Ancient Cities and Lost Civilizations

Ancient Cities and Lost Civilizations

This tour would be a 4 day experience, where you will journey to various historic & ancient scenic cities, destinations such as the Ritigala, Sigiriya Lion rock, the Dambulla cave temple, Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa city.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet & Greet in Dambulla

Stop At: Dambulla, Dambulla, Central Province
Upon arrival to Dambulla, you will be given a warm Sri Lankan welcome by our chauffeur, thereafter you will be escorted to your transportation, which will be comfortable and have ample space for your to relax while on the road.

Thereafter visit the Dambulla Cave temple, Dambulla Cave Temple, which is famous for its rock paintings and is among the best preserved monastic temple cave complexes in Sri Lanka. Dambulla’s origins as a place of worship dates back to the reign of King Valagamba in the 1st century BC, who took refuge in these caves when driven out of Anuradhapura by Chola invaders. Once he regained the throne, the king had the interior of the caves transformed in to magnificent rock temples. More paintings and statues were added over time by later kings.

Proceed & check-in to the hotel, relax in the afternoon & later in the evening visit the Sigiriya Lion rock,

Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilisation. Top of this rock contains ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD) and surrounding rock is the Royal Garden. Ruins of various chambers, stairways and pools can be seen at the top of this rock.

Thereafter proceed back to the hotel & spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner & Overnight stay at a 3 star property

Day 2: Visit Ritigala & Polonnaruwa city

Stop At: Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
After breakfast, proceed to Ritigala,

The journey will be approximately a 1 hour 15 minutes drive, Ritigala is an ancient retreat of Buddhist monks, where the ruins of a 1st Century BC monastery lie hidden deep within the forest. Its height and the local weather patterns create a micro-climate different from that of the surrounding plains, and Ritigala is home to a variety of rare species of plant and animal. Its biodiversity is now strictly protected and the area is today demarcated as a Strict Nature Reserve. During your excursion to Ritigala, you trek through the dry evergreen forest and pass through the remains of ancient stone bathing-pools, bridges and courtyards.

Thereafter proceed to Polonnaruwa which will be a 2 hour journey from Ritigala,

Polonnaruwa took its place in history after King Vijayabahu I defeated the invading Cholas and moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa. It is renowned for its well-preserved 12th century ruins and impressive stone culture. Exploring Polonnaruwa, which is today a UNESCO World Heritage site, one can see Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

After touring around Polonnaruwa, head back to the hotel for your overnight stay
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at a 3 star property

Day 3: Sigiriya to Anuradhapura City exploring

Stop At: Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
Have an early breakfast at the hotel, thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura & engage on a city tour,

The drive will be approximately 2 hours, Anuradhapura is an ancient historical city comprising of religious places of worship and Buddhist shrines constructed by the past Kings of Sri Lanka and was the island’s capital between the 5th century BC and the 11th century AD. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagobas of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo-tree. This tree was grown from a sapling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment.

Thereafter proceed back to Sigiriya for your dinner & overnight stay
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dinner & overnight stay at a 3 star hotel

Day 4: Dambulla drop off

Pass By: Dambulla, Dambulla, Central Province
After breakfast, Check-out, Thereafter you will be dropped at a convenient place within Dambulla city

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.