Anuradhapura :

Anuradhapura is the 5th century capital of Sri Lanka that has been a well-known city even before the advent of Buddhism. For nearly 1400 years, it was an unshaken capital of the island. Anuradhapura was first settled by Anuradha, a follower of Prince Vijaya the founder of the Sinhala race. Later, it was made the Capital by King Pandukabhaya at about 380 B.C. According to the Mahavamsa, the epic of Sinhala History, King Pandukabhaya’s city was a model of planning. Anuradhapura comprises the largest number of ancient monuments of the native civilization which showcase Sri Lanka’s ancient architectural, artistic and irrigational expertise. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka at Anurdhpura’s Mihintale by Arahat Mahinda during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (250 – 210 BC). Taking pride of the great ancient capital is the is the Sri Maha Bodhi tree more than 2000 years old claimed to be the oldest historically documented tree in the world and a branch of the very tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment as Buddha.

Jaffna :

Jaffna is the colorful northern capital of the country, a city famous for its rich history and exotic spices. Its landscape is taken over by the mysteriously beautiful Palmyra Palms which are iconic of Sri Lanka’s north and east. Nagadipa or Naka-diva was supposedly the ancient name given to the Jaffna peninsula. Nagadipa is first mentioned in the Pali chronicles of Sri Lanka in connection with the story of the Buddha’s second visit to the island in the 6th century B.C. Apart from its religious significance, Jaffna revives bits of colonial splendor reflected through the colonial architecture as well as memoirs of Sri Lanka’s modern-day dark history.

Nallur Kovil :

The original temple is believed to have been built by King Bhuvaneka Bahu in the period 1450 -1467 which had been levelled to the ground in 1620 during a brawl that had taken place between Portuguese troops and Jaffna forces. The present temple at Nallur is said to have originated during the time of the Dutch.

Trincomalee :

Trincomalee is popularly known as Trinco and has been famous since the ancient times which boasts one of the world’s best natural harbors. During the British colonial era, British forces took residency in 1940s at Orrs Hill, a high ground with a splendid view of the harbor. Their head office is today the Welcome Hotel. Trinco has a historical Fort. The Swami Rock, which is a straight drop of 130 meters, known locally as the “Lover’s Leap” named after the historic legend, that a Dutch official’s daughter threw herself down after watching her fiancé desert her by sea.

Polonnaruwa :

The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms is Polonnaruwa following the decline of the Anuradhapura kingdom. It was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders from southern India in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Over the following three centuries Polonnaruwa became a thriving commercial and religious center, reaching its zenith under King Parakramabahu I in the 12th Century. He created beautiful parks, huge buildings and an enormous tank (reservoir) which acted both as a defensive border against intruders and as an important water source. Today the archaeological park contains many well-preserved ruins within a compact area.

You will start with a visit to the Polonnaruwa Museum where you can learn about the site in more detail, before heading out to Gal Viharaya, a Buddhist shrine where four statues of Lord Buddha are carved out of the rock. Other stops include the site of Nissanka Latha Mandapaya which boasts well-preserved stone columns, the impressive Lankathilaka Temple and the ruined stone walls of the Royal Palace. (You may explore some of the sites in bicycles)

Sigiriya :

Sigiriya is also known as the ‘Lion Rock’. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. This fortress in the sky is a spectacular pillar of rock visible from miles around, geologically Sigiriya is a hardened magma plug of an extinct volcano. Historically, the origins of the remains are disputed, and it is thought to have been either a royal fortress built under the reign of King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) or a Buddhist monastery. You might like to start your visit at the Sigiriya Museum to learn more about the site, before wandering through the vast landscaped gardens to the base of the rock. The walk to the top is steep with many steps and there are some sections where the path or staircase is very narrow with steep drops protected by fences. We do not recommend this for those without a head for heights or the less mobile. The hike up and down again will take 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your fitness.

You will pass beautiful frescoes and a sheer ‘mirror wall’ before arriving at the massive stone lion’s paws, which lend the rock its nickname ‘Lion Rock’. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a crouching lion but today only the huge paws remain giving an indication of the massive proportions of the head. The summit, covering an area of 1.6 hectares, was originally completely covered by buildings, but only remains of the royal citadel can be seen today.

Kandy :

Sri Lanka’s second largest city, Kandy was the capital of the last Sinhalese Kingdom and enjoys a scenic setting around a lake surrounded by green hills. Home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, said to house Buddha’s tooth, each August the city also hosts the spectacular Perahera festival featuring dancers, firebreathers and lavishly decorated elephants.

Late afternoon you will head to a local hall to watch a show of traditional Sri Lankan music, dance and drumming. Afterwards you’ll visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. This important shrine boasts intricate carvings and beautiful Sri Lankan art. During the evening ‘puja’ throngs of pilgrims visit the temple to line up to glimpse the golden casket said to hold the sacred relic and to make offerings of flowers.

Nuwara Eliya :

Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country at an elevation of 1900m, Nuwara Eliya was a favoured retreat of the British in the19th Century thanks to its cool climate. With an abundance of red and green roofed plantation bungalows, English country style homes, a fine 18 hole golf course and a racecourse, the town still has a decidedly British feel. The surrounding mountain slopes and valleys are carpeted with lush green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls.

Ella :

At Ella you can enjoy view from the Ella Gap and then admire the beauty of the magnificent Ravana falls, named after ancient king Ravana who is said to have imprisoned Indian prince Ravana’s wife, Sita in the cave near the waterfall according to the Ramayana legend. Though the ’Ramayana’ was initially believed to be a mere story, archaeological discoveries in Sri Lanka over time have proven that the places that have been mentioned in the story truly exist. What’s even more surprising, is the traces found in each place supporting the events in the Ramayana; giving way to speculation that the story may be based on truth!

Udawalawe National Park :

The Udawalawe National Park popular for its beautiful elephant heritage (about 400 elephants) spans within an area of 30,821 hectares in the dry zone. During a visit, you might see whole herds of adults and young elephants– feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts.

The Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe was founded in 1966 by Srilal Miththapala, a keen wildlife enthusiast, particularly, an elephant lover. Today, it is an information and community hub for elephant enthusiasts from all over the world. The home is a refuge for baby elephants, the majority of which have been affected by the tragic elephant – human conflict. This incredible project provides food, medical care, and anything else a baby elephant needs. You’ll watch from behind a barrier as the elephants follow the keeper into the compound and eagerly await their turn to receive their milk (feeding time – 1500hours) When the elephants are big and strong enough, they are released back into the wilderness to start living a ‘normal’ elephant life.

Galle :

Set on a promontory on the southwest tip of Sri Lanka, Galle is an immensely charming town and remains the best preserved example of a European built fortified city in Asia. The fort was built by the Dutch from the 17th Century and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The narrow streets are a delight to explore with decaying colonial buildings and numerous boutiques and cafés surrounded by grand fort walls.

Lunuganga Garden Bentota :

Lunuganga Estate was the country home of Geoffrey Bawa. The garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas. Until his final illness in 1998, he continued to change and experiment with its spaces and structures throughout his. Left to the Lunuganga Trust on his demise in 2003, the gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel.

Colombo :

Colombo would be an excellent start or finish to your holiday. The city has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Remnants of this colonial past is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. Today, it is considered as one of the fast-developing cities in South Asia. Sri Lanka’s modern outlook is based in Colombo surrounded by busy roads, the Western coast line and the multi-cultural air of elegance. Some of the highlights in the city include the busy Pettah market, the Colombo Museum, the Independence Square, old parliament, the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Gangarama Temple, Wowendal Church and Galle Face Green.