BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOUR

Arrival to Sri Lanka, and you will be met by Journeyline Travels Representative on Arrival at the Airport and proceed to Negombo.

Check in at the Hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay at – Negombo

After Breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa for Sightseeing

Polonnaruwa – the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Century contains some splendid and spectacular status. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of Sri Lankan artists.

Evening witness Dambulla cave Temple and climb up the Sigiriya Lion Rock (In Decent Attire)

Dambulla Cave Temple – Known as a Golden Temple of Dambulla and it is a World Heritage Site (1991) in SriLanka, situated in the central part of the country. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in SriLanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of Gods and Goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters (23,000 sq. Ft.). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara and Buddha's first sermon.

Sigiriya – Is home to the “5th century Fortress in the Sky” which is the fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defense the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 600ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhalese secular painting which has survived in the form of frescos of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color. The name of this place is derived from this structure “Sīhāgiri”, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.

Travel back to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay at – Habarana

After Breakfast proceed to Colombo. En route visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya Temple.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya – Buddhists believe the temple to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment. Its history would thus go back to before 500 BCE.

Evening commence Colombo City Tour & Shopping

Dinner & overnight stay at – Colombo