Tour Overview
This tour covers some of the most important cultural attractions in Sri Lanka. You will explore fascinating temples, archeological sites, Buddhist monasteries and enjoy a cultural show to gain an in-depth understanding about historical beliefs and rituals of ancient Ceylon. If you love history and want to explore some astonishing creations in the ancient times, this tour is an ideal option for you.
Highlights
- visit three temples which includes Embekke, Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya.
- Kandy and enjoy a city tour
- Sacred Tooth Relic
- Nalanda Gedige
- Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.
- Polonnaruwa
- Sightseeing of Sigiriya Rock fortress
Itinerary
You will be picked up from BIA Airport or your hotel in Colombo, Negombo and Mount Lavinia by your very own chauffeur guide and transferred to Kandy. On arrival in the hotel, spend the day at leisure relaxing and enjoying the hotel facilities.
Spend overnight at a 3* Hotel. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis.
After breakfast, you will drive to visit three temples which includes Embekke, Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya. Visiting three of the most ancient and historically important temples that are within an easy walking distance to another is a memorable expedition for a heritage lover.
Thereafter you will be driven back to Kandy and enjoy a city tour. Kandy, also Known as the hill capital or Hill country, is the last stronghold of Sinhalese kings after Portuguese, Dutch and British ruling periods. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Bahirawakanda Buddha stature that is known as big Buddha is one of the most scenic places in the city. The Kandy Lake that was built by king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807 is one of the major highlights in the city. The upper lake drive is more scenic and memorable. Today Kandy is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visiting gem lapidary, art and craft center along with a traditional cultural show will complete the city tour in this small historical town.
Late afternoon you will witness a Sri Lankan traditional cultural show. You will see drummers, fire dancers, and more in a cultural spectacle covering various aspects of Sri Lanka’s traditions in this one-hour show.
Spend overnight at a 3* Hotel. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis.
After breakfast, you will be driven to visit Nalanda Gedige. An ancient Stone building made with a Pallavi Style. It is believed to have been constructed sometime between the 7th and 11th Centuries A. D. The Sinhalese monarchy was on the decline and South Indian kings were making their presence during this period. Architectural design of this temple is a fusion of Sinhalese and Tamil cultures that includes Tantric Buddhist carvings and Hindu elements.
Thereafter you will witness a wood carving experience in a small wood carving factory. Handicraft of woodcarving in Sri Lanka has a long history. A wide range of handicraft items made of wood like wall hangings, fancy jewelry, figurines, sculpture, lacquer products, gift boxes, toys, educational items for pre-school children, household items are available in Sri Lanka. Here you will get live wood carving experience at a small wood carving factory. You will also engage in Carving wood and learn something about these historical crafts.
Late afternoon visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.
Dambulla Cave temple is one of the most impressive and well-preserved cave temples in Asia. This complex contains five caves with over 2000 sq.m of painted walls and ceilings. This emphasizes the artistic talents of the people lived in this small island. Due to its artistic & archaeological values, Dambulla Cave temple has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Spend overnight at a 3* Hotel. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis.
After breakfast, you will be driven to Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa remains as one of the best planned archeological relic sites in the country, which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982. This is a well-preserved city with ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The Sea of Parakrama, a vast 12th-century man-made water reservoir is also one of the main highlights in this wonderful ancient city. Moreover, this is one of the best ancient cities in the country that gives a big experience within a short period of time as the monuments are in a more compact area.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy the sightseeing of Sigiriya Rock fortress. The 5th century Rock fortress of Sigiriya which as built by King Kashyapa is one of the Wonders of world and a UNESCO world heritage site. The Rock itself has its unique identity due to its shape. The irrigational technologies of water gardens & archeological technologies of the large lion carved at the entrance are precious as they are still existing.
Spend overnight at a 3* Hotel. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis.
After breakfast, you will proceed to Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura is the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization. The city houses the oldest historically documented tree on earth, grown from a branch of the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago. It was also the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The relic chambers like Ruwanveliseya, Abhayagiriya and Jetavanaramaya, stand as the largest manmade brick structures in the world. Th Brazen Palace, Twin Ponds, Samadhi Buddha Statue, Isurumuniya temple with finest rock carvings in the country, The Moonstone, The Guard stones and Thuparama and Lankaramaya Dagobas are the other important attractions that you cover during this city tour.
Thereafter you will be driven to visit Minintale. In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihintale was a thick jungle inhabited by wild animals and was a hunting ground reserved for the royals. This is the place where Mahinda Maha Thero, the son of the Indian Emperor Asoka, met king Devamnampiyatissa in 250 BC which resulted in inauguration of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Today it is the main center for Theravada Buddhism and the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Spend overnight at a 3* Hotel. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Today after breakfast, you will proceed to visit 4th Kingdom of Sri Lanka which is called Yapahuwa. The royal residence of Sri Lanka in the 13th century & was the capital of the country. it housed the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha for 11 Years. Of all the ancient ruins in the country, the Rock Fortress Complex of Yapahuwa is considered to be quite remarkable despite the fact that it isn't famous for most visitors. However, it is renowned as one of the best archeological site in the country. it was able to visit some interesting remains. On top of the rock, the remains of a stupa, a Bodhi tree, and a rock shelter/cave used by Buddhist monks is visible. A couple of caves are seen at the base of the rock, one of which is a Buddhist Shrine whereas another cave has some inscriptions on it. The rock fortress has a strong resemblance to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
After completing the visit, you will be driven to your hotel in Negombo
Spend overnight at a 3* Hotel. Your stay is on Bed & Breakfast basis.
After breakfast, you will be driven to Airport for your flight back home.
Trip includes
Included
Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis at all hotels
Service of an English-speaking chauffeur guide for the entire tour
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Bed & Breakfast basis at all hotels
Transport is based on 01 Air-conditioned Vehicle
Mineral water during sightseeing tours & overland trips (500ml water bottle will be given per day per person)
Entrance tickets to Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya rock Fortress, Three temples, Temple of the Tooth, Bahirawakanda, Nalanda Gedige, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Yapahuwa.
All current taxes as on date
Excluded
International flights are not included
Insurance is not included
Gratuities (recommended)
Any others expenses not mentioned in Inclusions section
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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