Magic North of Ceylon

Magic North of Ceylon

This is Unique tour around North of Sri Lanka , which was closed for tourists more than 30 years due Civil War in Sri Lanka. Now we have great chance to touch Northern Culture of the Island.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport -Aluvihara -Matale

Stop At: Aluviharaya Rock Cave Temple, Sri Lanka
The Aluvihare Rock Temple is a sacred Buddhist temple located in Aluvihare, Matale District of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by hills, the Aluvihara cave temple is situated 30 km north of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Regent Spice and Herbal Garden - Matale, No:06, Kirigalpoththa, Palapathwela, Matale 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 flavors of Sri Lankan spices over lunch or an Ayurveda massage based on natural products from the garden.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight in 4 star hotel

Day 2: Matale - Giragama - Dambulla

Stop At: Geragama Tea Factory, Geragama Estate Rd, Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka
ri Lanka is well known for its tea. Ceylon Tea is readily available in any supermarket and cafe, and we think nothing of dropping a tea bag in hot water to start the day or for an afternoon comfort. Tea comes in many shapes and tastes and, in the coffee-obsessed society we live in, we tea drinkers have something special too… But how is it made? Geragama Tea Factory was built in 1903 and makes an interesting visit if you are travelling from Colombo to Kandy.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometres east of Colombo and 72 kilometres north of Kandy. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 4 star Hotel

Day 3: Sigiriya - Mihintale - Anuradhapura

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres high
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 4 star Hotel

Day 4: Anuradhapura to Elephant Pass to Jaffna

Stop At: Mahamevnawa Dhammachethiya Buddhist Monastery Anuradhapura, Watawandana Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4star Hotel

Day 5: Jaffna to Point Perdro to Kankesaturai

Stop At: Jaffna Market, Jaffna Sri Lanka
Thinnai Organic’s main farm, sprawled across 10 acres of rich red soil, is in Chunnakam, just fifteen minutes away from The Thinnai. A variety of healthy green organic vegetables, herbs and fruit are grown here. Furthermore, there are cows and goats for milk and free-range chickens for farm-fresh eggs.

For a unique experience the main farm has accommodation, with a full-fledged farmhouse a farm-room and several tents for glamping. Guests staying at The Thinnai can extend their stay to enjoy several farm related activities during the day followed by the quiet peace of the organic farm at night when the stars are shining in a clear sky and fire-flies flit around the farm.

The second farm, close to the Palaly Airport and just ten minutes from the main farm, is home to Thinnai Organic’s livestock. Here, goats and organic chicken are raised using natural feed. All produce grown or raised at these two farms are supplied daily exclusively to The Thinnai to assure freshness for the hotel’s guests.

The main farm is also home to the Saantham Experience Center, the farm’s epicenter for the many activities it has for guests to experience. Moreover, there are several gazebos where guests can rest while reading a book, close their eyes for a relaxing snooze or reunite with friends and loved ones while enjoying a dining experience at Thinnai Organic.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Jaffna Market, Jaffna Sri Lanka
Point Pedro is a town, located in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka, at the northernmost point of the island. Cotton is produced around Point Pedro in the fertile calcic red latosol soils. The eastern coast of Point Pedro forms a 3 mile wide, 20 mile long beach with sand dunes up to 100 feet high, extending to Thalayady
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4* Hotel

Day 6: Jaffna to Delft to Nagadeepa

Stop At: Neduntheevu (Delft Island), Jaffna 40000 Sri Lanka
Neduntheevu or Neduntivu is an island in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. This island is named as Delft in the Admiralty Chart unlike the other islands, whose names are Tamil. The island's area is 50 km² and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km and its maximum width about 6 km
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya Nainativu Island Sri Lanka, Jaffna 40000 Sri Lanka
History of Nagadeepa (Nagadipa)

Nagadipa or Naka-diva is first mentioned in the Pali chronicles of Ceylon in connection with the story of the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka in the 6th century B.C. According to the Mahavamsa (ch.1.vv 44-70) the Buddha, during this visit pacified two Naga kings of Nagadipa who were arrayed in battle over a gem-set throne. In the ancient chronicles the pre-historic Naga tribes are represented as non-human beings enriched with an advanced civilization.

Buddhist Temple in Nagadeepa (Nagadipa)

The ancient temple encompasses the image houses and the stupa in which the gem-set throne was enshrined before it was destroyed. The Buddhist temple therein is a modern one and unlike the thousands of other stupas in the country, the modern Nagadeepa stupa is painted in silver in an attempt to protect its limestone structure from the relentless sea-wind. There are two shrine rooms at the premises: behind the stupa is the main shrine room while the smaller shrine room features a bronze Buddha statue.

Nagadipa (Nagadeepa) Highlights

Nagadipa Vihara (Nagadeepa Vihara)

According to resources, it is here, that Buddha on his second visit to Sri Lanka preached his sermon on reconciliation. Two Naga Kings, called Mahodasa (Nagadipa) and Kulodasa (Kelaniya) had been fighting for the simmasanam (throne) for several years. When Buddha came to Nagadipa he settled the dispute by his preaching. The kings then offered the throne to the Buddha as a gift and built the dagoba which is venerated until now by many devotees.

From the jetty, you can walk south along the main road for about 10 minutes, turning left at the Hindu kovil. The temple will be on to your right. On to your left, on the seaside is a Bo Tree.

Naga Pooshani Ambal Temple (Naga Pooshani Amman Temple)

This temple is situated on a small 10 km long islet which was once a sea port frequented by ships. An inscription from a twelfth century stone discovered on the site testifies to this fact. The annual festival is held in June/July while by the seashore is a ghat (flight of steps) which is used by the many thousands who attend the festivities.

Legend has it that a temple was built at the Naga Shrine by a trader who received Ambal’s blessing when sailing by the island. The temple was demolished in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese but it is said that the Nageswari Ambal Statue was kept hidden in a tree. It is then recorded that ‘Ramalingar Ramachandirar’ rebuilt the temple in 1788 and it was later renovated and a gopuram (ornate tower) was added in 1935. The statue of the Naga deity kept in the sanctum is said to be very ancient. The followers who worship here seek the blessings of the Goddess Ambal Devi for the well-being of their offspring and for this reason many parents bring their new-born to the site.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 4 star hotel

Day 7: Jaffna to Willpatty to Chilaw

Stop At: Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
Wilpattu National Park is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 4 star hotel

Day 8: Chilaw - relax at the Ocean

Pass By: Murugan Temple, Chillaw - Colombo Main Road Madampe, Chilaw 61000 Sri Lanka
Relax on The Ocean or explore Villages around

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 4 star hotel

Day 9: Chilaw relax on The Ocean

Pass By: Munneswaram Kovil Temple, Wariyapola Rd, Chilaw 61000 Sri Lanka
Relax at the ocean or explore Villages around

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 4 star hotel

Day 10: Chilaw

Stop At: Sri Munneswaram Devasthanam, Maha Devalayam, Wariyapola Road, Chilaw 61000, Sri Lanka
Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 4 star Hotel

Day 11: Chilaw to airport

Pass By: Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, Chilaw Sri Lanka
Transfer from Chilaw to airport

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