Colombo Trip Overview
Located on the east coast of the island, right next to a natural harbor that was once an epicenter of strategic naval placings in the days of old, the town of Trincomalee is shrouded in many a tale that is both mythological and documented. The town possesses a multitude of experiences for any and all traveler journeying across the east coast of the island. Visit Trincomalee and discover the beauty of this city. Trincomalee is a vibrant mix of culture and history. Offering scenic beaches, cliff-edge temples, ancient forts and thriving ocean waters; there’s a great deal to explore as you discover the myriad of attractions in Trincomalee. Dotted with ancient places of worship, historical ruins and monuments, and amazing beaches, the town is a kaleidoscopic wonder!
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
Located on the east coast of the island, right next to a natural harbor that was once an epicenter of strategic naval placings in the days of old, the town of Trincomalee is shrouded in many a tale that is both mythological and documented. The town possesses a multitude of experiences for any and all traveler journeying across the east coast of the island. Visit Trincomalee and discover the beauty of this city. Trincomalee is a vibrant mix of culture and history. Offering scenic beaches, cliff-edge temples, ancient forts and thriving ocean waters; there’s a great deal to explore as you discover the myriad of attractions in Trincomalee. Dotted with ancient places of worship, historical ruins and monuments, and amazing beaches, the town is a kaleidoscopic wonder!
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo/Negombo – Trincomalee
Stop At: Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Believed to date back to 400BC, the Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee is a significant Hindu Temple that has gone through many prosperous years, as well as many turbulent ones during European colonisation. Located inside the historic Fort Frederick, the temple gives that perfect balance of the island’s unique culture in an otherwise European setting. The Koneswaram Temple is considered to be one of the Pancha Ishwaram (one of the five abodes of Lord Shiva), thus making it one of the most important Hindu temples in the whole country. The temple flourished since its inception, as the many kingdoms that came, such as the Anuradhapura Kingdom, Chola Empire, Pandyan Kingdom, and the Jaffna Kingdom made sure to protect the place of worship.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Fort Frederick, Trincomalee Town, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
Built in the year 1623 by the Portuguese, the Fort Frederick in Trincomalee is one of the more important forts in the whole of the island, as it is strategically located to overlook the busy harbour of Trincomalee. With the Trincomalee harbour being one of the more important harbours in the whole of Asia, due to its strategic location and natural features, the area has been in the hands of many European colonists. Notable colonizers bring the Portuguese, Dutch, and the British. There were also short stints made by French and Danish, as the fort was an ideal structure to dock an Asian fleet for any sort of warfare.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Maritime And Naval History Museum, Lavender Ln, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
The Maritime and Naval History Museum is a relatively new museum in Trincomalee, as it has been in operation since 2013. Although a new addition, the museum is home to several ancient relics that go back to the days where trade relationships were just established in Sri Lanka, during the time of Marco Polo. Within the two-storey complex is a myriad of artefacts that explain how Sri Lanka, especially the port of Trincomalee, was used as an important docking point for many traders coming in from the far east. Located close to the historical Fort Frederick, the museum provides a good perspective on the history of how the Dutch set foot into the island during the 16th century, and eventually took control of the coastal regions.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Puliyanthivu, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Built in 1852, St. Mary’s Cathedral of Trincomalee is a unique place of worship in the coastal town of Trincomalee, as it is a kaleidoscope of white and blue that is a hallmark of the diverse ethnic groups that dwell within its boundaries. One of the highlights of the cathedral is the neo-baroque frontage that is a great example of the early colonizers. Within the place of worship are some intriguing portraits of saints. Come the festive seasons of Easter, Christmas and the New Year, and the cathedral comes to life with celebration, lights and many festivities that showcase the multiculturalism that thrives within the city of Trincomalee. Make sure you make this particular religious complex one place to visit, as it is a unique piece of architecture and a vestige that reverberates the intriguing identity of the city.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Trincomalee
Day 2: Trincomalee – Negombo/Colombo
Stop At: Pigeon Island National Park, Public Beach Road, Nilaveli 31010 Sri Lanka
The Pigeon Island National Park, located in Trincomalee, is one of the newer parks in the island, and has quickly become one of the more popular parks in the country. Declared a national park in 2003, the nature reserve consists of two islands that are connected by corals, and is home to a myriad of marine species, as the 100 or so coral species surrounding the island proves to be a perfect habitat for several marine species. Although sprawling with rare and endemic marine life, the islands were once used as a shooting range during the Second World War. While the islands are home to marine life, it is also known for the birds that take refuge in the area. The rocky outcrop of the island is home to a number of endangered Rock Pigeons. According to the Wildlife Department, the islands are home to about 300 species of reef fish that dwell in the coral reefs.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Nilaveli Beach, Nilaveli Sri Lanka
Considered to be one of the more pristine beaches in the entire island, the beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli in Trincomalee pose the idyllic setting for that perfect beach vacation. Strolling along the beach’s stretch of golden sand and azure waters that goes for more than a kilometer allows you to reflect on the exotic beauty of the country, while also partaking in some exhilarating water sports. The beach is known for being a hub for scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and, of course, swimming.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Velgam Vehera, Vilgam Vihara Road, Trincomalee 31000 Sri Lanka
Dating all the way back to the 3rd century BC, during the reign of King Devanampiytissa of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the Velgam Vehera in Trincomalee is one of the more overlooked ancient temples that showcase how the island’s first kingdom thrived with Buddhism as the major religion. Although built during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, subsequent kings took the responsibility of maintaining the place of worship, which even stretched to the time in which the Polonnaruwa Kingdom came to be the seat of power in the country. Intriguingly though, even after the Chola invasions that took place in the country, this temple was one of the few structures that were not razed to the ground, making the ruins we see now a result of neglect over the centuries.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
