Destination Information ADAMS PEAK Whether it is Adam’s Peak (where Adam first set foot on earth after being cast out of heaven), “Sri Pada” (sacred foot print of Lord Buddha) or “Samanala Kanda” (the butterfly mountain) it is a beautiful and fascinating place. Whichever legend you care to believe the fact remains that it has been a pilgrimage center for over 1000 years. The pilgrimage season begins on Full Moon day (Poya Day) in December and runs till the start of the South West Monsoon in April. During the season a steady stream of pilgrims and tourists make the climb up the countless steps to the top. The walk is lit during the season by a string of lights, which is beautiful at night as they shake up the mountainside. It is not only the sacred footprint that pilgrims climb to see but also the first rays of dawn lighting up the holy mountain. Adam’s Peak has the unique species of forests belonging to the family of Dipterocarpace, which is never found at high altitudes. AHUNGALLA Ahungalla is a small and serene traditional fishing village located on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka with the surroundings untouched and flourished with fauna, flora and wildlife. Golden beaches stretch northwards up the coastline from Ahungalla, broken only by the mouths of rivers feeding into the sea. A boat ride through the mangrove swamps of Ahungalla is the perfect way to appreciate the local flora and fauna. Ahungalla’s close proximity to the mouth of the river on the shoreline, offers locals an abundance of both river and sea fish. So as you would expect, the seafood here is exquisite. ALUVIHARE TEMPLE - Matale Aluvihare is a rock monastery located in a picturesque valley 3kms north of Matale. It is easily recognized from the road as it has a boundary wall with a frieze of elephant heads. This sacred place is remarkable for the huge rocks that are an integral part of it, which is why it is classified as a rock temple. This is the temple where the “Tripitaka” along with commentaries were transcribed. ANURADHAPURA For over 1000 years Sinhalese Kings with occasional South Indian interlopers ruled from the great city of Anuradhapura. It is the most extensive and important of the Sri Lankan ancient cities. Anuradhapura was found in the 4th century BC and is famous for its Dagabas (Temples), Reservoirs, and beautifully landscaped gardens, the ruins of which still remain to this day. The sacred Bo Tree (the world's oldest tree on record) "Jayasri Maha Bodhi" and the "Ruwanwali Seya" Temples are two of Sri Lanka's most sacred places found in Anuradhapura. In addition to this there are many other historical and religious sites found in Anuradhapura. ARUGAM BAY Arugam Bay is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. The bay is located 320 kilometres due east of Colombo, and approximately 4 kilometres south of the market town of Pottuvil. While traditionally fishing has dominated the local economy, tourism has grown rapidly in the area in recent years. Tourism in Arugam Bay is dominated by surf tourism, thanks to several quality breaks in the area; however tourists are also attracted by the local beaches, lagoons, historic temples and the nearby Kumana National Park. AUKANA TEMPLE The Aukana Buddha is said to be the most magnificent and most well preserved ancient image in the island. Constructed in the 5th Century B.C., during the time of King Dhatusena, it stands 13 meters high, underneath a recently constructed brick shelter said to be a reconstruction of an image house which contained it 1,000 years ago. The name "Aukana" means "sun eating" and indeed this image is best viewed at daybreak. BELLANWILA BIRD SANCTUARY- Colombo The Attidiya - Bellanwila Bird Sanctuary features the painted stork, purple coot, black and yellow bitterns, little cormorant, darter, cinnamon, Asian open bill, lesser whistling duck, black-headed and glossy ibises, white-breasted water hen, moorhen, purple swamp hen, stork-billed and white-breasted kingfishers, rusty-ramped warbler and many more. In fact, more than 150 species of birds have been spotted here. BELI LENA CAVES The Beli Lena caves are the most ancient archaeological site discovered in Sri Lanka to date. Excavations reveal that prehistoric man had lived here 2000 years ago. Among the findings made at the 03 Beli Lena Caves were three skeletal remains; lithe facts, zoo facts and food remains. BENTOTA Bentota lies at the finishing end of the “Golden Mile” which is an hour’s drive from Colombo. Famous for its prime beaches Bentota is today one of Sri Lanka’s most sought after tourist destinations. The town of Bentota actually, sits on an estuary, where the river and the sea meet. This makes the area quite famous for water sports like windsurfing, scuba diving & snorkeling. BAMBARAKANDA FALLS With 789 feet in height Bambarakanda is the tallest of all Sri Lanka’s falls. Glorious spectacles from October to March when heavy rains turn it in to an impressive, unbroken deluge it is a wet season fall. The main access to the falls is along a minor road via Haputale and Kalupahana 22 km from Balangoda. BANDARAWELA Bandarawela, situated at 1,230 meters above sea level, was an alternative hill country resort to Nuwara Eliya during colonial times. The languid residents of low country can always be sure of enjoying fine refreshing air in the hills because Bandarawela's climate is drier and milder than that of Nuwara Eliya. This city is not of great interest in itself but it does make an excellent base for exploring other places in the area or to enjoy the breathtaking sceneries it offers. Bandarawela provides a strong base for excursions to Pilkington point, Dowa Temple, Lipton’s seat and Horton Plains and many more interesting places. BERUWALA The first recorded Muslim settlement of the island took place at Beruwala in 1024 AD. The Ketchimalai Mosque on a headland in the town is said to be built on the site of the landing and is the focus of an annual religious feast. The drive down to Beruwala from Colombo is just one hour. The beaches extending from Beruwala to Bentota is known as the “Golden Mile”. The sunny beaches & the cool breeze brings about relaxation and offers leisure and recreational water sports facilities. In the vicinity of Beruwala lies the ancient “Kande Viharaya” which means Temple on the Mountain. BOTANICAL GARDENS - Peradeniya The Royal Botanical Gardens, the magnificent river girdled 57 hectare laid out in 1832 are among the finest in the world. Its treasures of tropical flora include fine collections of orchids, aromatic spices, medicinal herbs, palms and rare endangered plant species. These gardens were the naturally camouflaged operations headquarters of SEAC Supreme Allied Commander, Lord Louis Mountbatten during the 2nd World War. BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK The Bundala National Park is a nature reserve situated in the South East of Sri Lanka. This secluded reserve is renowned for its herds of wild Elephants. The vast jungle areas of the Bundala National Park allow these majestic creatures to roam in their natural surroundings, away from human influence. Hundreds of interesting species of birds, amphibians and reptiles also live within the boundaries of the Bundala National Park an ideal location for nature lovers. BUDURUWAGALA TEMPLE With its meaning of 'Buddha image', Buduruwagala was named after rock-cut Buddha statues carved on a cliff located in the area. This 7-statue complex, which is of the Mahayana Buddha School, comprises of the huge standing Buddha figures traced back to 8th - 10th centuries AD. The central of three figures to Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure, the Avalokitheswara Bodhisattva. COLOMBO Colombo (derived from Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "mango harbor", altered by the Portuguese to honor Christopher Columbus), is the cultural capital and largest city and commercial center of Sri Lanka. (The new administrative capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura-Kotte.) A vast majority of Sri Lankan corporations have their head offices located in Colombo. Some of the industries include chemicals, textiles, leather goods, furniture, and jewelry. Colombo was probably known to Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders more than 2,000 years ago. Muslims settled there in the 8th century and controlled much of the trade between Sinhalese kingdoms and the outside world. The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and built a fort to protect their spice trade. The Dutch captured the city in the 17th century. The British made the city the capital of their crown colony of Ceylon in 1802 Sightseeing highlights include the Colombo National and Dutch period museums, old and new parliament houses, the Dehiwala Zoo, Gangarama Buddhist Temple, Town Hall, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Apart from excellent shopping, Colombo offers visits to one of the world’s leading tea auctions, an 18 hole Golf Course, seasonal Buddhist and Hindu pageants, international cricket tournaments, plush casinos, enjoyable evening entertainment and excellent restaurants. State-of-the-Art communications and Cyber services are available in the hotels and other outlets. Good road and rail transport links are possible from Colombo to all tourist resorts. A number of cruise lines also call at the Colombo Port. The Pettah area, which is in the heart of Colombo, is a beehive of activity. Traders and payment hawkers of all kinds flock to Colombo and it’s a well-known fact that Pettah is where the best bargains are available. DAMBULLA Dambulla is a world heritage site in Sri Lanka, located north of Kandy in Matale district.