Colombo Trip Overview
Start your journey at 06.00 hrs from your hotel in Negombo. You will be met by a designated driver at the hotel, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Anuradhapura on your first Day. Anuradhapura is a historical paradise as it houses several heritage monasteries, palaces and monuments. Wild Culture is a short, single night, 2-day tour of Sri Lanka that is a blend of culture and wildlife. Your journey will take you into the sacred city of Anuradhapura, which has a history dating back several centuries and is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage. Explore the untouched wilderness of Sri Lanka’s largest national park, Wilpattu, that houses the highest concentration of Leopards in the entire world. On completion start your journey back to your hotel in Negombo!
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
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
Start your journey at 06.00 hrs from your hotel in Negombo. You will be met by a designated driver at the hotel, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Anuradhapura on your first Day. Anuradhapura is a historical paradise as it houses several heritage monasteries, palaces and monuments. Wild Culture is a short, single night, 2-day tour of Sri Lanka that is a blend of culture and wildlife. Your journey will take you into the sacred city of Anuradhapura, which has a history dating back several centuries and is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage. Explore the untouched wilderness of Sri Lanka’s largest national park, Wilpattu, that houses the highest concentration of Leopards in the entire world. On completion start your journey back to your hotel in Negombo!
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo > Anuradhapura
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
About 2600 years ago, Gautama Buddha sat under the Esathu tree on the banks of the Neranjana River in Bodhgaya which is in India and attained enlightenment. Today, many people from all over the world come to visit this ancient tree in India.
In 260 BCE, it is believed that the Emperor Asoka sent the Buddhist nun Sanghamitta Maha Theri from India to Sri Lanka. On her way to Sri Lanka, she carried with her the holy branch of the original sacred fig tree. On reaching Sri Lanka, she presented the divine cutting to the King Devanampiya Tissa. The King later planted the branch of the holy Bodhi tree in 288 BCE at his royal park in Anuradhapura where it is presently known as the Maha Bodhi Tree.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Ruwanweliseya stupa is one of the largest stupas or dagobas, which is in the heart of the beautiful heritage city of Anuradhapura. This magnificent stupa was built by King Dutugamunu, who was hailed to be the hero of the island. The Ruwanweliseya stupa is also known as the Maha stupa and is one of the most adorned structures of the people of Sri Lanka.
Today the Ruwanweliseya stupa stands tall with a height of 338 feet and a diameter of 951 ft. The stupa is surrounded by large paved courts and platforms which add to the beauty of the place. Initially, on the outer side of the boundary of the wall is a complete circle of elephants, made out of the brickwork. Till today, there are many renovations which have taken place from time which has made the Ruwanweliseya stupa is one of the most revered and influential areas of worship for the Buddhists in Anuradhapura.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Dagoba of Thuparama, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Thuparamaya, also known as Thuparama, is the first stupa which was constructed in Sri Lanka after the introduction to Buddhism and is in the beautiful city of Anuradhapura. The ancient stupa of Thuparamaya was built during the reign of the King Devamnampiyatissa somewhere in the 3rd Century BCE and is said to enshrine the right collar bone of Gautama Buddha. The ruins of the complex today cover an area of approximately three and a half acres of land.
The shape of the stupa was initially of a paddy rice shape which was later restored to a conventional bell shape in the year 1862. There were several changes to Thuparama, but some of the most significant changes were first in the 7th Century BCE when the stupa had gold and silver castings, further changes also took place in the 10th Century BCE, to the final renovations in 1862 which completely changed the structure of the stupa.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Jetavanaramaya monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the heritage city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. This magnificent structure was the third-largest structure in the ancient world. Legend has it that a part of Buddha’s sash or belt was tied and preserved here at the Jetavanaramaya monastery.
The Jetavanaramaya stupa comes with a fascinating historical significance which depicts the differences going on between the two sects of Buddhism- Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism. Today, the stupa is no longer the tallest, but is one of the largest in the world, with an area of over five hectares and housing over 10,000 monks.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Samadhi Statue, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The town of Anuradhapura served as the first and ancient capital of Sri Lanka. It is believed to be auspicious to the Sri Lankans, as many times in the past, Anuradhapura served as a city of peace and protection against wars and disharmony. Samadhi Buddha statue is one of such marvels. Placed in Mahamevnāwa Park, this 4th-century statue is considered the best works of Buddha.
King Mutasiva built Mahamevnāwa Park. Maha signifies the rains that poured during the construction of the park. Everything about the environment is austere; It captures Buddha in the state he was when he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. Buddha in Dhyana Mudra assures peace, tranquility and a sense of well-being. Samadhi Buddha is an 8 feet tall statue carved in granite and sits under a concrete shed.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay 3 star Hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 2: Anuradhapura > Wilpattu National Park > Negombo
Stop At: Wilpattu National Park, off Chilaw Anuradhapura road, Saliyapura, Anuradhapura 50008 Sri Lanka
Wilpattu National Park (Also known as Park of natural lakes) is a recreation center situated in the Northwest dry zone of the island of Sri Lanka. The extraordinary element of this stop is the presence of “Willus” (Natural lakes), sand-rimmed water bowls or dejection’s that load with water. The recreation center is 131, 693 hectares and reaches from 0 to 152 meters above ocean level. About sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are discovered spread all through Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the biggest and one of the most seasoned National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks widely acclaimed for its panther population.
The National Park is known for its amazing wildlife which gets all the attention of the tourists. The Wilpattu National park is especially known for its population of Leopards who are the main source of entertainment and excitation in the entire region. Behind Leopards, the park is full of fascinating birds and animals and is thus one of the most famous tourist attractions of the country. The painted stork, the open bill, little cormorant, Sri Lankan junglefowl alongside numerous types of owls, terns, gulls, falcons, kites vultures are to be found at Wilpattu National Park. Wetland fowl species that can be seen in Wilpattu are the garganey, pintail, shrieking greenish blue, spoonbill, white ibis, substantial white egret, steers egret and purple heron. The most widely recognized reptiles found in the recreation center are the screen reptile, mugger crocodile, basic cobra, rodent wind, Indian Lake Turtle and the delicate shelled turtle which are inhabitant in the huge perpetual Villus.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
