8:00 You will be picked-up from your hotel in Anuradhapura by tuk-tuk and then moved to Mihintale. 09:00 Arrive to the starting point and start the hike. In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihintale was a thick jungle inhabited by wild animals and was a hunting ground reserved for the royals. This is the place where Arahath Mahinda Thero – the son of the Indian Emperor Asoka preached the Buddhist doctrine to the king Devanampiyatissa in 250 BC which resulted in inauguration of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Today it is the main center for Theravada Buddhism and recorded as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. You will visit the Mihintale Temple which includes a magnificent 40ft stupa which dates to centuries and at the foot, you will be able to see ruins of an ancient hospital. After a short climb of 15-20 minutes, you will reach the summit and see the breath-taking surrounding area once on top. You can explore the ruins of Mihintale with your guide while listening to the stories related to the history of the site. 12:00 Now having explored the sacred site of Mihintale, you will be moved back to your hotel.