Sri Lanka – Ramayana Trail

Ramayana Trail

Experience the famous Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka. Visit the sacred shrines and monuments distributed along Paradise Island. Visit the ancient cities of Dambulla and Kandy. Walk among the central hill country and experience the once in a lifetime experience among the misty mountains. Explore the Wilderness in Yala, and peep into the Animal Kingdom. Finally, rest yourself in the southern coastal belt and feel the warmth of the sun as it touches your skin before setting off to the west.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In this tour that proves the truth behind the Hindu literary epic of Ramayana.
• Worship at the Sita Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya where Sita the wife of Lord Rama was believed to have been imprisoned.
• Visit the barren strip at Ussangoda where the Pushpaka Vimana of Ravana was said to land. Explore the mysterious rock of Rummasala with its strange herbs, which is believed to be a piece from the Himalayas that Hanuman dropped and much more.
• A visit to one of the best preserved colonial forts in Asia.

Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia

It could be Kenya, it could be Fiji, and it could be Tibet, New Zealand or South Africa. The people, landscapes and wildlife are so diverse, you could be just about anywhere on earth. But there’s something very different here. It hits you as soon as you step off the plane. You know, you’re
somewhere special and exotic. The ancient temples, the sweet scents of spices, the old-world
charms and the warm tropical air tell you; you on the teardrop island of Sri Lanka. The one thing that can really stop you in your tracks in Sri Lanka, is how profoundly and how quickly the landscape and wildlife changes over a relatively short distance. One minute you’re in hot, bustling village streets. The next, you’re in the cool mountain region, surrounded by endless tea fields. You turn a corner and wild elephants are standing by the roadside. Half an hour later, and you’re at the bottom of a huge waterfall, sheltering from the heat with the local monkeys.

It’s as if the trade winds have carried a few elements from every corner of the earth and deposited them all here, in this one little island. And that’s not far from the truth. Sri Lanka’s prominent position along ancient spice routes between Europe, Africa and Asia, means travelers have been stop ping
here and leaving a little something behind for thousands of years. There are 8 world Heritage sites in Sri Lanka. The 3 ancient and magnificent cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list is 1982 followed by Galle, Kandy, and the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in 1988. The Golden Temple of Dambulla in 1991 and finally the Central Highlands were added in 2010. These places of historical and natural significance are not to be missed for any visitor to Sri Lanka. Being an ancient kingdom, Sri Lanka has preserved its most precious treasures, its culture, and tradition. An integral part of this is its cuisine. Sri Lankan cuisine has many influences from varied destinations such as North and South India, Persia, Malaysia, Holland, and Portugal. Rice, which is usually consumed daily, can be found at any special occasion, while spicy curries are a favorite dish for lunch and dinner. Fish curry is a specialty. Having a history marked by four centuries of colonial rule, the country still manages to safeguard remnants from the past in their original grandeur. Some of the more renowned historic sites are the Galle Fort built originally by the Portuguese, Colombo Harbour and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa all confirm Sri Lanka’s ancient and colorful past. The rock temple of the Buddha, Gal Vihara is one of the finest examples of the religious heritage. Temples play an important part in everyday life and a visit to one should be a must for all visitors. Sri Lanka’s wildlife is as varied as the island itself, ranging from elephants and leopards to Whales – it is the only place in the world to find all three in such proximity. Sri Lanka is ranked amongst the world’s best biodiversity hot spots. As a country with a high rate of endemism, it has many groups of animals including birds, mammal, reptiles, and amphibians which can’t be found anywhere in the world.

Day 01 | Airport > Pinnawala > Dambulla

Meals – No Meals on This Day

Arrive at Colombo International Airport at TBA. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura Travels.

Things to Remember:

– You will spend approximately 1 hour getting through the immigration cue and baggage collection.

– Your Chauffer will be page your name at the Airport Arrivals Lounge.

– After the formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned Car and proceed to Dambulla. En route makes a pause at the Millennium Elephant Foundation. (Travel Time: 2 to 3 hrs)

The Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) is a family run non- government organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the welfare of domestic elephants throughout Sri Lanka. The Foundation provides and funds the care, medical treatments, food, mahout salaries, the running costs of the charity as well as having an on-call Mobile Veterinary Unit which travels around the country treating sick elephants in need. The Elephant Walk Experience is another alternative to elephant riding for tourists, which is an ethical, up close and personal experience for tourists.

Thereafter proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temple. (Travel Time: 35 to 45 mins) Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the

Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex. Thereafter proceed to Dambulla and check into the hotel.

Day 02 | Dambulla > Trincomalee > Dambulla

Meals – Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Trincomalee and visit Koneswaram Temple and the Fort Fedric. (Travel Time – 2 ½ to 3 hrs)

Visit this ancient temple praised by famous Indian poet-saints and mentioned by several famous personas around the world. See the beautiful murals describing the history of the temple. Worship at the little cave shrine that is has its start in 1580 BC, as compared to the actual temple which was developed in 400 BC. Marvel at the giant statue of King Ravana who, according to legend, worshipped this shrine.

Visit the Fort of Trincomalee originally built by the Portuguese in 1624 CE. See the stones that once formed the Koneswaram temple before the Portuguese destroyed it. Listen to the history of Fort Frederick, which was dismantled and rebuilt by the Dutch. On completion of the day return back to the hotel and relax.

Day 03 Dambulla > Nuwara Eliya

Meals – Breakfast

After breakfast proceeds to Nuwara Eliya and visits Sita Amman Temple, Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, and Divurumpola Temple. (Travel Time – 5 hrs)

In the hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sita, the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple which is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

The Sita Amman Temple can be seen en route to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on one side of the temple. The temple today is a modern building with its paintings, statues, and pillars decorated with sculptures all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita.

Divurumpola Temple still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. This place has been respected and worshipped by people down the ages. On completion of the day check into the hotel and relax.

Day 04 Nuwara Eliya > Galle

Meals – Breakfast

After the breakfast check out from the hotel and visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. (Ashoka Vatika) Enjoy browsing through over 10,000 species of plant life at the Hakgala Botanical Gardens in Nuwara Eliya. See the extensive spreads of beautifully groomed bushes and colorful blooms which make it the second largest in five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. Listen to the legends of Ramayana that surround the area where the gardens are located.

Thereafter proceed to Galle and visit the Old Colonial City of Galle. (Travel Time: 5 to 6 hrs) Explore the secrets of Galle where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the museums of Galle and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names and listen to your guide tell their stories. Relax with a king coconut or a cup of tea caressed by a breeze of the tropics. On completion proceed to the hotel, check in and relax.

Day 05 Galle > Colombo

Meals – Breakfast

After the breakfast check out and proceed to Colombo, explore the Commercial City of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Day 06 Colombo > Chilaw > BIA

Meals – Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Chilaw and visit Munneswaram Temple. (Travel Time: 1 hrs) 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. The temple is one of five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva in the region

On completion of the visit proceed to the airport after spending a memorable time in this island.