Sri Lanka Cultural Tour

Day 1: Airport - Dambulla

1. Dambulla
   3h
   Upon your arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport in Katunayake and one of our representatives will meet and greet you at the Airport then who will take you to Dambulla and check into a hotel in Dambulla. Relax a few hours then you will be able to visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
2. Dambulla Cave Temple
   2m · Admission ticket not included
   Dambulla is located in the north central province this UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 01st century BC, is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later king’s madefhatton further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the Kandy period (early 19th century). This temple is a perfect location to view evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of the material from many eras.

Day 2: Dambulla - Anuradhapura

1. Anuradhapura
   2h
   Enjoy your delicious breakfast, pack your belongings then you will be heading to Anuradhapura before midday. Upon arrival at Anuradhapura ancient city and being able to observe the 1 kingdom of Sri Lanka Anuradhapura's ancient city.
   
   On completion, you will check into the hotel for your overnight and dinner.
2. Anuradhapura Stupas Scenic Point
   4h · Admission ticket not included
   Sri Lanka’s first capital, founded in the 5c.B.C according to the ancient Sinhala Chronicle Mahavasama, was a model planning with precincts set aside for huntsmen, scavengers, heretics as well as foreigners. There were separate cemeteries for high and low castes, hotels, and hospitality. The Unique feature of Buddhist Sri Lanka is the stupa, which enshrined relics of the Buddha and objected to veneration. There are many important stupas at Anuradhapura. As such Abayagiri, Jethawanarama stupa, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Mirisavatiya, Ruwanwaliseya, Jayasri Maha Bodhiya and Isurumuniya etc.

Day 3: Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya-Kandy

1. Polonnaruwa
   6h
   Today you will have some breakfast and leave to explore another ancient city of Sri Lanka, the Polonnaruwa archeological site.
   
   In the evening you will be able to visit Sigiriya Lion Rock for the observing. Afterward will have to proceed to Kandy to continue your journey from Kandy.
2. Polonnaruwa
   4h
   Another UNESCO world heritage site, according to the chronicles, during the 12th century a prince of great metal and physical vigour hailing from the Rohana (Southern part of Sri Lanka) forced his way to the throne of Sri Lanka as King Prakrama Bahu the great. Establishing himself in Polonnaruwa, a capital worthy of authority and ambition of the ruler, he proceeded to show himself as a successful warrior and a great administrator, during which time he, through a medium of a dam nine miles long created the Sea of Parakrama” harvesting rain water to be used in the dry period of the year for cultivation purposes, carving the irrigation brilliance of Sri Lankan’s in stone, when most of Europe where still in darkness. In a period of prosperity with the objective of storing food many such projects were undertaken some of which function even today. Today vast ruins stand sentinel bearing witness in Polonnaruwa to his power and glory.
3. Sigiriya Lion Rock
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory. Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 A.D), the “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town and the base is ringed by a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens. The world-renowned frescoes (originally 500, of which only 19 remain today) which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Day 4: Kandy - Colombo

1. Kandy
   2h
   Today you will have some breakfast, you will continue your journey to the Kandy city tour. Afterward you will have participated in the ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth Relic then be able to observe the Kandy temple.
   Temple of the tooth is the most important place for the present Buddhist because it is the final resting place of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha known as “Sri Dalada Maligawa.” It is famous for its carvings and the beautiful art that is unique to Sri Lanka. The most important part of the Dalada Maligawa is the octagon (Pathirppuwa). Thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty. Kandy is also the one of the most beautiful cities of Sri Lanka with its picturesque lake built by its last king, it’s hills surrounding the city, it’s devales the oldest the natha devale belonging to the 14th century and the palace of the last king of Kandy which are presently the districts courts and the archaeological museum.
2. Royal Botanical Gardens
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Afterward, you will be going to visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden with your local guide.
   Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is one of the best botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, and one of the most beautiful in Asia. It is located just 6 km from Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka. The botanical gardens is huge & well-organized gardens, It is renowned for the collection the variety of Orchids, and has more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. Total land mass of the botanical garden is 147 acres; it is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture. The origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back. The Classical Avenue of Palms is located in this Garden. One tree with a significant history is the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901.

Day 5: Colombo – Airport

1. Colombo
   3h
   Today you are taking the final breakfast of Sri Lanka, after breakfast you are going to do a Colombo city tour. While you continue the tour you would be able to see much commercial shopping complexes and tourist attractions.
2. 3h
   After we proceed to the airport in time to connect with the international flight for departure.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels