"Connecting places beyond Boundaries"

    Visiting places of cultural interest

    Day 01

    Pinnawala, Kandy, Gadaladeniya and Embekke

    Your journey will begin with a visit to Pinnawala.  It is an elephant orphanage, nursery and a captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at the Pinnawala village, which is 78km (48 miles) away from Colombo. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to many of the orphaned, unwanted wild elephants found wondering in and near forests of Sri Lanka. Visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants such as bottle feeding of the calves feeding of all other elephants and bathing in the river close by.  
    From Pinnawala we will be heading for Kandy, the hill capital, picturesquely located and without doubts the most beautiful city in the island. Regarded as Sri Lanka’s cultural center and the final kingdom of the country. Kandy is home for the unique Sri lankan dancing style which  is known as Kandyan dancing. You can also visit the DaladaMaligawa, the golden roofed temple which homes the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is one of the most sacred places of worship of the Buddhist world where you shall witness a pooja that is done to worship the relics and you can also listen to the kandyan drumming.  Peradeniya botanical gardens is another beautiful location known for its’ bio-diversity. Kandy is also an ideal shopping location for gems, jewellery and traditional handcrafts  gems, jewellery and traditional handcrafts. The city  was declared a world heritage site by the UNESCO in 1988.                                                                                                                     
    You will also visit a variety of astounding and significant temples in Kandy such as Lankatilleke  
     Gadaladeniya and Embekke which are of important cultural values.  
        
    The temple Gadaladeniya plays a key role in Sri lankan tourism. The ancient monastery is located on a small hilltop at Diggala. In accordance to the Gadaladeniya inscription reveals that the temple was built by King Buwanekabahu 4 in the year 1344.
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    A South Indian architect designed the temple site considering characteristically South Indian architectural feature. The hilltop gives you a panoramic out view to the entire site. You will find a dagoba to the right side from the entrance and four another small dagobas. There is a roof covering the dagoba standing on four pillars. The seated Buddha statue with four another standing Buddha statues can be worshipped in the main vihara geya (image house) of the temple.
    The frescoes and interior sculptures belonged to Kandyan period depicting Jataka stories of Lord Buddha seem to be fading. The makara thorana (dragon arch) is embellished with gods

    EMBEKKE _ You could also visit the Embekke temple which is well known around the world for its amazing wood carvings. This is the best place in Sri Lanka may be in the whole world to witness finest wood carvings. This shrine had a three story building but that is not available at present. Once you pass the main entrance of the Embekke Devalaya, you will find the main hall with the wood carvings and even the roof was done with a special design. Speciality is that wood has been used for everything. Nails are also wooden. Decorations include flowers, dancers, swans, solders and a lot of mythical animals. The building  consists of three sections. Out of these the drummers hall which has drawn attention of visitors to the site due to the splendid wood carvings of its’ pillars and its high pitched roof is a special one.  

    You will be spending the night at Kandy.  

    Day 02

    Sigiriya, Dambulla

    The following morning you’d be heading towards  Sigiriya the famous ancient rock fortress in Sri Lanka.
    It is an ancient palace of a Sinhala King, located in the Central Matale district. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological  significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft) in height. According to ancient chronicles, King Kashyapa selected this place as his kingdom and built the palace on the top of the rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes and also a mirror wall. A gate way was also built in the form of an enormous lion. A gate way was also built in the form of an enormous lion.The name of this place derive from this structure – Singhagiri – the LION ROCK, which was abandoned after the king’s death. Today it is a UNESCO listed world heritage site.   

    Then you will pay a visit to the Dambulla caves.
                  
    Dambulla is the largest and the best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains. There are over 80 documented caves in the surroundings. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves which contain statues and paintings. The main paintings and statues are related to the Lord Buddha’s life.
    After the visit to Dambulla we would proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress which belongs Dambulla is the largest and the best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains. There are over 80 documented caves in the surroundings. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves which contain statues and paintings. The main paintings and statues are related to the Lord Buddha’s life.

    The second night will be spent at Habarana a lonely and peaceful place. Sometimes we would be able to see wild elephants too.

    Day 03

    Anuradhapura, Negambo

    The next day we will leave for Anuradhapura the capital city of the first kingdom of Sri Lanka which was built with a time span of the 03rd century and the 08th century. The reservoirs, canals, and irrigation channels which were built during these times convey the advanced technology of the Ancient Aryans which is still a mystery to the modern scientist. The city is now a world heritage site under the UNESCO and it was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries.
          
    We will be returning towards Colombo and on the way do sightseeing in Negombo. Located on the west coast of the island and the mouth of the Negombo lagoon. Huge and old fishing industry with busy markets, Negombo is famous for its sandy beaches. The International Colombo airport is also situated in the Negombo metropolis.
    The night stay will be in Negombo.

    Day 04

    Colombo

    After spending night in the beautiful hill country we will be returning back to Colombo. You can go  sightseeing in Colombo during the last day of the tour. The capital city of Sri Lanka, it has lot of attractions for tourists. Galle Face green is ribbon of green space located in the heart of the Indian ocean coast and is a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. The Galle Face hotel is a historic landmark on the southern edge of the promenade. The Gangaramaya temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo. The architecture demonstrates an eclectic use of Sri Lanka, Indian and Chinese architecture. The Viharamahadevi  ( formerly Victoria park ) park is also a place you can pay a visit. Colombo is also a city where there is a fine blending of the old and the new of architecture. Ideal location for shopping designer wear, handloom products, cotton and linen wear hand made leather handbags and shoes, Gems and jewellery.