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Cultural Tour

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Duration

12 DAYS | 11 NIGHTS

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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DAY 01 AIRPORT ► WAIKKAL

Arrival & assistance
Negombo city tour

Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, you will be greeted by our guide and transfer to your hotel close to the international airport.

Arrived at the hotel you can recover from a long journey.

Under take a city tour of Negombo.

Being one of the major tourist beach resorts of the island, this lively town is mainly inhabited by the fisher-folk. This is also one of the strongholds of the catholic community of Sri Lanka and quietly correctly considered as the “Little Rome”, located along the picturesque Negombo lagoon, along which hundreds of fishing boats and catamarans could be seen most of the time. The Town is dotted with several churches, some dating from the earliest colonial times. Sightseeing in Negombo includes the remains of the Old Dutch Fortress from 1678, the Dutch Canal constructed for the transportation of Cinnamon, St. Mary’s Church and the Old Dutch Cemetery, and naturally, the Negombo Fish Market –more famously known as the “Lellama”.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 02 WAIKKAL ► CHILAW ► MUNNESWARAM ► YAPAHUWA

Visit Chilaw Fish Market
Visit Munneswaram Hindu Temple
Visit Yapahuwa Fortress
Kick start your day after your breakfast and you will be heading to Yapahuwa.

Chilaw the fishing town of Chilaw has a strong Roman Catholic flavor, with elaborate statues of saints and cardinals in the centre.

Visit Chilaw Fish market.

Then visit Munneswaram Hidu Temple.

Munneswaram Temple, in existence since at least 1000 C.E. holds much significance to the Hindus of the country. Although many myths surrounding it associate it with the famous Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-King Rama, the temple is one of the five most ancient temples (Ishwarams) dedicated to Lord Shiva in the region. The temple complex is a compilation of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most prestigious amongst the Hindus, with the remaining temples being dedicated to the Gods Ganesha, Ayyanayake and Kali.

Then heading to Yapahuwa and visit Yapahuwa Fortress.

An ancient Fortress and capital built in 1301AD. It is a rock rising to a height of 90metres.Many traces of the ancient battle defenses can still be seen fields. A majestic stairway remains to exhibit the grandeur of this ancient Temple built for housing the Sacred Tooth Relic

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 03 YAPAHUWA ► HATTHIKUCCHI ► ANURADHAPURA

Bike ride inside the village
Visit Hatthikucchi Temple
Under take a city tour of the 1st capital of the country
In the morning, you can do a bike ride inside the village, which permits you to better experience the local life.

Then leave to Hatthikucchi.

This is an ancient Buddhist monastery, remains of which consist of a magnificent Vatadage (stupa and the protective wall around it and the stone pillars used to support with a chathra or a thatch over the stupa). In addition to this, ruins of other Buddhist structures, several caves inhabited by the early Buddhist monks and inscriptions dating from pre Christian era are also found here surrounded by scrub jungle. It is important to note that only a minor portion of the site has been cleared. Although there are different views on the identity of this place , it is widely accepted as the place where the donor king , Sirisangabo gave away his head to a poor man who shared his meal with him while fleeing out of the city in fear of reprisals from the incumbent – King Gotabhaya.

Arrive to Anuradhapura in the afternoon.

Under take a city tour of the 1st capital of the country.

the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities dating back to the 5th Century BC which formed the foundation for a magnificent civilisation spanning over a few centuries. According to the Mahavamsa – the great Sinhala Chronicle, this was a model of planning with precincts set aside for different vocations as well as for foreigners. There were separate cemeteries for high and low castes, hostels and hospitals and water supply was assured by the construction of reservoirs. Its greatest treasures are its dagabos constructed of small sun-dried bricks and are hemispherical in shape two of which have been identified by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The reservoirs used for storage of water formed the basis of the hydraulic civilisation which later on spread to the entire island .

Return to the hotel.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 04 ANURADHAPURA ► MIHINTHALE ► THANTHIRIMALEE ► ANURADHAPURA

Climb Mihintale Temple
Visit Thanthirimalee Temple
Early morning leave to Mihintale. Climb Mihintale Temple.

a few kilometers from Anuradhapura is considered as the cradle of Buddhism where the message of Buddhism was received by the then King of Sri Lanka from Arahath Mahinda – the son of Emperor Asoka of India which was delivered after a lengthy conversation the Arahath had with the King to gauge the intelligence level of the monarch. The rock is dotted with shrines and rock dwellings. Mihintale was home to the first ever Animal Sanctuary and the Hospital.

Then leave to Thanthirimalee and visit Thanthirimalee temple.

The temple and the junction appears to be most important centre in the village. This temple, which was built in the third century BC has a historical value. When the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was brought from India to Sri Lanka, one night along the way to Anuradhapura, the pot containing the sapling was kept at Thanthirimale. It is believed that there was one branch separately grew from the pot, was planted at that village to remember the incident. Hence, some believe that this may be the first Sri Maha Bhodi plant in Sri Lanka. The Bo Tree is placed on top of large stony layer which may protect the tree up to now.

Later of the day return to the hotel.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 05 ANURADHAPURA ► SIGIRIYA ► MINNERIYA ► HABARANA

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Safari jeep at Minneriya National Park

Leave to Sigiriya after the breakfast.

Today morning is dedicated to visit the famous rock fortress Sigiriya.

A Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD – stark and forbidding, haunted by an epic story of murder and betrayal is attributed to King Kasyapa who found hiding here after killing his father more fruitful than meeting the wrath of the people who loved King Dhatusena much more before meeting his rival – Prince Mugalan who had fled to India seeking reinforcements for his Army. This unique Rock Fortress or “castle in the sky” – a massive monolith of red stone that rises 600ft above ground , derived the name “Lion Rock” as the entrance to the climb to the summit is reached between the paws of a lion .

Culmination of the day is with a safari at Minneriya National Park.

It is situated around the reservoir of the same name in the south central area of the island. This park comprises of grasslands, thorny scrubs and many valuable species of trees. Large herds of elephants, species of deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackals are some of the wild animals found, along with a variety of avifauna that abounds the park. Has become synonymous with the annual “Elephant Gathering”

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 06 HABARANA ► POLONNARUWA ► MEDIRIGIRIYA ► HABARANA

Visit The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Visit Medirigiriya Vatadageya.

Today, after breakfast Polonnaruwa is explored.

The island’s Medieval Capital (11th – 13th Centuries AD) which rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura.. The city was fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and gardens and sanctified by many shrines. A unique Irrigation complex watered the city as well as the surrounding plains helping in agriculture which made the island “the Granary of the East” . The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra (the Sea of Parakrama), is larger in size than the Colombo Harbour. Polonnaruwa is home to two magnificent World Heritage Sites and numerous other sites of archaeological and historical interest , some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history.

After this visit you will leave to Medirigiriya

located in the boundaries of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts it has one of the finest preserved structures of a Circular Chamber House. Unique feature of the main structure which is well preserved comprising of simple pillars is that it is a rare occurrence that they are not ornamented. Remains of many other structures including those of a hospital could be seen scattered in the vicinity.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 07 HABARANA ► DAMBULLA ► MATALE ► KANDY

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Matale Spice Garden
Colorful Cultural Show
After a good breakfast, heading to the last ancient city of Sri Lanka, Kandy.

En route visit Dambulla Cave temple.

A collection of five caves of different sizes full of paintings , sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings , Gods etc. considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces declared a World Heritage Site

En-Route to Kandy, visit the Matale spice garden. The spice garden is one of the best spots for spices on the island, and here you will be introduced to various spices and be shown how these spices are grown and processed much to your awe.

Arrive to Kandy. Literally known as the “City on the Hills” so named as it was protected by the nature – water , rocks and jungles. The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815AD which is a World Heritage Site

In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional “Fire Walking”

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 08 KANDY ► PERADENIYA ► KANDY

Temple of the Tooth Relic
Local Market
Peradeniya Botanical Garden

After breakfast you are going to embark on a city tour in Kandy starting from the centre of attraction – the golden roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.

After visiting the tooth relic temple, you will drive around the affluent Kandy lake admiring the serene and stunning landscape merged with the beauty of nature. Then walk into the local market.

Our guide will offer you a gift on behalf of the agency to remember your honeymoon tour in Sri Lanka.

In the afternoon visit Royal Botanical Gardens – one of the best of its kind in Asia with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora which incidentally was the Headquarters of Lord Louise Mountbatten – the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the 2nd World War,

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 09 KANDY ► RAMBODA ► NUWARA ELIYLA ► KITHALELLA

Visit a Tea Plantation
Visit a Tea Factory
Visit Ramboda Water Falls

After breakfast, you will proceed to the hill country.

Visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous “Ceylon Tea” and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.

A short walk can be done in the tea plantations.

Visit Ramboda water fall.

Check in to the hotel and relax yourself.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 10 KITHALELLA ► MINI ADAM’S PEAK ► 09 ARCH BRIDGE ► MIRISSA

Hike Mini Adam’s Peak
Visit 9 Arche Bridge
Visit Rawana Water Fall

After breakfast you will leave to Badulla and you will take the train from Badulla to Ella. You can enjoy the beauty of the nature beside the railway track.

Upon your arrival to Ella you will start to hike up to Mini Adam’s Peak. The summit of the mountain has a great panoramic views.

When you are in Ella, you should not forget to go and have a look at the 9 Arch Bridge

The Nine Arch Bridge in Ella is on the Demodara loop and spans 91 meters at a height of 24m. The beautiful nine arches make it a very picturesque spot especially as it is located in a dense jungle and agricultural setting. Behind the railway, a forest is booming and below, tea leaves are being cultivated

Then you will leave this charming city and proceed towards the down south of the country.

En route visit Rawana water fall.

Later of the day, arrive to your beach hotel.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 11 MIRISSA

Relax on the beach.

Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 12 MIRISSA ► AIRPORT

Transfer to the airport.

  • Private transport with English speaking chauffeur guide
  • Breakfast and Dinner
  • Government taxes
  • Entrance fees
  • Visits not included in the programme
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Beverages
  • International flights
  • Visa fee
  • Lunch
  • Chauffeur and the vehicle on the free days

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Member Since 2023

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Phone

+94 77 712 6057