Colombo Trip Overview
Explore the best of Dambulla on this private day tour with an English speaking driver cum guide. Dambulla golden rock cave temple was home to thousands of meditating monks since its monastic beginnings in the first century BCE. Today the same cave temple hosts a massive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures belonging to a pan-Asian artistic tradition. Hike the largest rose quartz deposit in all Asia. Around the tiny mountain range is the national ironwood forest (Jathika Namal Uyana). It is the largest man-made forest in South Asia. Ruins of a third-century Buddhist monastery are scattered inside this ironwood forest. Visit the Popham’s Arboretum which is the only dry zone arboretum in Sri Lanka. Mr. Sam Popham who was an enthusiast founded the arboretum in 1963. Today is is managed by the tree society of Sri Lanka.
• Full day all inclusive tour
• Hassle free private transportation included
• Hear commentary from an expert guide
Additional Info
Duration: 12 to 14 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Explore the best of Dambulla on this private day tour with an English speaking driver cum guide. Dambulla golden rock cave temple was home to thousands of meditating monks since its monastic beginnings in the first century BCE. Today the same cave temple hosts a massive collection of Buddhist murals and sculptures belonging to a pan-Asian artistic tradition. Hike the largest rose quartz deposit in all Asia. Around the tiny mountain range is the national ironwood forest (Jathika Namal Uyana). It is the largest man-made forest in South Asia. Ruins of a third-century Buddhist monastery are scattered inside this ironwood forest. Visit the Popham’s Arboretum which is the only dry zone arboretum in Sri Lanka. Mr. Sam Popham who was an enthusiast founded the arboretum in 1963. Today is is managed by the tree society of Sri Lanka.
• Full day all inclusive tour
• Hassle free private transportation included
• Hear commentary from an expert guide
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, Kandy – Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha’s first sermon.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Popham’s Arboretum, Kandalama Road, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
Popham’s Arboretum is Sri Lanka’s only preserved Arboretum in the dry zone and is situated in Dambulla. The Arboretum consists of trees and shrubs which are conserved and grown for studies and researches and is usually visited by many university students as well as school students. Popham’s Arboretum was started in 1963 by the famous British planter, F.H Sam Popham. This magnificent man-made forest is home to a variety of animals and birds, including the rare ones like slow loris. An excellent place for nature trails, do visit this arboretum if you are looking to explore off-beat places in Dambulla.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jathika Namal Uyana | ජාතික නාමල් උයන, Madatugama – Pubbogama – Andiyagala Rd, Sri Lanka
Jathika Namal Uyana is undoubtedly unique among-st Sri Lanka’s many attractions. It has the enviable distinction of being the largest ironwood forest in all of Asia, and perhaps the largest rose quartz mountain, too. The area also houses the remains of a Buddhist monastery, stupa and other structures, and a small but stunning waterfall. A national forest reserve, the ironwood forest at Namal Uyana spans about 250 acres; the Sri Lankan ironwood tree is endemic to the region, and the national tree of the country. The tree also has considerable significance in Buddhism. The rose quartz mountain has an interesting Indian connection. It is widely believed that the rose quartz mined here was used for embellishing the windows in the famed Taj Mahal! The area also harbors a plethora of diverse flora and fauna ranging from medicinal herbs to elephants and leopards.
Duration: 2 hours
