Cultural Tours Sri Lanka

Arrival / Anuradhapura

• Upon arrival, head to Anuradhapura
• Visit ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura

One of the first kingdoms of Sri Lanka, with a heavy influence by Theravada Buddhism which can be seen by many of the monuments left behind in ruins, Anuradhapura is also referred to Sri Lanka’s holy city. This is because the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the only living branch of the original Buddha Gaya in India, is now situated in the Mahawewma Gardens. Visit the Attamasthana or the Eight Sacred Places (that the Lord Buddha visited in Anuradhapura during his visits) which include Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Lovamahapaya,Mirisaveti Stupaya, Abhayagiri Vihara, Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya, Lankaramaya, and Ruwanwelisaya, during your time in the ancient city.

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

High End Option- Forest Rock Garden Resort
Medium End option –Palm Garden Village
Low End Option –Rajarata Hotel
Budget Option – Galway Mirdiya Lodge

Anuradhapura

• Visit to Mihintale Mountain Temple in the evening

Arahat Mahinda, the ordained son of Emperor Asoka of India, was on a missionary mission to Sri Lanka to introduce Buddhism to the land. King Devanampiyatissa at Mihitale met the disciples during a deer-hunting expedition on a full moon day in the month of June, known as Poson Full Moon Day.

Since then, the Mihintale Mountain Temple has been a pilgrimage site and when at the summit, the panoramic vistas are amazing, especially at sunset!

• Overnight Stay at the same hotel

Polonnaruwa / Habarana

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

With well-preserved monuments, the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa is found within the central cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Visit the historical attractions such as the Vatadage (the circular relic house), Thuparama, the Royal Palace, Lankathilaka, Galpota, Rankoth Viharaya and Galviharaya to get a feel of the architecture of the second kingdom of Sri Lanka.

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

Make your way to the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks that are located in close proximity. The best time to visit the Kaudulla National Park is between August to December, where you will be able to witness s up to many a herds of elephants during the months of October. The park is located to the edge of the Kaudulla Resevoir Tank and visitors are also offered catamaran boat rides if they wish for it.

The Minneriya National Park is also situated close to a body of water, the Minneriya Reservoir Tank, and is home to both forests, scrub and wetland areas making it an ideal wildlife sanctuary. The dry season that ranges between May/June to September/October, many of the inhabitants flock to the watering hole, which makes sighting these magnificent inhabitants easier during a safari.

• 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 / Avukana

• Early Breakfast, and proceed to Sigirya Rock Fortress

One of the best examples of ancient Sri Lankan city planning, engineering, hydraulic technology and defence systems, this fortress in the sky was commissioned by King Kasyapa during the 5^th century. Now, a UNESCO protected world heritage site, the estimated timing to explore this site is 1 hour and 30 minutes, and we advise avoiding the noon heat and leaving early to visit the site.

• Visit the Avukana Standing Statue

Carved out of a large single granite rock face, this 40ft high standing Buddha statue, it is the tallest in the country. Constructed during King Datusena’s reign in the 5^th century, it depicts the elaborate workmanship of the time.

• Stop over at Kala Wewa Reservoir

which is also believed to be constructed during 3rd century.

• Back to the Same Hotel

Dambulla / Aluvihara / Kandy

• Soon after breakfast, proceed to Golden Rock Temple Dambulla

The hollow caves of this massive isolated rock mass that is 500ft high was once a Buddhist monastery. The monks who resided within offered King Walagamba sanctuary during his 14-year exile. Once he returned to the throne, he repaid their kindness by converting five caves of the vast complex into a temple. Later, King Nissankamalla further improved the cave temple by gilding it, thus giving it the name “Golden Rock Temple”. It will take approximately 45 min. to visit this site.

• Visit the Spice Gardens

Sri Lanka has long been a part of the Spice Routes of the world, also known as Maritime Silk Roads that has greatly influenced the native cuisine. The spice and ivory traders visiting the country has greatly influenced our cooking styles as well as promoted spice cultivation too. By visiting the Spice Gardens, you will be able to gather more insight into the many spices cultivated in Sri Lanka as well as those used in Sri Lankan cuisine. You are also offered the option of having a cooking class (demonstration) and enjoy the same meal for lunch.

• En- route stop at Aluvihara Temple in Matale

The location of the Aluvihara Rock Temple was selected as a protected sanctuary during the South Indian invasion in the 5^th century. There was a fear that the religion in the country would die out during the famine and invasion, thus the Tripitaka or the Buddhist Scriptures were transcribed onto palm leaves so that the faith would continue in the land.

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

Tour the city, including a visit to a Gem Museum and Lapidary.

• Enjoy an evening Cultural Show

Experience the different dance art forms of the island from up-country to low-country. The show will include everything from fire dancers, demon dancers, and traditional Kandyan dancers.

• Overnight Stay in Kandy at 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 UNESCO protected The Temple of the Tooth relic

Enshrined within the former royal palace, the Golden roofed Dalada Maligawa, is the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. There are many religious sites located within the hilly city of Kandy, such as the Gadaladeniya, Maha Vishnu Devalaya, Embekke Devalaya & Bahiravakanda Vihara Statue.

• Evening Optional visit to Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya

Located 5.5kms west of Kandy is the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, which is home to over 4000 varieties of flora and foliage, including palm trees, orchids, spice and medicinal plants that are indigenous to Sri Lanka.

• Night in Kandy at the same hotel

Nuwara Eliya

• Move on the Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s Hill station
• En route stop at Mackwoods Tea Factory and Tea Garden, and enjoy Lunch.
• Stop over at Ramboda Falls
• Reach Nuwara Eliya and have a walking city tour

Nuwara Eliya, lovingly called Little England for its heavy colonial influence in terms of architecture, gardening and more, the quaint town is great attraction for both locals and tourists alike. Walk around the little town and the lake.

• Visit Hakgala Gardens

Hakgala Gardens is one of the five botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, and considered the second largest. Home to a large variety of flora and fauna, it is popular for its variety of orchids and roses. With connections to the Ramayana folklore, the Sita Amman Temple can also be visited.

• Overnight 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

Kelaniya / Colombo

• Soon after Breakfast and proceed to Kelaniya via Kithulgala
• Optional stopovers at Devon Falls, St Clair’s Falls & Kithulgala for Level 4 white rafting

On the way to Colombo, you are able to witness the 19^th and 20^th highest waterfalls of Sri Lanka, Devon Falls and St. Clair’s Falls. The latter has been nicknamed the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka. Whilst passing through Kithulagala, stop over close to the Kalani River to partake in some level 4 white water rafting.

• Optional: En-route to Colombo, visit to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

You can also have a brief stop at the PInnawela Elephant Orphanage to see the elephants bathing or feeding. The best times to visit is during bathing (between 10am to 10:30am or from 2pm to 2:30pm) or feeding (between 9am to 10am or from 1pm to 2pm).

• City tour of Colombo in the evening

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is believed to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. The Gangaramaya Temple complex and Bikkhu Training Centre located in the heart of Colombo with its close proximity to Beira lake is a popular attraction. Greatly influence by Buddhist artefacts from all over the world, it is a must-see. The Simamalakaya or the circular Buddhist shrine erected in the centre of the Beira Lake is a sight to behold at sunset.

• Overnight stay in Colombo at any of the following hotels;

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

Colombo – Airport

• As per flight Schedule, Transfer to Airport