PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF SRI LANKA

Arrival at CMB Colombo International Airport, Katunayake, Sri Lanka, will be met by a representative and transfer to Colombo (Approx: 1 hr). On the next day you may enjoy a Colombo city tour visiting some interesting places to Photograph and also for some shopping to back home. On the next day, after breakfast visit Pettah where you have the vegetable and fruit markets having lots of activities of people. If interested visit the Fish Market near the harbour and the main bus and train terminals, Wolvendhaal Dutch Church, Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, Gothami Vihara, Independence Monument, Hindu Kovil at Slave Island, Kotahena St.Lucia’s Cathedral, Colombo Museum, Colombo Municipal Council, Viharamahadevi Park and other city sites are of interest to photographer and some shopping! Afternoon visit Kelaniya Buddhist Temple-which is the Oldest Temple located closer to Colombo dating to 6 th Century B.C. This is a place with opportunities for a Photographer to capture lots of devotees offering flowers, light etc, and worshipping at the Temple. Kelaniya temple is always crowded with devotees coming from all over the country which is most sacred to the Buddhists.

Today you could opt to explore Polonnaruwa, visit the monuments in the medieval capital including the Royal Palace, Audience Hall, Thuparamaya, Lankatilake and Tivanka Image Houses, Pabaluvehera, Rankothvehera and Kirivehera dagobas, Vata-da-ge, Ata-da-ge and Heta-da-ge Shrines and the beautiful 4 granite rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara Temple (Best time for a photograph is with the early morning sun rays falling on the statues through the surrounded trees - 6.10 to 6.45 a.m.). Walk from your hotel to the ruins close by and photograph the Parakramabahu statue in the evening with sunset. Also, travel along the bund of the huge lake to a distance of about 2/3 miles, for a beautiful sunset with the dried trees of the lake in the foreground.

Spend the morning exploring and set off to climb the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya, a World Heritage site with it’s rocky abode and water gardens. Sigiriya is famous for its toadstool of golden-hued granite, protruding into the searing blue sky from a hot, flat wilderness of scrubland, which is transformed in the rainy season to a water garden. In the 5th century King Kashyapa domesticated the Lions Rock, by building a palace atop its summit. Sigiriya commemorates some of the turbulence of Sri Lanka’s history. Photograph the Rock from the Car Park of the Rest House, from the bund of the lake with the shadow in the water, or from the inner wall from the western entrance and/or from the rock garden. There are many caves, some with remains of paintings, the frescos of beautiful ladies in a pocket. No photography is allowed only at Sigiriya frescoes. See the Mirror Wall that shines even today and more than 700 Graffiti written on the wall, ( You have permission to photograph the Graffiti) Lion’s paws with the stairs built inside the body and the remains of the Royal Palace with large Water Tanks on the summit. Total there are 1200 steps to reach the summit. Afternoon visit Dambulla Cave Temples to photograph more than 21,000 Sq. feet of paintings on the walls and ceilings of the 5 caves, more than 150 Buddha Statues, and statues of Kings and gods. End the day with a swim at the lovely hotel pool…