Sri Lanka Cruise Liner Tours - Trincomalee

TRINCOMALEE SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Proceed on a full day city tour of this port city since the days of the ancient kings. This was also the British Empires most important port in Asia during the Second World War. From 1941-45 Trincomalee had been the head quarters of Lord Louis Mountbatten allied Southeast Asia Commander. Proceed down the coastal road to Fort Fedrick thereafter to the Swami Rock, a shear rock outcrop several meters high above the sea is the tip of the Fort Fredrick thus named by the British, have being occupied by the Dutch & the Portuguese. The Massive Hindu Temple dedicated to Koneswara has said to be stood here until the Portuguese had destroyed it. A modern temple is now built around the same location. Within the Swami rock is the Lovers Leap where a Dutch officers daughter had leapt after a broken affair. Thereafter proceed to The Kinniya Temple, Hot wells. Proceed to Nilaweli beach for Lunch. Afternoon proceed on a boat excursion to the Pigeon Island. Proceed to Kanniyai which is just one of the famous hot springs of Sri Lanka.

DAY TOUR TO POLLONNARUWA & TRINCOMALEE

The medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century AD. Archaeological evidence for the early habitation in Polonnaruwa goes back to the 2nd century. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa covers an area of about 122 hectares is the “Renaissance Jewel” of Sinhala architecture. See the great monuments such as an immense figure of sculpted in white rock probably represents King Parakramabahu, “rotunda” shaped Portugal Vihara building, Royal Palace & Audience Halls of King Parakramabahu I and king Nissankamalla, Thuparama, Vatadage, Hetadage, Pabalu Vehera, Menikvehera monastery complex, Alahana Parivena (University), Kirivehera, Rankot Vehera, Baddha Simaprasada, Lankatilalaka image house. Also see the one of the greatest and best known masterpieces of Sri Lanka art – Gal Vihara, a group of four statues of Lord Buddha cut into a granite escarpment and surviving in a perfect state of preservation. The image house or Tivanka-pathimaghara contains a unique collection of 12th century murals of the classical painting. The great man made lake Parakrama Samudra, 2,500 hectares in extent has a capacity of 134 million cubic metres. Finally you will see the New Museum where you will find all above places displayed with modules.

DAY TRIP TO SIGIRIYA & DAMBULLA & THE CITY TOUR OF TRINCOMALEE

Visit THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN TEMPLE, which was a monastic settlement as early as the 2nd century BC, which is now among the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The rock rises over 400 feet above its surroundings and consists of 5 cave temples spread out of about 50 acres. There you could see one of the richest collections of 154 Sri Lankan sculptures in the form of a large number of Buddha images in standing, seated & recumbent postures as well as a few outstanding figures of gods. Well preserved massive wall and Ceiling Paintings covering 22,000 sq. feet has made this temple complex more important to the world.

Lunch - Then proceed to Sigiriya to climb the famous SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS - which is among the 7 World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka & considered the 8th wonder of the world. One of Asia’s major archaeological sites which presents a unique conventration of 5th century urban planning, architecture, gardening, engineering, hydraulic technology and art. The Apsara paintings are the most famous features of the Sigiriya complex gives an outstanding example of the classical school of Sri Lankan painting. The Lion staircase, palace on the summit, Mirror wall, and beautifully designed Water garden has made the landscape one of the most remarkable in the world. In extent of 1.2 hectare top of the rock of Sigiriya is a mosaic of low brick walls, terraces, platforms and pools carved out of solid rock.

DAY TRIP TO ANURADHAPURA

After breakfast leave for ANURADHAPURA – (5th century BC to 10th century AD) was the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka. See the monuments Lovamaahapaya – The Brazen palace the center of Buddhism has been a 7 storied building which sheltered more than 3,000 monks at that time, The sacred Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka is considered one of the best known tree in the world with the recorded history of 2,500 years. It is hard to believe but there is no shadow of doubt at all. Thuparama Dagaba – The most ancient dagaba’s in Sri Lanka Abhayagiri Vihara (1st century BC) housed 5,000 monks with the second tallest (370 feet or 113 m) stupa in the world, The monastery of Jetavana (3rd century AD) housed 3,000 monks with the tallest (400 feet or 122m) stupa in the world, was constructed of 62 million large bricks, The Kuttam Pokuna Twin ponds, Ruwanveli Maha seya, Thuparamaya, Isurumuniya. Lunch at Palm Garden Village Hotel on completion of sight seeing visit at Anuradhapura proceed to Trincomalee Port.

DAY TRIP KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast proceed to KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK. Opened in 2002 just before the massive Wilpattu reopened, KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK is Sri Lanka’s newest national park, wildlife reserve and eco tourism attraction. Situated around the ancient Kaudulla tank, the national park provides a 6,656 hectare elephant corridor, only 6 km from off the main Habarana – Trincomalee road. With fantastic opportunities to see many elephants at close range, the park has become a popular destination for wildlife safaris that also take in leopards, sambar deer and the occasional sloth bear! As an additional novelty, you can go for catamaran rides on the tank. Proceed to Trincomalee port.