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For those travellers who can spend eight days on the island of Lanka, we recommend this Lankapura tour. It visits all the Ramayana and sightseeing places which are included in the shorter Hanuman Tour, plus one more day for visiting Sri Lanka's world famous gem-city Ratnapura, river rafting adventure in the valley of Kitulgala and a visit of Sitavaka, where Ravana tried to convince Sita that her husband cannot rescue her any more. But Sita figured it out that he tried to deceive her. All the famous Ramyana sites places in the island's central highlands, where Ravana's castle in Lankapura is believed to have been situated, are included in this classic one-full-week Ramayana-tour itinerary, plus Kataragama and Mirissa Beach and Colombo. After arrival at the airport, you will start your round tour in Kandy.
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Day 1: from the airport to Kandy
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On arrival at Colombo International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by your personal chauffeur or chauffeur guide or national guide lecturer. Proceed directly to Kandy, enjoy first impressions of Sri Lanka’s beautiful landscape on the way. Check in at your hotel in Kandy. In the evening take part in a puja ceremony at the Temple of the Holy Tooth Relic and a cultural and dance show close to the Kandy lake. Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy. In case you arrive in the morning, we can arrange some extra visits on the way to Kandy without additional costs for you. But it’s up to you, maybe you prefer to relax in your hotel or in Kandy after your journey and flight to Sri Lanka.
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Day 2: day excursion to Riverston and Knuckles Range
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After breakfast in the hotel proceed to Matale, visit the Muthumariamman Kovil, a huge and colourful Tamil temple in the core of Sri Lanka. Afterwards cross the Riverston mountain area and see the tradtional Tamil Rama temple in Rattota as well as the newly identified Ramayana sites Lakgala and Yahangala. A walk along jungle paths will lead you to Sita’s first abode on the island, Sita Kotuwa, today it is a small excavated forest monastery and a waterfall near another Ramayana Trail site called Gurulupotha. On the way back to Kandy enjoy spectacular views in the northeastern part of the highlands called Knuckles Range, but be aware the Sinhalese call this area “misty valley”, often only fogs and clowds can be seen. Dinner and second overnight stay in Kandy.
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Day 3: from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
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After breakfast take part in a small city, you will have time enough for shopping, too. After lunchtime proceed to Nuwara Eliya. On the way stop at Rangoda and enjoy the view to Rangoda Falls. Those who can walk uphill can visit the Hanuman temple erected by the Chinmaya mission. Others have the opportunity to reach it with threewheelers, but this would not be included in the price. Have a break at Labookellie tea plantation and a look to its Mani Katthuter rock. This second half of the mountain road to Nuwara Eliya is the “Sundara Kand” area, where Hanuman was in search for Sita. It is of extraordinary scenic beauty, too. Check in at your hotel in Nuwara Eliya, dinner an overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
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Day 4: via Ella to Kataragama
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After breakfast visit the Sita Amman temple in Sita Eliya, believed to be the place of Sita’s captivity called Ashoka Vatika. Afterwards see the Buddhist stupa at Divurumpola, according to the Ramayana Trail story it is the place of Sita’s fire ordeal Agni Pariksha. After lunch proceed to Ella which is famous for its perfect views. In the Ella Gap have a break at the Ravana Ella falls, another Ramayana Trail site. After arrival and check in at your hotel in Kataragama you have the opportunity to join an evening puja at the famous Kataragama shrine. Dinner and overnight stay in Kataragama.
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Day 5: along the south coast
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After breakfast visit Kirinda at the south coast. You can see a reef here believed to be part of a palace of Ravana which sank into the sea. Afterwards enjoy the road along Sri Lanka’s south coast. On the way have a break at Ussangoda, a place related to Hanuman’s burning of Lanka. In the early afternoon check in at your hotel in Mirissa beach. The full afternoon is free to relax at one of Sri Lanka’s most lovely beaches, Mirissa beach is curved and more protected than other Sri Lankan beaches. Dinner and overnight stay in Mirissa.
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Day 6: from Mirissa to Ratnapura
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After breakfast enjoy some more leisure hours at Mirissa beach. Then proceed to Unuwatuna, where you can see the Rumassala rock believed to be one Sanjiwani drop, a part of Mount Dronagiri fallen down when Hanuman carried it from the Himalayas to Lanka. Close to Galle the Seenigama island, one more Ramayana Trail site. After lunch in or near Galle take the Colombo highway and then leave it to reach Ratnapura, where you can visit a gem museum and also buy one of original Pushparajahs of Sri Lanka or blue sapphires.
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Day 7: via Kitulgala to Ratnapura
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After breakfast we proceed to the Kelani river valley. In Kitulgala you can enjoy one of Sri Lanka's best adbenture opportunities, a white water rafting experience. After lunch we will proceed to Avissawela and visit Sitavaka, which is another Ramayana site, a place honoured by the presence of Sita Devi. We willl arrive in Colombo in the late afternoon, just time enough for a small city tour. After dinner you will have opportunities to go back to the city centre on your own on your last evening of your journey in Sri Lanka.
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Day 8: return to the airport (or transfer to a holiday resort)
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Transfer to a booked beach resort between Negombo and Galle or back to the airport some hours in advance and check in for your return flight. We hope very much you enjoyed the beauty and hospitality of our motherland Sri Lanka and hope to welcome you again soon.
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In case your request
does not mention other specifications our quotation will list services and offer rates including: Double Rooms in 2- or 3-star accommodation, halfboard meal basis with pure veg. food, all transfers acc. to Rama Tours itinerary, entrance fees acc. itinerary, English speaking chauffeur (in case of more than 7 pax plus national guide lecturer) not included: flight ticket, personal insurances, lunch, drinks, tipps, personal costs |
