Kuvenigala & Nidan Gala (Treasure Rock) Hikes and Rock Climbing
Kuveni was a wife of Sri Lanka's first recorded king Vijaya and she had two children, a son named Jivahatta and the daughter as Disala. According to the genesis myth of the Sinhala people, the Veddas - Sri Lanka aboriginal population are descended from Kuveni's children. Kuveni, on the other hand, is regarded as a descendant of the Rakshas of the Ramayana and of Ravana, who also dwelled in Lanka.
Kuvenigala is the place Kuveni lives after Vijaya eventually rejects her with the words 'Go now, dear one, leaving the two children behind; men are ever in fear of superhuman beings'. Despite begging Vijaya not to send her away, a broken-hearted Kuveni eventually leaves the palace, taking the two children despite being ordered not to.

Flora and Fauna
Experience local flora and fauna. The environment consists of precious trees such as Sandalwood, Kaluwara, Kalu-mediriya Burutha, Nedun, Milla, Koon and Hul-milla. There are so many animals and their nests, flowers like Lotus, Lilies and plenty of wild flowers.

Arankele Monastery (5 km | 10 min drive)
Arankele Forest Monastery’s sylvan environment and ruins of bathing ponds gives the impression it was once a pleasure park. Arankele, on the contrary, was a 6th century cave hermitage up a forested hillside. The densely wooded terrain crowded with huge hardwood trees are interspersed by the openings and clearings created by the on-going process of clearing scattered debris to unearth the ruins and re erecting the fallen ruins.
On the slopes of Arankele hill is a cluster of natural rock caves once used by monastic monks for shelter and meditation. Though remain rough outside with the exception of the drip ledges, the interior walls are well plastered with lime.

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Kasagala Rajamaha Viharaya (6 km | 14 min drive)
A huge rock boulder rose on one side of the temple premises amidst smaller boulders that emerged in dramatic pose, set in a charming green-scape. Two caves, believed to have been used by holy men from time immemorial; today, house shrine rooms.
The old shrine on a slightly higher elevation is attributed to king Valagamba and its paintings to the Kandyan period. It consists of a very small dark musty recess with rather a clumsy looking makara thorana at its entrance. Its clumsiness in fact is its very charm. Mythical lions, gods and goddesses, doratupala figures, stand to attention with their designs predominantly outlined in blue. Inside, the paintings were faded and peeling. An electric bulb hung at its door but did not work. The darkness of the enclosed cave made it impossible to see the paintings. Some beautiful and delicate images of the Lord Buddha and god Vishnu were present.

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Yak Giri Lena Cave Temple (19 km | 30 min drive)
Yak Giri Lena Raja Maha Viharaya (Cave Temple) is one of the first temples in Sri Lanka built by King Devanam Piyathissa.
Mihindu maharathan wahanse spent some period of time in this cave temple.

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Yapahuwa Kingdom (26 km | 30 min drive)
Yapahuwa was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. The citadel of Yapahuwa lying midway between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands.
In 1272, King Bhuvenakabahu transferred the capital from Polonnaruwa to Yapahuwa in the face of Dravidian invasions from South India, bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic with him. Following the death of King Bhuvenakabahu in 1284, the Pandyans of South India invaded Sri Lanka once again, and succeeded in capturing Sacred Tooth Relic. Following its capture, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned and inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics.
The Tooth Relic was brought from Dambadeniya and kept in the Tooth Temple built for the purpose at the top of the third staircase. The relics were carried away from the temple here to South India by the Pandyas, and then recovered in 1288 by Parakkramabahu III (1287–1293), who temporarily placed them in safety at Polonnaruwa.

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Nagala Historic Temple - Nikawewa (31 km | 45 min drive)
Having a history going as far as King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC), the Sri Nagala Rajamaha Viharaya lies at the foothill of the Nikawewa mountain range which lies between Moragollagama and Madagalla. The temple had been neglected and deserted for a long period and now it had been re developed and restored to its ancient glory.
An ancient stupa (now restored), the ancient Bo tree and a image house and number of ancient rock inscriptions can be found at the bottom of the mountain. The most ancient image house lies somewhere at the middle of the mountain range.


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Deduru Oya Reservoir (25 km | 1 h drive)
The Deduru Oya Dam is an embankment dam built across the Deduru River in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka. Built in 2014, the primary purpose of the dam is to retain approximately a billion cubic metres of water for irrigation purposes, which would otherwise flow out to sea. Construction of the dam began in 2006 and was ceremonially completed in 2014, with the presence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Site studies and design of the dam was done by engineers from the Ministry of Irrigation. The dam, which measures approximately 2,400 m (7,900 ft) wide, creates the Deduru Oya Reservoir, which has a capacity of 75,000,000 m3 (2.6×109 cu ft). Water from the reservoir is used to irrigate approximately 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) of farmland, while also powering a 1.5 megawatt hydroelectric power station, operated by the Ministry of Power and Energy.

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Panduwasnuwara Kingdom (35 km | 45 min drive)
The city of Panduwasnuwara in Sri Lanka was established by King Panduvasudev, successor to King Vijaya, the founder of the nation in the fifth century BC. The ruins at the site belong to the 12th century when it was known by Parakramapura.
Even though the temple is one of the most important features of the ancient city, the highlight is the ruins of a round-shaped tower situated inside the circular moat. Ruins of this tower-like building called ‘chakkrawalaya’ built by King Parakkramabahu the great who reigned in the 12th century is entangled in the history of King Panduvasudev.
The circular area or ruins are believed to be that of the high tower, though archaeological excavations haven’t established the identity and purpose of same. The wall with a width of 21 feet at the base was built of clay that has a diameter of 297 feet. Within the tower was a series of concentric circles of clay walls. Within the innermost wall was a square chamber.

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Wellegala - Kebellelena Cave Temple (14 km | 15 min drive)
Wellegala - Kebellelena Rajamaha Viharaya has been built during King Vattagamini Abaya (104 BC, 89-77 BC) popularly known as King Walagamba. The Len Viharaya (cave temple) is situated at the middle of the rocky mountain. After climbing the rock, the first thing you see is a beautiful natural pool but sadly not properly maintained. Then is the main Image House which is supposed to house one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in the country. But unfortunately This was locked and the priest was not there.
Passing the Image House and the Bo Tree, a unique set of sculptures can be seen at a higher elevation of the rock. Using a natural cave, 8 figures has been sculptured depicting the King Devanampiyathissa meeting the Great Mahinda Thero in 250 BC. These larger than life sculptures seems to be of recent origin.
Move towards the edge of the cliff, the view is stunning. The whole plane is covered with coconut trees and and the far end a breathtaking mountain range.

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Sigiriya Kingdom (69 km | 1 .5 h drive)
Sigiriya (Lion Rock ) is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.

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Dambulla cave temple (65 km | 1 .5 h drive)
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft). Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.
This temple complex dates back to the first century BCE. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry.

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