Ramayana Trail 9 Days

Ramayana Trail

The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic (500 BCE - 100 BCE) which narrates Prince Rama's attempts to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana. The Ramayana, the great Hindu epic plays a key role in the celebrations of Diwali (festival of lights) as well, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. In this epic story King Ravana makes Sri Lanka his home while in exile prompting Rama’s army to build a bridge across the sea to cross over to Sri Lanka. The story ends depicting Rama defeating Ravana to take his wife Sita home.
During this Ramayana tour you will visit the Munneswaram Hindu Temple, Vishnu Kovil in Halawatha, Sita Kotuwa, Bhaktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda, Sita's Tea Pond and Chariot Path in Pusswellawa, Sita Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya, Asoka Vatika in Nuwara Eliya, Agni Pareeksha place in Divurumpola in Welimada, Sthreepura Cave Galigamuwa, Ravana Waterfall, Ravana Cave and Kelaniya Temple in Colombo.

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Itinerary

DAY 01 - ARRIVAL/NEGOMBO

Program for the day

Meet up with our representative at arrival lounge
Pick up from airport & drop off at hotel
Check-in to your hotel
Relax for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Avenra Gardens/Goldi Sands
Standard: Pledge Scape/Club Dolphin
Luxury: Heritance/Jetwing Beach

DAY 02 : ANURADHAPURA

Program

Early Breakfast
Proceed to Anuradhapura
En route visit Munneswaram Hindu Kovil in Chilaw
Visit Manawari Hindu Temple in Chilaw
Lunch at a local restaurant
Visit Anuradhapura ruins & sacred bo-tree
Check in to your hotel and relax

Overnight Accommodation
Budget:Miridiya Lake/Alakamanda
Standard:Heritage/Forest Rock
Luxury:
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

Munneswaram Hindu Kovil. Munneswaram Hindu Temple has gained prominence in the Ramayana legend. This temple has its origins dating back to 1000 CE, Munneswaram Kovil is one of five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva. This temple is located in the district of Chilaw, on the Wariyapola road.

MUNNESWARAM HINDU TEMPLE CHILAW

MANAVARI HINDU TEMPLE CHILAW

RAMESWARAM HINDU TEMPLE INDIA

Manavari Hindu temple is also located in Chilaw. This hindu temple too has a direct link to the Ramayana epic where lord Rama installed the Shiva lingam and prayed after defeating king Ravana and liberating Sita. The Ramayana epic describes Rama as an incarnation of Vishnu and the Lingam is a representation of Shiva. Ramalingam is considered an object of worship in Hinduism. There are only two lingams in the whole world named after Lord Rama. The Ramalingam is at the Manavari Temple and Rameswaram is in Tamil Nadu. Both lingams are considered sacred.

Standing Buddha

Jetavanaramaya Dagaba

Remnants of Watadage

Anuradhapura is the most renowned of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. This historic City's dome shaped dagabas constructed of small sun-dried bricks are still reminiscent of its past glory. The Ruvanveli dagaba which dates back to the 2nd Century BC is 300ft in diameter is the most prominent. The Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most revered relic is the sacred Bo-Tree which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. This Bo-tree is the oldest historic tree in the world dating back 2500 years.
Overnight stay and dinner at hotel in Anuradhapura.

DAY 03 : SIGIRIYA

Program

Early Breakfast
Proceed to Sigiriya
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Lunch at a local restaurant
Check into your hotel and relax

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Sigiriya Village/Saunter Paradise
Standard: Amaya Lake/Habarana Village
Luxury: Heritance Kandalama/Jetwing Lake
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

Sigiriya - The 5th century rock fortress is a world heritage listed site, built by King Kashyapa in (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' as it is called, is a citadel of great beauty rising 200 meters from amidst the scrubs. Sigiriya was once a 70-hectare established town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens surround the base of this rock. You will see the world-renowned frescoes of the Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, sheltered along the rock wall which is approachable via a spiral stairway. These frescoes are believed to be painted in earth pigments plastered on the wall. After descent from the fortress, continue your journey to Polonnaruwa.

DAY 04 : DAMBULLA/KANDY

Program

Early Breakfast
Visit Dambulla cave temple
Proceed to Kandy
Lunch at a local restaurant
Check into your hotel
Visit Temple of the tooth in the evening
Attend a cultural dance performance

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Suisse Hotel/Royal Kandyan
Standard: Cinnamon Citadel/Earls Regent
Luxury: Golden Crown/Grand Kandyan
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

Dambulla stands as an isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. This rock temple dates back to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built a magnificent rock temple at this site, which is now heritage listed.
Proceed to Kandy to visit the historic sacred temple (Dalada Maligawa), which houses the tooth relic of the Buddha.

HISTORIC ROCK TEMPLE CARVINGS AT DAMBULLA

Kandy - Sri Lanka's hill capital. Once a stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is a very beautiful and picturesque town. It is 488 meters above sea level and next to Colombo, is Sri Lanka's most visited city. The main attraction of this town is without doubt the golden roofed Sacred Temple where the Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. There are many shrines and temples in and around Kandy, showcasing rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings.

DAY 05 - KANDY

Program

Early Breakfast
Visit Sita Kotuwa
Lunch at a local restaurant
Attend a cultural dance performance
Return to your hotel & relax

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Suisse Hotel/Royal Kandyan
Standard: Cinnamon Citadel/Earls Regent
Luxury: Golden Crown/Grand Kandyan
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

SITA AMMAN TEMPLE NUWARA ELIYA

SITA KOTUVA

SACRED TEMPLE KANDY

After breakfast travel to Hasalak, ( 2 ½ hours drive away) to where Seetha Kotuwa is situated. This place is appropriately named Sita Kotuwa as the legend describes Sita Kotuwa as the temporary abode for Sita, after King Ravana abducted her from India by plane. This is the place where a beautiful palace was built for queen Mandothari who lived here. It was known at the time as the city of Lankapura. This palace (Kotuwa) was surrounded by waterfalls, streams and many varieties of flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika. Ashoka vatic is now the place where the Sita Amman Temple is located. You will see the gigantic footsteps of Hanuman nearby, after he destroyed the Ashoka Vatika temple. It was the location where Sita, the wife of Rama, while being held captive refused to stay in Ravana's palace and preferred to stay under the Ashoka tree.

DAY 06 - NUWARA ELIYA

Program

Early breakfast
Proceed to Nuwara Eliya
Lunch at Labookellie Tea Factory
Visit Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple at Ramboda
Visit Sita's pond and chariot path (Tuk Tuk Ride)
Check into your hotel and relax

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Quantara/Queenswood
Standard: Araliya Red/Hill Club
Luxury: Heritance Tea/Golden Ridge
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

SRI BHAKTHA HANUMAN TEMPLE

SITA'S TEAR DROP POND

SITA'S CHARIOT PATH

Shri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple in Ramboda. According to the legend, this is the location where Hanuman searched for Sita in the jungles surrounding the temple. There is a stretch of barren land known as the 'Chariot Path" at Pussellawa. This is the route that Ravana used to take Sita to Ashoka Vatika (Beautiful Gardens) to impress her with the beauty of kingdom. There is also a pond - the 'Sita Tear Pond' – believed to be formed from Sita's tear drops. The Chariot Pathway is situated in a remote location. A moderate 3 hour trek to this pathway reachable on a bumpy road by trishaw. (Tuk Tuk)).
Optional tours are available for those wanting to visit Sita' Tear pond and the Chariot path.

DAY 07 - KATARAGAMA

Program

Early breakfast
Visit Sita Amman Temple
Visit Ashoka Vatika (The Ashoka tree where Sita sat)
Lunch at a local restaurant
Proceed to Kataragama
Check into hotel & refresh
Visit Kataragama Temple
Return to your hotel & relax

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Elephant Reach/Oakray Lake
Standard: Chandrika/Kithala Resort
Luxury: Cinnamon Wild/Jetwing Yala
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

SITA AMMAN TEMPLE

ASHOKA VATIKA

ASOKA VATIKA TEMPLE

Ashoka Tree where Sita sat

Before heading to Ella, visit Seetha Amman Temple of Nuwara Eliya, the place where Sita was held captive by the demon-king Ravana in the Ashoka forests of this region. The temple trustees believe that Sita was imprisoned at this location.
Asoka Vatika, now known as Hakgala Botanical Gardens,is the place where King Ravana built Haggala as a pleasure garden for Sita It is well noted that the Haggala Garden is mentioned in the Ramayana as Ashok Vatika. The area was also called "Sita Eliya" and the "Sita Amman Temple" was built here in memory of the legend.

AGNI PAARIKSHA GROUNDS

STHREEPURA CAVE

RAVANA CAVE

DAY 08: Galle/Colombo

Program

Early breakfast
Proceed to Colombo
Lunch at a local restaurant
Visit the historic Kelaniya Temple
Do a city tour of Colombo
Check into your hotel and relax

Overnight Accommodation
Budget: Cinnamon Red/Steuarts by Citrus
Standard: Marino/Galadari
Luxury: Shangri-la/Hilton/Kingsbury
Meals: breakfast/lunch/dinner

KELANIYA TEMPLE

GANGARAMAYA TEMPLE

COLOMBO CITY CENTRE

DAY 09: DEPARTURE TO AIRPORT

Program

Breakfast at the hotel
Do your own thing until it is time to get to the airport.
Check out time 11:00 am

Transfer to the airport.
Late night departures can request for a day room (Extra charges will apply)

INCLUSIONS

Accommodation on FB basis ( Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as mentioned above.
Transportation with an English speaking chauffeur
02 Pax – A/C Car 02 pax – 06 Pax – A/C Van
07 Pax – 10 Pax – A/C Mini Coach with English Speaking National Guide
Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED

Tips and gratuities.
Expenses of personal nature (Telephone calls, Laundry etc.)
Any items specifically not mentioned in the itinerary.
Video and Camera permits.
Mineral water or other beverages.

Expenses of personal nature (Telephone calls, Laundry etc.).
Tips and gratuities.
Any items specifically not mentioned in the itinerary.
Video and Camera permits.

Important!!!!!!

The above Star classification is based on local industry standard & it’s not based on the International standard
Price is based on 01 Adult twin share basis.
Prices are net in USD/AUD/NZD and inclusive of applicable taxes as at date.
Rates may change without a notice if a significant currency fluctuation, Fuel Increase or Revision of taxes occurs.
Rooms will be on availability. If the reserved hotels are fully booked similar hotels will be provided in the same vicinity or nearest to the location.

PRICE PER PERSON