The Sacred & Serene Sri Lanka (7 Days & 6 Nights)
Itinerary in brief
Day 1 Arrival (Bandaranayke International Airport & Transfer to Dambulla)
Day 2 A Day in Dambulla
Day 3 Dambulla to Anuradhapura
Day 4 A Day in Anuradhapura
Day 5 Anuradhapura to Kandy
Day 6 Kandy to Colombo
Day 7 Departure (Colombo to Bandaranayke International Airport)
Tour Highlights
• Dambulla Cave Temple
• Pidurangala Vihara
• Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya
• Thuparamaya
• Lovamahapaya
• Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
• Mirisawati Stupa
• Abhayagiri Stupa
• Jetavanaramaya
• Lankaramaya.
• Mihinthalaya
• The Temple of the Tooth Relic
• Kandy Lake & city tour in Kandy
• The Kelaniya Temple
• Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
• Colombo City Tour
DAY 1 Arrival (Bandaranayke International Airport & Transfer to Dumbulla)
Dambulla, also is a historic town in the northern part of Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is located approximately 148 km northeast of Colombo, 43 km north of Matale and 72 km north of Kandy. Dambulla is a major junction where the Colombo-Trincomalee road and the Kandy-Anuradhapura road intersect before heading to their destinations. More importantly, it is home to many sites including Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved temples.
- Heading to Dambulla
- Check in at the beautiful luxury greenery hotel.
- In evening have a good rest after a long journey.
- Enjoy first Sri Lankan grand dinner buffet at the hotel.
DAY 1 Day in Dambulla
Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the best places in Dambulla, so you should add it to your Sri Lanka travel itinerary. Also known as the Golden Stone Temple, the UNESCO World Heritage Temple is worth a visit. You will be amazed by the beautiful photographs, detailed paintings and over 100 Buddha images. It is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites dating back 2,200 years.
Pidurangala Vihara is an ancient temple located in Sri Lanka, Madagascar. The temple was built on a giant rock known as Pidurangala, a few kilometers north of the historic Sigiriya Castle.
- Wake up to the first morning in Paradise Island Sri Lanka.
- Enjoy a breakfast with a warm cup of fresh Ceylon tea.
- In the morning visit to the “Dambulla Cave Temple”.
- Delicious Sri Lankan lunch at hotel.
- In evening visit worship “Pidurangala Historical Temple” and climb to see the heavenly sunset in the evening.
- Enjoy a buffet dinner of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.
Day 3 Dambulla to Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been the of the Sinhala Buddhist civilisation and the centre of Theravada Buddhism for centuries. UNESCO named the city a World Heritage Site in 1982 for its numerous ruins and heritage sites.
Ruwanweliseya is located in Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of the Sinhala Kingdom, in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was built by King Dutugamunu (137 BC – 119 BC). Ruwanweliseya is listed as one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world. The height of the circle is 292 metres (950 feet). Ruwanweliseya resembles a bubble (diya bubula) floating on water. Ruwanvelisaya Stupa is the world’s largest collection of Gotama Buddha relics (two liths or one drona) and is considered the world’s most sacred temple among Buddhists.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Bodhi tree located in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be the southern branch of the sacred Mahabodhi tree in Buddhagaya, India. It was under the Bodhi tree that Buddha attained enlightenment. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is the oldest tree in the world with a recorded history. The main reason why the historical city of Anuradhapura became a sacred city is because of the Bodhi tree.
- Wake up to the next morning in Sri Lanka.
- Enjoy a breakfast with a warm cup of fresh Ceylon tea.
- Check out from the antique-style hotel.
- Proceed to Anuradhapura Historical city.
- Check in at the beautiful hotel and refresh.
- Visit the famous “Ruwanweliseya & Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi”.
- Come back to hotel for overnight stay.
- Enjoy grand dinner buffet at the hotel.
DAY 4 Day in a Anuradhapura
Atamasthana is the collective name for eight sacred places of worship in Sri Lankan Buddhism. The most important place of worship for Sri Lankan Buddhists, besides Sri Dalada Malikawa in Kandy, is Atamasthanaya in Anuradhapura. The eight places are: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Mirisawati Stupa, Abhayagiri Stupa, Jetavanaramaya and Lankaramaya.
Mihinthalaya – In the 3rd century BC, the land of Mihinthalaya was a wild forest and a hunting ground reserved for the royal family. All this changed in 250 BC when Mahinda Maha Thero, the son of the Indian king Ashoka, came to Missaka Pauwa to meet King Devanapi for the first time. He asked the famous question to determine if he could understand the philosophy of Devanampiyatissa and Buddha. Considered the main center of Buddhism and the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, this place was built by many kings over thousands of years into a large monastery with a hospital for the sick.
- Wake up to the beautiful morning in Anuradhapura.
- Enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast.
- Proceed to Anuradhapura Historical city.
- Visit the famous “Atamasthana”.
- Come back to hotel for lunch.
- In evening visit to the “Mihinthalaya”.
- Enjoy grand dinner buffet at the hotel.
Day 5 Anuradhapura to Kandy
Kandy is a beautiful and vibrant city in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It’s the second-largest city in the country and is known for its rich history, unique culture, majestic temples, scenic mountain views, and serene nature reserves. As a city of sacred value, the Kandyan Kingdom was home to the ‘Temple of Tooth’.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is a temple located in the Royal Palace Complex in Kandy, the most important shrine in Sri Lanka. Also known as the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Temple of the Tooth is said to be the home of Buddha’s tooth and is a place of pilgrimage for believers from all over the world.
- 5th day of the Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Sri Lanka.
- Transfer to Kandy ancient city.
- Check-in to breathtaking, cozy hotel.
- Worship the world famous “The Temple of the Tooth Relic”.
- In evening spend time in “Kandy Lake & city tour in Kandy”.
- After delicious dinner overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 5 Kandy to Colombo
The Kelaniya Temple is a sacred temple that predates the recorded history of Sri Lanka. It is believed to be the third visit of Buddha to Sri Lanka. The Mahawansa said that this visit was at the invitation of King Manyakika, who came to Kelaniya with 500 Arahants. The first temple is said to have been built on the spot where the Buddha preached to the people of Kelaniya and is dedicated to the throne on which the Buddha sat while preaching (543 BCE).
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, combining elements of modern architecture and culture. What started as a small house in the marsh has evolved into a Vihara (monastery), Cetiya (pagoda), Vihara Mandiraya (house of Buddha with colorful Buddha statues), Seema Malacca (hermitage auditorium), Bodhi tree, relic hall, library, and museum.
- After breakfast check out from hotel in Kandy.
- Proceed to Colombo.
- Check in at the beautiful luxury hotel and refresh.
- Worship “Kelaniya Vibhishana Temple” & “Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple”.
- In last evening in Sri Lanka, visit the Colombo City which is capital city of Sri Lanka.
Day 7 Departure (Colombo to Bandaranayke International Airport)
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Hope had a great holiday in Sri Lanka.
Proceed to Bandaranayke International Airport. It’s time for departure flight.
Wishing you a Safe Flight!!!
SPECIAL NOTE
Please follow these rules and regulations for visiting Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka:
- Dress should be modestly and respectfully. Cover your shoulders and knees and should avoid wearing revealing clothing.
- Please remove your shoes before entering the temples.
- Don’t take photos or videos of Buddha statues or devotees without permission.
- Make sure to be quiet and respectful during prayer and meditation times.
- Follow the rules and regulations of each temple.