04 Nights Heritage & Wildlife Tour in Wilpattu, Jaffna and Habarana

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 - Meet at Colombo Hotel, Transfer to Wilpattu, Afternoon Safari at Wilpattu NP, Overnight Stay at Anurdhapura

Stop At: Wilpattu National Park, off Chilaw Anuradhapura road, Saliyapura, Anuradhapura 50008 Sri Lanka
At 1,085 square kilometres, Wilpattu National Park is the largest national park in Sri Lanka and by far the most scenic. This riveting afternoon safari will take you from dense, dry forest to a number of large lakes called "Willu"- Wilpattu means ‘natural lakes’ in Sinhala. The sprawling landscapes comprise of grassy plains, forest, rocky scrub land, lagoons and a coastline. These varied environments ensure Wilpattu has a diverse range of animals and birdlife.

If you’re lucky, you'll spot the more impressive wildlife such as the elusive leopard, Asian elephant, sloth bears and numerous bird species. The park tends to attract fewer visitors than Yala, meaning you'll avoid the crowds and enjoy a more exclusive experience.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at a 3-Star Hotel

Day 2: Day 2 - Visit Anuradhapura Ancient City, Transfer to Jaffna, Rest of the Relax at the Hotel

Stop At: Mahamevnawa Dhammachethiya Buddhist Monastery Anuradhapura, Watawandana Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
For over a thousand years it was the capital of a great civilisation, then for a thousand years more it lay in ruins, overgrown by forest and inhabited only by leopards and bears. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest archaeological ‘dig’. Anuradhapura is one of South Asia’s most evocative sights, renowned for its beauty and as a centre of Buddhist pilgrimage.

Its sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological, religious and architectural wonders. Mammoth dagobas (Buddhist Temples), soaring brick towers, ancient pools and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka. Nowadays several of the sites are still in use as holy places and temples, which give the ancient city a tangible pulse.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at a 3-Star Hotel

Day 3: Day 3 - Jaffna City Cycle Tour,Enjoy a home cooked Jaffna style lunch, Afternoon Leisure at Jaffna.

Stop At: Jaffna Fort, Jaffna Sri Lanka
Overlooking the lagoon on the south side of the Jaffna peninsula, the ancient Jaffna Fort stands as the second largest fort in Sri Lanka. Its construction by the Portuguese in 1619, then rebuilt and expanded by the Dutch in the 18th and 19th centuries, is a clear indication not only of its strategic importance to the Europeans but also of its role in Sri Lankan history.

Apart from its interesting past, the fort is also renowned for its architecture. The five-sided defence works consists of thick walls and ramparts, all of which is surrounded by an impressive star-shaped moat. It is unique in that it is the only surviving example in Sri Lanka where the inner defences heave a geometrically regular pentagonal layout. Also, unlike the fortified towns at Galle and Colombo, the Jaffna Fort had an almost exclusively military and administrative function.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nallur Kovil, Jaffna Sri Lanka
This magnificent Hindu temple in the Jaffna District is one of the most significant Hindu complexes in Sri Lanka. Its venerable status is reflected by its grand design, which is crowned with a spectacular golden-ochre gopuram decorated with tens of gods. The sacred deity is Lord Muruga and during cacophonic puja, which occur throughout the day, offerings are made to his brass image.

Although the foundations date back to 948 AD, the temple’s current structure was constructed in 1749. Within the compound you’ll find ornate brasswork, beautiful murals, pillared halls and an impressive holy pool. The priests at the temple, some of whom speak English, will be able to answer questions about the history and traditions of the place.

Duration: 50 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at a 3-Star Hotel

Day 4: Day 4 - Transfer to Habarana, Evening Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Relax at the Hotel

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Main Road, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Today, the climb of one of the most valuable historical sites in Sri Lanka. Declared by locals as the eighth wonder of the world, Sigiriya Rock is both a magnificent fortress and a true bastion of fifth-century regality. During the second half of the fifth century, King Kasyapa made the rock plateau his royal residence. Remains of the fortress’s extensive network still exist. The palace is surrounded by vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. Take some time to explore these too; it’s definitely worth the extra walk. Marvel at its western wall, which is almost entirely covered in painted frescoes depicting beautiful women. It is believed that the images were a celebration of the female form.

Chiselled into the northern side of the rock is the main gateway is an enormous lion. In fact, this lion gave the site its name: the term Sigiriya originates from the word Sihagri, meaning Lion rock. One the most striking features of Sigiriya is the Mirror wall, a section of the rock that was so thoroughly polished that the King could admire his reflection in the stone. We would encourage you to check yourself in the mirror too, however, the wall has since been decorated with personal poems and inscriptions painted by visitors of the city, with the oldest dating back to the eighth century. Take a closer look at these inscriptions and unveil some fascinating stories. After the king’s death, the royal palace was used as a Buddhist monastery up until the 14th century, when it was abandoned.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at a 3-Star Hotel

Day 5: Day 5 - Transfer to Dambulla, Visit Dambulla Cave Temple, Drop back to Colombo Hotel

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
A pilgrimage site for the last 22 centuries, this extensive cave monastery is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a renowned UNESCO world heritage site, can be reached by coming from Kandy (68km) along A9 road which runs up through Dambulla and Anuradhapura, or direct from Colombo. Located at an elevation of 1118 feet above sea level, the caves are cut out of a massive granite outcrop that rises above the surrounding countryside and provides striking views across the plains of the dry zone in the distance.

The complex is comprised of five caves, all decorated with magnificent Buddha images and rock paintings of vivid colours and shape. Constructed and painted from around 2nd century BC and right up until the Kandyan era of the 18th century, this unique artwork forms an unbroken line of history and painting styles of Sri Lanka through the past 2500 years.

For an even more memorable experience, it’s best to visit the caves in reverse order, beginning with number five, so that you view the caves in increasing degrees of magnificence which culminates impressively with the enormous, cavernous space of cave two.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.