Itinerary
(Airport – Diyabubula – Dambulla – Sigiriya – Pollonnaruwa or Minneriya national reserve – Kandy enroute to Barberyn Reef, Beruwala or Barberyn Beach, Weligama )
Two nights in Dambulla
Day One:
The Barberyn driver will meet you on arrival and you can travel to Diyabubula, located inDambulla in the cultural centre of Srilanka. www.diyabubula.com
Check in at Diyabubula. Rest and relax and depending on your time of arrival have breakfast or lunch or afternoon tea. In the late afternoon proceed to Dambulla cave temple complex. Dambulla cave temple: a monastic settlement of the 2nd century BC, which has been a destination for pilgrims since its establishment. The rock rises over 400 ft. above the ground and consists of 5 cave temples spread throughout 50 acres of land. The magnificence of the cave temples lies in the
abundance of art, depicted on well preserved Wall and Ceiling paintings covering an area of 22,000sqft, from which you can see how artists are inspired by religion. Admire the rich collections of 154 Sri Lankan sculptures in the form of large Buddha statutes in standing, seated & recumbent postures and some outstanding figures of gods.
Return to Diyabubula. Explore the forest and the sculptures. Dinner and overnight at Diyabubula.
Day Two:
Wake up to the sounds of the forests and after breakfast leave for Sigiriya.
Sigiriya: one of Asia’s 7 major archaeological sites and one of the World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka it presents a unique example of 5th century urban planning, architecture, gardening, engineering, hydraulic technology and art. Sigiriya is best known for the rock paintings of the heavenly maidens “Apsaras” and is an outstanding example of the classical school of Sri Lankan painting.
Proceed to Pollonnaruwa and lunch enroute. If you opt to visit Minneriya, return to Diyabubula for lunch and rest, and proceed to Minneriya national reserve after lnch – in the late afternoon.
Pollonnaruwa: the second medieval capitol of Sri Lanka (12th Century A.D.) Highlights of the visit will be the stone temple popularly known as Galviharaya. Take in the quadrangle (palace complex) and other archaeological and historical sights.
Minneriya national reserve: The Minneriya Wildlife sanctuary designated as a national park in the late 90’s is a must see for any wild life enthusiast and historian. Home to a tank built by the then King of Sri Lanka, King Mahasen (3rd Century AD), the area is a feeding ground for elephants during the dry season (May- to end September) where herds of elephants gather. The gathering of elephants at this location has been declared by the Lonely Planet guide as “the sixth greatest wildlife spectacle in the world.”
Eveneing visit the minimalist space of the Resident artist, Laki and listen to his wide range of music and if he is at Diyabubula have a chat with him.
Dinner and overnight at Diyabubula.
Day Three:
After breakfast departure to Barberyn Reef Beruwala or Barberyn Beach Weligama.
You can opt to travel via Kandy and if so visit the temple of the tooth.
Temple of the tooth relic:
The Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the one of the two surviving relic of the tooth of Buddha, an object of veneration for Buddhists.
Late evening arrive at Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort, Beruwala or Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort, Weligama, where travel ends and the journey within begins