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Day 1: Sunday, Join tour Negombo
Check-in at hotel in Negombo (situated close to Colombo airport). In the afternoon we will visit a nearby fishing village. The catch here is made in traditional style large outrigger canoes, known locally as 'oruvas'. Overnight hotel H+.
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Day 2: Drive to Anuradhapura
Boarding our minibus, we drive inland to Anuradhapura. En route we stop at a tile factory to discover the intricacies of tile making. Later we watch the toddy tappers climbing tall coconut trees and collecting sap from the flowers to make Arak, a local whisky type spirit. We then drive on via Chilaw to Anuradhapura. 2 nights resthouse H+ (included meals: B).
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Day 3: In Anuradhapura; visit Mihintale
This morning we explore some of the major places of interest in Anuradhapura. Founded around 500 BC, it became important with the conversion of the Ruler and his people to Buddhism some time later 260-210 BC. The site was vast and the city spread over many miles. There were hospitals for the sick, hostels for travellers, and artificial reservoirs ensured a good water supply.
Of great interest are the Sacred Bo-Tree (more than 2,200 years old); the Brazen Palace (once a nine storey residence for monks); the Ruvanvalisaya Dagoba (a massive domeshaped shrine 90m high), which towers over the surrounding countryside; and the Smadhi Buddha (a 4th century AD masterpiece). In the afternoon we visit Mihintale, situated 8 miles away and the veritable cradle of Buddhism.
The young monk Arahath stayed in these mountain caves and converted the local people to Buddhism. Exploring Mihintale involves climbing a flight of 1,840 shallow stone steps leading to the summit of the Missaka mountain. There are excellent views from the top looking back to Anuradhapura. (Included meals: B).
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Day 4: Visit Aukana en route to Giritale
Travelling towards Giritale, we pause to see the magnificent Standing Buddha of Aukana (12m high). Sculptured in the 5th century AD by a master craftsman, it is still relatively isolated in its jungle setting. Leaving Aukana we drive to Dambulla, where a great series of caves have been turned into temples (dating from the 1st century BC).
We will visit five separate caves, which contain a large number of Buddha images and a few sculptures of Hindu Gods. This World Heritage Site is visited by crowds of worshippers. Finally we reach the small town of Giritale. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
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Day 5: Visit Polonnaruwa; drive to Sigiriya
This morning we explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which reached its height of glory in the 12th century. The city still has many interesting and spectacular buildings and monuments. There is the Royal Palace Group with its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle a very compact collection of ruins.
Close by is the Circular Relic House, a curious round structure with a beautifully preserved 'moonstone' carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of the deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha known as Galvihara. Here there are four colossal figures, all of which are hewn out of solid granite. The Reclining Buddha is no less than 14m long! In the early afternoon we drive to Sigiriya. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
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Day 6: In Sigiriya; drive to Kandy
A morning climb brings us up to the redoubtable Sky Fortress. The ruins of this 5th century fortress are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions, a stupendous sight to behold anda feat of consummate engineering skill. A switchback series of steps and steel stairways (sometimes steep and challenging) ascend to the top.
On the way to Kandy we stop to visit the woodcarving centre at Naula and a Spice Garden, then see the traditional Ola books of Aluvihara Temple and the manufacture of batik work. Finally we reach Kandy where our hotel is situated a short walk from the heart of this lovely mountain town. 2 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B).
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Day 7: In Kandy
Lying in the mountains 112km northeast of Colombo, Kandy is, in climatic terms, a world apart due to its altitude of 500m above sea level. The town was captured by the British as late as 1815, and is known more for its cultural and spiritual importance rather than its history. Buddhists from all over the world come to this delightful old highland town, specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa. The costly jewelled shrine of the Holy Tooth (said to be 3.5cm long by 1cm thick and Buddha's left canine) is kept in the upper floor of the original building.
This relic was brought from India 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it is paraded round the town with great pomp and circumstance. During this ten-night festival of Perahera, the Tooth (or a simulacrum) is borne along on a richly caparisoned elephant, surrounded by saffronrobed monks and Kandyan dancers. Kandyan dancers can also be seen performing every night at one or two locales around town. This morning's sight-seeing includes attending the Temple of the Tooth Ceremony and a visit to the Peradeniya Botanical garden.
Shopping is good at the Kandyan Art Association's workshops, which have plenty of brassware, batik, lacquerwork and other craft items. In the afternoon we drive to Pinnawela to visit the elephant orphanage, a popular highlight of this tour. (Included meals: B).
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Day 8: Drive through the Hill Country to the tea plantation
A scenic drive through magnificent mountains brings us to a tea plantation, which we visit en route to Nuwara Eliya. From here we continue to another tea plantation where we stay for two nights. We are accommodated in a guest bungalow, designed for the use of visiting dignitaries rather than tourists, it's basic but wonderfully located on the plantation itself. Space is limited and it will be necessary to share the few available rooms. 2 nights accommodation at a tea plantation L (included meals: B, D).
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Day 9: Stay on a Tea Plantation
At our location on the tea plantation we have an ideal spot from which to explore the surrounding countryside and mountains. There are many relaxing walks along the tea covered slopes. The night sky is particularly fine at this altitude.
An optional climb up Adam's Peak (an overnight ascent, only during the pilgrimage season from December to April) is recommended. Although the number of pilgrims making the ascent often makes progress slow, watching the sunrise from the Buddhist temple at the summit is an experience to treasure. (Included meals: B, D).
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Day 10: Drive to Hatton; train to Bandarawela
We transfer to Hatton where we board the train to the bustling market town of Bandarawela. This beautiful train journey snakes and twists its way through the mountains and round green rolling hills covered in tea plantations. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
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Day 11: Drive to Unawatuna
In the morning we drive to Ella and visit Rawana Ella Falls. We continue south through the hill country by road until we eventually reach the plains and the small town of Wellawaya, which stands at a major national crossroads. From here we follow a small track and soon we will be able to see the Colossi of Buduruvagala, a 51ft image of the Buddha, rising majestically above us. Other fine Mahayana statues can be spotted near the Buddha. Continuing southwards, we descend through a huge rice growing area before reaching the coast. Our journey takes us through the small fishing port of Tangalle and on to the attractive beach resort of Unawatuna, close to the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Although there is still evidence of damage from the 2004 tsunami all along this coastline, the international relief effort has put the area on a fast path to recovery; and the brand new infrastructure is allowing local communities to benefit from tourism once again. 3 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B, D).
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Days 12 & 13: In Unawatuna
Unawatuna has a variety of activities and attractions to occupy your free time. You may choose to hire snorkelling equipment and explore the corals or take a sea trip around the coast. Alternatively travel upriver past small largely uninhabited islands. One afternoon we visit the old, walled seaside town of nearby Galle. Important as a trading port for the Portuguese since the 16th century when the fortress was constructed, it has undoubtedly been a trading centre since ancient times. There is plenty to see particularly in the old fort area, which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1988. Overlooking the sea, the fort ramparts protect the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. If you feel that you haven't spent enough time here on the afternoon sightseeing tour you may want to come back later. For those seeking pure relaxation, local Ayurvedic massages with natural, aromatic herbal oils are highly recommended. (Included meals: B, D).
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Day 14: Bus to Negombo
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Day 15: Tour Ends