A Touch of Enlightenment

You will be welcomed by our representative once you arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

On the way from the airport, stop for a Thambili (King Coconut) to quench your thirst.

Arrive in Horathapola Estate and check-in at the hotel.

Enjoy yourself in the refreshing pool or spend the afternoon relaxing with a good book and a cup of Ceylon tea in the beautiful gardens.

Rest of the day at leisure.

After a delicious breakfast, commence your journey through this amazing island and head to the north central part of the country, Anuradhapura.

Drive via Kurunegala to Arankele Jungle Hermitage. Take the pathway to the old meditating cells.

Then visit Hasthikuchchi Temple - one of the earliest temples. See the caves used for meditation.

Arrive in Anuradhapura and check-in at hotel for an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Mihintale to visit the Mihintale rock, which is an important religious site of Buddhists as it is considered as the place where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka.

Return to Anuradhapura.

Take a tour around this ancient city, Anuradhapura (from the 4th century) to visit the Isurumuniya, Sri Mahabodhiya and Ruwanwelisaya, which are the highlights of this city.

You can also visit the Vessagiriya Cave Temple which is a very significant place for Buddhism.

Overnight stay at hotel in Anuradhapura.

After breakfast at hotel, proceed to Habarana with en-route stops.

Visit the Aukana Buddha statue (from 5th century B.C) which is carved out of a granite rock and its height is about 40 feet (12m). This is a well preserved and a magnificent ancient effigy in Sri Lanka.

Then proceed to see the Enderagala Jungle Meditation Centre to witness meditating Bhikkhus at their cells and a Pooja ceremony.

Arrive in Sigiriya.

In the afternoon climb to the top of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This ancient rock fortress from the 5th century gives an amazing view of the Cultural Triangle.

Return to Habarana for an overnight stay at hotel.

Leave to Kandy after an early breakfast with en-route stops.

You will visit the Dambulla Cave Rock Temple complex dated from First Century B.C. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site which is famous for its Buddhist sculptures and murals.

Arrive in the Hill country capital Kandy, which is the last stronghold of Sinhala Kings and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then wander around the lake and the streets of Kandy getting a feel of this wonderful city.

For those interested in shopping for gems, antiques, clothes and leather use our shopping guide and explore the local markets and shops.

Early evening enjoy a performance of Kandyan dancing and drumming.

Then visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. To experience the Buddhist tradition and ways, we suggest you to be there for an evening Pooja ceremony.

Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.

After a relaxed morning enjoy a walk through the Udawattakele Sanctuary, a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city of Kandy.

The sanctuary is famous for its extensive avifauna and also contains a great variety of plant species, especially lianas, shrubs and small trees. There are several giant lianas. Many of the small and medium size mammals that inhabit Sri Lanka can be seen here too.

Then visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. It is well known for its collection of a variety of orchids and many tropical floras.

Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.

After breakfast proceed to Colombo.

On your way to Colombo visit the ancient Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya with a history that dates back nearly 2,563 years and stands beside the Kelaniya River.

The Mahawamsa records that the original Dagoba at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. This temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and paintings, which depict important events in the life of the Buddha and history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Once you have arrived in Colombo we suggest starting the visits from Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and Simamalaka Shrine designed by Sri Lanka’s leading architect Geoffrey Bawa.

We could include the following sites:
-Old Parliament House
-Colombo National and Dutch Museums
-Oldest Hindu Kovil in Colombo - Sri Kailawasanthan Swami Devasthanam
-Town Hall and Independence Square

If you enjoy reading then Barefoot is the best book shop in town with a fabulous selection of coffee table books as well as novels.

We recommend to experience traditional High Tea on the terrace of either the Mount Lavinia Hotel or Galle Face Hotel and stay on to catch the magnificent sunset (payable directly).

Overnight at hotel in Colombo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Then you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.