Located in Anuradhapura and believed to be the oldest planted tree in the world, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi goes all the way back to the 3rd century BC. The sacred fig tree signifies the religion of Buddhism as the official religion of the country, as it is the sapling of the very tree Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Buddha Gaya, India. The Story of the Sacred Tree After a young King Devanampiyatissa was taught the values and principles of Buddhism by Arahat Mahinda in Mihintale, the young king ruled with the just teachings espoused by the religion. Having good relationships with the Indian Emperor Asoka, the emperor decided to give a sapling of the sacred tree to the Sri Lankan king in good faith. It was eventually brought by the daughter of the emperor, Sangamittha Thera and planted in the Royal Gardens of Anuradhapura. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya today is visited annually by devout Buddhists to pay homage and perform rituals for good fortune and blessings

The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa, a hemispherical structure considered sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. This was built by King Dutugemunu during 140 B.C. He was famous for uniting Sri Lanka by defeating the Chola King Elara, This is one of the the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura. The stupa is one of the world’s tallest ancient monuments, standing at 103 m (338 ft) . It’s circumference is 290 m in length.

The Brazen Palace (Lovamahapaya) in Anuradhapura was once a magnificent structure initially built during the reign of King Dutugemunu of Sri Lanka (161BC-137BC). Rebuilt on several occasions, at its peak, it would have had over a thousand rooms and would have risen nine storeys. Today, the sole remains of the Brazen Palace are 1,600 neatly aligned granite columns arranged in forty rows.

Isurumuniya Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple which is situated in the historic city of Anuradhapura. It was built by King Devanampiyatissa during his reign from 307 BC to 267 BC. The temple is situated adjacent to the Tissa Wewa which was also built during his reign. Isurumuniya is popular for rock carvings of special interest, namely the famed Isurumuniya Lovers, Man with a Horse, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family. Isurumuniya is believed to be the birth place of King Ravana and the place where the mythical Pulasthi Rishi used to live.

The tallest ancient Buddha statue of Sri Lanka Aukana Buddha Statue in Sri Lanka that rise to a height of 11.36 metres, is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. The posture of the statue Aukana Buddha Statue in Asisa Mudra or the “posture of blessing” is carved out of a rock boulder. The statue is carved in the round connected to the back to the rock boulder. The delicate and skilful carving of the Buddha’s robe humanizes and chastely reveals the underlying form of his body, while the face’s impassive expression projects an aura of spiritual supremacy.

Lion Rock in Sigiriya is one of the most popular landmarks to visit during a route through Sri Lanka. The natural phenomenon is an enormous (200m) square-shaped rock, a former fortress of King Kassapa. It is home to murals, gardens, and on top of the rock: a swimming pool and palace! Lion Rock is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and is a must-visit in Sri Lanka!

Located in central Sri Lanka, the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and South Eastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches to interior layout and decoration. In keeping with a longstanding tradition associated with living Buddhist ritual practices and continuous royal patronage, the cave shrines underwent several renovation and refurbishing programmes before assuming their present interior forms in the 18th century.

Spa treatments

Pidurangala Rock is an incredible 360-degree viewpoint located opposite the world-famous Sigiriya Lion Rock. Hiking to the top is possible for both of these rocks, but hiking at dawn to the top of Pidurangala Rock is a real adventure. Best of all, you get an incredible view of Lion’s Rock itself, which is really special! This is a moment that will stand out on any Sri Lanka trip, so a visit to Sigiriya is a must on your itinerary.

Welcome to the lush wilderness of Wilpattu National Park (WNP). Ranging over 131 thousand hectares, it is Sri Lanka’s largest and one of the oldest protected areas. The park consists of five blocks declared between 1938-1973 under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and is managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. WNP spans across the Puttalam and Anuradhapura districts, and borders the Mannar and Vavuniya Districts. The area is one of the most important elephant habitats in the country and is also a great place to observe the elusive Sri Lankan leopard and the sloth bear. This park has a denser forest cover unlike many other National Parks in Sri Lanka. WNPs landscape comprises of dry zone forests and thorny scrub interspersed with extensive open plains, sand dunes and the unique Villu wetlands. Bare reddish cliffs rising abruptly from narrow beaches of the Portugal Bay and Dutch Bay are another striking feature of its landscape.

Minneriya National Park, also known as Minneriya Safari Park Sri Lanka established on August 12, 1997 (Gazette Notification No. 988/4), is one of Sri Lanka's most visited national parks in Sri Lanka which is an ideal destination for wildlife holidays & family adventure trip in Sri Lanka. Minneriya National Park covers an area of 8,890 hectares including the former Minneriya - Giritale Sanctuary. Minneriya - Giritale Nature Reserve (Blocks I, II, III, and IV) and Sigiriya Sanctuary. Minneriya Nationa park located in the district of Polonnaruwa (Pulathisi Pura) of North Central Province Sri Lanka middle of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, is well known for its amazing elephant gathering which is one of Asia's best animal experiences. Further Minneriya National Park is one of the 70 IBA - Important Bird Areas of Sri Lanka which is recommended place for bird watching tours in Sri Lanka.

Visit a spice garden in Matale to see many different types of spices Sri Lanka is famous for. Just 25 km from the hill capital of Kandy, the Matale spice gardens are among the best on the island. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. A processing and training unit has been set up in the area and farmers are grouped in a cooperative to ensure fair prices and you will also be able to purchase spices. Gardens are open to visitors, a delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees and curry, cinnamon and the precious cardamom, a relative of ginger. It grows in the shade of high jungle trees and can only be harvested by hand. Visitors may buy spices, traditional remedies and cosmetics, taste a herbal brew and in some venues, enjoy the full flavours of Sri Lankan spices over lunch or an Ayurveda massage based on natural products from the garden.

It is an excellent gemmology museum, educating one on the geological history of Sri Lanka. It also houses a shop from where you can buy gems..they have a selection of Ceylon Sapphires, Diamonds, Pearls and other gemstones and jewellery in Sri Lanka.Famous Gemstones Found in Sri Lanka : Ruby Considered to be the most valuable gemstone variety in the Corundum mineral species, the distinct red in Ruby is caused by the presence of chromium. The colour spectrum of Rubies found across the world varies from orange-red to purplish red. Colour is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value: Fine gems are pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red. Most Sri Lankan Ruby varieties are of a pinkish red and display a tint of purple, caused by the presence of iron in addition to chromium oxide, which is unique to its Sri Lankan origin. Ruby deposits in Sri Lanka are not distinctively localized and are found in the same mine as other gemstones of the Corundum family

MASTERPIECES OF HANDCRAFTED WOODCARVING The best wood carving collection in Sri Lanka. We are quality-oriented woodcarving manufacturers and pay exquisite attention to your detail needs. Backed by a team of master craftsmen in various fields. We create some of the best masterpieces. As Sri Lanka’s best wood carving exporters we take great care to quality check each piece for finishing and packaging before it leaves. The result - a long list of satisfied customers spread all over the world.

The Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance Show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage Show that is a must see for any visitor who visits the historic city of Kandy. The Kandy Lake Club Dance started in 1982 with the view of having a cultural dance performance bringing together all Sri Lankan dance types to one platform. It is the first Cultural Dance Show of its kind to be established in Sri Lanka. It has since become a tourist attraction for many people visiting the country and keen on a glimpse of its rich cultural heritage. Hence it has been performing continuously for the last 35 years.

After breakThe Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world-renowned place of worship, where the left Canine tooth of Gautama Buddha is enshrined. The temple which is venerated by thousands of local & foreign devotees and tourists daily was named as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1988. The temple which carries a lot of value to Buddhists all over the world also has immense cultural value. The architecture is of unique Kandyan architectural style with a combination of the unique style used to build “Dalada Mandira” the shrines which housed the Sacred Tooth Relic previously in other kingdoms.fast drive to kandy visit temple of toot

explore about flora and fauna through the Botanical Garden

Situated in the Ramboda area of Nuwara Eliya district, Ramboda falls is another popular waterfall in Sri Lanka. Though it is not a well-known fact, Ramboda falls consists of 3 parts called Ihala Ramboda Oya Ella (Upper Ramboda Oya Autumn), Ramboda Oya Meda Ella (Middle Autumn), and Pahala Ramboda Oya Ella ( Lower Ramboda Oya Falls)

taste a cup of Ceylon tea from tea factory and experience with processing tea.

early mrng heading to horton plains and set out on a trekking excursion to Horton Plains. Horton Plains forms an undulating plateau over 2000 metres high, which consists mainly of grasslands interspersed with patches of forest, with some unusual high-altitude vegetation. The plains are more often visible only before 10.00am due to the heavy mist, which engulfs the area. The most unique feature of the Horton Plains is the "World's End". This is a sheer 1,000 feet vertical escarpment which visitors throng to see. The Horton Plains was once the hunting ground for Mr. Farr, a former British Governor which is today home to rare species of fauna and flora.

Nuwara Eliya is a charming city, located amidst the rolling mountains of the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. This misty city is often fondly called ‘Little England’, for very good reasons! Here in the city you will discover a number of quaint buildings and bungalows complete with charming picket fences, dating all the way back to colonial times. These buildings which stand tall amidst the hills, seemingly frozen between the pages of time, possess timeless beauty for sure.

The Colonial Origins Gregory Lake, located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, is a reservoir constructed by British Governor by the name of Sir William Gregory in 1873. Gregory Lake used to be a bog back in the day and had been through some times of tribulation. But once it was renovated by Sir Gregory, the lake was later stocked with fish by a Government Agent (C. J. R. Le Mesurier) in 1881 (which accounts for much of the fauna within it); and in 1913, the lake’s water was directed through a tunnel to power a hydro power station, which it continues to do to this day.

Experiencing The Best Train Ride In Sri Lanka – A Journey From Nuwara Eliya To Ella

Experiencing The Best Train Ride In Sri Lanka – A Journey From Nuwara Eliya To Ella

Ella Spice Garden is a private household situated on Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway in Ella. Visitors can take a tour around the private garden in which Sri Lankan spices are cultivated. Spice plants include peppers, cloves, turmeric, and chilli plants. Visitors also get to participate in a cooking class, learn how to prepare a traditional Sri Lankan meal and taste a delicious meal cooked using authentic Sri Lankan spices.

Ella is a hiking hotspot in the mountain country of Sri Lanka. Some of the views from hikes in Ella are phenomenal with the region well known for its tea plantations and spectacular mountain ranges. If you want to enjoy some of the best views without needing to hike for hours, Little Adam’s Peak Hike is the perfect trek, especially for an unforgettable sunset.

Experience some of Sri Lanka’s best highland scenery on a private half-day Little Adam’s Peak and Nine Arches guided hike from Ella. Climb through tea plantations to the top of Little Adam’s Peak and enjoy the sweeping views over the island’s hill country

This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically

Stay overnight at tissamharamaya or Yala

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park due to the presence of many leopards. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where the population lives side-by-side with free-roaming animals. It isn’t uncommon to see elephants crossing roads or sneaking into a hotel lobby – a unique and beautiful way of living. Unfortunately, there can be negative encounters, and parks like Yala provide a safe space for the animals. Here’s everything you need to need about Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.

Coconut Tree Hill is presumably the best-known place in Mirissa. You can watch the infinite sea and Mirissa bay area from the top of this amazing place. It takes you 10-15 min walk up the street from Mirissa Beach. You can reach here through Bandaramulla temple and also you can access this place via the beach. Accessing via the beach would be difficult if the sea is rough. For more detailed directions refer to Coconut Tree Spot | How to get there This place has become so popular that a lot of people wish to make a popular frame of the headland leaving the sea with coconut trees. We recommend reaching this place in the morning or before sunset. If you love this place, make sure don’t throw any rubbish here.

Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do during your holiday in Sri Lanka. Often spotted blue whales are the biggest animals in the world and Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tours in Sri Lanka

Have you heard about the Stilt Fishermen of Koggala? Yes, those guys posing and fishing on the beaches in Sri Lanka. Well, after reading the Lonely Planet Sri Lanka Guide, our dream was as well to find these men and take a photo about them. In reality though, it’s not that romantic anymore, as it sounds. As the locals realised the business opportunity and they are not really there to fish anymore. Some of them yes, and in high season you can find real fishermen, too. But out of the fishing season these fishermen are just there to pose for money, as they know that many tourists desire the famous pictures with the posing stilt fishermen. In this article we will explain how and where to find them, and besides that we also share with you what else to do in Koggala.

Sea Turtle Hatchery The Southern Coastal belt of the island is particularly great to spot several species of notable turtles. With an increased level of human interferences such as beach development, poaching, and fishing, the turtle population in the surrounding waters of Sri Lanka is rapidly declining, with three out of the seven species of sea turtles now classified as endangered and the remaining as critically endangered. There are several sea turtle hatcheries located along Mirissa that strive to put in place conservation efforts to save some of these species that nest on these shores, including the giant leatherback turtle, loggerhead, Oliver Ridley and the Hawksbill turtles

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.

Drive to Airport for departure flight.