometers away at Reswehera Rajamaha Viharaya Temple in an unfinished state, although the archeological data is ambiguous.

Aukana means ‘sun-eating’ & ‘dawn’ - when the first rays light up the huge Statue’s finely carved features - is the best time to see it. Note that although the elaborately carved Statue is still narrowly joined at the back to the rock face it is cut from, the lotus plinth on which it stands, is a separate piece. The Buddha’s pose, Ashiva Mudra, signifies blessings, while the burst of fire above his head represents the power of total enlightenment.

Spend an hour before driving back to the hotel in Kandalama by evening.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Morning, at 08:00 am, leave with the Tour-guide, for another full day 8 hour excursion to visit the 2^nd most ancient city, Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which will take you through its rich dynastic past.

With roots that date back more than 3000 years, the ancient Polonnaruwa (also referred as Pulathisipura & Vijayarajapura) is known to be one of the best planned archeological sites in the country. Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from this City 800 years ago, when it was a thriving Commercial & Religious centre. From here, free-marketers haggled for rare goods & the pious prayed at any one of its numerous Temples. The glories of that age can be found in archaeological treasures which give a pretty good idea of how the City looked in its heyday.

The Sinhalese Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was the 2^nd Capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura Kingdom in 993 which was invaded by Chola dynasty under Rajaraja I. Polonnaruwa was the first declared Capital city by King Vijayabahu, who defeated Chola invaders to reunite the nation once more under a local leader. It lasted from 1055 under Vijayabahu I until 1212 under the rule of Lilavati. 

Today, it is considered part of the Cultural Triangle of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa & Anuradapura and the the ancient City remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline & greatness of the Kingdom of the Great King Parakramabahu.

Consisting of ruins of the glorious Kingdom whose richness & the glamor are still evident, it comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12^th century.

The time of great King Parakramabahu who led the country between the times of 1153 - 1186, was considered as the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa. Trade & Agriculture flourished under the patronage of the King, who was adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted & each was to be used toward the development of the land.

Consequently, massive irrigation networks with Reservoirs that look like natural inland seas, far superior to those of the Anuradhapura age, were constructed during Parakramabahu’s reign - Systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the east of the country, resulting in such heroic scales in rice cultivation that Sri Lanka was described as the ‘Granary of the Orient ’in ancient chronicles. The greatest of these Irrigation System, a man - made lake, is called the Parakrama Samudra.

The modern town is also known as New Town & the other part remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. 

You will find compact core of the Archaeological Park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – ruins of intricately carved Lotus Pillars, Meditative Halls, ceremonial Towers, Tombs & Temples, Statues & Stupas and magnificent royal Baths & Palace. The city has rooms full of excavated artefacts, which form the Archaeological Museum of Polonnaruwa. 

First stop will be at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gal Vihara, (also known as Gal Viharaya & originally as the Uttararama), a historic wonder & an illustration of the country’s great craftsmanship.

Facing a cliff face of black rock (granite), Gal Vihara is an ancient rock-hewn Shrine complex that is famously known for its fascinating colossal statues of the Lord Buddha, one of which is standing on a carving of a lotus in the blessing posture. This magnificent group of gigantic rock-cut figures carved from the gray rock that forms their background, was part of the Uthararama Complex.

The Gal Vihara sculptures, each different in design, are undoubtedly the most perfect specimen of Buddha Statues hewn out of solid granite in Sri Lanka. All 4 images are hallowed out of the abrupt eastern slope of a single massive boulder, which is about 27 meters in length & 10 meters in height. They are still in a good state of preservation. In order to protect them from acid rain, the resplendent images are sheltered under a new roof, the aesthetic perfection of which might be debatable. 

The Temple stands unrivalled due to its special features, the most impressive antiquity par excellence to be seen in the Island, Ceylon & possibly not rivaled throughout the sub-continent of India.

Created in the 12^th century during the reign of King Parakrama Bahu I, Gal Vihara is a unique vestige that further confirms the intricacies of the craftsman that dwelled in the ancient Kingdom. Each of the images have been carved in a way that uses a maximum possible area of the rock & their heights seem to have been decided based on the height of the rock itself.

Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern Monastery, this is an ensemble of beautiful imposing & inspirational Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock carving. Gal Vihara consists of 4 separate carvings of different sizes, hewn out of a single massive slab of granite gneiss rock, each with an individual pose thought to represent a different stage in Buddha's life. The rock relief Statues consist of a large seated figure, another smaller seated figure inside an artificial Cavern, a standing figure & a reclining figure.

At one time, each was enshrined within a separate enclosure, as indicated by the remains of brick walls at the site. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting & carving arts, that have made the Gal Vihara the most visited monument at Polonnaruwa. The first European to record this lost treasure was Lieutenant Fagon who pushed through massive jungles in search of the lost kingdom of Polonnaruwa in 1820.

The images of Uttararama follow a different style from the images of the previous Anuradhapura period & show some significant differences. The Uttararama was where Parakramabahu I held a congregation of Monks to purify the Buddhist Priesthood & later drew up a code of conduct for them, which has been recorded in an inscription on the same rock face containing the images of the Buddha.

The 1^st Statute you will come across is a colossal 15 feet high Buddha in meditation seated on a lotus on a low pedestal in a large rock niche, framed by a Torana, the front of which has panels showing lion figures in front view. The rock behind the Statue is decorated with carvings of “vimana”. 4 smaller Statues can be seen on these decorations.

Next, is a smaller statue of Buddha carved into the rock. On the sides of the Statue are 2 deities. It is believed, this carving represents Buddhas’ visit to heaven called “Thusitha” to preach to his mother. It is said that this Statue was painted with pure gold & treasure hunters have burnt logs on the Statue & melted the gold.

The 3^rd one is the 7 meters tall standing Buddha, said to be the finest of the series. The unusual crossed position of the arms & sorrowful facial expression led to the theory that it was an image of the Buddha’s disciple Ananda, grieving for his master’s departure for nirvana, since the reclining image is next to it. The fact that it had its own separate enclosure, along with the discovery of other images with the same arm position, has discredited this theory & it is now accepted that all the images are of the Buddha.

This Statue is thought to be done by a later King as the Chronicles talk about only 2 Statues in the seating position & 1 Statue on the lying position which was done by King Parakramabahu.

Next & the last is a massive reclining Buddha depicted entering Parinirvana (nirvana after death) is 14 meters long. Notice the subtle depression in the pillow under the head & the lotus symbols on the pillow end. The ear lid falling along the body, 1 foot slightly behind the other (the toes are not positioned equally on the feet) are signs that this is not Lord Buddha resting but at his death.

Next, visit the Tivanka Pilimage, (also known as Thivanka Image House) is an ancient building with evidence of the era’s finest architecture, housing historical murals in their original form.

“Thivanka” in Sinhala, translates to “3 curves”.  Thivanka Pilimage is the place to see the largest collection of Paintings & Frescoes are believed to belong to the 12^th century Polonnaruwa Kingdom. Many of the paintings are well preserved even today, thanks to the efforts of the authorities.

Like most other structures of this era, this is also built using bricks, like most other constructions of this age, including the Statue. It features Gedige’s architecture, just like the other 2 main Image Houses found in Polonnaruwa, Lankathilaka & Thuparama.

Constructed by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186) as part of the Jethavanarama Complex & named in such a manner due to the large image of standing Buddha Statue which is curved in 3 places.

The inside walls of the buildings have been decorated with frescoes showing the Jataka Stories (prior births of Buddha before enlightenment) although most of the masonry has been destroyed, the colorful drawings can be still seen on the areas where the masonry is intact. The entrance to the building consists of 2 guard stones & 2 “Korawak Gala” entrances to the building. The building is 133 feet long & 67.6” feet wide & the walls are 7-12 feet thick making the internal size of the building much smaller. The entire structure can be seen in the picture house of Thuparama. The Picture House’s exterior wall is adorned with sculptures of Vamana (dwarf), heaven-like Vimana.

The Buddha statue at the Thivanka Pilimage is about 8 meters in height but today the part of the Statue above the head has been destroyed & so it is 6.6 metres tall.

Polonnaruwa is also home to a man-made water body, Parakrama Samudra or Sea of Parakrama. The freshwater Reservoir, expanded by the King Parakrama in 12^th century is an amalgamation of 3 individual Reservoirs, was developed as an irrigation solution to deliver water to the kingdom's vast paddy fields, that have today resulted in prosperous irrigation & increased settlement. The Parakrama Samudra continues to provide water to about 18,000 acres of nearby agriculture fields.  Walking or a Cycling along the 14 km long Lake bund of the Parakrama Samudra will offer many picturesque views of the Lake, Archaeological sites & Paddy fields.

Continue on to your next destination - Habarana.

Located within the Cultural Triangle, the quaint village of Habarana isn't a destination in itself, but it serves as a good base for Sigiriya & its closeness to elephant-packed Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks only adds to its popularity.

A village renowned for its beautiful Lake & lush greenery that is a magnet for Birds. The area has some of the best hotels in the country & it has the nearest Train Station on a busy crossroad, in the proximity of both Dambulla & Sigiriya. In the Creek near the town, you can watch Mahouts scrubbing down their Elephants; guides & most locals can point the way. Elephant back riding is also an attraction in this small city

Proceed to the famous Minneriya National Park that offers something of a change of scenery for anyone suffering from fatigue.

Its centrepiece is the large Minneriya Tank, created by the famous Tank-builder & Monk Mahasena & despite its relatively small size, the Park boasts an unusually wide range of habitat types, from dry tropical forest to wetlands, grasslands & terrain previously used for slash & burn (chena) agriculture.

Much of the area around the entrance is covered in superb dry-zone evergreen forest dotted with beautiful Satinwood, Palu (rosewood), Halmilla & Weera trees - though the thickness of the forest cover means that it is relatively difficult to spot wildlife.

However, the principal attraction here is a large population of wild Elephants. Minneriya forms part of the elephant corridor that joins up with Kaudulla & Wasgomuwa National Parks & a large numbers of the beasts can be found here at certain times of year during their migrations between the various Parks.

They are most numerous from June to October, peaking in August & September when water elsewhere dries up & as many as 300 or more come to the Tank’s ever-receding shores from as far away as Trincomalee to drink, bathe & feed on the fresh grass that grows up from the lake bed as the waters retreat - as well as to socialize & search for mates.

This annual event has been popularly dubbed “The Gathering”, the largest meeting of Asian Elephants anywhere in the world. An spectacular sight to witness & there is an heavy influx of locals & foreigners who come specifically during this time to experience it. 

At other times, you may spot only a few Elephants, which in fact are often more easily seen from the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road that runs along the Park’s northern edge. Other mammals found in the Park include Sambar, spotted Deer, Macaque & purple-faced Langur monkeys, Sloth Bears & around 20 Leopards (although these last 2 are very rarely sighted), plus an enormous number of Birds.

Here, you will enjoy a ‘guided’ 2 hour Elephant Safari in the Jungle (local Guides should know where the greatest concentrations of elephants are at any given time). Elephant Safari helps the visitors to travel through such difficult terrains where even Jeeps can't venture. It is the safest way to explore the remotest & densest areas of the forest.

Finally, drive back to the hotel in Kandalama.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Early morning, Check-out & depart for Kandy.

Enroute, stop in the town of Dambulla, one of Sri Lanka's biggest wholesale Markets.

Dambulla, is an often forgotten destination & for the most part, remains off the tourist trail. However, it is a true typical Sri Lankan city & offers a more authentic experience. The Streets are busy & there are 100s of Restaurants to try out.

At the cheerful Dambulla Fruit & Vegetable Market, that provides a lively & colorful spectacle, with the intense movement of people & goods, even if you are not looking to buy a truckload of bananas, this huge Wholesale Market south of the centre, offers a fascinating look at the vast range of produce grown in Sri Lanka. What you see being carted about with manic energy (be careful & stay out of everybody’s way) will be sold in Colombo tomorrow.

Major attractions of the area include the largest & best-preserved Caves, Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days.

There is a small beautiful Nature Reserve which is home to the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia & Sri Lanka’s largest Iron wood forest (or Na Uyana Aranya).

Anyone interested in a unique, off-the-beaten-path activity, can climb on the Rose Quartz Mountain.

From the entrance gate, one has to walk amongst this old Ironwood Forest, along a well-maintained Path, completely shaded from the hot sun, dodging hundreds of butterflies.

After around 15 minutes, visitors arrive at some ancient ruins & a Golden Buddha Statue. From here, begins the climb on to the Rose Quartz mountain. The entire mountain is a light shade of pink & you can literally pick up huge junks of Rose quartz from the floor beneath you. The hike takes around 30 minutes each way.

But the town is more famous for UNESCO World Heritage listed Cave Temple, known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla which was donated by King Valagamba in the 1^st century BC to Buddhist Monks.

The area is thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7^th - 3^rd century BC. It was earlier known as Dhamballai & was ruled by Kings like Raja Chola & Rajendra Chola during their tenure in the late 10^th   & early 11^th centuries.

The Caves in the city, at the base of a 150 meters high rock, provided refuge to King Valagamba (also called Vattagamini Abhaya) in his 14 year long exile from the Anuradhapura Kingdom in the 1^st century BC. Buddhist Monks meditating in the Caves of Dambulla at that time provided the exiled King protection from his enemies.

When King Valagamba returned to the Throne at Anuradapura, he turned these Caves into a magnificent Rock Temple as a thank-you offering in gratitude to the Monks of Dambulla.

At the Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric 2700 years old Burial Site near the city, the ancient human skeletons, when scientifically analysed, provided evidence of Civilisations & prehistoric Sri Lankans living in the Caves in this area long before the advent of Buddhism in the area. Archaeological findings prove evidence of ancient people subsisting on agriculture around 750 BC.

Proceed to Sri Lanka’s largest & best-preserved Cave Temple Complex on a on a rocky Hill towering 160 meters above the surrounding plains, offering stunning views of the countryside. You can even see the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress some 20 km distant.

Initially, the excursion requires a bit of a hike & it takes approximately 10 minutes to climb the 200 stone Steps on the vast, sloping rock face that leads to the Caves & spend time enjoying the breathtakingly intricate Sculptures.

The iconic Royal Rock Temple (also known as Dambulla Cave Temples) are ancient Buddhist Temples located right in Dambulla. A cultural phenomenon & a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this Cave Monastery, with its 5 Sanctuaries is carved out of rock.

There are 2 entrances on either side of the rock. The main part of the Temple is made up of 5 Caves.  The natural folds of the rock have been skillfully designed, giving the illusion of a cloth like texture. Further Paintings were made by later Kings, including King Nissanka Malla, who had the Caves’ interiors gilded, earning the place the name Ran Giri (Golden Rock).

There are more than 80 documented Caves in the surrounding area but the Temple complex comprises of only 5 Caves which are allowed to be accessed by the public.

The Caves transformed into Shrines, house about 157 absolutely stunning carefully carved out Statues of Buddha, intricate Paintings & some of Sri Lanka's most important & evocative religious art. Depictions on the walls of the Caves include the temptation by the demon Mara & Buddha's first sermon. With over 2,100 m² of Buddhist mural paintings on walls & ceiling, it remains the largest area of Paintings found in the world.

Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago. Many other Kings added to & embellished the Cave art & by the 11^th century, the Caves had become a major religious centre & still are. Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa gilded the Caves & added about 70 Buddha Statues in 1190. During the 18^th century, the Caves were restored & painted by the Kingdom of Kandy. 

In 1938, the architecture was embellished with arched Colonnades & gabled Entrances. Inside the Caves, the Ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. The Dambulla Cave Monastery is still functional & remains the best-preserved ancient edifice.

The 1^st Cave called Devaraja Viharaya (or Cave of the Divine King) consists of a 14 meters wide Statue of Lord Buddha. The detailing of this Statue includes Ananda, a disciple of Buddha at his feet & Vishnu at his head.

The next Cave, secondary with its proportions is a dedication to the Kings. Identified as Maharaja Lena (or Cave of the Great Kings), the interior preserves 2 grandiose Statues depicting King Nissankamalla of Polonnaruwa & King Vattagamini of Anuradhapura.

Displaying over 50 Statues of Buddha & exquisite murals, the 3^rd Cave is fittingly called Great New Monastery (or Maha Alut Viharaya). The artistic motif found in the Paintings is said to be an influence of the Kandyan era.

Considered to be the most attractive, the 4^th Cave in the complex, Paschima Viharaya (also known as the Western Temple) is considered to be the oldest Cave here. It maintains 10 Statues of Lord Buddha & a small a Dagoba named Soma Chethiya in reverence to Soma Devi, the wife of King Walagamba.

A relatively recent addition to the complex, the 5^th Cave is called Devana Aluth Viharaya, home to Statues of Lord Buddha & a few Hindu deities.

The exterior of the Temple embodies the tranquillity of its surroundings & its beauty is further enhanced with a picturesque Pond. To experience unparalleled Buddhist architecture set amidst one of the most beautiful locations in the country, a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple is a must!

Statues & Paintings in these Caves date back to the 1^st century BC. But, the Paintings & Statues were constantly repaired & repainted in the 11^th, 12^th, 18^th century AD.

After exploring the Dambulla Cave Temples, you will want to hike down & arriving at the foot of the hill, you can gaze at one of the biggest Statues you may see. The Golden Buddha here denotes an East Asian influence in its appearance.

The 30 meters high Golden Buddha, actually plated with real gold, is seated on the roof of the great Golden Temple of Dambulla & Buddha Museum, surrounded by other Artwork & Statues including elephants.

From the ground floor, you can walk up the side of the Museum to the base of the Statue. Nothing great, it is a very rudimentary Museum that holds old Artifacts & Statues of Buddha.

After spending a couple of hours, say bye to Dambulla & continue your drive.

But 1 more Stop before the final destination. Dambulla is also famous for its spice gardens, with over 30 dotted along the road.

Stop at a Spice Farm in Matale, to see the different Spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices & shown how some of these spices are grown & processed. The Tour-guide will explain the merits & health properties of Herbs, Spices & Plants including Cocoa, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Coffee, Nutmeg, Pepper, Cardamom, Aloe vera & the Henna plant.

Most visitors enjoy the tours & find them educational, but at some point you will be guided towards the Gift Shop, selling all kinds of Creams, Potions & Lotions that are said to help everything from sleeplessness to low sex drive. Staff is welcoming & there is a Restaurant where Cooking Workshops take place at specific times. Some of the prices asked for products can be steep; be prepared for a medium to hard sell & accept it as your contribution for the tour.

Continue on to your final stop.

Arrive by afternoon at the historical & sacred City of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Check-in at the hotel.

Some say the beautiful, laidback Kandy is the only other real ‘city’ in Sri Lanka, other than Colombo. A large city in central Sri Lanka, set amidst forested hills on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations & biodiverse rainforest.  Locally, Kandy is known as either Maha Nuwara (Great City) or just Nuwara (City), which is what some conductors on Kandy bound buses call out.

The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor & magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions & folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The easy-going capital of the Hill Country has a lot to offer - history, culture, & a touch of urban buzz. Only 115 km inland from the Capital, climatically it is a world away due to its 500 meters altitude.

Kandy served as the Capital of the last Sinhalese Kingdom, which fell to the British in 1815 after defying the Portuguese & Dutch for 3 centuries. It took the British 11 years to build a road linking Kandy with Colombo, a task they finally completed in 1831. The town & the countryside around it, is lush & green & there are many pleasant walks from the town & further afield. The town centre, close to Kandy’s picturesque Lake set in a bowl of hills, is a delightful jumble of old Shops, Antique & Gemstone specialists, a bustling Market & a very good selection of Restaurants. As night falls the city becomes eerily quiet.

History & Culture are on tap. Yes, the City is renowned for the great Kandy Esala Perahera Festival (held annually in July/August), but its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling & its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year.

Some days Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centrepiece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colourful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, 3 wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft spray that threatens the silk saris worn by local women. Here is a City that looks good even when it is raining.  And when the drizzle subsides, cobalt-blue skies reveal a City of imposing colonial-era & Kandyan architecture.

After freshening up, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & proceed for 4 hour sightseeing tour to discover the former Capital of the Sri Lankan Kings.

First stop will be Peradeniya royal Botanical Gardens - the finest of its kind in Asia, located just outside the town.

As Sri Lanka’s largest & most impressive Botanic Garden in a spacious 147 acres plenty of time is needed to stroll through Peradeniya’s imposing Avenue of Royal Palms which displays an amazing variety of Trees, Plants & Flowers

Originally built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King & then expanded by the British, these beautiful Gardens were reserved exclusively for Kandyan royalty. Today, even commoners are allowed. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level, were tightly bounded on 3 sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka.

The many highlights include a fine Collection of Orchids & a stately avenue of Royal Palms. Another big hit is the century old giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn. Its tentacle like roots spread across the enormous area of about 1,800 square meters a massive central trunk beneath the tree’s vast canopy ‘umbrella’, like a giant, living geodesic dome.

There are some 4,000 different species of Plants at Peradeniya Gardens. The 10,000 or so Trees, which are the stars, are mature, lofty giants, many of them tropical timber trees. Highlights of the collection include the Giant Bamboo of Burma, capable of growing to 40 meters height with a 25 centimetres stem diameter. And it can grow by a rapid 30 centimeters a day (12 inches).

The Cannonball tree is also intriguing, with its cannonball like fruit hanging off the trunk & large open, waxy pink-white flowers. So is the Double Coconut Palm, one of 200 types of Palms displayed at Peradeniya - originating from the Seychelles, this Tree produces the largest seed known & its fruits take 5 years to mature.

The Gardens showcase all of Sri Lanka’s Flora & representative species from around the tropical world. Luminaries as varied as Queen Elizabeth II, Marshal Tito & Yuri Gugarin have planted Trees to mark their visits to the Garden.

The Orchid House offers the visitor a captivating display of exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda & their hybrids. Around the Orchid House may be seen several hardy tropical orchids including the largest orchid in the world.

The shady Spice Garden situated on the right of the Main Entrance has a representative selection including cinnamon - the main spice exported from this country, pepper - the most demanded spice in the world, cardamom & nutmeg. Some of the oldest nutmeg trees planted in 1840 are still in full bearing. Savor the aromas of some of the island’s most famous crops.

There are over 200 species of palms in the Gardens. The most remarkable amongst these is the Double Coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) from the Seychelles. This palm produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom - the fruits take 5 years to mature.

There are three magnificent palm avenues, viz., the graceful Cabbage Palm Avenue (Roystonia oleracea) flank-in the River Drive - the palms in this avenue are over 21m in height; the Palmyrah Palm Avenue (Borassus flabellifer) which joins the Flower Garden with River Drive & the Royal Palm Avenue along the Main Central Drive (Roystonia regia).

The bamboo collection is along River Drive to the right of the Lake. The giant bamboo of Burma (Dendrocalamus giganteus) is the largest known in the world. The stems attain a height of 30 - 40m & up to 20 - 25 cm in diameter. The average growth rate of new shoots is about 30cm a day. Others are the yellow building bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), the feather – leaved bamboo (Dendrocalamus membranaceus), the prickly bamboo (Bambusa spinosa) & the Dwarf Chinese bamboo.

The Flower Garden, near the Orchid House, is laid out with beds of flowering annuals & perennials. The most striking feature here is the ribbon border of showy coleus varieties traversed by a path which leads into an octagonal conservatory. Here you may find a collection of shade-loving plants.

Come back to town.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Later, walk down to a restaurant to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am & commence your full day 8 hour sightseeing tour to discover the former Capital of the Sri Lankan Kings.

From ancient ruins to animals of the wild, proceed to Pinnawala village, where you will explore & even interact with captive Asian Elephants.

Spread over an area of 10 hectare in Pinnawala village, this government-run Elephant Orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions, visited daily by thousands of Sri Lankan & foreign tourists to observe the elephants bathing which is quite a spectacle.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an Orphanage, Nursery & captive Breeding ground.  It’s success & fame has travelled not just within the country but throughout the world to an extent where Pinnawala synonymous with the Sri Lankan Elephant.

Prior to the invasion of the British in Sri Lanka in 1815, an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the Island. In the 1960s, following nearly a century of game hunting & jolly slaughter by the British colonialists, the elephants were close to extinction. The tragedy of decimation of the elephant population prompted the Government of Sri Lanka to initiate the setting up of Pinnawala (Pinnawela) Elephant Orphanage.

It was established in 1975 by the Wildlife Department in a 25 acre Coconut Farm adjoining the Maha Oya River to afford care & protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Since then, it has never turned back an orphaned elephant & has expanded from the initial 4 orphaned elephants to no less than 109.

The primary purpose of the Orphanage has been to provide a lifeline to the orphaned baby elephants & adult elephants lost in the wilderness. In many occasions the mother of the orphaned baby elephant had been killed or there have been accidents of baby elephants falling into pits & losing contact with the herd. There were also instances the mother elephant had fallen into a pit & died leaving the baby elephant lost in the jungle. There are instances of adult elephants being killed by farmers to protect their paddy fields & crops resulting in baby elephants being orphaned.

The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of animal activists & scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books & research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. The elephants of the Pinnawala herd have been filmed, videoed & photographed thousands of times by professionals & millions of times by amateurs. The message of conservation from Pinnawala has been passed on to thousands, if not millions of people, after their visit to the Orphanage.

Moreover, today, with the help of local & foreign elephant experts, the Orphanage has commenced a scientific captive-breeding programme in 1982. Since then the Orphanage has become one of the most successful captive breeding programmes for Asian elephants. The free movement of the herd within the enclosed land of the Orphanage affords the elephants opportunities to mate. In 1984, the first baby elephant of Pinnawela was born. Since the inception of the program over 20 elephants have been bred here.

The elephants at the Orphanage aren’t subjected to any form of stress, abuse or threat at all & are supported by a team of employees numbering to over 100 including a group of Mahouts. Today, some of these orphans enjoy the good fortune of seeing their 3^rd generation too born at the Orphanage.

The aim of the Orphanage is to simulate a natural habitat to these elephants. However, there are some exceptions: the elephants are taken to the river twice a day for a bath & all the babies less than 3 years of age are still bottle fed by the Mahouts & volunteers. Each animal is also given around 76 kg of green matter a day & around 2 kg from a food bag containing rice bran & maize.

The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Guests can also accompany the elephants to a river close-by & see them having their daily bath. The younger elephants are herded into the feeding sheds three times a day - 9:15 am, 1:15 pm & 5 pm- to be bottle-fed with huge quantities of milk. At 10 am & again at 2 pm, the elephants are taken across the road & down to the Ma Oya river, where they can be seen splashing around & playing for about an hour.

Spend a couple of hours before driving back to Kandy.

Drive in a Tuk Tuk around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, as an additional feature for the beautifully laid out Temple of Tooth complex.

Also called the Milky Ocean, the Lake remains partially incomplete due to the British invasion in 1815. Several legends are connected to the Lake & it is believed that the King installed a secret Tunnel from its Island to the Palace. Nowadays, it remains one of the most highly regarded sights in the country &, despite its location in the center of the bustling city, the lake makes for a wonderful stroll & a respite from the noise of motorbikes & market vendors.

Proceed to one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka, Sri Dalada Maligawa (or the Temple of the Tooth Relic). The golden-roofed Temple is supposedly home to a tooth of Buddha and during the Puja, the time of offering & prayers, tourists as well as religious followers are able to inspect the gold Casket in which it is guarded.

The Temple itself is located in the royal Palace complex, which encompasses several Temples & Museums. It was originally believed that the holder of the tooth relic would also be the rightful Governor of Sri Lanka. Particularly noteworthy is the annual Perahera, during which the Tooth is paraded around the city accompanied by around 65 colourfully decorated elephants.

Continue on to visit the Lankatilaka Temple. Often described as one of the most remarkable Temple on the entire Island, Lankatilaka brings together Hindu & Buddhist traditions, depicted in carvings of the structure. Its brick walls with 2 polygonal Piers that flank the entrance, give it a majestic ambience.

Also view the 14^th century Embekke Temples, with its carved wooden pillars & intricate designs and the Gadaladeniya temple with its South Asian flavour.

You may also visit the Gem Museum & a Lapidary (depending on the time & discretion of the Tour-guide).

Stop at the Bazaar & visit the Arts & Crafts Centre where you can browse for bargains on good-quality lacquerware, brassware & other craft items and pick up some interesting handicrafts. You will see some Craftspeople working on site,

The Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Center was formed in 1882 by the British Government agent for the Central Province, to revitalise traditional Kandyan arts & crafts (such as weaving, wood carving, painting, jewelry making, music & dance) & support the traditional craftsmen by providing them a Sales Centre displays & sells handicrafts obtained from traditional crafts people who are members of the Association.

Artists & Craftsmen in the Kingdom of Kandy were well organised into Guilds, with knowledge & skills passed down from generation to generation. Even marriages were within the same group so that the craft was closely guarded. These Guilds all operated under the patronage of the King.

When the Kingdom was absorbed into the British Empire as a Protectorate, following the Kandyan Convention of 1815, without a royal household most of these Artists & Craftsmen lost their livelihood & the Guilds were disbanded, with only a few families continuing their crafts.

Initially, it operated from a small room in the Government Agent’s Office. In 1904 the Association moved to the building known as the Palle Vahala (Lower Palace), where the King's spouse & children resided. The building now houses the National Museum of Kandy. In 1919 the Association was incorporated as a public trust & is now administered by the Government Agent of Kandy District & a Management Committee.

The sightseeing concludes & you return to the hotel.

Meet the Rep again at 04.30 pm & proceed to the Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Center for a spectacular Cultural extravaganza with its rhythmic Melodies, mesmerizing Costumes & transcendent Performances.

As the last Capital of the Sinhala Kings, Kandy holds immense cultural significance, making it the perfect setting for this captivating display of traditional arts.

The Association organises a daily 1 hour traditional Kandyan Dance & Music Performance. Be prepared to be enthralled by a feast for the senses. The vibrant Costumes, resplendent with vivid colors & intricate details, create a visual spectacle that transports you to the regal era of the Kandyan Kingdom.

These Dances are performed by local families & products of the country's Dancing Institutions. The Show encompasses a variety of dance forms from throughout the country, each with its own unique symbolism & storytelling.

The rhythmic traditional Drumming & melodious Music, accompanied by traditional Wind instruments, create an immersive auditory experience that echoes the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.

Believed to be originally performed by Indian Shamans who came to the Island many centuries ago, Kandyan dancing is a celebration of the rich traditions of Sri Lankan culture. The soul-stirring ancient ritual dance Kohomba Kapkariya, focuses on dynamism, powerful footwork, leaps & whirls that imitate several movements from birds & animals. The entire Performance is graced by colorful costumes, masked dances & thrilling fire acts! To make the show more exciting, some men perform a series of acrobats & stunts such as plate-spinning.

From the graceful movements of the Udarata Natum (Kandyan dance) to the energetic Fire & Demon Dancers, the Performance offers a glimpse into ancient legends, religious narratives & moral values deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture.

The skillful Dancers, with their expressions & gestures, bring these stories to life, leaving the audience captivated & enlightened. The Performance provides a profound insight into the country’s cultural heritage, fostering appreciation & understanding & uniting the past & the present, reminding us of the importance of preserving & celebrating our diverse traditions. The mesmerising spectacle covering various aspects of Sri Lanka’s traditions, captivates your imagination with spectacular displays of local culture & art.

Admire the enthusiasm & gusto of the Dancers & marvel at the subtle expressions, elegant sways, slaying dance moves, & brisk eye movements. Experiencing new cultures & traditions is one of the reasons why people travel & this Show is an illustration of that, with the various components of Sri Lanka’s rich & diverse cultural history all on display

The Show ends & you proceed to a Restaurant to enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan cuisine dinner.

You might also get an opportunity, depending on the time, to visit Kandy Arts & Crafts Centre where we can buy Kandyan silver & brass ware, metal work, lacquer work, wood & bone carvings, pottery & hand- woven fabrics and see a Gem Museum & a Lapidary.

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, depart for Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's largest tea-growing region, famous for its privately owned, carpeted in emerald-green, sprawling unending expanse of Tea Gardens with their contoured, clipped & sculpted ornamental hedges, established in the late 18^th - 19^th century.

Enroute stop at a Tea Plantation, where the best Tea in the world is produced. It is very enjoyable to see the process that goes in to create this simple drink every day.

Formerly known as ‘Ceylon’, Sri Lanka stands as the world’s 4^th largest producer of tea. The tea drinking culture within this Island country is strong, with Sri Lankans drinking on average 3 cups per day. In an attempt to compete with China‘s production, the British introduced Tea Plantations to Sri Lanka in 1867 & since, the country has become the producer of some of the world’s finest (& most expensive) Teas from single origins to mixed fruit blends.

See where your morning cup of Tea originates During the 20 minutes guided tour of the Factory, originally built in 1885 & still packed with 19^th century engineering marvels, you will be shown the full process of how Tea is manufactured, graded & packed for export to all corners of the world. You will observe the process of turning the raw leaf to the finished product. You will also have the opportunity to taste a cup of pure Ceylon Tea in the Factory. The Tea Center is a good place to purchase some of the area’s best quality Teas, which will make a perfect gift for the people back home.

Continue on your drive towards the city, travelling through winding roads, lush green Valleys, Tea Estates situated on the slopes & banks of the hills, with tiny Streams & Waterfalls & the beautiful misty mountains.

On arrival by noon, Check-in at one of the town’s colonial hotels.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Located at the heart of Sri Lanka's Tea country producing a significant share of the world's best Tea, the summer resort town of Nuwara Eliya (meaning ‘City of Light’ in the local lingo) is mostly famous as the centre for Tea production in Sri Lanka, producing a significant share of the world's best Tea.

The earliest written account on Nuwara Eliya is by Dr. John Davy who came here in 1819 for a Trekking expedition. During those days, the uninhabited Nuwara Eliya Valley & the hill sides were covered with undisturbed thick forest on the slopes, frequented by vast herds of elephants & other wild animals.

With its unique chilly climate & often covered with an early morning mist, cold tangy air & fresh, invigorating atmosphere offers a typical English environment. Nicknamed “Little England”, this genteel highland community does have a rose-tinted, vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era Bungalows sporting twee names, Tudor-style Hotels, well-tended hedgerows & pretty Rose Gardens at an elevation of 1,868 metre in the misty hills of central Sri Lanka. In fact, most foreign visitors to Sri Lanka always make it a point to visit Nuwara Eliya to enjoy its ‘Home away from Home” feeling.

The ‘City of Light’ keeps its colonial hill station atmosphere more completely than any place in the sub-continent. Indeed, Nuwara Eliya was once was the favoured cool-climate escape for the hard-working & hard-drinking English & Scottish pioneers of Sri Lanka’s Tea industry. It was a favoured stomping ground for the Tea Planters - the ‘wild men of the hills’ as one British Governor called them.

The well-planned town still retains its English style. The Town Centre is a concrete tangle but the outskirts still keep the atmosphere of a misplaced British village.

The old pink brick Victorian Post Office is a sure reminder of the British era. One of the best rated 18 Hole Golf Course in Sri Lanka blends well with the surrounding Plantations on one side & the Fauna, Flora & tiny streams on the other side, running in between these Plantations.

The verdant surrounding countryside of Tea Plantations, carefully tended vegetable plots & craggy hills is highly scenic. Nuwara Eliya’s fair assortment of country-style houses with large gardens have now been turned over to vegetables, making this one of Sri Lanka’s main market-gardening centres.

Enjoy the hospitality & the smiling faces of the local people, belonging to diverse races & religions a mixture & blend of Eastern & Western cultures, old & new. Fashionably dressed affluent folks go about in caps & jerseys while the migrant labour force, who blend Indian & Sri Lankan cultures, where men dress in colourful Hindu kovils & women wear colourful saris.

Most popular season is from March to May & August to September when people flock to Nuwara Eliya in search of a cool climate & fun. Many fast-food stalls line the streets, women strut along the streets fashionably dressed & street festivals are organized by the Authorities.

Apart from the Tea Estates, there are many places to see in the town & the vicinity.

See the English country house styled Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted fish & hunting Trophies.

Nuwara Eliya Race Course is now the only surviving horse racing track in the country. Situated 1,868 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest in the world & the inaugural Race was held in 1875, organised by the Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club.

Seetha Amman Kovil Temple, a colorful Hindu Shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Of great mythological importance to Hindus worldwide, it is believed that after the Sinhala King Ravana captured Sita, the wife of Rama, one of the main Hindu Gods, she used to come here to pray.

Right next to the Temple is the naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens which displays roses & fern trees & shelters Monkeys & blue Magpies.

One can take a leisurely walk around beautiful Lake Gregory & enjoy stunning scenery & panoramic vistas, with rugged mountains outlined against clear blue skies making a breathtaking back drop. The cascading Waterfalls dotting the region further accentuate its beauty & offer picturesque views of the landscape with the blue sky as the background amidst endless green pastures of Tea.

There are several numerous National Parks in Sri Lanka. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a small sanctuary spread across an area of 27 acres known for its 30 native endemic & 20 rare migratory bird species, including Bulbuls & Flycatchers.

There are many Farms here & travelers can enjoy the large open spaces. One of the famous is Ambewela Farm, generally referred to as Little New Zealand, due to its lush greenery. Spread over a very large area, travellers enjoy the soft grass when they walk bare feet on this Farm, amidst the Cows & other cattle. At certain time, one can witness the milking of the Cows. Visitors can also buy & taste fresh dairy products.

A great backdrop for the Photographers trying to capture the scenic beauty of the city, especially during the strawberry season, are the enchanting Strawberry fields. Visitors can walk around & can pick up their own strawberries (for a small charge).

Stop by the unique Bale Bazaar, popularly known as the winter market, one of the interesting places to visit in the town. The market offers cheap winter-related products & Souvenirs.

Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is also in the area.

Treat yourself to a round of Golf or a few frames of Billiards, & soak up the town’s unique bygone heritage.

Early morning, depart for Galle, driving through idyllic & picturesque farm country.

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On arrival by noon, Check-in at one of the town’s colonial hotels.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

The quaint town of Galle, situated on the southwestern corner of the Island, close to Colombo, was once the chief Port of Ceylon & is a living time capsule. Most travellers are utterly seduced by Galle's ambience & it is undoubtedly southern Sri Lanka's one unmissable sight.

Galle, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic, given its historical value, cities, is the place to go when you need to return to a simpler pace of life and the rush of Colombo has you longing for beautiful coastlines, delectable food & traditions of Craft passed down through the generations.

The administrative Capital of Southern Province, Galle (pronounced 'gawl'in English & 'gaar-le' in Sinhala), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a jewel - the big unmissable destination in the south.

Once endlessly exotic, bursting with the scent of spices & salty winds & yet also, with its wonderful collection of iconic architectural landmarks, which include the city’s natural Harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests & one of the most prominent Shiva Temple on the Island.

Imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient Mosques & Churches, grand Mansions & Museums, is a delight to explore on foot. Classic architecture melds with a dramatic tropical setting to create a reality that is endlessly interesting. Galle is a jewel - the big unmissable destination in the south & is a City of Trade & increasingly, Art.

There are 2 explanations as to how Galle ended up with its name today. One suggests that the City is said to have been named after the Sinhala term, Gaalla, which directly translates to the place where cattle herd gather. This could be directly related to the City’s identity as a gathering point for citizens from all over the country who travelled to Galle by bullock cart, which resulted in hundreds of carts & cattle being stationed all around the city.

Another alternate explanation is derived from the City’s Dutch colonial past & the Dutch word “Gallus”, which means rooster which was the symbol used by the Colonizers around the City. No matter where the City’s name originates from, one thing is for certain & that is that the City is one of the Island’s most recognized in many parts of the world. The City’s rich Cricketing history & famous Cricket Stadium, located under the shadow of the renowned Galle Fort.

It was initially known as Gimhathiththa prior to the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16^th century, when it was the main trading Port for spices & other goods for over 200 years. There is a distinct Portuguese influence in the Architecture, Temples & Cuisine.

Galle rose in significance during the 17^th & 18^th centuries, during the Dutch & Portuguese colonial period, when it became one of the best examples of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in the whole of South & Southeast Asia. 

But, Galle's core is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Fort, the 36 hectare walled enclave forming the older part of the city,  surrounded on 3 sides by the ocean, initially built by the Portuguese in the 16^th century during their conquests & later fortified by the Dutch when they controlled it in the 17^th century. Later, it fell to the might of the British. Today, it is the largest remaining colonial era Fortress in all of Asia. Made up of crooked alleyways, the tropical Fort is a melting pot of past & present influences.

Described by the notoriously hard-to-please Paul Theroux as being ‘garlanded with red hibiscus & smelling of the palm-scented ocean, the Fort is an amazing collection of structures & culture dating back through the centuries.

A key part of the Fort’s allure is, it remains a working community: inside there are administrative Offices, Courts, export Companies, Schools & lots of regular folks populating the streets & a definite buzz of energy in the air.

The Dutch Reformed Church, originally built in 1640, the present building dates from 1752. Its floor is paved with gravestones from Dutch Cemeteries, while other impressive features include the Organ & an imposing Pulpit made from calamander wood & topped by a grand hexagonal Canopy. You may encounter the friendly Caretaker who will likely point out the (slightly bizarre) carved wooden Memorial dedicated to a former Commander of Galle, Abraham Samlant - the tiny cotton shirt is said to be the one he was baptised in.

Above all else, Galle is a city of Trade & increasingly, Art. Galle is still well known for its hand-made lace. Today, the historic Fort area is crammed full of little boutique Shops, Cafes & excellent boutique Hotels owned by local & foreign Artists, Writers, Photographers, Designers & Poets.

A 3^rd of the houses are owned by foreigners & speculators as the locals are busy selling their often amazing unrestored vintage buildings to them

In addition to its important historical & religious sights, the region is also known for its significant natural & geographical features, which includes Rumassala, a large Hill that forms the eastern protective barrier to Galle Harbour. Local lore links the Hill to some of the Ramayana’s major events – one of Hinduism’s greatest stories.

The tropical Rainforests at Hiyare & Kanneliya, close to Galle, provide opportunities for nature walks where you can see some of the Island’s endemic flora & fauna. The golden sandy Beaches along the southern coast & a number of luxurious Retreats makes Sri Lanka’s south coast an ideal escape from frenetic everyday life.

The city is also home to the famous Galle Literary Festival in January, which draws Authors from all over the country & the world.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Wandering its rambling lanes at random yields one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing collection of structures dating back through the centuries.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & embark on a 6 hour tour, as the sun makes its way to the centre of the sky.

Begin with a visit to Galle’s natural harbour & historic Dutch Fortress - Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. Still as polished & new, the Fortress holds more than 400 years of history housing a Museum, towering Light House & imposing Ramparts. Pass through one of the Fort gates & you are transported back to the Dutch colonial era.

Pass by the Old Gate, the entrance with a beautifully carved British coat of arms on top, to the buildings on the other side. Inside, the letters VOC, standing for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East India Company), are inscribed in the stone with the date 1669, flanked by 2 lions & topped by a cockerel.

Explore inside the majestic Fort walking around the 17^th century Ramparts, massive Bastions & pepper pot Towers enclosing colonial Buildings, Museums & Shops. Learn about Galle’s maritime history at the Marine Archeological Museum which occupies a colossal old spice warehouse built by the Dutch in late 17^th century. The structure was originally part of the main gateway to the Fort & it still forms part of its ramparts. An introductory video presentation sets the scene & there are interactive displays that illuminate the city’s maritime past, including the many shipwrecks in Galle's surrounding waters. It covers 2 levels that snake through the city walls.

At the southernmost end of the Fort, is the Flag Rock, once a Portuguese bastion. Today, it is easily the most popular place to catch a sunset. During daylight hours, you may see daredevil locals leaping into the water from the rocks. Numerous Vendors sell good street food such as fresh papaya with chilli powder from their Carts.

During the Dutch period, approaching ships were signalled from the bastion atop Flag Rock, warning them of dangerous rocks - hence its name. Musket shots were fired from Pigeon Island, close to the rock, to further alert ships to the danger. Later, the Dutch built a Lighthouse here - since removed, but the nearby street name survives.

The once sleepy Fort is now a dynamic area with a distinctively Mediterranean atmosphere & is definitely one of those places that in a few years will have people saying: ‘Oh you should have seen it before’.

Facing the Lighthouse, is Meeran Mosque, is a beautifully maintained whitewashed building with an unusual construction combining eclectic architectural features that include a dash of baroque, British Victorian & Islamic detailing. Its facade is more reminiscent of a Portuguese Cathedral than a Mosque. There is no general admission, but non-Muslims may be invited to enter if dressed appropriately. Inside, there is a wonderful little Mihrab, complete with small decorative Domes & some attractive floor tiling.

After exploring the Fort & vicinity for a couple of hours, spend a few minutes looking at iconic, though sad, Photos at Talwatte's simple-but-moving Tsunami Photo Museum that charts the impact of the 2004 disaster.

Next stop takes us to Kataluva Purvarama Maha Viharaya. Illustrating an interesting piece of social history the 13^th century, Purvarama Maha Viharaya is one of the most interesting Temple located in south Sri Lanka, well known for its Kandyan style Paintings, some of which date back 200 years. They depict the 500 previous lives of Lord Buddha. Another interesting fact is that there are cameo style Paintings of Queen Victoria & the Queen Mother in gratitude for ensuring the free practice of Buddhism during the British occupation of Sri Lanka.

Walk under the Coat of Arm of Queen Victoria, as you enter the Monastery, with painted Sculptures & Murals, interspersed with images of the Lord Buddha.

Make your way to Weligama, where you walk through a small & peaceful Park to a 3 metre Rock structure, carefully carved out of the hillside. Legend has it that the structure is of 8^th or 9^th century Leper King. Other tales denote that the carving is of the Lord Buddha in a pose of meditation.

The real charm of Old Galle lies in the quiet back streets & alleyways of the historic Fort, which have changed little, if at all, since colonial times. You will pass stylish Cafes, quirky little Boutiques & excellent impeccably restored Hotels

Just wandering the streets at random yields one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing collection of structures dating back through the centuries.

Lace, traditional Arts & Crafts are the main souvenirs in Galle that you can pick up at various Shops & Stalls. There are a few Gem shops around the Galle Fort too that sell semi-precious Stone Jewelry set in Silver. The Antique Shops are well worth the visit too because of the town’s history of centuries old trading that goes as far as the era of King Solomon.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel or dare & explore the seaside city of Galle by night!  (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Morning, making your way back to the Capital city (Negombo is a Suburb of Colombo), stop at the village of Ambalangoda, known as a centre for Puppets & Masks.

At the Mask Carving Centre & Museum, you can see many types of Mask. The vibrant & colorful Masks are used for several purposes in Sri Lanka. As well as featuring in traditional Dance, Drama & Comedies, & in large Pageants & Processions, they are also used in ceremonies to exorcise Demons or cure illnesses. The traditional hand carved Masks are made from light Balsa like Kaduru wood & hand painted.

View the traditional Mask Craftsmen busy in their trade in the Workshops. On display at the Museum, are Masks symbolizing all the vivid characters, demons, gods, heroes & villains who appear in traditional mask dances.

You will have an opportunity to delve into the mysteries, legend, exorcism & psychology in the world of mask dances. Once practiced in the hinterland villages in Sri Lanka, mask dances are now performed mostly for the purposes of tourism & that too mainly in the western Beach Resorts.

The Museum also contains several puppets, made from the same type of wood & manipulated with strings. The average height of traditional puppets is around 4 feet, but those representing royalty or nobility are taller & heavier.

Puppet Shows are accompanied by music on the Drum & Seraphina, as well as Singing. Traditional Dancing Shows take place about once a week & a typical Show begins with a Kolam dance, then follows several ritual dances, a village folk dance, & end up with some short Indian dances.

Move on & arrive in the modest beach town Negombo.

Check-in at the hotel.

Practically a suburb of Colombo, located close to the Airport. The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it & then captured it again in 1644. The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negombo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era & there are still reminders of the European days.

Balance of the day is at leisure to shop for Sri Lankan treasures at the local handicrafts centre (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Alas, this wonderful experience in the ‘oldest city’ comes to an end & it is time to say Au Revoir to Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality & heritage & go home. 

Check-out of the hotel by 11: 00 am (if the departure time is later in the late evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

Floating in tropical waters off the southern tip of India, laid-back small nation of Sri Lanka is defined by its gentle Buddhist culture, friendly people & an ancient Civilisation. Sand-sprinkled Beaches rise to forested National Parks, Temple-studded plains & jungle-covered highlands.

So you see, you have much more to discover if you come to incredible Sri Lanka ‘again’ & we will of course, look forward to be able to facilitate that.

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport for the flight back home.  B

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