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Distinguished cultural and wildlife safaris

~ Sri Lanka Exploration: Adventure in the Land of Serendipity ~

Take advantage of an opportunity to join the founders of Faraway Safaris on this journey through Sri Lanka in February of 2009. Contact us for more details.

Day 1 (Feb. 21):Arrive Colombo and transfer to Negombo beach (about 20 minutes drive from the airport).

Overnight Negombo Beach. (Brown’s Beach Hotel or similar).

Day 2 (Feb. 22): After breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura ( about 04 hrs drive). Arrive Anuradhapura and transfer to Hotel Palm Garden Village or similar.

After lunch, you will tour the ancient city of Anuradhapura:

The sacred city of Anuradhapura was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.

The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya.

Although according to historical records the city was founded in the 5th century BC, the archaeological data put the date as far back as the 10th century BC.

The great building era was when vast monastery complexes and some of the tallest buildings in the ancient world were built. The Jetavanaramaya dagoba of the city is still the highest brick structure in the world. In the suburbs of the city major monasteries with their gigantic stupas were constructed, The Maha Thupa, the Bodhi Tree and Thuparama of the Maha Vihara stood to the south of the city. The Abhayagiri to the north, the Pubbarama to the east, the Tanovana to the north-west and the Jetavanaramaya to the south-east.

The Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to the city in the reign of King Kirtisri Meghavana. The relic was deposited in a building named Dhammacakka. Since then annually it was carried in a procession to the Abhayagiri monastery after which an exposition was held.

Anuradhapura attained its highest magnificence about the commencement of the Christian era. In its prime it ranked beside Nineveh and Babylon in its colossal proportions—its four walls, each 16 miles (26 km) long, enclosing an area of 256 square miles (663 km²) —in the number of its inhabitants, and the splendour of its shrines and public edifices. The city also had some of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world, situated in the dry zone of the country the administration built many tanks to irrigate the land. Most of these tanks still survive. It is believed that some of these tanks are the oldest surviving reservoirs in the world today.

The city suffered much during the earlier South Indian invasions, and was finally abandoned by AD 1017.

It was not until the 19th century that the jungle was cleared away, the ruins laid bare, and some measure of prosperity brought back to the surrounding country by the restoration of hundreds of village tanks by the British.

Today, the ruins consist of three classes of buildings, dagobas, monastic buildings, and pokunas. The dagobas are bell-shaped masses of masonry, varying from a few feet to over 1100 ft (340 m) in circumference. Some of them contain enough masonry to build a town for twenty-five thousand inhabitants. Remains of the monastic buildings are to be found in every direction in the shape of raised stone platforms, foundations and stone pillars. The most famous is the Brazen Palace erected by King Dutugamunu about 164 BC. The pokunas are bathing-tanks or tanks for the supply of drinking water, which are scattered everywhere through the jungle. The city also contains a sacred Bo-Tree, which is said to date back to the year 245 BC.

Over night in Anuradhapura

Day 3 (Feb. 23): After an early breakfast, drive to Sigiriya ( about 02 and a half hrs drive). Arrive in Sigiriya and visit the Rock Fortress:

The Rock Fortress of Sigiriya is a World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary and dramatic of all the world's great fortresses.

Fearing an invasion by his half brother, King Kashapa began building this supposedly impregnable fortress in 477AD. Having fallen into disrepair and become swamped by the undergrowth over the succeeding thousand years, it was only discovered during the British colonial era.

The Lion Rock rises 600 feet from the jungle floor and upon it was constructed a subtle blend of fortress and palace and a number of wonderful features can still be enjoyed such as the 'Heavenly Maiden' frescoes, water gardens, moat and ramparts and Mirror Wall.

After visiting Sigiriya, drive to Habarana ( about 35 minutes). Arrive Habarana and transfer to Cinnamon Lodge hotel or similar located near lake.

Late afternoon, take a game drive in the Hurulu Eco Park – which is very good for viewing wild elephants.

Day 4 (Feb. 24): After breakfast, drive to Kandy (about 03 hrs. drive ) visiting Dambula enroute:

Dambulla The remarkable cave temple of Dambulla is another World Heritage Site and an archaeological treasure. It dates back to King Valagam Bahu who initially sought refuge in the caves in the 1st Century BC, but on regaining his throne he dedicated the caves to the monks and converted them into this extraordinary rock temple. Spread over a series of five caves are more than 150 murals of the Buddha as well as a carving of the reclining Buddha made out of the rock, which spans over 14 meters. There are over 2000 sq. meters of paintings on the walls and ceilings making this a truly remarkable spectacle.

After visiting Dambulla, continue to Kandy. Arrive in Kandy and transfer to Hotel Tree of Life – which is just outside Kandy and is located in a very beautiful area surrounded by forests and tea gardens.

Later visit the Kandy town which is located just 20 minutes from the hotel:

The second largest city in Sri Lanka, Kandy is the capital of the hill country set amongst rolling hills and around the beautifully picturesque Kandy Lake at an altitude of 488 meters.

The city was the last capital of the Sri Lankan royalty which fell to the British in 1815 and is a World Heritage Site, famed for its magnificent Temple of the Tooth, a splendid golden roofed temple which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The city is also at the centre of the country's cultural and artistic roots….a hotbed of creative talents and a visit to some of the markets and bazaars is well worthwhile.

Overnight Kandy.

Day 5 (Feb. 25): After breakfast, visit the Botanical Gardens or just relax in the hotel :

Just outside of the city are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which were once a royal pleasure garden, but are now open to the public and cover 147 acres. This well kept garden is home to a huge variety of plants including a fine collection of orchids, palms and other exotic flora.

This would be the day to relax in the lovely hotel surrounded by forest and tea gardens.

Overnight in Kandy.

Day 6 (Feb 26): After breakfast, drive to Nuwara Eliya (about 03 hours drive) through a fascinating landscape in the hills consisting of several villages, tea gardens and beautiful forests. Finally when you start climbing up to Nuwara Eliya, you drive through lovely tea gardens for several miles. Arrive Nuwara Eliya and transfer to hotel St-Andrews or similar for lunch. After lunch visit a tea estate around Nuwara Eliya and also a visit a tea factory. The winding pathways in the tea estates climbing up and down the slopes make the visit extremely interesting. The panoramic beauty of the whole area is just spellbinding:

Located at an altitude of 1889m in the central hill country, Nuwara Eliya was the favorite hill station of the colonial British and much of the architecture and the atmosphere of that period is still prevalent today. The town is also in the heart of the tea growing area, which is one of the country's most important exports and a visit to a working tea plantation and factory is a fascinating excursion. The mountain climate and scenery are both breathtaking and invigorating with the country's highest mountain located here.

After visiting Nuwara Eliya, proceed to Bandarawela (about 02 hrs drive) and transfer to Bandarawela Hotel in Bandarawela :

Built in the traditional style, yet showing a marked British influence with its old world charm and graciousness, Bandarawela Hotel is situated over 4000 ft above sea level and is Sri Lanka's first mountain resort hotel in Bandarawela which is a busy market town. Bandarawela was once said to have one of the healthiest climates in the world. Some of the best and most 'flavored tea' is said to come from this area. The best pears and strawberries are also grown here since the climate is dry and mild.

Overnight in the Bandarawela Hotel.

Day 7 (Feb 27): After an early breakfast, drive to Yala (about 3 and half hrs drive) via Ella where, if the weather is clear, you get lovely views of the valley called the Ella Gap. After Ella you enter the plains and pass through several villages with coconut and banana plantations and paddy fields till you get to Yala Village Resort your game lodge close to the sea, in time for lunch.

P.M. : Game drive

Day 8 (Feb 28): Yala National Park :

It is one of the Island's oldest, best known and biggest wildlife reserves encompassing an area of 1300 square km (500 square miles). It was declared a protected area in the year 1900 and later gazetted as a National Park. The availability of water throughout the year makes Yala an important area for the conservation of the flora and fauna in the country. Home to a plethora of species of flora and fauna, Yala National Park is a fascinating place to visit for those with an interest in wildlife.

The multifarious ecosystems ranges from moist monsoon forest to dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water, marine wetlands and sandy beaches.

The Kumbukkan Oya river in the north east and Menik Ganga river in the west flow through the Park throughout the year; providing a source of water to the animals even during the driest months.

This National Park has a diversity of jungle habitats ranging from scrub jungle, tanks, brackish lagoons and riverside habitats and is, therefore considered the best park for viewing animals and birds. According to the Leopard Research sponsored by Yala Safari Game Lodge, Yala Block 1 has one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world. Yala, therefore, offers one of the best chances in Asia to see Leopards. Other large animals you may see include Elephant, Sloth Bear, Mugger Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Jackal, Grey Langur and Mongoose. More than 135 species of birds have been recorded in this Park and include, amongst others, the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Stone Curlew, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant stork, Painted Stork, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha and Orange-breasted Green Pigeon.

Overnight in Yala Village Resort

Day 9 (March 1): Early morning short game drive in the Park After breakfast drive west along the southern coast of Sri Lanka for about two hours to Dickwella and transfer to Dickwella Village Resort – a lovely beach resort with one of the best beaches in this area.

In Dickwella, you can relax and enjoy the beaches, swim in the Indian Ocean, go scuba diving or deep sea fishing. Another option is the luxury of the several spa treatments they have to offer. Early mornings you could observe the fishermen coming back in their catamarans with their catch – which includes fish, lobsters and crabs.

Overnight in Dickwella Village Resort.

Day 10 (March 2): In Dickwella

Day 11 (March 3): After breakfast, drive to Colombo ( about 05 to 05 hrs drive). Enroute visit the ancient city of Galle. After Galle, carry on to Hikkaduwa - this place has lovely corals and various exotic fishes. Here, provided that the weather is clear and sea is calm, you would be taken in a glass bottomed boat to see the corals. After spending some time here and a good lunch, drive to Colombo. Arrive Colombo and transfer to the Galle Face, a well situated colonial era hotel with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean.

Overnight in Colombo.

Day 12 (March 4): Transfer to International Airport ( about 01 and a half hrs drive) in time for international connections.

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Sigiriya Frescoes