Sri Lanka Buddhist heritage tours
| country: | Sri Lanka |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor made to suit your budget, interests and requirements |
| price: | From £670 (15 days) excluding flights. Price includes B&B accommodation on twin-sharing basis, entrance fees to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temples, Temple of the Tooth and Yala National Park |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
A journey that will give you a glimpse into the Buddhist heritage and ancient kingdoms of this island.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century B.C. when Emperor Asoka of India who helped greatly to spread Lord Buddha’s teachings within the region, sent his son, Mahinda to the island and introduced Buddhism to the reigning king.
The king eventually became a powerful patron of Buddhism and established temples and monasteries which became historic centres of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Buddhism became an integral part of Sinhalese culture and civilization and also had a great effect on the literary development of the island. Today, Buddhism continues to play an integral part in the lives of a majority of Sri Lankans in the country.
We have put together a journey that will give you a glimpse into the Buddhist heritage and ancient kingdoms of this island - ancient ruins of cities where the country’s founding fathers gave rise to a great civilization which honoured the people and developed a lifestyle that was based on agriculture and religion. The architectural legacy that remains today - entire townships with palaces, temples, monasteries, hospitals, ponds, and gardens - provides evidence of a sophisticated civilization which possessed advanced knowledge of science and technology, town planning and design, and valued the aesthetic beauty of the arts. The waters of the vast irrigational reservoirs built by the great kings provide life even today to the surrounding villages.
Holiday highlights include ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa, magnificent Sigiriya Rock fortress, Dambulla’s serene Buddhist cave temples, Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, Haputale’s tea-growing highlands and misty mountains, ancient Ruhuna kingdom of the south, untouched wilderness in Yala National Park, Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort and palm fringed beaches & turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century B.C. when Emperor Asoka of India who helped greatly to spread Lord Buddha’s teachings within the region, sent his son, Mahinda to the island and introduced Buddhism to the reigning king.
The king eventually became a powerful patron of Buddhism and established temples and monasteries which became historic centres of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Buddhism became an integral part of Sinhalese culture and civilization and also had a great effect on the literary development of the island. Today, Buddhism continues to play an integral part in the lives of a majority of Sri Lankans in the country.
We have put together a journey that will give you a glimpse into the Buddhist heritage and ancient kingdoms of this island - ancient ruins of cities where the country’s founding fathers gave rise to a great civilization which honoured the people and developed a lifestyle that was based on agriculture and religion. The architectural legacy that remains today - entire townships with palaces, temples, monasteries, hospitals, ponds, and gardens - provides evidence of a sophisticated civilization which possessed advanced knowledge of science and technology, town planning and design, and valued the aesthetic beauty of the arts. The waters of the vast irrigational reservoirs built by the great kings provide life even today to the surrounding villages.
Holiday highlights include ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa, magnificent Sigiriya Rock fortress, Dambulla’s serene Buddhist cave temples, Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, Haputale’s tea-growing highlands and misty mountains, ancient Ruhuna kingdom of the south, untouched wilderness in Yala National Park, Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort and palm fringed beaches & turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Upon arriving in Sri Lanka transfer to Ranweli Lodge in Negombo just 30 minutes from the Airport on a coastal wetland estuary. A short ferry ride across a scenic river glides you to the hotel situated in a peninsula surrounded by two rivers, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. After resting, join the fisherman on a catamaran as they set sail into the seas or take a boat trip down the Dutch canals and lagoons that run along this north-west coast. |
| Day 2-3: | Travel to The Cultural Triangle where you will spend two nights in Anuradhapura – Sri Lanka’s first capital, which was the greatest monastic city of the ancient world. En route you will visit Yapahuwa, an ancient temple and palace built on a rock and dating back to the 13th century B.C. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Anuradhapura consists of a large number of sacred Buddhist sites including dagobas (gigantic dome-like structures), monasteries, palaces and the ancient Bo Tree, grown from the original tree in Budda Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Just 13 kms away is Mihintale, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant religious sites, where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC. Stay over night at the Tissawewa Grand Rest House, situated in what was once the Royal Pleasure Gardens in the heart of Anuradhapura, a short walk from the sacred Bodhi Tree. |
| Day 4-5: | Travel to the Cultural Triangle village of Dambulla where you will stay two nights at the Thilanka Resort and Spa. Explore Dambulla’s cave temple just a few minutes walk from the hotel - with its rock ceiling a sweep of colorful frescoes, some of which dates back to over 2,000 years. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock. Located nearby is the Sigiriya Rock Fortress built in the 5th century by King Kasyapa - ruins of the fortress upon the huge rock, the wall frescoes, and the symmetrical royal gardens surrounding the rock are amazing feats of this period. We also recommend a visit to the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa, which became Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital in 1073. It remained as the capital until the late 13th century. After visiting Polannaruwa museum, which will provide an overview of this ancient city and its heritage, move onto exploring the ruins themselves. Visit Kalaweva, one of the massive reservoirs built by King Dhatusena and lunch at the Polonnaruwa Rest House. |
| Day 6-7: | The journey from the cultural triangle to Sri Lanka's hill capital - the small lakeside city of Kandy - will occupy most of the morning. On the way, visit the ancient Aluvihara rock temple, located in Matale. Aluvihara is of great significance in the history of Buddhism. It was here that the oral teachings of the Buddha were committed to writing – the Tripitika - for the first time in 3rd century AD. Once in Kandy, relax at The Tree of Life hotel which sprawls across 64 acres of woody, hilly terrain - a haven of solitude. Visit the Temple of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined since 4th Century A.D. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) are held daily at dawn, mid-day, and in the evening where guests can participate. The services are accompanied with traditional music and drumming. |
| Day 8-9: | Today you head to Haputale in the highlands, a stirring land of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls. Haputale is one of the favourite haunts of the tea millionaire Sir Thomas Lipton. Check into Kelburne Mountain View Cottages and spend your time here savouring the magnificent views. |
| Day 10-11: | Today you travel southeast to the serene and tranquil town of Tissamaharama (or “Tissa” as it is most frequently referred to), which was the capital of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom in the 2nd century B.C. En-route you have the option of visiting Buduruvagala’s rock-cut Buddha statue (51 ft. in height) considered to be the tallest in Sri Lanka and other Mahayana Buddhist statues that date back to the 8th-century AD. Tissa is dominated by lakes and gigantic semi-circle shaped Buddhist Dagobas (temples), lush green paddy fields and lotus-filled lakes. A scenic backdrop to Tissa town is provided by the sprawling Tissa Wewa (ancient reservoir known locally as “tanks”) built by King Kavantissa 2,300 years ago as well as the Debara Wewa located near by. Several ancient Buddhist temples including the Maha Stupa, Sandagiri dagoba and monastery complex, Yatala and the Menik dagobas are all located nearby as well as an archeological Museum that provides a glimpse into the ancient Ruhunu kingdom. We also recommend a visit the sacred jungle shrine of Kataragama. Each day at specific times, the shrines come alive when poojas (devotions) are presented to the Gods. Check into Tissa’s Rest House - a Government Resthouse - with a great lakeside location. If you wish, you can visit the Yala National Park located nearby. With a total protected area of 126,768 hectares, Yala consists of scrub plains, lagoons and rocky sections and offers the broadest cross-section of the country’s flora and fauna. Look for herds of elephants, sloth bear, crocodiles, wild boar, wild buffalo, peacocks, jackals, monkeys, porcupines, leopards and varieties of deer, as well as numerous bird species. |
| Day 12-14: | Travel along the scenic south coast to the quaint village of Koggala, just 15 minutes drive from the historic city of Galle. En route, in Dickwella you have the option of visiting the Mulkirigala Raja Maha Viharaya, an ancient rock temple dating back to the 3rd century B.C. consisting of a series of caves with elaborate paintings and Buddha statues. Once you are in Koggala, relax for three nights at Kahanda Kanda, a tranquil villa situated inland overlooking Koggala Lake in the distance. About 5 km away is the beautiful Unawatuna beach, popular for swimming and surfing. Visit the Rhumassala Temple located high on the headland of Unawatuna Bay. With beautiful views stretching out over the Indian Ocean, a walk around the headland near the temple is very special. Famed for the natural medicinal herbs nearby you will walk through hidden villages and verdant jungle valleys eventually finding yourself on “Jungle Beach”- a little known and secluded beach. Explore Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of the old Fort, a small walled city with about 300 homes and an old-world feel, still remain with its well preserved bastions, public buildings, churches, lighthouse and a maze of narrow streets. There are beautiful beaches just south of Galle, including Mirissa that is also worth visiting. Based at Mirissa Harbour, Mirissa Water Sports offers several activities including whale watching, snorkeling, sailing, river trips, and sea kayaking. Mirissa Water Sports is a charitable organization helping to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected coastal areas. |
| Day 15: | Depart in good time for your flight home. |
travellers' tales
Each and every moment was unforgettable for us, but here's a few highlights: Strolling around on our own around our accommodation at Kandaliya (a working farm at a rural area) at sunset. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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This journey will enable travelers to experience the ancient cultural heritage of this island and the great achievements of the country’s forefathers that to date has a significant impact on the lives of the people. The entrance fees collected by the Department of Archeology at the numerous heritage sites that you will visit, contribute directly towards the preservation and maintenance of these national treasures.
 We have selected high quality hotels, guest houses, and villas that are committed towards conserving the environment and enable you to experience Sri Lanka’s diverse panoramic landscapes. The Ranweli Lodge has won much recognition from the World Tourist Organization for efforts towards protection of the surrounding natural habitat and its strong recycling philosophy. Ranweli also has a strong commitment to the local community, in terms of employment, use of local materials and produce and encouragement of ancient crafts. With regards to activities, Mirissa water sports, a charitable organization helps to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected coastal areas by training these them as guides and handling of various water sports activities. Using these services and facilities itself is an invaluable contribution towards uplifting their standard of living. The tour operator uses only experienced local drivers and guides who are ever willing to share their knowledge with you. All drivers are employed on fair terms, ensuring they receive a proper wage for their services and have access to acceptable facilities, including good, clean, comfortable accommodation. In addition local staff is employed for Sales, IT and technical development, web production, writing, and handling holiday enquiries. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |