CULTURE AND HISTORY OF SRI LANKA

Prceed to the Colombo hotel. If time permits you may visit Pettah where you have the vegetable & fruit markets & visit Textile shops as well. If interested visit the Collepity local market and the main bus and train terminals, Wolvendhaal Dutch Church, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, Gotami Vihara, Independence Hall, Hindu Kovil at Slave Island, Colombo Municipal Council, Viharamahadevi Park and other city sites.

Proceed to the cultural city to explore and the island’s ancient highlights. On your way, you can peep in to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to get your first introduction to Sri Lanka’s most eminent population. After your visit to Pinnawela, continue to your hotel in Habarana, check-in and enjoy the surroundings.You also have the option of climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress , the rock rises 200 meters above ground and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Breakfast and thereafter drive to Anuradhapura and visit some of the sites at Anuradhapura including the Sacred Bo-tree, Ruvanweliseya, Thuparama dagoba, few other monuments of Sri Lanka. Thereafter proceed to Mihintale, the “Cradle of Buddhism “ in Sri Lanka, which is the earliest declared Sanctuary (declared in 247 B.C.) in the World and still a sanctuary. The wide staircase with 1840 steps, with the flowering Temple Trees is a beautiful site for a photographer especially with a Buddhist Bhikkhu in yellow robes climbing the steps. Also visit Mahakanadarawa Tank bund at Mihintale to see a well preserved, beautiful stone bridge 100 feet long, 10 feet wide and 8-9 feet high constructed in the 4 th C.A.D. connecting Anuradhapura with Trincomalee Harbour.