Splendid Ramayana Discovery – 14 Days (SRD140033)

MELBOURNE / NEGOMBO Depart from either *Sydney, Melbourne, *Brisbane, or *Adelaide for Negombo (Colombo), Sri Lanka. Inflight meals are included. You will be welcomed by your host and local guide to this magical island. Transferred directly to your hotel in Negombo. Overnight stay in Negombo (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

NEGOMBO - PINNAWELA - SIGIRIYA This morning after an early breakfast overlooking the lush scenic view, head over to Sigiriya. En route, stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage established in 1975. Started with seven orphaned elephants, today Pinnawala is the sanctuary for more than 57 elephants some of who are rescued from dire situations. Make sure to visit them at bath time and see how these little baby giants are rolling in the mud, and when it’s feeding time to see their eagerness to be fed through bottles

SIGIRIYA After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take you to your destination of Sigiriya rock fortress. This iconic monument is a wonderful craftsmanship headed by King Kashyap. There after transfer to Hiriwaduna. Sigiriya Rock Fortress King Kashyapa was an adamant king, who quarrelled with his family and embarked on to build his fortress on top of Sigiriya Rock (477-495 AD). As the only rock amidst a flat open area, this was an ideal place for King Kashyapa to protect himself from any impending threat from enemies. Sigiriya aka ‘Fortress in the Sky, is UNESCO world heritage site due to the magnificent architectural wonders. Take a moment and enjoy the mirror wall, the famous drawing of ‘Sigiriya Landun (ladies)’, the lion gate and water gardens. Marvel at the ancient architecture and step up into the rock summit to experience the breathtaking view. Be sure to sit back and immerse at this moment, to cherish and capture the movement eternally in your heart. Overnight stay in Sigiriya (Standard or Premium Hotel Option) Hiriwaduna Village Tour with authentic Sri Lankan lunch: Ride a Bullock cart which is Sri Lanka’s oldest form of transportation on an unpaved trail. Then set off on a nature walk through a scrub jungle. Immerse yourself in an archetypal Sri Lankan village, spend time with a farmer harvesting crops, or watch the children play or enjoy the sight of the village folk as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing or washing clothes at the lake. Wind down to a scrumptious home cooked meal in the heart of the village. Overnight stay in Sigiriya (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

SIGIRIYA Breakfast at hotel. Spend the morning at leisure afternoon go on adventure 4WD safari to see elephants in their natural environment. Minneriya National Park: The elephants are a highlight of the Park. Approximately 160 species of birds, 9 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species can also be found here.. Overnight stay in Sigiriya (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

SIGIRIYA -MATALE - KANDY After breakfast, leave for Kandy. Drive to Matale to visit a spice garden. In Kandy, visit the Temple of the Tooth. View a cultural dance in evening. Temple of the tooth relic This temple, the most important one for The Sri Lankan Buddhists was built in the 16th Century A.D. solely for the purpose of housing the tooth relic. Observe the magnificent Architecture of that period and experience the tranquility of the atmosphere. Traditional dancing show The Dance was done during the king’s times as an entertaining show for the kings. However, its popularity reduced when the British took over, but now it’s revived and taken on for the stage. The Kandyan Music & the Dresses all are a beauty to watch. Overnight stay in Kandy (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

KANDY– NUWARA-ELIYA Travel to Nuwara-eliya after breakfast. Visit a tea factory en-route to see how the world's favorite drink is prepared and visit Hanuman temple. Nuwara Eliya resembles an old English town, complete with a lake, race track, well- kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican Church and an 18 hole golf course. Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is located in the hills of Ramboda where Lord Hanuman searched for Queen Seetha. An impressive 18 foot statue of Lord Hanuman towers over the entrance of the temple. Thousands of devotees throng to the temple each year in reverence of the Monkey God. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

Nuwara Eliya Visit Sitha amman temple, Divurumpola and Hakgala garden. Sita Amman Temple This colorful Hindu temple, is said to mark the area in which Queen Seetha was held captive by King Rawana and where she prayed daily for her king to rescue her. The stream that runs from the nearby hill is said to be where the queen bathed during her residence at the nearby gardens of Ashok Vatika. About a century ago, three idols were discovered near the stream, one of which was that of Queen Seetha. Impressions on the rocks of the river bank are thought to be footprints of Lord Hanuman who rested at this spot after the battle to save Queen Seetha from the clutches of King Ravana. Hakgala Botanical Gardens 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. Divurumpola Temple Divurumpola’ meaning ‘The Place of Oath’ is site at which Queen Seetha performed a ‘Agni Pariksha’, a fire ordeal to prove her purity to King Rama after she was rescued from the clutches of King Ravana. This sight is now a popular place of worship among locals in the area. The local legal system permits and accepts swearing conducted at this temple in the settling of disputes between parties. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

NUWARA-ELIYA - ELLA After breakfast proceed to Ella. Drive through the little town of Nuwara Eliya observing the well-maintained buildings of colonial Architecture. Visit the busy market where the tea plantation workers rush in and out with their day’s provisions. Visit the lake Gregory built for generating power during the British Colonial age but now a feature that adds beauty to the city. Ravana Waterfall It is said that Ravana had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. Legend speaks of the tunnels being used as secret passageways to travel through the hill country. Overnight stay in Ella (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

ELLA A small mountainous village near Bandarawela, Ella has strong links to the Legend of Ramayana. It is said King Ravana hid Queen Seetha in a cave behind the Ella Waterfalll, now known as the Ravana Ella Cave. The Ravana Ella Cave, located at the massive Ella Falls, a breathtaking 1,080 foot high waterfall that cascades into several falls. The rocky undergoes of the waterfall has many caves and it is said that King Ravana lived in the caves above the waterfall. A natural pool nearby bored out of the rock by the gushing waters of the majestic waterfall is where it is thought Queen Seetha bathed. Overnight stay in Ella (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

ELLA – MIRISSA After breakfast, travel to Mirissa. En-route visit Ussangoda. Overnight stay in Mirissa. Ussangoda After meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the event that unfolded Lord Hanuman's tail was set on fire by the Rakshasas, who in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana's empire. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana. Afternoon, spend time in Mirissa beach. Overnight stay in Mirissa (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option)

MIRISSA Relax by the beach. Overnight stay in Mirissa (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

MIRISSA - COLOMBO After breakfast, travel to Colombo. Overnight stay in Colombo. (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) COLOMBO After breakfast visit the first Anjaneyar temple in Sri Lanka and then take the opportunity to do the last-minute shopping around Colombo. Anjaneyar Temple This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. Its the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Ajanyear. Overnight stay in Colombo. (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option)

COLOMBO - AIRPORT After breakfast at the hotel, take time to relax, pay gratitude for this amazing experience, gather up your memories and head back to the airport for your departure flight. (In-Flight meals are included).

ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA