Trails of Buddha, Sri Lanka
Highlights
- Visit Buddhist temples and stupas
- Shri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura
- Participate in Buddhist Rituals
- Sri Lanka
Experience Overview
Buddhism had a major impact on the formation on the culture .Therefore Sri Lanka is one of the important destinations in the world for Buddhist pilgrimage tours which provides an opportunity to explore centuries-old Buddhist civilizations.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival Colombo by flight & drive to Negombo (approx. 20 minutes)
Meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer from Colombo airport to hotel in Negombo.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2
Negombo – Dambulla
After breakfast, drive to Dambulla enroute visit Kelaniya Temple.
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, located on the banks of the Kelaniya river is one of the most sacred sites in the country. It is believed that Lord Buddha visited Kelaniya on a Vesak Day to expound the Dhamma (Buddhist doctrine) to the natives of the island. It is said that this visit resulted in the resolving of an imminent war between Chulodara and Mahodara over a jewel-encrusted throne. Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya was built upon the site enshrining this throne.
Continue your drive to Dambulla & on arrival, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3
Dambulla – Mihintale – Anuradhapura – Dambulla
After breakfast, take to the road to Mihintale where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka and regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Climb Mihintale rock to visit the temple: This rock is riddled with shrines and rock dwellings. A grand stairway of 1,840 steps made out of granite slabs 2 inches wide leads to the summit from where you would get a splendid view of the surrounding countryside. An image that will live in your memory forever.
Proceed to Anuradhapura. Picnic lunch packet will be served at convenient location for participants.
Afternoon visit Anuradhapura scared Buddhist temple area this included a visit to scared Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa). Anuradhapura holds the distinction of being the third capital (after Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara) and the greatest city in the history of Sri Lanka. This glorious city is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight UNESCO world heritage sites of Sri Lanka. The Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree), which is over 2200 years old, was brought here as a sapling (from the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment). This tree is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
To add to this glory, the famous dagoba in Sri Lanka, Ruwanweliseya (2nd century BC) and The Brazen Palace too are found in Anuradhapura.
Other major attractions include the Samadhi Buddha statue and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd Century BC), which is famous for its rock carvings.
Witness & participate in special Bodhi Pooja ceremony at Sri Mahabodhi tree.
Return back to the hotel in Dambulla & rest.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4
In Dambulla
In the morning proceed to a local house in the area to witness ALMS event (People offer food, clothes to Buddhist monks to offer merits to their deceased family members, relatives & friends).
Guests can actively participate in entire Alms giving process including of preparation of food, local traditions, listening to Buddhist sermons dome by invited Buddhist Monks.
Participants will serve lunch at the same house after the Alms giving function ends up around noon.
Return to the hotel & rest.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5
Dambulla/Kandy
After an early breakfast head to Dambulla Wholesale Market.
Walk through the hustle and bustle of one of the country’s busiest food markets. Merchants gather here to buy produce at wholesale rates for distribution to retails outlets throughout Sri Lanka,
Spicy Garden at Matale
Sri Lanka is world renowned for its valued spices and healing herbs. Our lush spice and herbal gardens feature many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine and Coconut. When visiting us, make the most of the chance to experience first-hand how cloves, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron are grown in their natural surroundings.
At Regent Spice and Herbal Garden you can learn of their medicinal healing properties and how to use them in your day to day needs. Used worldwide in many medicines, the healing powers of spices have been respected from the time of the Pharaohs and Chinese Dynasties, while our herbs are used in Ayurvedic concoctions.
And then you will proceed to Kandy.
Kandy
Lying amidst the hills, Kandy is the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. While being the second largest city in Sri Lanka it is also famous for its immense beauty and is named as one of the seven UNESCO declared World Heritage sites in the country. With its luxuriant prairie, picturesque lake, longest river of the country and misty mountains, Kandy successfully mesmerizes every visitor unsurprisingly.
The real evidence of the richness will be affirmed by your visit to the Gem Museum. Sri Lanka produces the finest quality of gems in the world. Semi-precious gems, the sapphires of Sri Lanka, which are very exclusive and comes in shades of blue, red, green, white etc. In the evening you will witness a traditional cultural dance show.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6
Kandy / Colombo
Breakfast at the Hotel.
While on your city tour you will visit one of the world heritages as well as a sacred place for the Buddhists all over the world; namely the Temple of tooth Relic known to the Sri Lankans as Dalada Maligawa. Your next visit will be to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which is a paradise for nature lovers. This beautiful flower Eden is restored with over 300 different varieties of orchids, other spices, medicinal plants and Palm trees. Every year more than 1.2 million people are enchanted by the beauty of these 147 acre flower gardens.
Continue your drive to Colombo enroute visiting Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Enroute to your destination, you can visit one of the most important tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Volunteers and caretakers provide shelter and take care of orphaned, abandoned and injured elephants within the park. You can watch caretakers feed, bathe and help these gentle giants. You want walk with the herd to the nearby river to watch the elephants bathe and play around in water.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 7
Depart Colombo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sri Lanka’s commercial heart, Colombo (approximately 2.5 hours). The city is a cosmopolitan mix of vibrant street markets, colonial buildings, interesting museums, fine restaurants and great shopping opportunities
Intime transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
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