"Sacred Pathways: A 7-Day Buddhist Pilgrimage in Sri Lanka"

Day 1: Arrival in Colombo – Transfer to Negombo

• Morning: Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. Meet and greet by the tour guide. Transfer to Negombo.

 

• Afternoon: Visit the Angurukaramulla Temple, known for its large seated Buddha statue and ancient murals.

 

• Evening: Relax at the beach or take a stroll around the town.

 

• Overnight Stay: Negombo

Day 2: Negombo to Anuradhapura

• Morning: After breakfast, depart for Anuradhapura, the ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

• Afternoon: Explore the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, including key sites such as:
  
  
  • Sri Maha Bodhi Tree: The sacred fig tree believed to be a sapling from the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
  
  
  • Ruwanwelisaya: A massive stupa built by King Dutugemunu.
  
  
  • Thuparamaya Dagoba: The oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka, said to enshrine the right collarbone of the Buddha.
  
  
  • Abhayagiri Monastery and Jetavanarama Dagoba: Significant ancient Buddhist sites.
  
  
  

 

• Evening: Return to the hotel for relaxation.

 

• Overnight Stay: Anuradhapura

Day 3: Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya

• Morning: After breakfast, depart for Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka.

 

• Afternoon: Visit the Gal Vihara, a rock temple with four beautifully carved Buddha statues.

 

• Explore: Other key sites in Polonnaruwa such as the Lankathilaka Temple and the Rankot Vihara.

 

• Evening: Continue to Sigiriya for an overnight stay.

 

• Overnight Stay: Sigiriya

Day 4: Sigiriya to Dambulla to Kandy

• Morning: After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla), a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Buddha statues and cave paintings.

 

• Afternoon: Depart for Kandy. On the way, stop at a Spice Garden in Matale to learn about traditional herbal remedies.

 

• Evening: Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.

 

• Overnight Stay: Kandy

Day 5: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

• Morning: After breakfast, explore Kandy, including a visit to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

 

• Afternoon: Depart for Nuwara Eliya. On the way, visit the Ramboda Falls and a tea plantation to learn about Sri Lanka’s famous tea industry.

 

• Evening: Free time to explore Nuwara Eliya or visit the Seetha Amman Temple.

 

• Overnight Stay: Nuwara Eliya

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya to Colombo

• Morning: After breakfast, depart for Colombo.

 

• Afternoon: On arrival in Colombo, embark on a city tour including visits to key Buddhist sites such as the Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malakaya on Beira Lake.

 

• Evening: Enjoy a leisurely stroll at Galle Face Green or do some shopping.

 

• Overnight Stay: Colombo

Day 7: Colombo – Departure

• Morning: After breakfast, visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, an ancient Buddhist temple believed to have been visited by the Buddha.

 

• Afternoon: Depending on your flight time, you can do some last-minute shopping or relax at the hotel.

 

• Evening: Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight.