Cultural Tours Sri Lanka

Arrival / Anuradhapura

• After arrival, head towards Anuradhapura and settle in at hotel
• Visit ancient ruined city is UNESCO protected World Heritage site

The epicentre of Theravada Buddhism in the country for many centuries, its influences can be seen in the various ruins dotted across the city. Some of the most notable include the hemispherical Dabagas constructed out of sun-dried bricks that still stand today. Other ruins of the monuments that once stood tall include the Brazen Palace, Thuparamaya ruins which is said to have once been a hospital, and more.

• Overnight stay in Anuradhapura at any the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option- Forest Rock Garden
Medium End option –Palm Garden Village
Low End Option –Raja Rata
Budget Option – Mirdiya Lodge

Anuradhapura

• Visit to Mihintale Mountain Temple in the Evening

The Mihintale Mountain Temple holds a special place in the hearts of the Buddhist faith, it’s believed to be the place where King Devanampiyatissa, who inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, was first introduced to Buddhism by monk, Arahat Mahinda. Now a pilgrimage site, many pay their respects at the summit especially during Poson full moon day that occurs in June. The view especially at sunset offers truly breathtaking vistas.

• Overnight Stay at same hotel

Polannaruwa / Habarana

• Following breakfast and proceed to Sri Lanka’s second Kingdom Polannaruwa

The ancient capital of the second kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa saw much of its development between the 11^th and 13^th century. The great thing is Polonnaruwa’s monuments are better preserved such as the Vatadage (the circular relic house), Lankathilaka, Thuparama, Royal Palace, Rankoth Vihara and Galvihara to name a few.

• Optional Visit –In the afternoon, explore Minneriya/ Khoudulla National Park via a Jeep Safari

With over 9000 hectares of land located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the Kaudulla National Park in Minneriya is a mix of forest and shrubbery, making it an ideal habitat for the wildlife of Sri Lanka.

Spot Sambar deer, leopards and elephants. The Minneriya reservoir tanks were built by King Mahasen and during the June to October dry season, animals will flock to this watering hole and also a great place to spot the wildlife too.

• Overnight Stay in Dambulla at any the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option- Heritance Kandalama
Medium End option –Amaya Lake
Low End Option –Thilanka Resort and Spa
Budget Option – Nice Place Bungalows

Sigiriya / Avukana

• Early Breakfast, and climb Sigirya

A true archaeological wonder of Sri Lanka’s city planning, arts, engineering, hydraulic technology and defence, the Sigiriya Rock was indeed an impregnable fortress during the 5th Century AD. 200 metres high, King Kasyapa established this as his capital and commissioned the palace atop the rock. Now a UNESCO protected world heritage site, you can tour the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, with an estimated timing of 1 hour and 30 minutes. We also advise to tour it earliest possible to avoid noon heat.

• Visit Avukana Standing Statue

The Avukana Standing Buddha Statue is a marvellous display of craftsmanship as far back as the 5^th century. Commissioned by King Dhatusena during the 5^th century, the intricately carved out Buddha statue stands at over 40ft and is carved out of one single granite rock face.

• Stopover at Kala Wewa Resevoir

The Kala Wewa Resevoir is one of Sri Lanka’s best displays of engineering and irrigation and was constructed by King Datusena during the 5^th century.

• Overnight Stay at same hotel

High End Option- Heritance Kandalama-5*
Medium End option –Amaya Lake-4*
Low End Option –Thilanka Resort and Spa-3*
Budget Option – Nice Place Bungalows

Dambulla / Aluvihara / Kandy

• Soon after breakfast, proceed to Golden Rock Temple Dambulla

An immense rock, 500ft in height, the Golden Rock Temple in Dambulla had its roots as a Buddhist monastery where the monks resided within the hollows of the rock. These monks offered refuge to King Walagamba who was exiled from Anuradhapura. On his return to the throne, he displayed his gratitude by converting five caves into a temple complete with murals and statues. Later on, King Nissankamala gilded the caves and added even more Buddha statues, giving its moniker, the Golden Rock Temple of Dambulla. It will take approximately 45 minutes to visit this site.

• Then, visit the Spice Gardens

Renowned for its use of spices for its aromatic food, Sri Lanka is also popular for the cultivation of spices, and the best known is Cinnamon. Spice and ivory trades visiting the island, influenced the land and saw such crops grow and thus has since been included in our native cuisine.

Optional, we can also arrange a cooking class (demonstration) and enjoy the same meal for lunch.

• En- route stop at Aluvihara Rock Temple in Matale

The Aluvihara Temple was said to have been chosen for the sole purpose of protecting the Buddhist monks who were tasked with transcribing the Tripitaka consisting of the Buddhist doctrine for future generations. This occurred after King Walagamba who was exiled from Anuradhapura during the South Indian invasion regained this throne. The task of transcribing the doctrine was tasked to some five hundred senior monks on ola (palm) leaves.

• Reach the last Kingdom of Kandy, and tour the city of Kandy

There is much history and culture in Kandy, which was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. Indulge in city tour, visiting the likes of a gem museum and a lapidary for more insight into the gem industry of Sri Lanka.

• In the evening, enjoy a Cultural Show

Be mesmerised by the different art forms of the island, inspired by folklore and culture of the up-country and low-country of the island. With spectacular fire and demon dancers, traditional Kandyan dancers and more, you are in for a definite breathtaking experience.

• Overnight Stay in Kandy at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option- Cinnamon Citadel-5*
Medium End option –Amaya Hills-4*
Low End Option – Queen’s Hotel -3*
Budget Option – Emerald Hills

Kandy

• Early morning visit to The Temple of the Tooth Relic

The former Royal Palace of Kandy is now home to the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Gauthama Buddha and now known as the Dalada Maligawa. While wearing modest clothes of white, you can pay your respects to the sacred tooth relic and be blessed by the monks too. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is located next to the Kandy Lake, where the former Queen’s Bathing Pavilion still stands today. There are various other temples and shrines located in and around Kandy such as Bambaragala Viharaya, Gadaladeniya Temple, Maha Vishnu Devalaya, Embekke Devalaya and not to mention Bahiravokanda Vihara Statue.

• In the evening, an optional visit to Royal Botanical Garden

Located just over 5kms west of Kandy, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya is home to over 4000 species of flora and foliage that are indigenous to Sri Lanka, from beautiful orchids, aromatic spices, interesting palm trees and medicinal plants too!

• Overnight Stay in Kandy at the same hotel

Nuwara Eliya

• After breakfast, move on the Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s Hills
• En route stop at a Tea Factory and Tea Garden, and enjoy Lunch too

Take in the vistas from the Mackwoods Tea Factory and Tea Garden in Labookelle. Following a quick tour of the working factory, enjoy lunch at the Tea Garden overlooking the tea estate hills!

• Stop over at Ramboda Falls

Just before reaching Nuwara Eliya, enjoy the beauty of the Ramboda waterfall, the 11st highest waterfall of Sri Lanka

• Reach Nuwara Eliya and tour the town

Take a walk around the little town and the lake whilst enjoying the chilly atmosphere of Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy the Victoria Park, the Golf Links and more!

• Visit Hakgala Gardens

One of the five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, Hakgala Botanical Gardens was established for the plantation of Cinchona plants to be used for its medicinal value. The gardens were then used for tea cultivation before it was established formally as a botanical garden, and now home to a variety of flora and foliage, such as a variety of orchids and roses.

• Overnights stay in Nuwara Eliya at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option- Heritance Tea factory 5*
Medium End option –Blackpool 4*
Low End Option –Hill Club 3*
Budget Option –Summer Hill Breeze

Kithulagala / Bentota

• Travel to Bentota, with stopovers at St. Clair’s Falls and Devon Falls

Visit the 20^th and 19^th highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, St. Clair’s Falls and Devon Falls while making your down the hills from Nuwara Eliya. St. Clair’s Falls is also the widest and has received the moniker “the Small Niagara of Sri Lanka”. Devon Falls, which received its name from the pioneer English Coffee Planter called Devon whose plantation is situated nearby.

• Optional: Stopover at Kithulagala for Level 4 white water rafting

Experience the thrills of the level 4 rapids as you partake in white water rafting down the Kalani River in Kithulagala.

You can also visit the scenic locations of the Kithulgala that were used as shooting location for the 1956 Oscar winning film “the Bridge over the River Kwai”.

• Reach and get settled at the Beach Hotel in Bentota, followed by dinner
• Overnight stay at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option-Vivanta By Taj 5*
Medium End option – Bentota Beach Hotel 4*
Low End Option –Club Dolphin 3*
Budget Option – Citrus Hikkaduwa/Wadduwa

Balapaitiya / Galle Fort

• Breakfast and relax on the beach
• Later explore Maadu Ganga via Boat Cruise

Head over to Balapatiya to explore Sri Lanka’s largest wetland, home to a magnificent mangrove forest. With a variety of species of flora, foliage and fauna calling it home, a slow and relaxing boat ride to witness them in their natural habitat is a great way to become one with nature. We recommend you bring with you cameras to take back with you some great wildlife photography of the area!

• Enjoy lunch at the Captain’s Boathouse
• Visit Galle Fort

Situated in the Bay of Galle, the Galle Dutch Fort was originally build by the Portuguese back in 1588 and later fortified by the Dutch during 17^th Century. It now stands proudly as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular Sri Lankan attraction for both tourists and locals. Home to a plethora of eateries, shops and boutique hotels, the Galle Fort is a true slice of culture and history.

• Back to the Same Hotel for the night

Colombo

• Relax on the beach during the morning
• Have Lunch, and proceed to Colombo
• Reach Colombo for a city tour

There is much to see in Colombo, that fuses influences from all over the country as well as from across the seas to bring to you a myriad of wonder, all packed into the commercial capital and its greater outskirts. Explore as much of Colombo as time allows from the mazes of the Pettah City Centre, Colombo Fort, a walk down Galle Face Green, to possibly even visiting Town Hall, Independence Square as well as partake in some shopping in Colombo.

• Visit Kelaniya Temple
• The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is said to have been visited by Lord Gautama Buddha during his third and final visit to Sri Lanka, eight years after he reached enlightenment. It’s an important place of worship for Sri Lankans of Buddhist faith, with a history dating as far back as 500BCE.
• Visit Gangarama Temple
• A notable and well renowned Buddhist temple in Colombo, the Gangaramaya Temple complex and Bikkhu Training Centre is situated in close proximity to the Beira lake in the heart of Colombo. The temple’s architecture has been greatly influenced by the world, with artefacts being featured in the premises the world over. On the Beira Lake is also the beautifully constructed Simamalakaya, which is a circular Buddhist shrine erected in the centre of the lake that offers serenity and especially beautiful at dusk against the light of the setting
• Overnight stay in Colombo at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option-Cinnamon Grand
Medium End option – Cinnamon Red 4*
Low End Option –Hotel Mirage 3*
Budget Option – Fair View Hotel

Airport

As per flight schedule, Transfer to Airport