Arrival and welcome by a representative of Lanka Sportreizen and Iransfer to Hotel.
Visit the National Museum to get an initial isight into the skills of ancient Sri Lankan people.
Accommodation:
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
After breakfast leave for Ancient City of Anuradhapura -5th Century BC
En route visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela to see the largest domesticated group of Elephants in Sri Lanka.
In Anuradhapura , visit the Abhaya Wewa (Basawakkulama) - the first tank (Reservoir) to be buit in Sri Lanka by King Pandukabhaya in the 4th Centrury BC.
(Tank = Reservoir = Wewa (In Sinhalese)
(Tank = Reservoir = Kulama (In Tamil)
Visit the massive Tisawewa , which was the main source of drinking water and the Nuwara wewa , which supplied water for domstic and liTigation purposes.
Inspect the delicate underwater channel system and the sluice which brought water from Tisawewa to the Ranmasu Vyana - one of the Royal Pleasure Gadens close to the fir st Temple established in Sri Lanka - lsunimuniya.
Spend more time to visit the Eth Pokuna (Elephant Bath) much larger than a present day olympic pool and one of the most beautiful creations in Sri Lanka - Twin Ponds which provided bathing facilities to the thousands of Buddhisht Monks resident in Jethawana and Abhayagiri Temple Complexes.
Accommodation:
Tisawewa Rest House, Anuradhapura
After breakfast leave for Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism where Buddhism was first
introduced to Sri Lanka in 247BC.There are 1800 odd steps leading to the summit where
Arahat Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa.
Have a look at the massive tank - Nachchaduwa in the far distant.
Leave for Giritale.
En route watch the Jaya Ganga- Yoda Ela) both the modem and the anceient versions
mining across! parallel to the road.This master piece has a gradient of 1 inch to 1 mile and is 54 miles Ing and provided water from one of Sri Lanka’s biggest tanks - Kalawewa to Tisawewa.
Visit the magnificient Aukana Buddha Statue uniquely carved out of rock 12M tall
facing this reservoir travelling along the dam.
Inspect the Sluice Gates which controlled the out flow of water when ever required , used to provide water to the thousands of farmers living in the area for irrigation and domestic purposes.
En route visit Dambulla Cave Temple - famous for its wall paintings, Statues of Lord
Buddha and deities unique among which is a 47ft. Statue of recumbent Lord Buddha.It will be interseting to seethe “ Drop of Water” which is ever lasting.
In the evening enjoy the breeze flowing from this massive human creation and if lucky you might see wild elephants who have come into the tank looking for water
Accommodation:
Gititale Hotel, Giritale
DAY 04
After breakfast leave for Sigirya to climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya - 5th Century AD which was a Royal Citadel for 18 years.
Spend time to inspect the delicate system of Water Fountains in the base which becomes active even at present with heavy rain and also the pond at the summit. Bear in mind that the Palace Complex covered the enetire 15 hectares of land at the Summit.
Afternoon leave for the Polonnaruwa the medieval Capital of Sri Lanka-11th Century AD. In Polonnaruwa visit the following, Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakrama - built by King Parakramabahu the Great who believed in the philosophy that “Not a drop of water should be allowed to flow into the sea with out being used” , Lotus Bath - a pond in the shape of a pond among other interesting sites of archaeological and historical interest.
Accommodation:
Gititale Hotel, Gintale
DAY 05
After breakfast leave for Mahiyanganaya on a picturesque route lined by thousands of acres of paddy fields and a long inigation canal running parallel to the road on this off the beaten track route.
En route stop for a while to see the masive Tamarind Tree known as “Orubendi
Symabalawa”which used by one of the famous kings known as Mahasen - (Minneri Deviyo - God of Minneriya - who built a large number of tanks including the Minneriya Tank) to tie his boat.
Visit the Ilasalaka Anicut across the River Mahaweli which is the longest river in Sri
Lanka - 7th Century built by King Agbo(II).
In the evening visit the Mahiyanganaya ancient Temple - the place blessed by Lord Buddha during hs firstvisit to Sri Lanka.
Accommodation:
Guest House, Mahiyanganaya
DAY 06
After breakfast visit the twin reservoirs - Rathkinda and Ulhitiya traveilling through
agricultural settlements Leave for Kandy, Capital of the Hill Country and the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka before falling to the British in 1815 AD.
En route visit the Minipe Anicut which is considered as the oldest hydraulic diversion in Sri Lanka and proceed along the new road passing the modem reservoirs Randenigala and Victoria - with a double curveture concrete dam built with British Aid by the Balfour and Beatty of UK Cross the Polgolla Dam - the first diversion
under the “Accelerated Mahaweli Diversion Project”
Evening visit the most venerated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddba.This Temple was the Palace of King Sri Wickraxna Rajasinghe - the last King of Sri Lanka - overlooking the beautiful Kandy lake Take time of to see the Royal Bathing Pavilion - Ulpan Ge and watch a Cultural Perfonnance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers.
Accommodation:
Hotel Riverdale Kandy
DAY 07
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya passing the Kothmale Reservofr - with one of the biggest rock filled dams and an underground power station.
En route visit a Tea Plantaion and a Factory to witness the manufacturing process of world famous “Ceylon Tea”.
Accommodation:
Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast leave for Colombo via Hatton.
Enjoy the two beautiful Water Falls - Devon and St Clair’s
Visit the location of the famous film “The Bridge on the River Kwai” directed by David Lean
Accommodation:
Trans Asia Hotel Colombo
After breakfast transfer to the Airport.
Departure