Visit Munneshwaram Hindu Temple. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama.
Transfer to Anuradhapura
Climb Mihintale sacred mountain. Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura ancient city, believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Dinner and overnight stay at Water’s Edge Lodge in Anuradhapura
Full day safari game drive in Wilpattu National Park, home to large number of Leopards in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu is the most beautiful national park in Sri Lanka. Picnic breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided
Dinner and overnight stay at Water’s Edge Lodge in Anuradhapura
Explore UNESCO's World Heritage site of Anuradhapura's "Atamasthana" or eight sacred places are a series of locations in Sri Lanka where the Buddha had visited during his three visits to the country. The sacred places are known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, Mirisaveti Stupa and Lankarama. They are situated in Anuradhapura, the capital of the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom.
Dinner and overnight stay at Water’s Edge Lodge in Anuradhapura
Nature trail in the area, Forest walks, boulder scrambles, a spot of caving and …the loveliest of it all – stream hikes. Talk to the naturalist about your particular area of interest, and he will customize the trail and accompany you.
Lunch at Back of Beyond Dehigahala Ela Eco Lodge
Trek along the stream and have dip in the natural pools This, without doubt, is the favourite activity of visitors to Dehigaha Ela Eco Lodge. The cold and sparkling Dehigaha Ela stream falls into the murky warm Kiri Oya River at the edge of the lodge. Let the tumbling water massage you, allow the cheeky fish nibble at your toes, or just disappear in to the cool pools of water.
Walking upstream along the Dehigaha Ela stream is highly recommended. It will take a while as you are tempted to dip in the innumerable pools created by the low calcium terraces. If you make it all the way, you get to the marshy pool fed by the clear bubbling springs where it all starts
Dinner and overnight stay at Back of Beyond Dehigahala Ela Eco Lodge
Explore a local rural village by cycles in Habarana and Sigiriya. You'll be collected by our guide for a cycling trip in the countryside, exploring typical Sri Lankan rural villages where you can experience the day to day lifestyle of the villagers. The trip takes you amongst rice and vegetable fields where you can learn about local farming and how they protect crops from the wild. Finally you'll visit a village house and interact with the local villagers.
Experience a home cooked village lunch
Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Transfer to Knuckles mountains in Kandy – 3 hours drive approximately
Dinner and overnight stay at Welikanda Villa home stay in Knuckles mountain in Kandy
Visit Sri Lanka's remotest village, Meemure, which is surrounded by the "Dumbara" mountains; in English they are called the "Knuckles Mountains". A place where you can see the beauty of an authentic Sri Lankan village. Layered paddy fields, mountains and take dip and bathe in the stream. On your way back to Kandy, we visit Corbet's Gap. Picnic meals and refreshments will be provided.
Dinner and overnight stay at Welikanda Villa home stay in Knuckles mountain in Kandy
Trek to most famous Ella scenic mountain peak, Ella Rock
Transfer to Buduruwagala, which is approximately 1 hour drive to see an ancient Buddhist temple, the complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-Tara.
Transfer to Buttala – approximately 45 minutes drive
Dinner and overnight stay at Tree Tops Jungle Lodge in Buttala
Around 9 am start on a walk that will take you inside the dry zone, mature and tall virgin forest. As soon as you are under the forest cover the air is different and cool. This is a protected forest connected to the Yala National Park, about 7 km further to south. Walking on animal tracks, we may see signs from the previous nights’ activity. We might come across footprints of sloth bear and paw marks of leopard as well as wild elephants’ footprints. All dry zone forest birds can be spotted in this forest. There are still ebony trees here, a rare tree to see in the forest today. We might make a small trek up on a mountain, to an open rock place from where you’ll see a panoramic view to the east and south. All jungle, in fact you can see into an almost complete overview of the total Yala National Park. Return to the lodge around 11–11.30 am.
Lunch at the lodge
In the afternoon around 4.15 pm start on an excursion to the lakes in close proximity to the lodge. Stay for some time at a lake; enjoy the scenery and the birdlife unfolding. With a bit of luck, elephants can be observed drinking water.
Dinner and overnight stay at Tree Tops Jungle Lodge in Buttala
Recommended is to try to 'do nothing' but follow the natural rhythms of the jungle. Relax and listen to the sounds. There's a small library with books about the Sri Lankan elephant, nature, and history. The local staff is highly skilled in the art of interpreting the signs of nature and visitors could learn to understand some of the sounds and smells of the jungle. If you still want to be active, we can make similar walks as described for the first day but slightly different. Planning of walks always depends on the movement of wildlife.
Lunch at the lodge
Dinner and overnight stay at Tree Tops Jungle Lodge in Buttala