Colombo Trip Overview
Venerated by four religions, Adam’s Peak is at 2,243m above sea level, where pilgrims flock to climb during the night in the special season of January to April. It is near the hill country town of Hatton, 123km from Colombo. The spectacular sunrise seen from the peak rewards pilgrims who climb to pay respect to the footprint set in rock at the summit.
The climb is up uneven steps of granite and cement and climbers are encouraged by others to keep going; the descent is just as taxing. A ritual, after worship, is to ring the bell, not on the first visit, but only on subsequent visits. The various faiths regard the footprint as representing their own beliefs, so it is a symbol of the multi-cultural character of Sri Lanka.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Hiking & Camping
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Venerated by four religions, Adam’s Peak is at 2,243m above sea level, where pilgrims flock to climb during the night in the special season of January to April. It is near the hill country town of Hatton, 123km from Colombo. The spectacular sunrise seen from the peak rewards pilgrims who climb to pay respect to the footprint set in rock at the summit.
The climb is up uneven steps of granite and cement and climbers are encouraged by others to keep going; the descent is just as taxing. A ritual, after worship, is to ring the bell, not on the first visit, but only on subsequent visits. The various faiths regard the footprint as representing their own beliefs, so it is a symbol of the multi-cultural character of Sri Lanka.
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport/ Colombo
Pass By: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
On arrival you will be welcomed by our Representative and will be escorted to your vehicle. Thereafter the chauffeur who will be with you for the rest of the tour will transfer you to Colombo
Overnight in Colombo
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Colombo
Day 2: Kelaniya Temple/ kandy
Stop At: Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Colombo Sri Lanka
Kelaniya Vibhishana Temple Kelaniya is a Buddhist sanctuary in the first place, because it is believed to be visited by the Buddha himself. Within the temple premises there is a Hindu shrine too. It is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana but during the legendary war on Lanka he became a supporter of Lord Rama, because he disapproved Ravana’s tresspass of Sita’s abduction. After Ravana’s death Rama appointed Vibhishana as the new king of Lanka. Vibhishana is venerated by Sinhalese Buddhists as a God, they believe him to be one of the main protectors of the island, especially in its western territories.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Kandy, Kandy, Kandy District, Central Province
Kandy a lovely city, the Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains an aura of grandeur, which time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned “Temple of the Tooth”. Kandy and its satellite villages are the center of the islands handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Thereafter visit Temple of the Tooth Relic.
According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali who fled the Hindu armies besieging her father’s kingdom in India. It immediately became an object of great reverence and was enshrined in a series of nested jeweled reliquaries. The tooth was brought out for special occasions and paraded on the backs of elephants, which are sacred to the Buddha. Where it survived numerous attempts to capture and destroy it.
When the capital was moved to Kandy, the tooth was taken to the new city and placed in temples built to honor it. The temple was originally built under Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707, but later severely damaged during the 18th-century colonial wars against the Portugese and Dutch. After the wars, the original wooden structures were restored in stone
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Colombo
Day 3: KANDY/ RAMBODA / NUWARA ELIYA
Stop At: Gadaladeniya, Sri Lanka
Gadaladeniya
The Gadaladeniya temple is one of the 3 Western Shrines in the surroundings of Kandy, dating from the Gampola period in the 14th century. Of those shrines Gadaladeniya is the one showing the closest relation to Indian architecture. Its outline of an Indian Shikhara-temple in a smaller size, and many details prove cultural influence from the South Indian Vijayanagara Empire. In Sri Lanka, Gadaladeniya is famous for its paintings, especially those at the wooden doors, for example the flower maiden. Though Gadaladeniya’s main shrine is originally and until the present day a Buddhist sanctuary its extension are dedicated to Hindu gods. The integration of Hindu elements into the Buddhist religion is a characteristic feature of the Gampola period and even influenced the Kandyan art which became a pride of the Sinhalese Buddhist culture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lankatilaka Temple, Gadaldeniya Rd, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Lankatilaka is the most splended of the three remaining temples from the Gampola period of the island’s history. A characteristic feature of the architectural design of this Buddhist temple is its concinnity, integrating 5 chapels for Hindu deities in an ambulatory around the main shrine under the same roof. The venerated gods are Vishnu in his Lankan appearance as Upulvan, Skanda as Kataragama, Saman protecting the sacred mountain Siri Pada and Pattini, the Sinhalese version of the Tamil Kannaki. The fifth God is Vibhishana, Ravana’s younger brother, who supported Rama and after Ravana’s death became his successor as king of Lanka.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Travel to Nuwara Eliya. En route visit Chariot Path and Sita Tear Pond.
The summit of the mountain next to the mountain range overlooking Frotoft Estate in Pussallawa is the place where Hanuman first set his foot on mainland Lanka. This mountain known as Pawala Malai is visible from this mountain range. These hills stand tall in-between King Ravana’s capital city and Ashoka Vatika.
The barren land atop the mountain range is believed to be the route in which King Ravana took Sitadevi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, which was a paradise on earth. Till date no vegetation grows on this passage except grass. King Ravana is believed to have taken this passage on top of these hills to show Sitadevi the beauty of his kingdom.
The Sita tear pond is found en route by the chariot route, is believed to have been formed by the tears of Sitadevi and has not dried up since, even during severe droughts when the adjoining rivers dry up.
The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Wevandon Hills, Ramboda 20590 Sri Lanka
And thereafter visit Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, Ramboda
In the hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sita, the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple which is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Damro Labookellie Tea Centre and Tea Garden, A5, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
And en-route you could view the famous “Ramboda Falls” and also visit to a Tea Plantation & Factory. Here you could enjoy the taste of a pure cup of “Ceylon Tea”.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nuwara Eliya.
Day 4: NUWARA ELIYA / ADAMS PEAK
Stop At: Hakgala Botanic Gardens, Badulla Road, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
The Hakgala Botanical Gardens was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana. This garden was expanded during the British period and has a wide variety of flowers including an excellent collection of orchids. This is the exotic pleasure garden where King Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marries him. It was here where the heartwarming meeting took place between her and Hanuman, who brought her Rama’s ring with the news that Rama was looking for her. He offered to carry her back but she refused saying it would be an insult to Rama’s honor if she did so.
Part of this majestic garden still exists. It is also said that Hanuman nearly destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana of the forces against him.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Sita Temple, Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Highway, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
The Sita Amman Temple can be seen en route to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on one side of the temple. The temple today is a modern building with its paintings, statues and pillars decorated with sculptures; all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita
Duration: 35 minutes
Stop At: Divurumpola, Welimada Sri Lanka
Divurumpola Temple
Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding. This place has been respected and worshipped by people down the ages.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ravana’s Cave, Wellawaya road Nature Exploration and conservation Society ,#37/2,kekunahena,opatha,Galle, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ravana waterfalls & caves, Ella is a small mountain village near Bandarawela and boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where local legend claims Ravana was hiding Sita. First there is the Ravana Ella Cave, located at the massive Ella Falls; a breathtaking 1080 feet high waterfall that cascades into several falls. The rocky undergoes of the waterfall is Khondalite, a kind of limestone which undergoes faster decay as hard gneiss or granite.
This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfall. A nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters is where Sita is said to have bathed Ravana.
Istreepura caves
The Sinhalese word Ishtripura or Shtripura means “area of women”. It is said that Ravana shifted Sita to this cave as a precautionary measure after Lord Hanuman’s advent on Lanka. Legend has it that Sitadevi took a bath in the nearby steam and afterwards dried her hair sitting on a rock and put clips to her hair, hence this rock is known as Konda Kattu Gala, Konda means hair, and Kattu are clips.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Guest House/ Hotel in Hatton/ Ratnapura
Day 5: Adams Peak/ Colombo
Stop At: Adam’s Peak (Sri pada), 22070 Sri Lanka
Sri Pada, or Adam’s Peak, is a 2,234m-high mountain which is sacred to all four main religious groups in Sri Lanka – Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, all of whom variously claim the giant footprint at the top to be that of Lord Buddha, God Shiva, Adam or St. Thomas (the Christian apostle who preached in South India. Climbing the mountain is a popular pilgrimage, and a steady trickle of travelers join devotees between December and April to attempt the ascent.
The climb is best started at about 2am – after a 3.5 hour hike, you will reach the summit and witness one of the most glorious sunrises in Asia. During pilgrimage season, strip lights and rudimentary stalls light the way to help keep you going all the way to the top. For many, this is a moving highlight of their stay in Sri Lanka and it is certainly one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the island.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Colombo
Day 6: Colombo / Airport
Stop At: Sri Anjaneyar Temple, 3/11 Sri Bodhirukkarama Road, Kalubowila-Dehiwala, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 31000 Sri Lanka
Anjaneyar Temple
This kovil is the first Anjaneyar temple in Sri Lanka and the only one on the island dedicated to Lord
Hanuman in his Panchamuga form – this means with five faces. And it is said to be the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Anjaneyar. Its chariot festival is held annually at the end of December or at the beginning of January. It is one of the most popular processions in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo. Visitors are advised to wash hands and feet before entering the temple and not to cross hands inside the temple.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Rd, කටුනායක 11450, Sri Lanka
Leave to Airport for departure flight.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
