HOME TOURS CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Explore Sri Lanka
- 8NIGHTS
- 9DAYS
- $625.00PER PERSON
- Inquire Now
The main focus of the tour is to explore the island’s rich history, scenic hill country and the palm-fringed south coast. The explorer would marvel at the ruins, architecture and the irrigation system that symbolizes the ancient civilization of Sri Lanka dating back to the 5th century B.C.
Itinerary
Day 01
Our representatives will meet and greet you upon your arrival at the airport. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Colombo where you can refresh yourself after which you will join a midday city tour of Colombo; which will give you a glimpse of Colombo’s architecture, art and culture. You will be brought back to your hotel at the conclusion of your city tour where you will spend the night.
Day 02
You leave for the Pinnawala elephant orphanage a sanctuary for orphaned elephants, located in a vast span of lush greenery. Here you will be given an opportunity to feed the elephants during the feeding times, after which you will proceed to Sigiriya, a massive rock fortress which rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. Built in the 5th century BC, it is one of the best architectural feats of the ancient world. Its key features being the frescos and its landscaped garden which is known to be Asia’s oldest surviving landscaped garden. Having concluded your tour of Sigiriya you will be transferred to your hotel in Dambulla for an over night stay.
Day 03
Today you will visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, established in 437 BC is the largest of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities of the cultural triangle. En route you will be able to witness the Aukana Buddha statue which was carved out of living rock in the 5th century BC. Followed by a visit to the Kalawewa Tank built in 400 AD. Here you will witness ruins of temples, dagobas and Buddha statutes. You will also visit “The Sri Maha Bodi” a giant Bo tree which was a sapling from the Bo tree underneath which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the most frequented Buddhist site of Anuradhapura. The fame of Anuradhapura spread as far as the ancient Roman Hellenistic world and established diplomatic links with China. It was the royal seat to 25 Buddhist and Hindu kings and the preeminent city of the island for 1400 years. If there is sufficient time you will also visit Mihintale which is known to be the cradle of Buddhism. Then you will be transferred back to your hotel in Dambulla where you will spend your night.
Day 04
Leave for Polonnaruwa yet another ancient city of the cultural triangle. It was made capital after the fall of Anuradhapura in 993 BC. Here you will witness the famed monumental ruins of the famous garden city created by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century and also the Brahmanic monuments build during the Chola invasion. The most significant being the Library Monastery, The Citadel and the palace complex and the Vatadage. Having concluded your tour of Polonnaruwa you will have the option of enjoying an elephant ride in Habarana and then depart for the Minneriya national park, where you will be taken on a jeep safari. The park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to Sri Lanka’s favorites such as the samba deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank built in the 3rd century AD. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Dambulla.
Day 05
Today you will visit the cave temple complex of Dambulla which is known to be one of the larges cave temples of south Asia. Here you will witness ancient rock paintings of Lord Buddha. concluding the dambulla cave temple visit you will proceed to the beautiful central highlands of Kandy. En route to Kandy you will visit a spice garden. Indulge in the rich history and culture of Kandy by embarking on a city tour. You will also be taken to visit a bazaar, an arts and craft center, a gem museum and lapidary where you may indulge in some shopping. Having concluded your city tour you will be transferred to you hotel in Kandy for rest and relaxation. The last event of the day will be to witness a beautiful cultural show. You will then be transferred to your hotel for your overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 06
Today you will be taken to the most beautiful botanical garden in the island, the Peradenaiya botanical gardens. It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. The garden consists of more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. having concluded your visit to the botanical gardens you will journey to the breathtaking mountainous region of Nuwara-Eliya which is considered to be the most important location for tea production in the island. Here you will visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, after which you will be transferred to your hotel where you can relax and spend the night.
Day 07
Today you will depart for the beautiful coastal city of Bentota. You will be transferred to your hotel for your stay.
Day 08
Arrive in Bentota and spend a relaxing day of fun in the sun in this beautiful coastal region. You may also indulge in some shopping while here with a variety ranging from batik, traditional masks and handicrafts, hats and clothes, brassware and wooden ornaments, semi-precious and precious gems of the island.
Day 09
You will be transferred to the Colombo airport for your departure flight.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in a double room / Twin room on sharing basis in with breakfast throughout the tour
- Price Based on two Paying Pax
- Garlanded Welcome & assistance on arrival at the Airport
- Transport by AC Car
- Meal plan - BB
- Services of an English speaking driver throughout the tour
- Visits according to the program
Exclusions
- Video Camera permits
- Tickets & Entrance fees for the sites above mentioned
- Early check ins / late check outs
- Expenses of personal nature or any other services not specified above
- Porter rage & Tips
- Any optional activity mentioned in the package
- Compulsory & Peak Period
- Supplements at the hotels
- Lunches and Dinner
Your Tips
Colombo
Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and sea-port is a blend of old and new. This is a city, which has many reminders of its European colonial past. Bustling bazaars, Buddhist and Hindu Temples and Muslim Mosques contrast with, smart modern Shopping Malls and multi-national chain hotels. Sightseeing highlights include the old parliament houses, Buddhist Temple, Town Hall, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.
Pinnawala
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location
Avukana
The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet (12 m), has been carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil.
Anuradhapura
The largest and oldest of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, Anuradhapura is a fitting climax to any tour of the Cultural Triangle.
Polonnaruwa
Located in the North Central province, was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century A.D. Along with Anuradhapura and Kandy, this ancient city forms one of the points of the “cultural triangle” of Sri Lanka, and contains a wealth of remarkable sites and monuments.
Dambulla
This World Heritage Site is one of the foremost centers of Buddhist pilgrimage as well as one of the largest cave temple complexes in South Asia. It is a major attraction for tourists and locals, who flock to see the dazzling and numerous rocks and wall paintings of Lord Buddha. The monastery was discovered in the 3rd century B.C. Of the numerous chambers found in the shelter, only five are in use today, the best known of which is the Maharaja Vihara.
Preradeniya
This Botanical Garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Bentota
On the South west coast of Sri Lanka, Bentota lies on the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river and offers water sports possibilities that are nowhere else to be found on the island.
