BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOUR

04 Nights / 05 Days

DAY 1 - Airport / Negombo Receive a warm welcome with Araliya Garlands by a representative of Luxe Asia. On arrival transfer to Negombo. Overnight stay at Negombo Hotel. Day 2 - Negombo /

After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Anuradhapura. The sacred city of Anuradhapura, now in picturesque ruins, was once a major center of Sri Lankan civilization. The fascinating ancient ruins include huge bell-shaped built of small sun-dried bricks, temples, sculptures, palaces, and ancient drinking-water reservoirs. The Sri Maha bodhiya is perhaps the oldest living tree in the world. Around 245 BC, Theri brought with her a branch of the under which the Buddha attained enlightment. The tree was planted on a high terrace about 21 feet (6.5 m) above the ground and surrounded by railings. Today, the tree is one of the most sacred relics in , respected by Buddhists all over the world. Ruwanwelisaya. After defeating the Tamil king Elara, King Dutugemunu of Sri Lanka built this magnificant . The stupa is known as Ruwanwelisaya, Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya and Rathnamali Dagaba. The compound is supported by stone elephants, and the surrounding wall is decorated with 1,900 figures of elephants - 475 on each side. Successive kings added to the palace over the years. Lunch at a local restaurant in Anuradapura. PM: visit the Ancient Capital of Anuradhapura for sightseeing. Visit Sri Maha Bodhi Tree and Isurumuniya Temple. Evening: Visit Mihinthale is revered as the birthplace of in Sri Lanka, but, regardless of your beliefs, it is unforgettable: a sequence of beautiful shrines, stupas and caves strung out across wooded hills, usually busy with crowds of devout, white-robed pilgrims. According to legend, it was at Mihintale – literally “Mahinda’s Hill” – that the Indian missionary Mahinda, met and converted King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC, establishing Buddhism as the island’s state religion. Dinner and overnight stay at Anuradhapura Hotel. Day 3 - Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa After breakfast check out and transfer to Polonnaruwa. Visit the Polonnaruwa Medieval City for sightseeing. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight stay at Polonnaruwa Hotel. Day 4 - Polonnaruwa / Dambulla / Kandy

After breakfast checkout and leave for Kandy via Dambulla. En-route visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple & Alu Viharaya Temple for sightseeing. Lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival in Kandy, check in for Dinner and overnight stay at Kandy Hotel.

Day 5 - Kandy / Colombo/Airport After breakfast checkout from the hotel and take a short city tour and then proceed to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Transfer to Colombo.En route: Visit the three ancient temples in Kandy - Embekka, Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Evening free for shopping in Colombo. After dinner in Colombo Transfer Airport for Departure.

*** End of Tour ***