April 22-24. Days 9, 10, and 11. Fly via Jakarta, Indonesia, to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s colorful
capital. Sri Lanka is blessed with an incredible array of wonders, from wildlife and
vibrant culture to no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Jetwing Lagoon Hotel, Colombo.
After a night near Colombo, take a local flight to Habarana and continue overland to Dambulla.
This area is a lush haven for nature and history enthusiasts alike, where ancient
relics lie undisturbed in the dense jungle. Meet National Geographic grantee and
archaeologist Robin Coningham, who conducted excavations at Anuradhapura,
Sri Lanka’s earliest capital. From our base at a stunning lakeside hotel, take the
following excursions to World Heritage sites in the area.
http://www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama/
Travel to Sigiriya, a royal city built by King Kassapa I in the fifth century. Climb to
the base of Lion Mountain, a massive granite monolith upon which the king built
an elaborate fortified palace. Examine magnificent frescos that contain ancient
texts of the Sinhala language, and see evidence of literature and thoughtful texts
from as far back as the third century B.C.
Visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a cave monastery that has drawn Buddhist
pilgrims for more than 22 centuries. Venture into the numerous temples and
dwellings of this rock sanctuary to see beautifully preserved murals and statuary—
some of the country’s finest examples of religious art.
You may also explore the garden-city of Polonnaruwa, a major capital during
the 12th and 13th centuries. See the ancient ruins, including a soaring stupa
and enormous rock sculptures, and note how the site was built in harmony with
its natural setting.
Monk visiting the Gal Vihara rock temple, Polonnaruwa