REISEABLAUF 4 Tage / 3 Nächte Negombo – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Dambulla – Matale – Kandy

REISEABLAUF 4 Tage / 3 Nächte Negombo – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Dambulla – Matale – Kandy – Negombo

Day 01: Negombo - Anuradhapura Pick up from Negombo at 0900hrs. Thereafter, leave for Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura – a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north central part of the Island was the first capital (5th century BC - 9th century AD), the center of the island's Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient 'buried city' in the world. The oldest historically documented tree on earth (over 2,200 years old) - The Sri Maha Bodhi, brought as a sampling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and the island's oldest Buddhist shrines - some dating back to the 3rd century BC, impressive white 'dagabas' (relic chambers) and monuments embellished with handsome stone carvings or sculpture, pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds and a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the main attractions of Anuradhapura. Specific places to visit are - the Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C.), with 1600 significant stone columns are the remains of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks – an engineering marvel at the time, Ruwanweli Seya (2nd century B.C) the most famous of all the dagabas, originally depicted the perfect water- bubble shape that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce, Samadhi Buddha (3rd century B.C.) regarded as the finest rock sculpture in the island - depicting the Buddha in a state of deep meditation, Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C.) known for its rock carving of the “Lovers”, Kuttam Pokuna, twin ponds (3rd century B.C.) which were used by monks of this glorious era as a bathing pool. Thuparama (3rd century B.C.), the oldest dagabas in the island – enshrines the right collarbone of Buddha, Ratnaprasada with the best preserved Guard Stone, Mahasena’s Palace with its renowned Moonstone, Abayagiri and Jetevanarama – a huge dagabas said to the largest brick built structure in the world.

Check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay

Day 02: Anuradhapura - Sigiriya - Dambulla Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Sigiriya.

Visit the very impressive 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This world heritage site, consists of the remains of a palace on the top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens', the lower palace on the slopes below the rock, and the moats, walls and water gardens that extend for some hundreds of metres out from the base.

Thereafter, check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

WE DIVE TRAVEL AG · Trockenloostrasse 45 · CH - 8105 Regensdorf Telefon: +41 (0)44 870 32 32 · Fax:+41 (0)44 870 02 15 · Email: [email protected] · Web: www.wedive.ch

Day 03: Dambulla - Matale - Kandy Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Matale.

Walk into a garden full of spices and herbs. The spice gardens are a fine specimen to observe various types of herbs and plants that could be used for different purposes. The guide will walk you through the spice garden, showing the plants and explaining the uses and the products that could be produced from them. Finally, the shop would be a great location to purchase different types of products that are produced from the plants and herbs.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy.

Kandy is a city in the centre of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province (which encompasses the districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya) and also of Kandy District. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of the most venerable places for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka and all around the world. It was declared a world heritage by the UNESCO in 1988. Visit the Kandy temple, enjoy a city tour in Kandy including the cultural dance show with fire walk show in the evening.

Check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 04: Kandy - Negombo Breakfast at the hotel and travel to Negombo. En route, visit the Royal Botanical gardens at Peradeniya.

You have the option to visit the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya this morning for a leisurely stroll at your own pace. 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.

Drop at the preferred hotel in Negombo.

WE DIVE TRAVEL AG · Trockenloostrasse 45 · CH - 8105 Regensdorf Telefon: +41 (0)44 870 32 32 · Fax:+41 (0)44 870 02 15 · Email: [email protected] · Web: www.wedive.ch