RAMAYANA TRAILS
7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS
JC – IA – TOUR NO. 332
Negombo (1N) Habarana (1N) Trincomalee (1N) Kandy (1N) Nuwara Eliya (1N) Kataragama (1N) Bentota (1N)
Family Heritage
Detail Itinerary
Day 1 (Negombo)
“Ayubowan” On arrival at the recently refurbished Modern and State of the art International Airport,you will be blessed to get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative will welcome you at the Airport & transfer clients to Negombo.
Dinner & Overnight at Negombo
Day 2 (Habarana)
On the way visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding program.
Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century ‘Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most 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 it triple-moated defense the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft.
On the way visit Dambulla Golden Temple, 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.
Dinner & Overnight at Sigiriya
Day 3 (Trincomalee)
Thiru Koneshvaram- Thiru Koneswaram is a wonderful temple located on a rock promontory of Trincomalee. It was built by Rishi Agastya on the instructions of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of King Ravana. This place is unique in this respect because the Lord built a temple for his devotee as a reward for his devotion. Lord Rama is believed to have offered his prayers here, too,in order to get rid of the malediction of killing Ravana who was a Brahmin, meaning Brahmahasthi Dosham. The famous temple built here during the glorious era of the Tamil Pallava and Chola and Pandya empires, was destroyed by bigoted Portuguese Christians between 1622 and 1624.
Sri Shankari Devi Shakthi Pitam-Adjacent to Trincomalee’s famous Koneswaram temple there is another shrine; it is small in size but of some significance for Hindu pilgrims. This Shankari Devi temple is a reconstruction at a new place. The original Shankari Devi temple, said to be built by Ravana,was the first in the list of Ashta Dasha (18) Shakti Pitas written down by Adi Shankara, but its whole cliff was destroyed by Portuguese cannon balls.Only a pillar for commemoration is placed on that spot now. And it is believed that the original idol of the Goddess has been preserved and replaced, being venerated now in this nearby new Shankari Devi temple.Vilundri- Vil means bow, and Undri means resting. This is why the Tamil name of this place, Vilundri, is believed to have been a spot where Lord Rama, returning home with Sita to Ayodhya, stopped on his way to Thiru Koneswaram and rested with his bow on the ground.
Kanniyai- The hot wells of Kanniyai or Kanniya are close to the main road to Anuradhapura only about 10 kms from Trincomalee town. Pilgrims believe in their healing power. There are many different versions of the myth on how these curative hot water wells came into existence; most of them are connected to Ravana. One legend about Kanniya & origin has it,that this is the place where King Ravana carried out the last rites for his mother. When he was unable to find water to duly perform the rites, he in anger pierced his Trishula into the ground seven times.Water started gushing out immediately. The very hot water cooled down to the present degree when Ravana & anger calmed down.The temperature of the water is different in all the seven wells.
Vattapalai- the Kannagi Amman Kovil in Vattapalai at the Nayari Lagoon southwards of Mullaitivu is the most important shrine for this highly respected Goddess in Sri Lanka & Vanni area. Goddess Kannaki is the central character of the famous Tamil Epic Silapathikaram. In Sri Lanka it is believed that, after devastating South India & Madurai city in revenge for her innocent husband & execution, she settled down on the island, venerated as Pattini by Sinhalese farmers and as Kannaki by Tamils. She is said to have rested at different places in Sri Lanka, and only at the tenth site she finally recovered from her wrath. The tamil word for “tenth” is “pattham”. “Palai” means residence.
Dinner & Overnight at Trincomalee
Day 4 (Kandy)
Kandy- This lovely city is the erstwhile Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings.Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its centre, it is the site of the renowned &Temple of the Tooth & Place of interest are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Mahaweli Diversion Project in their impressive settings.Spice Garden dot the outskirts of Kandy along with handicraft centers and the market-place is a hub of activity. Kandy retains an aura of grandeur which time has not effaced.Evening witness a Cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka- Duration (45 minutes – 01hour) & Visit Kandy Temple
Dinner & overnight at Kandy
Day 5 (Nuwara Eliya)
En route visit the Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Gayatri Pitam and below mentioned attractions
Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, Ramboda- the Sri Lankan branch of the Chinmaya mission, committed to promoting the Ramayana philosophy as well as Ramayana Trail pilgrimages,has built a temple with Hanuman as a presiding deity in Ramboda at the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya main road. There is a new five meters tall granite statue of Rama’s devote supporter.Hanuman is believed to have started his search for Sita in the Baroda hills. Hanuman traditionally was not as popular among Sri Lankan Tamil devotees as he indeed is in India, because he devastated parts of the island with his burning tail. But in recent times Hindu missionaries and local Tamil spiritual leaders began building shrines for worshipping Hanuman in Sri Lanka, too. The Tamil word for Ramboda, Rampadai, means “Rama & force & this is why Ramboda is believed to be the area where Rama collected his troops.
Gayatri Pitam- Gayathri Pitam, also spelled Gayaththri Peedam, inside Nuwara Eliya town is the first and most important temple built for Gayathri Amman in Sri Lanka,Gayatri being an aspect of Saraswati and the Universal Mother. The temple was founded by the Gayathri Siddhar Swami Murusegu. The Shiva Lingam for this Tamil temple was brought from the Holy River Narmada. Gayathri Pitam is said to be the place from where King Ravana & son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and worship and in turn was granted super natural powers by the mighty god.
Sita Amman Temple and Ashok Vatica, Sita Eliya- the Sita Amman Temple, located halfway between the highland village Sita Eliya and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, has become the most venerated of all Ramayana Trail sites in Sri Lanka, because it is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island of Lanka. After she refused to stay in Ravana & magnificent palace she was transferred to Ashok Vatika or Ashokavanam where she lived under Ashoka trees. It was here that Ravana & wife Mandodari visited her and that Hanuman met her for the first time, identifying himself with the finger ring of Rama. Sita is said to have bathed in the nearby stream. There are remarkable holes in the rocks at the river bank believed to be footprints of Lord Hanuman
Ravana Ella- the Ravana Ella Falls and the Rawana Ella Cave are located close to the Wellawaya mainroad in the famous valley called Ella gap, only about 6 kms away from the town of Ella well known for its splendid views to the Ella gap. The cascading waterfall measures about 25 metres. It is believed that Sita bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall. The nearby Rawana Ella cave is quite small, only 50 metres long. As in the case of Ishthripura Cave in Welimada, legend has it that it was used by King Rawana to hide princess Sita. It is believed to belong to a network of tunnels also connecting it to the Dova temple and to all the palaces and airports and dairy farms of King Ravana. Archaeological findings in the Rawana Cave include a human skull dating back to 20,000 BC.
Dinner & Overnight at Nuwara Eliya
Day 6 (Kataragama)
Kataragama attracts several tourists from southern India too primarily for being host to the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya shrine dedicated to Skanda Murukan. A small ancient village, Kataragama has emerged as a highly developed worship place for many tourists who set out on pilgrimage to Kataragama.Surrounded by jungle Kataragama is home to the oldest Buddhist Stupa – Kiri Vehera. The night view of the dagoba makes Kiri Vehera a sight to behold. In close proximity is the Yala national park which couples as a tourist’s attraction while at Kataragama.
Kataragama is a town of many religions. Within the temple complex is an Islamic view which can be confusing to first time visitors. It is the difference of caste and creed that many Srilankans put behind and visit the Kataragama temple to seek solace, peace, prosperity and harmony.
Dinner & overnight at Kataragama
Day 7 (Bentota)
City tour in Galle – This southern seaport was the 17th Century centre of Dutch rule. The town is full of Dutch monuments, ramparts and forts, to bear witness to this fact. Galle is also famous for its ebony carving and delicate handmade lace. It has a pleasant atmosphere and a fine view of the sea.Later depart for Madu River Boat Ride, Stilt fishing and turtle hatchery
Dinner & overnight stay at Bentota
Day 8 (Colombo)
Colombo our Sea Port Capital, which is a town totally fascinating in its variety- Old Dutch Churches and other evidence of the colonial past, Hindu and Buddhist Temples with murals and statues give a glimpse of history and architecture. Sightseeing includes:
Fort – the heart of the city of Colombo
Pettah – the busy Bazaar area and Market Place
Gangarama Buddhist Temple
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall
New Parliamentary Complex
The Zoological Gardens
Proceed to visit Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple and Kalaniya Vibeeshana Temple, Kalaniya Vibeeshana Temple- Kelaniya in western province is a Buddhist sanctuary because it was believed to have been visited by Buddha himself. Within the temple premises there is a Hindu shrine too. It is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana but during the legendary war of Rama-Rawana a supporter of Lord Rama, because he disapproved of Ravana & abduction of Sita. After Ravana & death Rama appointed Vibhishana as the new King of Lanka.Vibhishana is venerated by Sinhalese Buddhists as a God. They believe him to be one of the main protectors of the island, especially in its western territories.
Transfer clients to the Airport for Departure
Inclusion & Exclusion
Inclusions
Daily Accommodation
Meals on HB Basis (Daily breakfasts & dinners at hotel)
Services of English Speaking guide
Tolls entrance fees for 2 ways only
Meeting and Greeting at Airport
Cost of transfers and sight-seeing tours in air-conditioned vehicles
Supplement for the entrance fee which aren’t included in the above mentioned costs (Valid for SAARC countries only):
Bentota Water Sports (Jet Ski, Banana Ride, Tube Ride) – USD 20 per person
Gangaramaya Floating Temple in Colombo – USD 02 per person
Temple of the Tooth Relic – USD 07 per person
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden – USD 10 per person
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – USD 06 per person
Maadu River Ride – USD 18 per boat **06 Pax can go in a boat
Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – USD 03 per person
Gregory Lake – USD 02 per person
Victoria Park – USD 02 per person
Dambulla Cave Temple – USD 10 per person
Sigiriya Rock Fortress – USD 15 per person
Minneriya National Park Entrance – USD 18 per person
Minneriya National Park jeep safari – USD 30 per jeep **06 Pax can go in a jeep
Anuradhapura archeological sites – USD 18 per person
Polonnaruwa archeological sites – USD 18 per person
Whale watching – USD 22 per person
White water rafting – USD 20 per person
Hakgala Botanical Garden – USD 10 per person
Pay LKR 6000/- & get free casino chips worth of LKR 12,000/- for playing casino along with “free entertainment & unlimited beverages” **while playing only
Exclusions
Airfare Charge is not included
Optional tours
Lunches
Entrance fees
Surcharges for other language guides
Surcharges for Christmas & New Year Eve
Personal travel insurance
Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.
Meals and services other than mentioned in the program
Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking
Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program
Any expenses of a personal nature
Tips & Portages.
