After breakfast on the second day, you will visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first established and longest-serving capital city, having been the seat of the king for over 1,500 years since the 5^th Century BC. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural relevance.

Anuradhapura is a city that, when describing, no superlatives will do it enough justice. The ancient city’s remains tell a story of a strong civilisation that was sculpted by engineers of the highest order and artists that are second to none in the world. One visit to the city will show you how ancient Sri Lankans carved granite as if it were soft wood, creating delicate artwork and perfect designs. Almost all man-made reservoirs that still dot the area were built during ancient times, and to this day provides the water needed for rice cultivation. 

One of the most impressive structures in Anuradhapura is the Jethawanarama Dagaba, the third-highest building in the ancient world (originally 122m tall, it was only third behind the two great pyramids in Egypt) and still the largest brick structure ever built. 

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the tree with the oldest recorded history, planted from a branch taken from the very tree the Buddha sat beneath when attaining enlightenment. It is also believed to be the mother tree for all Bo trees in Sri Lanka. The tree is visited by many devotees and pilgrims year-round, and is thought to be the oldest remaining tree to have been planted by a human for a purpose other than food, wood, or shelter. 

Other impressive buildings and remains in the city include the Ruwanweliseya, Thuparamaya, Mirisaveti Dagaba, Lovamahapaya, and the Abhayagiri Dagaba. Among other impressive attractions in Anuradhapura are the Samadhi seated Buddha Statue, the ancient palaces and other structures, and a host of swimming or bathing ponds that had both aesthetic and practical value. Special mention needs to be made of Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) and the gigantic Ath Pokuna (Elephant Pond), the latter of which is 500 feet (152m) long, 150 feet (45m) wide, and 30 feet (9m) deep.

After a long and rewarding tour of Anuradhapura, you will be transferred to Sigiriya, where you will stay overnight.

After breakfast at your hotel in Sigiriya, you will get a chance to visit yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the surrounding area. Sigiriya, loosely meaning Lion Rock or Lion’s Mouth, is a 200 metre monolith out of which a fortress was created by the 5^th century king Kashyapa, who feared for his life, and hence needed a secure location for his seat. His story is stuff of legend and reads like mythology. He always feared that his father, the king Dhathusena, a benevolent and popular king, would disown him for his behaviour and attitude, and proceeded to torture and execute his father by trapping him inside a wall. The prince named himself king, and proceeded to move his seat to Sigiriya. Not happy with just living in a cave, he got the services of the best engineering and artistic minds to create a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. 

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is known in Sri Lanka as the eighth wonder of the ancient world, and with good reason. At the top of the rock, there is a pond which does not seem to dry out even during periods of drought, and modern scientists and engineers have no proper idea as to the source of the water there. More impressive are the fountains that, to this day, work especially during times of heavy rain. That these systems still run without the use of electricity or mechanical power has baffled the best modern minds. One of Sigiriya’s main attractions is a series of frescoes of Damsels holding flowers. Although only 22 of these iconic paintings remain, archaeologists claim that the entire rock face was adorned with them, making it the largest single painting the world has ever seen.

After the bombardment of culture and history at Sigiriya, you will be transferred to Minneriya National Park, where you will experience a 4WD Jeep Safari. The Minneriya National Park is the area designated for animals which were displaced by building the Minneriya Reservoir more than 1,500 years ago. This deep reservoir is best known for not drying out even during long periods of drought. It is this quality that makes the Minneriya National Park the location of one of the world’s most spectacular annual wildlife events – the elephant gathering. Although it has a permanent population of 100 to 150 elephants, this number swells to about 400 to 500 during the dry period from July to September, as elephants from adjoining national parks make their way to the reservoir to quench their thirst. Although usually territorial, all elephants put aside their differences throughout this period. 

You will stay overnight in Sigiriya.

Day 4 of your adventure takes you to not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will leave your hotel in Sigiriya after breakfast and come to Dambulla, which is the most important hub for the local produce industry. Dambulla is also home to another wonder of ancient Sri Lanka, the Rock Cave Temple, or the Golden Temple. This World Heritage Site is located inside a series of caves atop a 500-foot (150 m) rock. The Golden Temple traces its history back more than 2,100 years, and has an impressive collection of Buddhist artworks including sculptures and paintings from different eras. The view of the area is also spectacular, as you will be able to see quite a long distance on clear days. 

From Dambulla, you will be taken along a scenic highway to Kandy via Matale, where you will get to see an authentic Sri Lankan spice garden. Sri Lankans love their spices and no respectable Sri Lankan kitchen would be complete without a rack of upwards of 15 to 20 kinds of spice. Spice gardens are an important cog in the wheel of Sri Lanka’s agriculture industry, as they produce several types of spices in every garden by design. See how these spices are grown, and experience the aroma of fresh tropical spices that makes Sri Lankan one of the new trending cuisines in the world. You might even get a chance to buy some fresh herbs to take back home with you!

Your next destination will be the Hill Capital Kandy, where you will get to visit your second UNESCO World Heritage Site for the day. The Sacred City of Kandy, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic is located, is a large complex containing the temple itself and several museums, along with large areas for pilgrims to gather. The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Locally known as Dalada Maligawa) is so named because it contains the most sacred artefact in the Buddhist culture – a part of the Buddha’s tooth which was retrieved from his funeral pyre. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims and visitors every day, and holds a significant place in Sri Lanka’s history. The tooth relic itself was a symbol of power for Sri Lankan kings and was kept under their patronage and protection. There are several museums and shrines in the complex that tell the folklore and history of the tooth relic, from it being smuggled into the country in the 4^th century and moving each time the seat of the king moved from one city to another. The tooth itself is kept under high security inside a golden casket.

After the tour of the Temple, bear witness to a cultural show that includes dancing, drums, theatre, and other items from various eras. 

You will stay overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will take a tour of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, just outside of Kandy. These vast gardens were once the pleasure park for Sri Lankan kings and are now the most important botanical garden in the country. As many as 4,000 species of flora, including rare and endemic plants, are grown in the park. Watch out for the Palm-lined avenues, the double coconut trees, the giant bamboo, and the Giant Java Fig tree that provides shade to a vast area. The botanical gardens are also home to several research facilities. 

After the botanical gardens, you will take a scenic drive to Nuwara Eliya, a city nicknamed “Little England” for its climate and its architecture that resembles that of 19^th century England. The drive itself is worth a special mention, as you will see many spectacular waterfalls, misty mountains, rolling hills, and valleys below. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s coldest city, and the sub-temperate climate reminds one of a spring or autumn in England. This climate and the nutrient-rich soil provide the perfect location for growing some of the world’s best tea. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated when you enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon Tea the island is famous for. What better way to enjoy it than gazing at some spectacular views? You will spend the evening relaxing in the cool climate. 

You will stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya.