Explore the length and breadth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka with this extensive 10 Day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of Sri Lanka. We will take you through all the key sites and you will have the chance to discover the in-depth history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and learn about the significance all these sites have. Buddhism is so widespread in Sri Lanka and the island is one of the last standing Buddhist States in the world.

Day 01

A Ranfer Travels Sri Lanka tour guide will await your arrival at the Colombo International Airport (Flight at your own arrangement). You will be transferred to your hotel in Negombo. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at PARADISE BEACH HOTEL or similar.

Day 02 & 03

After an early breakfast leave for your Anuradhapura tour, the first capital of ancient Lanka.

Enjoy a local Rice & Curry lunch at Dambulla. Anuradhapura is the first capital of Sri Lanka in 380 BC. Visits the Sacred Sri Maha Bo tree in Anuradhapura which is over 2200 years old, the remains of the Brazen palace (2nd century BC) the Kuttam pokuna (Twin Ponds) the Ruwanvali Stupa, the Thuparama Dagoba (enshrines the Buddha’s collarbone relic) the Samadhi Buddha Statue, The Abayagiri and Jethawana Dagoba and Moon Stones and many other sacred Buddhist sites.

Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s most sacred city. Along with Mihintale, it represents the first real home of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and this contains some of the island’s most sacred Buddhist sites. It is here that the Sri Maha Bodhi tree was planted from a cutting from the original Bo under which the Buddha received Enlightenment, to this day drawing thousands of pilgrims from around the world. Today, Anuradhapura’s ruins and monuments are widely scattered which makes a thorough tour exhausting and time-consuming, but for those with more than a passing interest in the island’s past it more than repays the effort to tour this sacred region of Sri Lanka.

You will have plenty of time to engage in all religious activities. We will also schedule special visits with the head-priests at most temples where possible. Dinner and Overnight stay at DULYANA HOTEL Or Similar Hotel in Anuradhapura.

Day 04 & 05

After breakfast travel for your Sigiriya tour. Sigiriya is known as Lion Rock or Sigiriya Rock Fortress designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982 the fortress is an exceptional natural site for a fortress, the rock dominates the surrounding countryside of the central forest and from the top offers views that stretch as far as the Dry Zone and south to the Central Highlands. Deriving its name (Sinha-Giri) from the lions which were believed to occupy the caves, for many visitors to Sri Lanka this impressive site is their favorite when asked to describe their tours and experiences of Sri Lanka. The rewards of Sigiriya, with its palace, famous frescoes and beautiful water gardens, justify the steep climb. It is not surprising that it is frequently labeled the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’)

We will comfortably schedule a tour to the historical 2nd capital of Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa, which thrived during the 11th -13th centuries AD. The royal place, Gal Vihare (three splendid statues of the Buddha carved out of a rock, Lotus Bath and the Museum Quadrangle (included several historical buildings and temples) are sure to be fascinating visits and will offer Pilgrims a complete story of the ancient lay of the land and Buddhism in Sri Lanka

Dinner and overnight stay at SIGIRIYA REST or Similar Hotel

Day 06

After breakfast travel for your Kandy Tour. On the way to Kandy visits the Dambulla rock cave temple, which was built by king Valagambahu in the 1st Century BC. Dambulla is a UNESCO world heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanks’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000sq meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of painting found in the Sri Lanka.

En route to Kandy we will stop at the Matale Spice Gardens. This is excellent places to understand the ancient ways of preparing traditional Ayurvedic medicines and also to stock up on your Sri Lankan Spices.

Dinner and Overnight stay at HOTEL HILLTOP Kandy or Similar Hotel

Day 07

After Breakfast we will travel to explore the city of Kandy Tour. Kandy is the last bastion of Buddhist political power against colonial forces, the home of the Temple of the Buddha’s Tooth Relic, and the site of the island’s most impressive annual festival, Kandy Esala Perahera. Kandy is also the capital of the highlands of Sri Lanka. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya which was conceived originally in 1371 as the Kandyan queen’s pleasure garden, Peradeniya became the residence of a Kandyan prince between 1747 and 1782 where royal visitors were entertained. The park was converted into a 60 hectare botanical garden in 1821, six years after the fall of the last Kandyan king.

In the late afternoon we will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic or Dalada Maligawa followed by a Traditional Cultural Dance Show. Dinner and Overnight stay at HOTEL HILLTOP or Similar Hotel in Kandy.

Day 08

After breakfast we will leave to Ratnapura, the heart of Sri Lanka’s gem country.

On arrival we will check into your hotel and either enjoy the day at leisure or proceed for a mini city tour to see many of the cities ancient mining wells and shop at the city’s many gem stores.

After dinner we will precede towards Siri Pada or Adam’s Peak for make the 3 hour long pilgrimage climb to its summit. Here you will be guided towards attaining all religious observations and will have chance of witnessing the sunrise and see the first rays of sun to fall on the island for the coming day. Climbing will commence at 2am and we will return to the hotel at 8.30 am. Note: There is a season to climb Siri Pada and these tours will only be conducted during the season, please contact your Target Travels agent on tours@targettravelsrilanka.com for more information.

Dinner and Overnight stay at WATHSALA INN or Similar

Day 09

After a late breakfast following the night’s pilgrimage we will leisurely travel back down to Colombo. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Optional tour can be arranged to visit the Gangarama Temple or a leisurely shopping tour of Colombo.

Dinner and overnight stay in Colombo JANAKI HOTEL or Similar Hotel.

Day 10

After breakfast checkout of your hotel and transfer to Colombo International airport. Your journey with Target Travels Sri Lanka ends here. Have a nice flight and Target Travels looks forward to seeing you again soon.

Note: Hotel stipulates checkout is before 12:00 hrs noon time. Late checkout between 12:00-18:00 requires half of the room rate. Any checkout after 18:00 will cost one extra night room rate.

PRICE INCLUDES

• 09 Nights accommodation on Half Board basis (Breakfast and Dinner).
• Transfers in an excellent Air Conditioned vehicle accompanied with a fluent English Speaking Chauffer Guide. (Multi-lingual Guides can be organized on request. Additional charges apply)
• All Entrance Ticket charges for the mentioned visits.
• All local and government Taxes for services mentioned.

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Transportation, entrance & other Charges for optional visits & activities.
• Tips for Hotel & Guide / Driver.
• All additional expenses not mentioned on the package.
• Video & Photography permits where applicable.

NOTE: APPOITMENTS WITH HEAD PRIESTS CAN BE ORGANISED FOR GROUP BOOKINGS ON REQUEST. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF HEAD CLERGY.