Major Cities of Sri Lanka

Colombo

This is the main commercial capital & business hub of Sri Lanka. It is also the largest city of the country and is situated in the Western Province. Colombo has the biggest population of about 2.3 million people. Colombo boasts of many international standard hotels, shopping malls, night clubs, and restaurants which gives the traveler an experience second to no other major city. Colombo also has some historical buildings such as the National museum , Dutch hospital which was recently converted to a shopping mall but keeping in line with it’s old world charm. , The Galle Face hotel , Light house and Main Railway building are still famous among the locals & tourist.

Anuradhapura

This is the first kingdom of the country which remained from 4th Century B.C. to 10th Century A.D. The kingdom was ruled by 127 kings during this period. Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the Abhayagiri (built in 1st century B.C. )and Jethawana (built in 3rd century A.D. ) Buddhist monasteries. Anuradhapura is one of the corners of Cultural triangle in Sri Lanka. Early Anuradhapura period was one of the most developed capitals in Asia. During Anuradhapura period in 247 century B.C. Buddhism was introduced to the country by Arahath Mahinda thero to king Devanam Piyatissa. Further in 246 centuy B.C. Nun Sanghamitha brought down the sacred Bo tree. This is a branch of the original Bo tree where prince Gautama Siddhartha's (Later Buddha) enlightenment happened.It is the oldest recorded living tree in the world. Anuradhapura is one of the districts in the North central province of the country. It is 208km from the commercial city Colombo. There are 8 noble places in Anuradhapura. They are, Sri Maha Bodhiya , Ruwanweli Seya, Abhayagiriya, Jetawanaramaya , Thuparamaya , Lankaramaya, Mirisawetiya , Issurumuniya . Anuradhapura is a very famous Buddhist pilgrimage site in the country.

Galle

Galle is the main administrative district in the southern province with the highest population in the province with more than 1,058,700 people. Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site mainly due to the 17th century Dutch Fort and the beautiful Dutch colonial architecture in the city. Also it is hard to miss the International cricket Stadium which is in the heart of the city and by the side of the Indian Ocean. The distance from Colombo to Galle is 115km through the normal roadway which runs pararell to the coastal belt. There is also a newly constructed express motor way which can take you to Galle from the capital city Colombo in 1 hour.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya was discovered by the English in 1819. As the surrounding environment reminded them of home, Nuwara Eliya is fondly called " Little England ". The city was further developed by the inclusion of a golf course, a horse racing course ,flower garden & the famous Gregory’s Lake . As the city sits above an altitude of 6000feet from sea level, Nuwara Eliya has a colder climate and a breathtaking view of natural landscape which is surrounded by lush green tea plantations and beautiful waterfalls. No visit to Nuwara Eliya is complete without a nice hot cup of tea freshly brewed from one of the many Tea factories. This will no doubt reiterate the fact that we produce the best tea in the world.

Kandy

Molligoda, Pilimatalawa (Both Senior & Junior), Ratwatte, Millawa, Galagama, Glagoda Dullewe. Kandy is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site mainly due to the sacred tooth relic temple of Buddha .The sacred tooth relic temple was originally built in 16th Century A.D. by king Wimaladharmasooriya. This is the most sacred place in the country amongst the Buddhist devotees. Also historical buildings like Ambakke and Gadoladeniya which are rich with tremendous wood carving is also one of the reasons to name Kandy a UNESCO World Heritage site. Further Kandy is one of the corners in Sri Lanka’s Cultural triangle. Still the hill capital is very famous for Traditional arts and crafts, brass items , Silk , Batik ,unique dance styles and music with unique costumes . It is a beautiful sight to behold. The Biggest festival in Kandy is the world renowned Esala Perahera which is of symbolic importance to the country. This happens in the month of August. Here the sacred tooth relic of Buddha is taken around the city where the majority of the Elephants in the country are paraded dressed in the most beautiful costumes where they march to the drum beat of the traditional drummers. The whole event is of light & color, with traditional dancers & music. This is a way of showing the dignity and the uniqueness of the charming hill capital of Sri Lanka.

Mount Lavinia

Mount Lavinia, is situated immediately south of the Colombo city centre. This city lies along the Galle Road artery which runs along the coast to the south of the country. Famed for its "Golden Mile" of beaches, it is a hot spot for laid back nightlife in the beach. The city's name is built up around the original residence of Sir Thomas Maitland who was the Governor of Ceylon from 1805–1811. At a welcoming party held in his honor on his arrival to the island he saw Lovina, a local mestizo dancer, whose father was the headman of the troupe. Sir Thomas was smitten by her smile and charms and soon found himself obsessed by her and took every measure possible to see more of her. As it was unconventional for an unmarried British officer to be seen associating with a local dancing girl, Sir Thomas and his lover met in secret. Legend says she was smuggled into his mansion through a secret tunnel that led from her father's well into a wine cellar in the house. In 1811, social convention and duty to his king, led Sir Thomas Maitland to leave the country for Malta, where he lived and died as a bachelor. The tunnel was eventually sealed in 1920 and the Gypsy village that surrounded the Governor’s mansion developed into a modern bustling city that took its name from the beautiful Lovina. But the governor’s home, which he named "Mount Lavinia House" and his monument to his only love, has been preserved within the walls and high ceilings of what is today the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel. The statue of 'Lady' Lavinia, as the girl later became known, is still found in the middle of a water fountain at the entrance to the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Dambulla & Sigiriya

Dambulla is part of the Matale district in the Central province. There is 150km from Colombo to Dambulla and the distance from Dambulla to Kandy is 72km. Dambulla is the main distribution point where Vegetables and fruits are distributed to most parts of the country. Dambulla was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 due to the largest preserved ancient rock cave temple complex which was first constructed by King Vattagamini Abhaya (King Walagamba ) during his rein of 103 BC and 89 - 77BC. These caves are in a large rock which is 1100 feet above sea level. It was used as a hideout & shelter for king Walagamba when he was not in power for 14 years due to Indian invasion. In this 5 main caves historic paintings and Buddha images can be seen ;which are related to Buddhism and our history. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the 5th century rock fortress where king Kashyapa had his kingdom . This is considered as the 8th unofficial wonder of the world due to it being an ingenious engineering masterpiece coupled with art, nature & mystery. Sigiriya is a must visit place for any local and foreign tourists to understand the capabilities and far thinking knowledge of our ancestors. From Dambulla to Sigiriya there is only 17Km.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnnaruwa is the 2nd kingdom of the country which remained from 11th Century A.D. to 13th Century A.D. This city was ruled by 23 kings during this period. But the most famous kings were King Wijayabahu, King Parakrambahu the great & King Nissankamalla. The city has many ancient Buddhist shrines along with a vey advanced irrigation system engineered by the ancient kings. Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to Alahana Piriwena built in 12th century A.D. by King Parakramabahu the great .Polonnaruwa is one of the corners of the Cultural triangle in Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is in the North central province and there are 214km from Colombo. From Anuradhapura there is 100Km to Polonnaruwa.

Kataragama

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda tribe of Sri Lanka. People from South India also come here to worship. The town has the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio. Kataragama is in the Monaragala District of Uva province. It is 228 km south east of Colombo. Although Kataragama was a small village in medieval times, today it is a fast-developing township surrounded by jungle in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka. It houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa. The town has a venerable history dating back to the last centuries BCE. It was the seat of government of many Sinhalese kings during the days of the Rohana kingdom. Since the 1950s the city has undergone many improvements with successive governments investing in public transportation, medical facilities, and business development and hotel services. It adjoins the popular Yala National Park.

Kalutara

Kalutara is a big town in the Western Province. It is also the third largest urban area in Western Province after Colombo and Negombo. Kalutara is a scenic resort town. It is also the administrative capital of Kalutara District. It is located approximately 40 km south of the capital Colombo. Once an important spice-trading center, the town's name is derived from the Kalu Ganga River ('Black River' in native Sinhala). In the 11th Century, the town was temporarily made a capital on the orders of a South Indian Prince. The region was later planted with coconut trees, whose by-products are used for both internal and external trade. The location also boast fortifications dating back from the times when Portuguese, Dutch and British vied for control of the area. The 38-meter long Kalutara Bridge was built at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga River and serves as a major link between the country's western and southern border. At the southern end of the bridge lies the 3 storied-high Kalutara Vihara, a Buddhist temple built in the 1960s which holds the distinction of being the only stupa in the world that is hollow

Habarana

Habarana is a popular tourist destination for safari lovers as it is the starting point for safaris in the nearby Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary which is heavily populated by elephants. Elephant back riding is also an attraction in this city. Habarana is situated nearby to the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya and is situated on the main road from Colombo to Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa. Habarana has some of the best hotels in the country and the greenery and wild life as added value, making the location attractive for visitors.

Kitulgala

Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rain forest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. Nevertheless, it comes alive in the first three months of the year, especially in February, the driest month. The Academy Award-winning The Bridge over the River Kwai movie was filmed near Kitulgala. Although nothing remains from the movie set now, except the concrete foundations for the bridge and the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene of this epic movie. Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometers upstream.

Important

Vis , Air ticket fees or any other fee/s which is relevant to your arrival & departure flights are not included for the given package price. Extra amount will be charged for every optional visits . Drinking Water bottles ( 500ml ) are given ( min 2 to max 4 bottles per day ) Bring a minimum of 1 temple visit kit to visit temple / Buddhist shrines. pair of shoes with a decent grip , Additional pairs of socks & pair of flipflops will be useful to have with you. You need to bring your own face masks & hand sanitizers . When it is required to take PCR tests or any other Covid 19 related test those tests to be taken by your own ( according to the requirements ). But we will help you out to take above tests if it is necessary to take it while you are accommodating here in Sri Lanka.