ITINERARY 16

• You will be met and assisted by a representative of Traveller Global and transferred to Colombo.

After lunch at a local Restaurant: brief tour of Colombo visiting the Gangaramaya Temple, Wolfendhal Dutch Church, Hulftsdorp Law Courts, the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, Independence Square and Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall.
Dinner and overnight in Colombo

• Morning: visit New Parliament in Kotte and some modern buildings which has unique architectural designs.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

Evening: Talk and presentation by well renowned Architect, Mr. Channa Daswatte. (successor to world famous architect the late Jeffry Bawa)
Dinner & overnight in Colombo

• after breakfast, leave for Dambulla with lunch en -route.

Afternoon: visit Kandalama Hotel, which is considered one of Bawa’s most important works as it showcases so clearly Bawa’s talent for creating affective spatial sequences and architectural narrative. The hotel was intended to serve as a building from which to view the pristine landscape of the Kandalama basin, and thus the lightness of the architectural articulation is an appropriate and successful design strategy. The hotel also features innovative building technologies and systems designed to mitigate the environmental impact of the building’s operation on the catchment of the nearby lake. The Kandalama Hotel is an excellent example of how tourist facilities can be integrated into an undeveloped landscape successfully, fostering appreciation for the natural beauty of the setting while minimizing the negative environmental impact.
Dinner & overnight in Dambulla

• Morning: climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya was the Royal Citadel of King Kasyapa who ruled in the 5th Century A.D. You will see terraced, water, fountain and boulder gardens, moats, stone stairways and the beautiful ancient frescoes of heavenly maidens in a pocket of the rock. On top of the rock are ruins of the palace & two intact man-made pools of water.

The architecture of ancient Sri Lanka displays a rich diversity, varying in form and architectural style from the Anuradhapura Kingdom(377 BC–1017) through the Kingdom of Kandy (1469–1815). Buddhism had a significant influence on Sri Lankan architecture after it was introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC, and ancient Sri Lankan architecture was mainly religious, with more than 25 styles of Buddhist monasteries. The palace of Sigiriya is considered a masterpiece of ancient architecture and ingenuity, and the fortress in Yapahuwa and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy are also notable for their architectural qualities. Ancient Sri Lankan architecture is also significant to sustainability, notably Sigiriya which was designed as an environmentally friendly structure.

After lunch at the hotel, visit Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa – The Island’s medieval capital (11th and 12th Century AD) rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. The city in its day was fortified with three concentric walls, beautiful with parks and gardens and sanctified by many shrines. The unique irrigational complex known as the Sea of Parakrama watered the city as well as the surrounding plains. Gal Vihare – the most impressive sculpture are the colossal Buddha images carved on the face of a granite boulder.
Dinner & overnight in Dambulla

• After breakfast, proceed to Kandy visiting the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple and a spice garden in Matale en-route.

Dambulla – This magnificent rock temple consists of 5 caves, on a hill 340 m high, containing 150 serene statues of Buddha, numerous carvings & murals. The fascinating & memorable site was founded by King Valagambahu during the 1st century BC in gratitude for the shelter he found in the caves during an invasion by marauding Dravidians from southern India.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy visiting a spice garden in Matale along with lunch en-route.

Evening: visit the Temple of the Tooth and view a Cultural Dance Performance.
Dinner & overnight in Kandy

• Morning: undertake a brief city tour of Kandy with visits to the Market Square, Upper Lake Drive, Gem Lapidary & Museum and an Arts & Crafts Centre.

Lunch: in Kandy.

Afternoon Tea & snacks prior to departure to airport.
End of services.