Anurdhapura:
The remains of the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura are sited about 130 miles (205km) north of Colombo. Anuradhapura founded in the 5th century B.C became the capital in 380 BC. The ancient city was capital of the island for more than 10 centuries.

Here one finds the remains of a flourishing ancient civilization. This great past is reflected in the huge Dagobas, palaces and monuments. Its impressive remains were discovered in the early 19th century and have been in the process of restoration ever since.

The Sacred Bo Tree (Presently Called as Sri Maha Bodhi) was planted at Anuradhapura, where it still grows as the oldest tree with a recorded history in the world. Sangamitta brought over the Buddhist nuns and the Bhikkuni system.

There are also museums that invite exploration, marvellously restored twin ponds which were used by monks as ritual baths, and immense tanks built to provide irrigation water for the growing of rice. Other Attractions worth seeing are:- The Brazen Palace, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna and Mirisavati Dagaba.

Aukana is the site of an impressive 43-ft/13-m statue of Buddha (Tallest Buddha Statue in Sri Lanka), which dates from the 5th century AD. Aukana is generally seen in conjunction with Anuradhapura.

Mihintale:
The arrival of Mahinda, which in turn paved the way for the advent of Buddhism. The Mahawamsa introduces Mahinda Thera as the son of the Great Emperor Asoka, appearing on top of Mihintale on a Poson Poya Day, when King Devanampiyatissa was hunting, the Arahat Mahinda preached to the king, the message of Universal Compassion. King Devanampiyatissa, his Queen and in time their people were converted.

Polonnaruwa:
The glory of mediaeval Sri Lanka is seen at Polonnaruwa, the mediaeval capital of the Island about 216 KM, south east of Anuradhapura.

Within the ramparts of the Royal Citadel are the ruins of the King's palace, the Council Chamber and the Royal Bath. The Buddha images at the Gal Vihara or the Rock Temple are masterpieces of stone sculpture. Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama is a giant man made irrigation reservoir.

Other Attractions in Polonnaruwa:
Alahana Pirivena - A Monastic university complex extending over more than eighty hectares erected by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th Century.
Demala Maha Seya - (The Great Tamil Dagoba) A Dagoba that King Parakramabahu wanted to build in Polonnaruwa using South Indian prisoners of war to surpass the mighty Ruwanvelisaya of Anuradhapura but was never completed.
Galpotha - (The Stone-book) A huge stone inscription of King Nissankamalla (12th Century) on a granite block measuring 8 metres in length and 4.3 metres in width recording among other things the King's invasion of India.
Hatadage - A relic chamber built by King Parakramabahu I to house the sacred Tooth Relic.
Hindu Shirines - Remains of Hindu Shrines dedicated to God Shiva built during the Chola occupation of Polonnaruwa in the 10th century.
Kiri Vehera - The best preserved dagoba in Polonnaruwa built in the 12th Century by Queen Subhadda one of the wives of King Parakramabahu, where the original plaster is still intact.
Lankatillake - A large Buddha image house with a colossal Buddha image built by King Parakramabahu.
Lotus Pond - A stone pond built in the shape of a lotus flower in eight parallel tiers probably to provide seating to the monks while bathing.
Nissanka Latha Mandapa - A stone structure with pillars built in the shape of floral stems constructed by King Nissankamalla (12th century) to listen to the chanting of Pirith (recital of Buddhist scriptures) by the monks .
Ronkoth Vehara - A fairly well preserved large dagoba built by King Parakramabahu emulating the Ruwanvelisaya of Anuradhapura.
Sathmahal Prasada - An unidentified edifice getting the name from its seven stories.
Vata-da-ge - A circular relic chamber built enclosing a dagoba that had been a popular architectural style in ancient Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya:
Sigiriya is a rock-fort built by fugitive king Kasyapa I (473-91BC), the eldest son of King Datusena (455-73 BC). He built his palace on the summit of this enormous 600-ft high rock, as legend says, like another Alakamanda, the celestial abode of Kuvera, the god of wealth. The King had made a huge ‘couchant lion’ through whose throat one ascents to the summit. Sigiriya has been named after this monument. It is a complex of buildings part royal palace with superbly designed ornamental garden-parts fortified town, which together constitute a magnificent and unique architectural tour de force. Sigiriya, today is famous for its twenty-one exquisite frescoes in a rock pocket some 40 feet above the access pathway depicting Lighting Princesses attended by Cloud Maidens. These are the earliest surviving specimens of the pictorial art of Sri Lanka. The mirror wall of Sigiriya contains interesting examples of a lively and sensitive folk poetry in verses inscribed on the wall by visitors to the place in eighth and ninth centuries numbering approximately 800. The most remarkable aspect of the whole complex, is its mathematical planning and entire design concept. The layout of the garden complex extends outward, co-coordinating at the centre of the palace complex on the summit of the rock. Recently, Sigiriya has been declared as a world heritage monument.

Dambulla:
The rock caves of Dambulla are 35 km south east of Polonnaruwa. The cave temples are almost 2000 years old. The path up to the caves takes some effort but once there, one can have an astonishing view over the surrounding countryside. This cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. m) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

Kandy:
Available historical records suggest that Senkadagalapura (an early name for Kandy) was established by the King Wickramabahu III during the period of his reign from 1357-1374 AD. Kandy is the last seat of government of the Sri Lankan kings with less antiquity than previous capitals such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Its history dates back to fourteenth century and contributed to safeguard the sovereignty of the island, until it was lost in 1815

Kandy has the reputation of being the home of the Sacred Tooth Relic preserved in the Dalada Maligawa. The Tooth relic is the Crest Gem of the Buddhist world. The traditional annual Esala Perahara or the Grand Pageant is an attraction to thousands of visitors from all over the world. The palace of the last king, Sri Wickrama Rajasingha (1798-1815) and the Audience Hall constructed in 1784 with richly carved columns of wood can be considered as the living examples of the Kandyan craftsmanship. The historic event of the signing of the Kandyan Convention in 1815 took place in this Audience Hall. The temple pictorial art. The Lake in the heart of the city creates a picturesque atmosphere to visitors. The natural forest reserve Udawattakale is rich with rare species of plants and animals.

Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya occupy a horseshoe shape peninsula around which flows the main river of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli. The total area is 147 acres. The mean elevation above sea level is about 1550 ft (473m), the climate is hot, moist and very equable. The mean temperature being about 76°F (25°C). Rain falls at frequent intervals averaging 90 inches (229 cm) per year falling on nearly 170 days. April and May are calm and hot months, with a mean temperature of about 79°F. towards the end of May the South West Monsoon begins to blow, bringing much rain and wind, with a lower mean temperature of 75°F as it progresses the weather becomes gradually finer and warmer through the months of July, August and September. In October the North East Monsoon begins with much rain but less wind than the South West and the last ten weeks - of the year are usually wet, the temperature falling in the end of the year to a mean of about 74°F. January to April is the driest season of the year.

Nuwara Eliya (Hill Country)
Set in the heart of the tea-country, this beautiful town is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church and the famous golf course and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated at 1890 meters above sea level, the air here is cool and fresh - a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo.

Close to Nuwara Eliya are Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's highest and most isolated plateau. Nature lovers will revel in this wide, patna grass covered plain, the haunt of many wild yet harmless animals and the home of many species of birds. Bridle paths will take you to the precipice known as “World's End” - a sheer drop of 1050 meters. Acres and acres of tea with its lush green foliage extend miles across the hills and no visit to the hill country is complete without a visit to a tea estate and the chance to purchase some of the world's finest flavoured tea - our major export crop.

Water Falls
The mountains of Sri Lanka abound with waterfalls of exquisite beauty. Numbering more than hundred and many of them are virtually unknown, hidden away in forest or approached by steps and remote tea plantation tracks. In fact for it’s size Sri Lanka has recorded water falls than another country.
Sri Lanka’s numerous rivers, fed by two half – yearly monsoons, with topography of high and steeply scarped peneplains, and river beds of hard erosion-resistant metamorphic rock, all provide ideal ingredient for the formation of waterfalls.

Wild Life Sanctuaries:
Sri Lanka is a paradise for animal lovers who enjoy animal or bird watching. There are many national parks and sanctuaries in Sri Lanka that offer you an opportunity to observe a real wildlife once in your lifetime. The animals that roam the national parks and sanctuaries are variety. Example of animals that you can see in a national park such as Yala National Park are elephants, leopards, sloth bears, deer and monkeys, wild buffalos, wild boars (pig), porcupines, ant-eaters, civet cats, jackals, mongooses, Loris (unique to Sri Lanka), several varieties of lizards, squirrels, reptiles and amphibians.

Yala National Park Located in the Island's south-eastern quarter some 200 miles from Colombo (and easily reached from Nuwara Eliya), Yala extends over nearly 500 square miles, with the added bonus of a scenic 12-mile ocean frontage. Yala West or Ruhuna National Park is now well recognized for the best park in the world to observe and photograph leopards. There are about 35 leopards in the park which probably is the highest density than anywhere in the world. It is possible to take one day jeep-safari trip through the park although it takes you three days to see the entire park. The park is usually closed relatively late (almost 7.00 pm) therefore the chance to come across one of the leopards is quite high.
As well as leopards there are a large number of elephants living inside the park and these can be seen bathing in anyone of the numerous lakes within the park. Other animal living in the park include sloth bear, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, toque monkey, stripe-necked mongoose, ruddy mongoose, wild pig, jackal, water monitor, marsh crocodile and estuarine crocodile.
Also, 130 species of birds have been recorded here, they includes Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Stone Curlew, Greater Thick-knee, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Green Bee-eater, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Blue-faced Malkoha, Green Bee-eater Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Brahminya Myna and Rose-colored Starling.

A large variety of water birds also can be seen in the Kumana Mangrove Swamp inside the Yala East, which is 180 sq km in extent. Yala East National Park can be entered at Okanda, 25 km down the coast track south of Arugam Bay via the small town of Panama. Going to Yala East is not always possible as it is officially closed however a three-hour round trip can be arranged from Arugam Bay.
Bundala is relatively new park, situated on the coast south-west of Yala and about 170 miles from Colombo, Bundala is the habitat of all species of water birds to be found in Sri Lanka, as well as a variety of migrant species, including flamingos.

Uda Walawe situated 100 miles south-east of Colombo, and over 70,000 acres in extent, comprising grasslands and thorn scrubs, with many valuable species of trees to be found. Large herds of elephant and such deer species as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal, as well as much bird life, can be seen here.

Wasgamuwa National Park approximately 200 km away from Colombo, the Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts and have the Mahaweli River and Amban River as its eastern and western boundaries. The inhabitants here are elephants, wild buffaloes, spotted deer, leopards, sloth bears, water monitors and crocodiles. Other livings are 143 species of bird including the Red Faced Malkoha, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Lesser Adjutant, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Ceylon Spur Fowl and Ceylon Frogmouth. Plus there are 8 species of amphibians reported of living in this park which include the endangered skink, lizards like the Red Lipped Lizard and Earless Lizard. In addition, 17 species of fish and 50 species of butterflies are found here.

Wilpattu National Park is among the oldest and most important of protected areas in Sri Lanka. Being 131,693 hectares in extent it is also the largest, although visitors can only tour some 25% at present. There is salt grass and low scrub adjacent to the beach. Just inland is a belt of low scrub. A total of 31 species of mammal have been recorded, including the elephant, sloth bear, leopard, water buffalo, and spotted deer. The villus support a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl, including large breeding populations of painted stork an open-billed stork. Other wetland species include garganey, northern pintail, lesser whistling-duck, Eurasian spoonbill, black-headed ibis, and purple heron.

Minneriya National Park is situated 20 kilometers northwest of Polonnaruwa and 182 kilometers from Colombo. Although comparatively small in size - covering 8,889 hectares. 24 species of mammal are to be found in the park, the most important being the elephant, of which there are 150-200. Other species present include the Sri Lanka sambhur, Sri Lanka spotted deer, Sri Lanka leopard, Sri Lanka sloth bear, toque monkey and purple-faced leaf monkey. Some 160 species of bird have been recorded in the park, including endemics such as the Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, Sri Lanka brown-capped babbler, crimson-fronted barbet and black-crested bulbul. Of the 25 species of reptile recorded in the park eight are endemic, such as the endangered red-lipped lizard. Visitors are more likely to see Saurians such as the water monitor or kabaragoya and the Sri Lanka swamp crocodile or kimbula.

Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate. There are no seasonal variations. The bi-annual monsoon rains provide the only seasons. Colombo and the South West experience rain from April to May and September to October. The East coast gets its share of rainfall from November to January. Being closer to the equator, the temperature is high throughout the year. The average temperature in Colombo is 27 degrees centigrade (80 degrees Fahrenheit). This is accompanied by high levels of humidity. However, in the different parts of the island, the temperature and the climate vary according to the terrain. The higher you go, the cooler it gets. In the mountainous regions of Nuwara Eliya, the temperature averages 16 degrees centigrade (61 degrees Fahrenheit).

Ratnapura:
Sri Lanka's `City of Gems' and the centre of its gemming industry. The gems found include sapphire, ruby, cat's eye, alexandrite, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet and zircon. Visits to gem mines may be arranged through travel agents. Gem collections can be seen at the National Museum, Ratnapura and a number of private museums, rubber and tea estates and scenic landscape are found in plenty.

Siharaja Rain Forest:
The lowland rainforest of Sinharaja is the largest expanse of lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. It is one of the critically important sites for a vast number of endemic fauna and flora, which are threatened due to deforestation. In this tour we aim to see close to 16 of the 27 endemic birds of Sri Lanka, which include Red-faced Malkoha and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.

The focus will also be on the mixed species bird flocks, which is a unique foraging strategy adopted primarily by insectivorous birds in the rainforest. Close to 12 species on average move through the densely vegetated forest, flushing out insects in the process, which are eaten by the birds occupying in various stratified layers in the forest. You will be able to see the flock leader Orange-billed Babbler, which is the steering wheel of the bird flock and Crested Drongo, which acts as the policeman of the flock safeguarding the flock from of Hawks & Eagles by uttering Alarm calls.

In addition, for awesome birding, the tour also focuses on the vast diversity of flora, which include 45-meter towering canopy giants such as Thiniya Dun, Weli-piyanna & Beraliya. Nearly 60 % of the flowering plants in Sinharaja are found only in Sri Lanka. We will also focus on the largely ignored nocturnal fauna of the rainforests & micro fauna such as Butterflies. Lunch is at Martin's Simple Lodge, which is the most popular base of eco tourists at Sinharaja. It offers spectacular views of the virgin jungle

Adam's Peak is a 2,243 metre (7,360 feet) tall conical mountain in modern-day Sri Lanka, revered as a holy site by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians.

Hindu pilgrims walk up the mountain, following a variety of routes up thousands of steps. The journey takes several hours at least. The peak pilgrimage season is in April, and the goal is to be on top of the mountain at sunrise, when the distinctive shape of the mountain casts a triangular shadow on the surrounding plain and can be seen to move quickly downward as the sun rises.

On top of the mountain is a rough impression in the rock like that of an enormous -- nearly two meter -- footprint. Muslim legend states that it is the footprint of Adam, who was placed in Sri Lanka as the next best thing to the Garden of Eden; from this comes the name Adam's Peak. Other candidates in other legends for making the print are Buddha, the Hindu god Shiva, and Saint Thomas. The Buddhist legend says that the (logically existing) other footprint is in a city about 150 kilometers distant, or possibly at Phra Sat in Thailand.

A shrine to Saman, a Buddhist deity charged with protecting the mountain top, can be found near the footprint. Pilgrims who complete the climb sometimes ring a small bell near the temple - once for each climb completed.