Today you will visit the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the place where it all began. Buddhism was brought into Sri Lanka from India and this is where Monk Mahinda preached Buddhism to King Devanampiyatissa up on the mountain peak. You have the option of climbing to the top of the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding area. Afterwards your resident expert will escort you to a 1000 year old mountain monastery forgotten in time called the Kalu Diya Pokuna monastery. This is one of the few functioning monasteries in the country where Buddhism is at its purest. No buildings, no wealth, but pure meditation and Buddhist monks following on the Lord Buddha's footsteps. These monks who you will see today keep travelling between such monasteries from time to time. If you wish you can get yourself blessed by one of these monks and get a blessed thread wrapped around your wrist for protection. It's one of those untouched areas in the country where very few tourists have visited.