Cultural Tours Sri Lanka

Airport / Colombo / City tour

• Meet and greet at the Bandaranayake International Airport and subsequent transfer to hotel in Colombo.
• After checking in to the hotel, guests can refresh and indulge in a tour of Colombo.

The city of Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and is home to an interesting blend of varying influences of the country’s history, culture and the modern world. The arrival of the Portuguese to the Island in the early 16th Century transformed the city into an important trading port. During the Colombo city tour, you can visit the Fort, noted for the site where the Portuguese first landed on the island. The Portuguese then fortified the base and the harbour, and in 1656, the Dutch that further improved the fort. The military garrison used by the Dutch and later the British still stands today and now the location of the President’s House. On the edge of the fort closer to Galle Face Green, you will be able to take in the majestic and beautiful sandstone building that is the Old Parliament Building is now the location of the Presidential Secretariat and Government Secretariat. The former the location of Parliament is an almost a replica of the Palace of Whitehall in England.

From there you can take a stroll down the Galle Face Green as well as down the pier that has a great view of the Colombo Harbour. Thereafter, move ahead to Pettah, which is situated within the fort and is a maze of streets, home to multi-ethnic sights and bazaars! Indulge in some shopping for trinkets and some street food while in Pettah!

From there, head to the Gangaramaya Temple complex and Bikkhu Training Centre that is spread around the Beira lake and across the main road. Its imposing buildings with Buddhist artefacts from all over the world is a must see site in the tourist itinerary. The Simamalakaya or the circular Buddhist shrine erected in the centre of the lake is beautiful at dusk against the light of the setting sun and in the night lighted up with jet bulbs. The peaceful, calm atmosphere you experience at this shrine is an absolute surprise amidst the noise of the vehicular traffic on the busy roads.

If time permits, also you can visit few of the other Buddhist temples in the city, which depict the art and statuary styles of the Buddhist revival in the 19th Century. These include the likes of the following;

• Vajiraramaya at Bambalapitiya and Raja Maha Viharaya at Bellanwila, Dehiwala are famous as centres of Buddhist learning.
• Gotami Viharaya in Borella feature modern mural paintings by internationally famed artist George Keyt.
• Dipaduttaramaya in Colombo 13 is the oldest Buddhist temple in the city built in 1806, you can also visit the nearby Paramananda Purana Viharaya which also built in 1806.
• Asokaramaya AndIssipatana-ramaya at Thimbirigasyaya has beautiful mural paintings
• The Buddhist Cultural Centre at Nedimala, Dehiwala is famous for the rare collection of books published on Buddhism nationally and internationally.
• Karagampitiya Temple at Dehiwala is home to Buddha statues with sapphires for eyes and frescoes, is one of the few of the many Buddhist institutions in the city.
• Overnight Stay in Colombo at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option- Cinnamon Grand
Medium End option –Cinnamon Red
Low End Option –Hotel Mirage
Budget Option – Palm Beach Hotel

Pinnawela / Kandy

• Following breakfast, depart for Kandy
• Visit Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple & Meditation Centre

The Mahamevnawa Amawatura Monastery and International Meditation Centre is situated in Polgahawela and welcomes all to listen to the teachings of the Dhamma and to take part in the practice of meditation (with classes being held periodically).

• Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is not just an orphanage, but also a nursery and has a captive breeding programme for injured or displaced wild Asian elephants in Sri Lanka. Part of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation programme, the mission is to be able to offer care and protection to baby elephants found in the wild. The complex spans across ten hectares and is located within walking distance of the Maha Oya River where the elephants are bathed. The best times to witness the elephants bathing is between 10am to 10:30am or from 2pm to 2:30pm, whereas you can also witness them feeding between 9am to 10am or from 1pm to 2pm.

• Reach Kandy and tour the City

The kingdom of Kandy was founded in the 15^th century and flourished until early 19^th century, when the kingdom fell into the hands of the British Empire in 1818. There are many notable monuments from the era, one being the home of the Sacred Tooth Relic, at the last royal palace of Kandy, the Dalada Maligawa that is now referred to as the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

During the tour, visit the Gem Museum and Lapidary to get more insight into the Sri Lankan gem industry as well buy a few gemstones to take back home as souvenirs. The Evening Cultural Show is definitely one to behold, where you can witness the intricate dance art forms of various plains of the country that have inspired and cultured different dance forms based on history and folklore. From traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers, fire & demon dancers and more, it is truly a breathtaking experience.

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

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

Kandy / Dambulla

• Early morning visit to Temple of the Tooth Relic

Explore this World Heritage Site that is sacred to not only the country but also to those of the Buddhist faith. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is housed within the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, which was once the Royal Palace home to the Kandyan monarchy. The Temple of the Tooth Relic enshrines the sacred tooth relic of Gauthama Buddha and many Buddhist followers pay homage from far and wide. Clad modestly in white, you too can partake in paying homage to the sacred tooth relic and receive blessings too.

• Proceed to Sigirya, en route visit to Golden Rock Temple Dambulla

A majestic site to behold, the Dambulla Golden Rock Temple is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft in height. Dating as far back as 1BC, the rock caves were occupied by a monastery and it was those same monks who offered shelter to the exiled monarch, King Walagamba until his return to his throne in Anuradhapura. Since his return to the throne, he showed his gratitude by converting the rock caves into a marvellous temple with murals and statures. The last most notable addition to the caves was carried out by King Nissankamalla of Polonnaruwa who had the caves gilded, giving the temple its name, “The Golden Temple of Dambulla”. It will take approximately 45 min. to visit this site.

• Overnight Stay in Dambulla at any of 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 / Minneriya

• Following an early Breakfast, climb the Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress

One of the most notable works of workmanship commissioned by a Sri Lankan king, the Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress was once impregnable and a true archaeological wonder. King Kassyapa, who had committed regicide, had his kingdom moved to a dense forest with a natural rock that was 660ft high. On top of this rock he built his magnificent palace in the sky complete with city planning, arts, garden scaping, engineering, hydraulic technology and a great defence system. Some of the notable attractions when visiting Sigiriya include the following;

• the Apsara paintings
• the Boulder Gardens & Terrace Gardens
• the Royal Gardens, the Water Gardens
• the Audience Hall (which also features the five-metre throne of the king
• the Mirror Wall
• the Lion Staircase (which starts at the base of the gigantic lion’s paws)
• the Palace ruins (at the summit)
• the Hinterland, Snare Rock
• the Cobra Hood Cave
• the Moat

Estimated timing for this site is 1.30 min, and we advise to make it earliest possible to avoid noon heat.

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

The Minneriya and Khodulla National Parks are located between Habarana and Polannaruwa with close to 9000 hectares of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas. This Park is home to Sambar deer, leopards and elephants to name a few. The Minneriya tanks were built by King Mahasena during the 3rd Century. During the dry season, that is from June to October, it’s an incredible place to observe herds of elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as huge flocks of birds.

• Overnight Stay in Dambulla at the same hotel

Polonnaruwa / Anuradhapura

• After Breakfast and proceed to Sri Lanka’s second Kingdom Polonnaruwa

A UNESCO protected World Heritage Site; Polonnaruwa was the capital from 11th to 13th century A.D. Here the monuments are better preserved such as the circular relic house (Vata-da-ge) Lankathilaka, Thuparama, Royal Palace, Rankoth vihara and Galvihara with the beautiful rock cut Buddha statues, which are the most interesting.

• Head to Anuradhapura and visit Mihintale Mountain Temple in the Evening

Many believe that this was the original place where the Buddhist monk Arahat Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa met while he was hunting deer in the Mihintale mountain range. Arahat Mahinda was the ordained song of King Asoka of India who was commissioned to bring Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan king then spread the faith and erected many monuments at the Mihintale Mountain Temple though it has then been abandoned. However, it is now a pilgrimage site where at sunset; you will have a great panoramic view from the top of the rock.

• Overnight Stay in Anuradhapura at any of 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 / Negombo

• After early morning Breakfast , visit ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura

The ruined city of Anuradhapura was the first kingdom where Theravada Buddhism flourished for many centuries. Now a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins left behind include the likes of foundations, the ponds, as well as the Dagabas which were crafted in a hemispherical shape using sun-dried bricks.

• After lunch, Proceed to Negombo

Negombo has garnered a reputation for being a great resort city with its beautiful beaches and hotel accommodations. Located on the shores of a lagoon, it was used as a Portuguese then Dutch trading port. The Dutch then fortified it to create the Negombo Dutch Fort, which was built in the 16^th century. Many tourists in Sri Lanka prefer visiting Negombo after arriving in the country or before flying back home.

If you are to explore Negombo, a great way to travel is via a boat ride through the 100km long canals built by the Dutch administration that utilised them as supply routes and more. We also recommend you visit some of the old churches and fishing villages too.

• Relax on the Beach
• Overnight Stay in Negombo at any of the following hotels of your choice;

High End Option- Heritance Negombo
Medium End option –Jetwing Lagoon
Low End Option –Hotel Goldi Sands
Budget Option – Beacon Beach Hotel

Airport

• Relax on the Beach
• As per flight Schedule, Transfer to Airport