2 days adventure to Wilpattu National Park and Anuradhapura from Negombo

Itinerary

Day 1: Negombo - Wilpattu National Park - Anuradhapura

Stop At: Wilpattu National Park, Putlam - Anuradhapura Road, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Wilpattu is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park has got its name from the tens of floodplain lakes, called 'villus' in Sinhala, and has an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to over 30 mammal species, including leopard, sloth bear, Sri Lankan elephant and spotted deer. Also, various wetland bird species such as the pin tail, whistling teal spoonbill, and white ibis can be found in the serene landscapes Wilpattu. Situated in the dry zone, the average temperature in Wilpattu is around 27 Celsius and the mean annual rainfall is approximately 1000 mm. However, the park with its dense forests and glimmering little lakes, feels all but dry. This is due to rainfall patterns and the 2 monsoons this region receives. The rainiest time of the year is from September to December the north-eastern monsoon falls on Wilpattu, and the inter-monsoon season is between March and April. The period of drought extends from May to early September. Special feature of Wilpattu National Park are the shallow lakes, rainwater filled lakes called villus. More than 40 villus, ranging from about 2 to 400 hectares, are scattered around the park, the largest being the Periya Vila.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Anuradhapura

Day 2: Anuradhapura - Negombo

Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya Sthupa, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu, who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Dagaba. The stupa was an ancient ruin in the 19th century. After fundraising efforts by Sinhalese bhikkhu, the stupa was renovated in the early 20th century. The Ruwanveli Seya Restoration Society was founded in 1902 and the final crowning of the stupa took place on 17 June 1940.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Isurumuniya Raja Maha Viharaya in Anuradhapura was built out of a group of huge granite boulders. The main temple is set around a lovely lotus pond, above which there is a black granite surface moulded with figures in bas-relief such as ‘The Water Elephants, and ‘The Man and the Horse’. Today the temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The cave temple that leads to a small boulder-top dagoba has a mirador which offers a panoramic view of Anuradhapura.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, located in the ruins of Jetavana Monastery in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura. This Stupa, which was a monastery at one point, was said to have been the home for the Sangika sect of the Buddhism. The difference of its denominations could be seen through its architecture. The most prominent key feature of this temple is about the statue of reclining Buddha, which was painted in vibrant colors. As Jethawanaramaya is a sacred area of Buddhist, many come here to offer flowers, oil the lamps and burn incense sticks and offer their prayers to get some tranquil and peace to their mind.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: No accommodation on this day