Excursion Temple & sights of trincomalee tour at Trincomalee

Trincomalee

Depart the pier for a picturesque sightseeing tour of Trincomalee and its surrounds. 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. This seafaring town is also home to the largest Dutch fortress in Sri Lanka, as well as the oldest Hindu temple. Today, its pristine beaches are a hub for surfing, scuba diving, whale-watching and fishing.

Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee City Drive

Your tour begins with a scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Koneswaram Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Koneswaram Temple is nestled amidst the historic and much-fought-over Fort Fredrick, a 17th-century Dutch Fort. The original shrine was demolished in 1622 by the Portuguese, who called it the 'Temple of a Thousand Columns', and fortified the heights of the fort with material derived from its destruction. Some of the artefacts from the originally demolished temple were kept in the Lisbon Museum, including a stone inscription by King Kulakkottan. Leaving the temple and fort, take an orientation drive through one of the oldest cities in Asia, along with the sights, sounds, culture and architecture that reflect its glorious history as a bustling port.

Refreshment Stop, Velgam Vehera Temple Ruins, Brick Dagobas, Balustrades, Guard Stones

Following a brief refreshment stop at a local venue, a final stop is made at Velgam Vehera, an important 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 an archaeological protected site by the Sri Lanka Archaeological Department. The collapse of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Kingdoms, which led to migration of the population to southern parts of Sri Lanka, resulted in the temple being abandoned and falling into ruin. During your guided walking tour of the ruins, see stone inscriptions, brick dagobas, balustrades and guard stones scattered around the temple complex. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Trincomalee City Drive, Local Sights, Koneswaram Temple, Velgam Vehera Temple Ruins, Stone Inscriptions, Brick Dagobas, Balustrades, Guard Stones

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 770 yards (about 704 metres), at times over uneven, stone, sandy, and grassy surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, 15 steps at the Velgam Vehera Temple, 5 steps at the JKAB Beach Resort and 5 steps at Koneswaram Temple. This tour is operated with mini-coaches, as large coaches are not permitted inside the Dutch Fort where the Koneswaram Temple is located. This tour is recommended for guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable  for guests with limited mobility and who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection from the ship. As a rule, proper attire is required to enter religious sites; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted, female guests must cover their shoulders, please bring a scarf from the ship. Shoes must be removed when entering religious sites; bring an extra pair of socks for comfort, as the pavement may be hot. Infrastructure in Trincomalee is basic, and local conditions may be challenging: coaches, 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 therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in this area is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring regions as vehicles and guides are brought in from Colombo. This may be reflected in the prices of the tours and we thank you for your understanding. Some sites may be crowded, and depending on traffic and parking conditions, it may be necessary to cross busy streets. Flash photography is prohibited inside sanctum sanctorum of Koneswaram temple. Guests should not pose besides/ in front of the statues of Buddha. The tour sequence may vary.