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CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TOURS

This ‘Cultural & Heritage Tour’ takes you deep back into history while gaining better understanding of the island’s remarkably rich cultural and religious history that dates back 2,500 years. The itineraries are designed to uncover lesser known, but still entrancing remains of Sri Lanka’s cultural past. Of course, we are able to tinker with this itinerary and add an extra night here and there

CLASSICAL DISCOVERY

TOUR CODE: CT/CD/1020
DURATION: 7 DAYS-6 NIGHTS TOUR
Highlights of The Tour

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

  • Elephant Orphanage at Pinnewele
  • Dambulle cave Temple -UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Sigirye Rock Fortress -UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Polonnaruwe Ancient Kingdom-UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Safari in Minneriye / Kaudulle National Park
  • Kanday Tooth Relic Temple
  • Cultural Show
  • Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniye
  • Tea Gardens & Tea Factory visit
  • Film site of “Bridge of The River Kwaii”
  • Colombo City Tour
Travel Route Map

Detail Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: AIR PORT /PINNEWELE/ DAMBULLE

Arrival at Bandaranayeke International Ari Port and transfer to Hotel in Dambulle

En route visit Elephant Orphanage at Pinnewele where abandoned and disabled elephants get lot of love, care and protection, can enjoy the bathing, feeding & playing of dignified elderly matriarchs to the cutest of babies

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulle

DAY 2: DAMBULLE/POLONNARUWE/DAMBULLE

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa ruined city, the second kingdom of Ancient Sinhalese ,became Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital in 10th c AD and remained the capital until the late 13th century.  Today, the ancient city’s ruins remain in remarkably good nick; huge Palaces, Monastic complexes, Giant Stupas, Hospitals, Image Houses etc... The most impressive are the ancient sculptures of the Buddha at the Gal Viahara cut into Granite stone dating back to the middle of the 12th century

Dinner & Overnight stay at the same Hotel in Dambulle

DAY 3: DAMBULLE/SIGIRIYE /MINNERIYE/DAMBULLE

After breakfast leave to Sigiriye to climb up magnificent Sigiriye Rock Fortress

Sigiriye; the lion rock, a rock fortress-cum royal palace complex of 5thc AD, was created by king Kashyape who committed patricide made the rock his hideout in order to stay away from his half-brother who sought vengeance. This king not only fortified his stronghold but also added to it artistic beauty with water gardens, pavilions, courtyards… About two hours can happily be spent walking through its water gardens, and then up the steep steps - either hewn out of the rock or on circular iron staircases - past the frescoes. You will be in no rush to abandon the spectacular views at the summit.

Afternoon, visit Minneriye/Kaudulle/Eco Park National Park. This will include a Safari tour by jeep with a jungle tracker. The Park is an incredible place to observe the elephants that come to bathe & graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of Birds that come to fish in the shallow waters.

Dinner & Overnight stay at the same Hotel in Dambulle

DAY4: DAMBULLE TO KANDY

After breakfast leave for Kandy. En route visit Cave Temple at Dambulla where large number of Buddha statues housed in 5 caves, including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock, The caves’ rock ceiling covered in one large sweep of colorful frescoes. It is the best place to see the classical Buddhist paintings & murals of the island. Next visit an Ayurvedic herbal & Spice garden at Matale, where spices & herbs used for Sri Lankan cuisine and medication are grown.

Evening visit the Temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha & see the Cultural Show in Kandy

Kandy, the capital of hill country, was the last seat of Sinhalese kings who ceded power to the British in1815 after many battle with the western colonial forces, still remains much of its old world charm and traditions of the Sri Lankan life style,

Temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, the most venerated place of Buddhist of Sri Lanak, was built in the 14th Century A.D. solely for the purpose of housing the tooth relic.

At the Cultural Show, can enjoy the Dancers & Drums of Traditional Artist with their magical Fire walking

Dinner & Overnight stay at a  Hotel in Kandy.

DAY 5: KANDY TO NUWERE ELIYE

After Breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya. In the morning further Sightseeing of kandy including Upper Lake Drive and Observe the glorious Architecture of that period and experience the tranquility of the atmosphere. And visit to Art and Craft Centers, Gem Factory to see the rich skills of Kandian Traditional Craftsmen & Artists

En-route visits the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. This was a pleasure garden of a Kandyan King of the 16th Century and later made in to a Botanical Garden during the British regime. This gardens; one of the best in Asia is a place of beauty and site for bird watchers.

Next visit a Tea Factory with rolling tea gardens via crashing waterfalls and reach Nuwere Eliye in the evening: Nuwara Eliya also known as Little England is where the homesick British (The Tea Planters) built themselves a home away from home

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 6: NUWERE ELIYE /KITULGELE/ COLOMBO

After Breakfast Proceed to Colombo via Kithulgala. En route further enjoy lush tea plantations, majestic peaks, rushing waterfalls and stop to view fascinating two waterfalls St.clairs fall and Devon Fall.

Next visit the Film site of “Bridge of The River Kwaii” in Kitulgale (The location of David Lean's classic in 1957, Oscar-winning film) Kitulgala is a small peaceful village, become Sri Lanka's favorite place for White water rafting In River Keleni and its’ scenic main road descending gently from the hill country (Central highlands) to wet lowlands. The village is well known for its Kitul Pani (Kitul palm honey) production too. It's a beautiful setting; the scenery is particularly dramatic hereabouts, with sheer-sided, thick rainforest-covered hills plunging down to the wild waters of River Kelani

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel in Colombo

DAY 7: COLOMBO TO AIR PORT

After breakfast, visit Colombo city. Colombo, The commercial capital of Sri Lanka, is a fascinating city with blend of East & West as well as a cozy mixture of past & present; the city is dotted with numerous interesting and important tourist attractions including colonial era buildings

The City Tour will include places of Tourist interest such as Old parliament, Independent Square, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Buddhist, Hindu Temples and Town Hall.

Evening leave for Airport for Departure (According to your flight times)

What Tour Included / Excluded

THE TOUR INCLUDES

  • Accommodation on HB basis (breakfast & dinner)
  • Transportation in an A/C Car (Up to 02 Pax) / A/C Micro van (03 - 06 Pax)/A/C Mini coach (06-12Pax)
  • Airport Transfers.
  • Entrance tickets for all activities mentioned above
  • Jeeps for safaris where mentioned
  • Government Taxes.

THE TOUR EXCLUDES:

  • Tips and porterage.
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Lunch & Beverages
  • Flights & Visas
  • Early check-in & Early checkout charges
  • Optional Activities
magical discovery

MAGICAL DISCOVERY

TOUR CODE: CT/MD/1021
DURATION: 10 DAYS- 9 NIGHTS TOUR

Highlights of The Tour
  • Arankele Ancient Forest-Cave Buddhist Hermitage
  • Yapahuwe ancient Kingdom
  • Anuradhapure Ancient Kingdom-UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
  • Aukene Buddha Statue
  • Ritigale ancient Forest Buddhist Monastery
  • Dambulle cave Temple -UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Sigirye Rock Fortress -UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Medirigiriye Vatadage
  • Polonnaruwe Ancient Kingdom-UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit of Sri Lankan Aborigines/Vaddha People
  • Kanday Tooth Relic Temple
  • Cultural Show
  • Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniye
Travel Route Map

Detail Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: AIR PORT TO NEGAMBO

Arrival at Bandaranayeke International Ari Port and transfer to Hotel in Negambo

Dinner & overnight stay in Negambo

DAY 2: NEGAMBO/ ARANKELE/YAPAHWE/ANURADHPURA

After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura and en-route visit Arankele ancient Forest-Cave Buddhist Hermitage and afterwards discover Yapahuwe Ancient Kingsom.

Arankele , a fascinating 6th c AD forest monastery in a thick forest mountain , was the abode to a most famed Buddhist monk Arahat Maliyadeva who, along with other monastic monks lived nearly 2,000 years ago. The sylvan environment of this monastery is also home to archeological findings. Stretching out on many acres of calm & quiet a forest canopy, there are stone carved caves used for meditation, long pathways across the dense forest, alms-giving halls, bathing ponds and drip-ledged caves where hermit monks resided, display the excellent craftsmanship of yesteryears

Yapahuwe; an ancient fortress & capital in 1301 c.AD, rises to a height of 90 m above the surrounding plains. Today, the Royal residence, the Temple of Tooth Relic, the battle defenses are in ruins. While many traces of other ancient defenses still can be seen, an ornamental stairway decorated by murals and guarded by lions remains it’s the main draw. Yapahuwa,described by the Insight Guide to Sri Lanka as "one of the great architectural wonders of the island.

Dinner & Overnight in Anuradhapura

DAY 3: ANURADHAPURE/MIHINTALE/ANURADHAPURE

After breakfast visit Anuradapura-UNESCO World Heritage Site and Evening visit Mihintale: The cradle of Buddhism of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura ;Sri Lanka’s first capital, which was the greatest monastic city of the ancient world ,dates back from the 4thc.BC. to 11th c AD. , ruled by more than 100 Sri Lankan kings. The World Heritage Site of Anuradhapura consists of a large number of sacred Buddhist sites including dagobas (gigantic dome-like structures), monasteries, palaces and the ancient Bo Tree, grown from the original tree in Budda Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Just 13 kms away, is Mihintale, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant religious sites, where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC. Today it is very popular with Buddhist pilgrims and tourist, the complex consists of rocks caves, ponds and stupas. First monastery of Sri Lanka and the world’s first declared sanctuary; Mihintale’s ancient, spiritual ruins can leave you in awe

Dinner & Overnight stay in Anuradhapura

DAY 4: ANURADHPURE /AUKENE/RITIGALE/ DAMBULLE

After breakfast leave for Dambulle and en-route visit Aukene Buddha & Ritigale ancient Forest Buddhist Monastery

Aukene Buddha; One of Sri Lanka’s most perfect and elegant statues, built in 5th c AD, lies to the west of the large Kala Wewa tank.The statue stands 12m high, carved from a single rock and is completely free standing. The nearby Kala Wewa tank is an excellent place to stop off and have a picnic with a most satisfying view

The Ritigala Buddhist Monastery nestles deep inside the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, is the partially excavated ruins of an extensive Buddhist Monastery, dates back 7th to 10th c AD. Walking around the beautiful ruins does certainly give you a feeling of adventures in search of mythical pasts; it is easy to imagine yourself as Indiana Jones whilst clambering over the overgrown relics of a forgotten time.

Dinner & Overnight stay in Dambulle

DAY 5: DAMBULLE /SIGIRIYE/DAMBULLE

After breakfast visit Dambulle Cave Temple-UNESCO World Heritage Site and evening leave to climb up magnificent Sigirye Rock Fortress .

Cave Temple at Dambulla where large number of Buddha statues housed in 5 caves, including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock, The caves’ rock ceiling covered in one large sweep of colorful frescoes, It is the best place to see the classical Buddhist paintings & murals of the island.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriye; the lion rock, a rock fortress-cum royal palace complex of 5thc AD, was created by king Kashyape who committed patricide made the rock his hideout in order to stay away from his half-brother who sought vengeance. This king not only fortified his stronghold but also added to it artistic beauty with water gardens, pavilions, courtyards,summer houses etc..… About two hours can happily be spent walking through its water gardens, and then up the steep steps - either hewn out of the rock or on circular iron staircases - past the frescoes. You will be in no rush to abandon the spectacular views at the summit

Dinner & Overnight stay in Dambulle

DAY 6: DAMBULLE/MEDIRIGIRIYE/POLONNARUWE

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwe and en-route visit Medirigiriye Vatadage

Vatadage : The circular Chamber building was constructed to house and protect a Stupa built to enshrine the sacred relics of the Buddha and The monument is a classical example for ancient Buddhist Temple architecture of Sri Lanka. The vatadage at Medirigiriya is generally considered to be the best vatadage in the country .The original structure was built here around the 2nd c.AD, but the one that stands today was constructed in the 7th c AD by King Aggabodhi the 4th

Leisure in the evening or Wild Elephant Safari at a nearby national Park-Optional

Dinner & Overnight stay in Giritale/polonnaruwe

DAY 7: POLONNARUWE

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa ruined city- UNISCO World Heritage site, the second kingdom of Ancient Sinhalese , became Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital in 10th c AD and remained the capital until the late 13th century.  Today, the ancient city’s ruins remain in remarkably good nick; huge Palaces, Monastic complexes, Giant Stupas, Hospitals, Image Houses etc... The most impressive are the ancient sculptures of the Buddha at the Gal Viahara cut into Granite stone dating back to the middle of the 12th century

Dinner & overnight stay in Giritale/polonnaruwe

DAY 8: POLONNARUWE / KANDY

After breakfast leave for Kandy and en-route visit Aborigines people of Sri Lanka in Dambana.

Sri Lanka's indigenous inhabitants, the Veddas or Wanniya-laeto ('forest-dwellers') as they call themselves, preserve a direct line of descent from the island's original Neolithic community dating from at least 16,000 BC. Dambana, a remote jungle village of those Vaddas, would give you unique insight of their way of life

Dinner & overnight stay in Kandy

DAY 9: KANDY

Kandy- UNESCO World Heritage Site, the capital of hill country, was the last seat of Sinhalese kings who ceded power to the British in1815 after many battle with the western colonial forces, still remains much of its old world charm and traditions of the Sri Lankan life style,

After breakfast, commence sightseeing in the city; visiting the most venerated Tooth relic temple of the Buddha, picturesque premises of the University of Peradeniya , Royal Botanical Gardens, Market Place, Kandyn traditional Arts &Crafts, Gem Lapidary ect..

Late evening enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display.

Dinner & overnight in Kandy

DAY 10: KANDY TO AIRPORT

Leave for Airport for Departure (According to your flight times)

 

 

 

 

 

What Tour Included / Excluded

THE TOUR INCLUDES

  • Accommodation on HB basis (breakfast & dinner)
  • Transportation in an A/C Car (Up to 02 Pax) / A/C Micro van (03 - 06 Pax)/A/C Mini coach (06-12Pax)
  • Airport Transfers.
  • Entrance tickets for all activities mentioned above
  • Government Taxes.

THE TOUR XCLUDES:

  • Tips and porterage.
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Lunch & Beverages
  • Flights & Visas
  • Early check-in & Early checkout charges
  • Optional Activities
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