3 days excursion to explore the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka

Itinerary

Day 1: Negombo - Polonnaruwa

Stop At: Thuparama, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Thuparama, a brick-built gedige is in a fine state of preservation. Thuparama, the oldest image house at Polonnaruwa goes back to the reign of King Vijayabahu the first (1055-1110 A.D.). A brick base is about one meter high with three projections that once carried an image of Buddha, which is now simply a pile of bricks. The stone images in the Thuparama date back to the Anuradhapura period.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Vatadage, a circular relic house possesses an elegance and beauty that is rare even in ancient Sri Lanka. In line with the outer circle of stone pillars is a tastefully ornamented screen wall patterned with four petalled flowers. The access stairs at the cardinal points are beautifully carved. At the head of each flight is a Buddha statue in stone. Vatadage is lavished with moonstones and guard stones.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Pabalu Vehera, Gal Vihara Road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Pabalu Vehera is believed to be built during the late Anuradhapura period and enlarged during the Polonnaruwa period. The stupa is surrounded by four image houses located in the cardinal points. The limestone statues of Buddha are sculpted in different postures. In the image house on the south is a Samadhi Buddha statue, which is a fine work of art. In front of Pabalu Vehera to the north is the main street of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Now reduced to a mere footpath with encroaching weeds and bushes, it is a fine walk to enjoy the landscape populated with birdlife.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Gal Viharaya or the Rock Temple, which is unparallel among such ancient monastic edifices, takes the form of a group of colossal Buddha statues carved out of a granite boulder. Most prominent is the standing image, 7m (23ft) tall. Next to it is an enormous 14m (46ft) reclining Buddha. The head rests on the right palm, while the left hand is stretched along the left side of the body. The dent on the pillow caused by the weight of the head and the slightly drawn angle in the left leg adds life to the superb rock carved work of poise and balance.
Duration: 30 minutes

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

Day 2: Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Main Road, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Sigiriya Rock Fortress provides you with one of the most dramatic sites in Sri Lanka. It is also known as the "Lion Rock" which was built by King Kashyapa. This gigantic column of rock, rising up 200 meters (660ft) into the heavens was once a royal palace and is today acclaimed a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. Make a grand entrance through the massive lion’s paws carved out of stone and climb up 1200 steps all the way to the top where a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape awaits those who dare to make it.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Dambulla cave temple in Sri Lanka also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a world heritage site in Sri lanka. The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. The structure can be explained as a overhanging rock looming over five enormous caves. When it was made, it was considered as one of the largest and most essential monasteries. The hands of many Kings and rulers have interfered with the temple, but it still stands and screams the history embedded deep inside every crack of it's walls.
Duration: 1 hour

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

Day 3: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Negombo

Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
An absolute wonderous stupa built by King Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C. It’s considered one of the most sacred areas for Buddhists all over the world. It’s the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, and was restored in the 20th century and repainted a glorious white. It truly is regarded as a marvel for its architectural qualities. During the dagoba’s consecration, a portion of Buddha’s ashes were allegedly enshrined here, in a grand ceremony attended by monks from Rajagriha, Vaishali, Patna, Kashmir and Afghanistan.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Isurumuniya Vihara dates from around 300 BC and is set around a beautiful lotus pond. In the central temple check out the lovely murals and then go around the back to see the bell-shaped stupa and a pair of Buddha footprints etched into the rock.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The sacred bodhi tree is a sacred site in Anuradhapura. It was grown from a cutting brought over from Bodhgaya in India and is said to be the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. On full moon days, people come to lay offerings making the site even more magical.
Duration: 20 minutes

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