Excursion Evening prayer ceremony at buddhist temple tour at Trincomalee

Trincomalee, City Drive, Historic Sites, Pristine Beaches

Depart the pier for the scenic approximately 30-minute drive to the Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple. En route, take a scenic sightseeing drive through the historic port city of Trincomalee, one of the oldest cities in Asia, and marvel at the local sights, sounds, and culture. A natural deep-water harbour, Trincomalee has attracted seafarers for centuries. Ptolemy, Marco Polo, and traders from across southeast Asia and China have all docked here. Today, its pristine beaches are a hub for surfing, scuba diving, whale-watching, and fishing. This sea town is also home to the largest Dutch fortress in Sri Lanka.

Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple, Temple Ruins

Following your sightseeing drive, head to Velgam Vehera, an important and historic temple revered by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhists. Built during the reign of King Devanampiyathissa (307 B.C.-267 B.C.) it's been declared a protected site by the Sri Lanka Archaeological Department. The collapse of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms led to migration of the population to southern parts of Sri Lanka, resulting in the temple being abandoned and falling into ruin. During your visit, see some of these ruins, including stone inscriptions, brick dagobas, balustrades and guard stones, scattered around the temple complex. Flowers and incense sticks have been arranged for you to offer, as the locals do.

Traditional Dance Show, Colourful Costumes & Facemasks, Drum Orchestra

Next, proceed to the temple's entertainment venue and delve deeper into the local culture with a traditional dance show. Sri Lankan dance forms date back to time immemorial. Reflecting the country's heritage and Sri Lankan dance culture are richly-decorated and colourful costumes and facemasks. A medley of local dances includes the mesmerizing Naga Raksha with masked male dancers; Thelme, with its dervish-like swirling on hypnotic beats; Gaja Wannama, the dance of the elephant, and others. The dynamism and energy of these dancers is enthralling, and the show culminates with a special drum orchestra. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Trincomalee, Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple, Temple Ruins, Flowers, Incense, Traditional Dance Show, Colourful Costumes & Facemasks, Drum Orchestra

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 246 yards (about 225 metres), at times over uneven, gravel, sandy, and grassy surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, four steps at the entertainment venue, and 10 steps at the Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes. Modest attire is required to visit sacred sites. Shorts and short skirts are not allowed. Women must have their shoulders covered. Hats and shoes must be removed when entering religious sites; bring an extra pair of heavy socks for comfort, as the pavement may be hot. Guests will be seated on mats during the prayer. Infrastructure in Trincomalee is basic, and local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in Sri Lanka is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring nations. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Vehicles, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Guests should not pose besides/in front of statues of Buddha. As in any large city, please take precautions to protect your belongings. The tour sequence may vary.