6-nights / 7-days Buddhist Itinerary
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy
Guided Minivan Round tour for 8 Persons
with 6 nights in 4-star Hotels
• $ 795.- USD per person (group size: 8 pax)
Price Includes:
• All Accommodations in mentioned hotels 4* on Breakfast & Dinner Basis
• 05 Lunches for the groups above 16 pax
• All transfers according to the itinerary
• All Entry Tickets as per the itinerary
• Site guiding
• Driver Guide Rooms and meals
• Toll charges
• Parking charges
• Drinking Water – 1L per day per person
• Replacement vehicle with a new driver in case of unlucky events (English Speaking)
• Passenger insurance cover of 500,000 LKR per person
• All Government Taxes
• 10% Hotel Service Charges
• 18% VAT on hotel costs
Price Does NOT include:
• Extra person in vehicle
• Extra excursions than agreed itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Air Tickets
• Personal Expenses Such as Laundry, Tips & Driver Guide Tips
• All Accommodations in mentioned hotels 4* on Breakfast & Dinner Basis
• 05 Lunches for the groups above 16 pax
• All transfers according to the itinerary
• All Entry Tickets as per the itinerary
• Site guiding
• Driver Guide Rooms and meals
• Toll charges
• Parking charges
• Drinking Water – 1L per day per person
• Replacement vehicle with a new driver in case of unlucky events (English Speaking)
• Passenger insurance cover of 500,000 LKR per person
• All Government Taxes
• 10% Hotel Service Charges
• 18% VAT on hotel costs
Price Does NOT include:
• Extra person in vehicle
• Extra excursions than agreed itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Air Tickets
• Personal Expenses Such as Laundry, Tips & Driver Guide Tips
Itinerary:
DAY 01 Arrival at Colombo Airport and Visit to Colombo
AM:
• Meet and Greet at the Airport
PM: (Visits are possible ONLY in case of arrival before midday)
• Visit the Kelaniya Temple, the most significant Buddhist Pilgrimage Site in the Western Province
• Visit the famous Gangarama Temple with an attached museum and the temple’s separate ordination hall called Lake Temple ((Seema Malaka) in Colombo City
The rest of the day is free for personal leisure in Negombo
• Meet and Greet at the Airport
PM: (Visits are possible ONLY in case of arrival before midday)
• Visit the Kelaniya Temple, the most significant Buddhist Pilgrimage Site in the Western Province
• Visit the famous Gangarama Temple with an attached museum and the temple’s separate ordination hall called Lake Temple ((Seema Malaka) in Colombo City
The rest of the day is free for personal leisure in Negombo
DAY 02 Transfer to Anuradhapura & Anuradhapura visits
AM:
• After a 4-hour drive you will arrive at the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anuradhapura was the island’s capital during a period of 1400 years and the largest city located to the south of the Gangetic Plains
• Start your stay in Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist city at one of the island’s most venerated Buddhist places, the Bo Tree, which is the oldest surviving sapling of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, which had been destroyed by invaders. (Today’s Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya is grown from a sapling from the Anuradhapura Bo Tree in the 19th century.)
PM:
• Begin the sightseeing in the ancient town of Anuradhapura in the compound of the Mahavihara, which was the first Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka. All Theravada branches in South and Southeast Asia existing today derive from the Mahavihara line of ordination. The most eye-catching monument of the Mahavihara is the Ruwanweliseya, which was the largest Buddhist building at the time of its construction. From the famous Lohapasada, which was once a multi-floor building, 1,600 granite column stumps of the ground floor have remained.
• Proceed to see the Jetavanarama, which is the world’s largest hemispherical stupa dome from ancient times.
• In the north of Anuradhapura, explore the compound of the former Abhayagiri, which was Sri Lanka’s largest monastery. Among the most impressive works of art in this area are the Samadhi Buddha statue, of which once Nehru held an image in high regard, the Twin Ponds (Kuttam Pokuna), the most richly decorated moonstone, and the best specimen of a Nagaraja guard stone.
• To the south of the archaeological park, visit the Isurumuniya Temple, which is well-known for its stone carvings
The rest of the day is free for personal leisure in Anuradhapura
• After a 4-hour drive you will arrive at the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anuradhapura was the island’s capital during a period of 1400 years and the largest city located to the south of the Gangetic Plains
• Start your stay in Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist city at one of the island’s most venerated Buddhist places, the Bo Tree, which is the oldest surviving sapling of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, which had been destroyed by invaders. (Today’s Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya is grown from a sapling from the Anuradhapura Bo Tree in the 19th century.)
PM:
• Begin the sightseeing in the ancient town of Anuradhapura in the compound of the Mahavihara, which was the first Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka. All Theravada branches in South and Southeast Asia existing today derive from the Mahavihara line of ordination. The most eye-catching monument of the Mahavihara is the Ruwanweliseya, which was the largest Buddhist building at the time of its construction. From the famous Lohapasada, which was once a multi-floor building, 1,600 granite column stumps of the ground floor have remained.
• Proceed to see the Jetavanarama, which is the world’s largest hemispherical stupa dome from ancient times.
• In the north of Anuradhapura, explore the compound of the former Abhayagiri, which was Sri Lanka’s largest monastery. Among the most impressive works of art in this area are the Samadhi Buddha statue, of which once Nehru held an image in high regard, the Twin Ponds (Kuttam Pokuna), the most richly decorated moonstone, and the best specimen of a Nagaraja guard stone.
• To the south of the archaeological park, visit the Isurumuniya Temple, which is well-known for its stone carvings
The rest of the day is free for personal leisure in Anuradhapura
DAY 03 Mihintale Hill & Aukana Buddha & Dambulla Cave Temples
AM:
• In the sacred hills of Mihintale, first visit the Middle Terrace, where you can see the remnants of an ancient refectories, the Mihintale Tablets containing one of the most relevant historical records about the organization of a Buddhist monastery, the richly decorated Kantaka Chetiya, one of Asia’s oldest stupas preserved in its original form.
• You will have time enough to climb the stairway to visit the Ambasthala Dagaba (Mango Tree stupa) below the Aradana Gala (Invitation Rock), which is the place where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the mid-3rd century BCE.
PM:
• On a small detour, see Sri Lanka’s most voluminous rock-carved statue, known as Aukana Buddha, near the historical tank of Kalawewa
• Visit the impressive Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Geritage Site, best example of a Sinhalese cave temple, famous for the largest ancient ceiling and wall paintings and hundreds of Buddhist statues
The rest of the evening is free for personal leisure in Sigiriya
• In the sacred hills of Mihintale, first visit the Middle Terrace, where you can see the remnants of an ancient refectories, the Mihintale Tablets containing one of the most relevant historical records about the organization of a Buddhist monastery, the richly decorated Kantaka Chetiya, one of Asia’s oldest stupas preserved in its original form.
• You will have time enough to climb the stairway to visit the Ambasthala Dagaba (Mango Tree stupa) below the Aradana Gala (Invitation Rock), which is the place where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the mid-3rd century BCE.
PM:
• On a small detour, see Sri Lanka’s most voluminous rock-carved statue, known as Aukana Buddha, near the historical tank of Kalawewa
• Visit the impressive Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Geritage Site, best example of a Sinhalese cave temple, famous for the largest ancient ceiling and wall paintings and hundreds of Buddhist statues
The rest of the evening is free for personal leisure in Sigiriya
DAY 04 Day Excursion to Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya
AM:
• On the way to Polonnaruwa take a break at the ancient tank of Minneriya, constructed by King Mahasena in the 3rd century CE.
• A small detour will lead to the archaeological site of Medirigiriya, where you can see several ancient Buddha statues in situ and the remains of an ancient hospital. The most eye-catching monument in Medirigiriya is one of the best preserved so-called Vatadages, a circular stupa temple, which is a typical feature of ancient Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka.
PM:
• In Polonnaruwa, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, see the palace of King Parakramabahu the Great, the so-called Quadrangle platform with numerous beautiful monuments including the Vatadage of Polonnaruwa, the compound of the medieval main monastery called Alahena Pirivena, the lotus pond (Nelum Pekuna), the Lankatilaka statue house with medieval murals, and the world-famous Gal Vihara group of rock-cut Buddha statues.
The rest of the evening is free for personal leisure in Sigiriya
• On the way to Polonnaruwa take a break at the ancient tank of Minneriya, constructed by King Mahasena in the 3rd century CE.
• A small detour will lead to the archaeological site of Medirigiriya, where you can see several ancient Buddha statues in situ and the remains of an ancient hospital. The most eye-catching monument in Medirigiriya is one of the best preserved so-called Vatadages, a circular stupa temple, which is a typical feature of ancient Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka.
PM:
• In Polonnaruwa, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, see the palace of King Parakramabahu the Great, the so-called Quadrangle platform with numerous beautiful monuments including the Vatadage of Polonnaruwa, the compound of the medieval main monastery called Alahena Pirivena, the lotus pond (Nelum Pekuna), the Lankatilaka statue house with medieval murals, and the world-famous Gal Vihara group of rock-cut Buddha statues.
The rest of the evening is free for personal leisure in Sigiriya
DAY 05 Transfer from Sigiriya to Kandy via Ridigama
AM:
• In the morning, drive to a viewpoint, from where you can see the famous Sigiriya Lion Rock. (Please note, on this Buddhist tour we will not climb the rock.)
• On a detour to Ridigama we will visit the Silver Temple, which is renowned among Sinhalese Buddhists. It’s one of the oldest temples in Sri Lanka with painted caves.
PM:
• On the way to Kandy take a break at a spice and herbal garden, where you enjoy a fresh herbal tea.
• Next, visit the Aluvihara, which is believed to be the setting of the 4th Buddhist Council, where the entire Pali Tipitaka was laid down in writing for the very first time. The classic scholar of Theravada Buddhism, Buddhaghosa, is also said to have lived here when he wrote his commentaries on the Holy Scriptures.
The rest of the evening is free for personal leisure in Kandy.
• In the morning, drive to a viewpoint, from where you can see the famous Sigiriya Lion Rock. (Please note, on this Buddhist tour we will not climb the rock.)
• On a detour to Ridigama we will visit the Silver Temple, which is renowned among Sinhalese Buddhists. It’s one of the oldest temples in Sri Lanka with painted caves.
PM:
• On the way to Kandy take a break at a spice and herbal garden, where you enjoy a fresh herbal tea.
• Next, visit the Aluvihara, which is believed to be the setting of the 4th Buddhist Council, where the entire Pali Tipitaka was laid down in writing for the very first time. The classic scholar of Theravada Buddhism, Buddhaghosa, is also said to have lived here when he wrote his commentaries on the Holy Scriptures.
The rest of the evening is free for personal leisure in Kandy.
DAY 06 Full Day in Kandy
AM:
• Visit the Malwatta Temple, the head quarter of the main chapter of the Syam Nikaya, which today is Sri Lanka’s oldest monastic order. Housed within the monastery is a modest museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Syam Nikaya and the intimate details of monastic traditions.
• Proceed to the Abhayagiri Temple, the head quarter of the second branch of the Syam Nikaya, the main attraction of which is a hall with colourful murals within a stupa dome. A small museum just below the stupa chronicles the history of Buddhist scholarship and education in Sri Lanka.
PM:
• Take a break at the Upper Lake View, also known as Senani view point.
• Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s hill capital’s diverse shopping opportunities.
• Enjoy a cultural dance show with acrobatics and fire performance near the Kandy Lake
• Take part in an evening puja ceremony in the world-famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is the major Buddhist pilgrimage site in Sri Laka
The rest of the day is free for personal leisure in Kandy
• Visit the Malwatta Temple, the head quarter of the main chapter of the Syam Nikaya, which today is Sri Lanka’s oldest monastic order. Housed within the monastery is a modest museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Syam Nikaya and the intimate details of monastic traditions.
• Proceed to the Abhayagiri Temple, the head quarter of the second branch of the Syam Nikaya, the main attraction of which is a hall with colourful murals within a stupa dome. A small museum just below the stupa chronicles the history of Buddhist scholarship and education in Sri Lanka.
PM:
• Take a break at the Upper Lake View, also known as Senani view point.
• Immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s hill capital’s diverse shopping opportunities.
• Enjoy a cultural dance show with acrobatics and fire performance near the Kandy Lake
• Take part in an evening puja ceremony in the world-famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is the major Buddhist pilgrimage site in Sri Laka
The rest of the day is free for personal leisure in Kandy
DAY 07 Transfer from Kandy to Colombo International Airport
AM: Tea Dactory Visit will be done in case of departure after 2:00 pm
In case of departure before 2:00 pm the tea factory will be visited on day 6
• Visit the Giragama Tea Factory in Pilimatalawa to study the prosuction process and taste a cup of Ceylon Tea
PM:
• Transfer to the Airport
• Our Buddhist tour concludes with an airport farewell, but we hope the peace and insights you've gained will travel with you. We hold onto the hope of meeting you again and wish that you treasure these memories foreever
In case of departure before 2:00 pm the tea factory will be visited on day 6
• Visit the Giragama Tea Factory in Pilimatalawa to study the prosuction process and taste a cup of Ceylon Tea
PM:
• Transfer to the Airport
• Our Buddhist tour concludes with an airport farewell, but we hope the peace and insights you've gained will travel with you. We hold onto the hope of meeting you again and wish that you treasure these memories foreever
