Ramayana Trail, Sri Lanka

Munneswaram, Koneswaram, Seetha Amman Temple, Divurumpola and Kelaniya, with breakfast and dinner daily.

Your route

1. 1 Dambulla 2 nights
2. 2 Kandy 1 night
3. 3 Nuwara Eliya 1 night
4. 4 Bentota 1 night
5. 5 Colombo 1 night

1. Day 1 Dambulla

   Arrive, Munneswaram and Manavari temples.

   Welcome to Sri Lanka, the Lanka of the Ramayana. Indian travellers must apply online for an ETA before flying. Our representative meets you at Colombo airport, and your chauffeur-guide drives you north. Visit the Munneswaram Temple near Chilaw, where Lord Ram is believed to have prayed to Lord Shiva after the war, and the Manavari Temple, home to the first Ramalingam installed by Lord Ram. Continue to Dambulla, about four hours in total, and check in. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Dambulla.

2. Day 2 Dambulla

   Trincomalee and Koneswaram temple.

   A day trip to Trincomalee on the east coast, about two and a half hours away. Visit the Koneswaram Temple, perched on Swami Rock above the ocean, a sacred shrine of Lord Shiva linked with Ravana, and the Shankari Devi shrine, counted among the Shakti Peethas. See the Kanniya hot springs, seven wells of warm water said to be created by Ravana. Return to Dambulla in the evening for dinner. Carry modest clothing for the temples. Remove footwear before entering temples. Overnight in Dambulla.

3. Day 3 Kandy

   Drive to Kandy, Temple of the Tooth.

   After breakfast, drive south to Kandy, about two and a half hours, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, set around a lake in the hills. On the way, stop at a spice garden to see cinnamon, cardamom and pepper growing. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important Buddhist shrine in the country, during the evening puja, with drums and offerings. Dinner at the hotel. Dress in white or light clothes for the temple visit. Overnight in Kandy.

4. Day 4 Nuwara Eliya

   Ramboda, Seetha Amman temple.

   Drive up into the tea country towards Nuwara Eliya. Stop at the Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple at Ramboda, where Lord Hanuman is believed to have searched for Sita, with views of the Ramboda Falls. Continue to the Seetha Amman Temple at Seetha Eliya, believed to be the site of Ashok Vatika, where Sita was held captive. Visit a tea factory to see how Ceylon tea is made. Dinner at the hotel. Evenings in Nuwara Eliya are cool, so carry a jacket. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

5. Day 5 Bentota

   Divurumpola, down to the coast.

   Drive down from the hills towards the coast. Stop at Divurumpola, believed to be the place where Sita underwent the Agni Pariksha, the trial by fire, and where local people still take vows. Continue through rubber and coconut plantations to Bentota, a beach town on the south-west coast. Check in and relax by the sea, watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Dinner at the hotel. Bentota is known for its calm river and long golden beach, a peaceful place to rest after days of temple visits. Overnight in Bentota.

6. Day 6 Colombo

   Rumassala, Kelaniya temple, Colombo.

   Visit Rumassala Hill near Galle, believed to be a fragment of the Sanjeevani mountain that Lord Hanuman carried from the Himalaya. Then drive north to Colombo. Visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, where Vibhishana is believed to have been crowned King of Lanka after Ravana's defeat. In Colombo, see Galle Face Green by the sea and Independence Square. Enjoy a farewell dinner. Rumassala is close to Unawatuna beach, and the drive up the coast passes fishing villages, toddy palms and stilt fishermen near Galle. Overnight in Colombo.

7. Day 7 Colombo

   Departure.

   After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Depending on your flight time, shop for Ceylon tea, spices and handloom textiles in Colombo. Our chauffeur-guide transfers you to Bandaranaike International Airport, about one hour from the city. Please reach three hours before departure. Bandaranaike International Airport is in Katunayake, north of the city, so leave early to allow for traffic. Keep your ETA approval handy for check-in. Your Ramayana journey through Sri Lanka ends here, with the blessings of the sacred sites where the epic is believed to have unfolded.

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