Dambulla, Kaludiya Pokuna, and Minneriya Safari Tour

Dambulla cave temple.

Ayubowan!,

• Meet and greet with our local representative (English-speaking licensed guide ) who will pick up you from your hotel With private transport.
• The morning after breakfast  leave for the Dambulla cave temple 

Dambulla cave temple ( 02 hrs )

The Dambulla cave temple is another UNESCO World Heritage site which dates back to the 1st century BC. This amazing complex of five caves was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who upon regaining his throne commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. Later kings made future improvements and the caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha painted upon the walls.

The hike up to the caves is short but steep (approx. 15-40 mins depending on the route taken). At the top, you can explore the caves and enjoy spectacular far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.

Painting conservation & research centre (45 mins.)

The Dambulla Museum is the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka. which specifically functions with the aim of exhibiting paintings of Sri Lanka. Including the famed Sigiriya frescoes,  and wall paintings at a number of ancient temples ranging from the Anuradhapura period to the modern era.

The purpose of this museum is to witness and study the wall paintings that were uncovered by the surveys and research carried out since 1991. The paintings are displayed under the theme, of the evolution of Sri Lankan cave and wall paintings. Preserving the paintings that were damaged by natural effects and insects is another aim of this museum.

• After the Painting museum proceed to kandalama to have lunch ( one hrs.)

• After lunch, you will proceed to the Kaludiya Pokuna archaeological forest site.

Kaludiya Pokuna archaeological forest site.(2 hrs.)

Kalupokuna or the Kaludiya Pokuna is a site with extensive ruins of a monastery on the slopes of a range of hills known as Eravalagala (also called Perawelagala), this monastery has been organized as a Pabbatha Vihara (Pancavasa).

The principal buildings of the monastery, which included a moderate-sized stupa and a structure supported by massive but roughly hewn stone pillars, were arranged on several terraces on the hillside and seemed to have been surrounded by a moat.

 kaludiya Pokuna lies at the base of a long rocky ridge on the northern periphery of The Knuckles range. As a result, the forest is more intermediate in character than the dry zone. It is also home to a wide variety of birds and butterflies, as it is at the junction of different climatic zones with some species being at an extremity of their range. Clearly, it is an exciting place for birders and butterfly watchers.

• Next, you will be driven to the Habana area for an evening safari tour

Safari at Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla national park (3 hrs)

Minneriya National Park

Between Habarana and Polonnaruwa are the scrub forests of the Minneriya National Park. A haven for sambar deer, toque macaques and leopards, the park is now a world renowned destination site. This is due to the fact that on the shores of Minneriya’s nearly 2000 year old man-made lake the world’s largest gathering of elephants takes place. This spectacular sight occurs within the boundaries of the Minneriya National Park during the dry season from July to October. With nearly three hundred elephants gathering every evening it is no surprise that Lonely Planet has ranked it at number 6 for being one of the world’s best wildlife spectacles. The ‘Gathering’ (as it has come to be known) is a result of the lack of waterholes during the drought. Unable to receive their daily

Kaudulla National Park

The latest attraction in eco-tourism, Kaudulla National Park was opened in 2002 and is the newest national park and wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka. Situated within easy access of the Cultural Triangle, Kaudulla is about 6km from the Gal Oya Junction on the Habarana – Trincomalee road. The name of the park is derived from being situated near the historic Kaudalla Tank of the ancient King Mahasena.

 Jeep safaris are the preferred option by which to visit the park and August to December have been ear-marked as the best months during which to do so as around 250 elephants inhabit the park during that period. A 6656-hectare elephant corridor between the Minneriya National Park and the Somawathie Chaitya has also been established in the park.

The dry evergreen forests of the park are home to 24 mammal species, 25 reptile species and a 160 species of birds. Leopards, fishing cats, sloth bear and the endangered rusty spotted cat are favorites among visitors to Kaudulla

intake of water the elephants make their way to the Minneriya tank making it an event not to be missed.

Highlights

• One of the world’s largest gathering of elephants in the world
• Mix of wild life

Enjoy Sunset In side of the national park