Duration: 5 Nights / 6 days Package Code: TPH-FIT-AP-020 Places Covered: Kandy - Pusselawa - Nuwara Eliya - Sita Aman temple - Hakgala gardens - Welimada and visit Divurumpola temple - Bandarawela - Colombo via Ratnapura and Sitawaka, Aviswsawella - Kelaniya. Validity: Active
For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors. The beach thing may be a cliche, but don't miss them. Then head to the hills to cool off amidst tea plantations and ancient cities. The island teems with bird life, and even the occasional elephant or leopard. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.
ITINERARY
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Details
Day 01
Meet on arrival and proceed from Airport to Kandy. In the evening visit and witness the cultural show.
Day 02
After breakfast do a city tour of Kandy.Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name ?Kandy? conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
Proceed from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya enroute visiting the Anjaneear temple in Pusselawa and a tea factory. Pussellawa is the Home of 18 feet statue of Anjaneear The famous temple situated on a hill over looking the Kotmale reservoir area, Anjaneear at this temple Thousand?s of devotees from India & Sri Lanka pay homage to. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Day 03
After breakfast proceed from Nuwara Eliya to visit the Sita Aman temple. The Sita Amman Temple can be seen on route to Hakgala along the Nuwara Eliya Badulla Road. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention on the way to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens from Nuwara Eliya. According to tradition, the site is associated with Sita of the Ramayana epic. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on a side of the temple. The temple seen today is a modern building with its paintings, statues and pillars decorated with sculptures, all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita. The rear of the temple overlooks a stream, while from its front can be seen the Hakgala peaks. On completion visit the Hakgala gardens. The Hakgala Botanical Garden was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya. This garden was expanded during the British period and has a wide variety of flowers including an excellent collection of orchids This is the exotic pleasure garden where king Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marry him. It was here where the heart-warming meeting took place between her and Hanuman, who brought her Rama?s ring with the news that Rama was looking for her. He offered to carry her back but she refused saying it would be an insult to Rama?s honour if he did so. Part of this majestic garden still exists. It is also said that Hanuman nearly destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana of the forces against him. Thereafter Leave from Hakgala to visit Isthripura via Welimada. This exotic cave still boasts the picturesque cascading waterfall that was in existence 2000 years ago. It was within this cave that Sita was held prisoner with over 1500 women to attend to her every need. Thereafter proceed to Welimada and visit Divurumpola temple. Although this Vihara is said to be established in the 6th A.D. Polonnaruwa period it has a long history among people of having been started in the time of Rama, Rawana and Sita. Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for over thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. Since that time this place has been respected and worshiped by people down the ages. Furthermore it is said that this place was given the name ?Divurumpola? or the place of making a wow. Not only in legends but this name has been inscribed in the moonstone guarding the Devale in the premises. Thereafter proceed to Bandarawela. In the afternoon, visit Ella. Ella, a small mountain near Bandarawela, boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where, local legend dictates, Ravana hid Sita. First there is Ravana Ella Cave, situated in the massive Ella Rock. Then there is Ravana Ella Falls and a nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters where Sita is said to have bathed. The Bandarawela hotel is a charming heritage hotel built during the colonial period. The elegant hotel, whose illustrious life began as a European?s ? only tea planters club, is a perfectly preserved relic steeped in colonial comforts. Though its location is central, its ample garden and foliage seclude it from the city. Overnight stay in Bandarawela.
Day 04
After breakfast at Bandarawela Hotel proceed to Colombo via Ratnapura and Sitawaka, Aviswsawella. Visit a gem mine at Ratnapura. Ratnapura is the fabled city of gems. Its name remains unchanged over the years and means ?city of gems?. In Ratnapura prospecting and mining goes on everyday. Visit a gem mine and a museum and strike a bargain at one of the shops.
Sitawaka, situated near Avissawella on a tributary of the Kelani Ganga (river). Not surprisingly it derives its name from Sita, who is supposed to have been imprisoned by Ravana in a grove in this neighborhood. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Day 05
After breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel. Proceed from Colombo to Kelaniya. Morning Visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya , which was a temple built in the 3rd century B.C. Kelaniya was one of the three places visited by the Buddha during his visits to Sri Lanka. Kelaniya is also the centre for traditional Sinhala pottery. Whithin the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple is a s special shrine dedicated to Vibushana , king Ravana?s brother, who allied with Rama in the struggle to rescue Sita . Even during the Ravana regime Vibushana was in charge of Kelaniya. Return from Kelaniya to Colombo. City & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People?s Republic of China. Also do a shopping tour of Colombo. Visit House of fashions, Odel and the Noritake showrooms. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Day 06
After breakfast at proceed to Airport for departure in time for the flight.
TOUR INCLUDES
Return airport / hotel transfer
Daily b'fast at the hotel,
Kandy city tour
Colombo city tour incl the Elephant orphanage Royal Botanical garden
Economy class Air Ticket Jet Airways
TOUR INFORMATION
All prices are subject to change & increase
All Transfers & Tours seat in coach basis
If you have problems while online booking feel free to contact
+91 22 4250 7766 / +91 22 2648 9666
