Heritage Tours
Kandy
The Sacred City of Kandy situated in the center of the country in the midst of hills full of rare herbs and species. The monumental ensemble of Kandy is an example of construction that associates a Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth. It was one of a series of temples built in the places where the relic, the actual palladium of the Sinhalese monarchy was brought following the various relocations of the capital city. Today a bustling commercial city, Kandy is famous for the Kandy Perahara-a huge cultural pageant that takes place in the month of July or August. It is one of the most colorful processions of the world.
Adam's Peak
Sri Pada, or Adam's Peak, is sacred to all four main religious groups in Sri Lanka - the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and the Christians. The giant footprint at the top is variously claimed as an imprint either of Lord Buddha, God Shiva, Adam, or St. Thomas, the Christian Apostle who preached in south India. A popular pilgrimage this 2,234m-High Mountain is climbed by thousands of devotees and a steady trickle of travelers from December to April. The climb is best attempted at night and if you are lucky and up early the vista can reward one of the finest sunrises in Asia as well as an awe-inspiring view from the top.
Anuradhapura
The city is one of the archaeological wonders of the world. It is home to the 2,300-year-old sacred bo tree, the Sri MahaBodhiya. It is also the location of the largest stapes of the ancient world - the Ruwanweliseya, the Jethawanaramaya and the Abhayagiriya. The Jethawanaramaya was the third tallest building in the ancient world, after the two largest pyramids of Egypt. The remains of royal palaces, temples, statues as well as ancient manmade reservoirs are scattered across 250 square kilometers. If you enjoy ancient culture and archaeology, Anuradhapura is a city you must visit.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa Architecture, Art and Sculpture is well displayed at Gal Viharaya, Thuparamaya Image House and Lankatilaka Image House and many other sites scattered throughout Polonnaruwa ancient city. Due to invasions from the Cholas of South India, the Polonnaruwa kingdom was under the rule of Cholas for about 73 years. Polonnaruwa kingdom was abandoned by Sinhala kings in the latter part of the 12th century. Famous places like Sigiriya, Medirigiriya, Somawathie, Dimbulagala and Buduruwayaya are not far away from Polonnaruwa so can be reached without much difficulty.
Dambulla
Dating back to the First Century BC, the Golden Temple of Dambulla has been the center of pilgrimage for Buddhists and Hindus alike for 22 centuries. It is Sri Lanka's most popular historic site. The Cave monastery, home to Buddhist monks is covered with exquisite 2,000 year-old murals depicting the life and times of the Lord Buddha. The shrines also house a collection of 157 statues of Buddha in various sizes and poses, including a 15 meter long reclining Buddha and vividly colored frescoes on the walls and ceiling, making this the largest antique painted surface in the world.
Sigiriya
Built by an obsessed monarch in the 5th century, Sigiriya or Lion Rock is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction. The most striking portion of Sigiriya, a terracotta and grey core of rock set in the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, rises a sheer 200 meters above a forested plain, its flattened summit sloping gently. A series of moats, ramparts and water gardens - remnants of an ancient city - spread out on two sides of the rock, with the remains of a pair of giant stone lion's paws still guarding the staircase that leads to the summit, once occupied by a royal palace.