8 Day Guided Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Tour

Day 1: Airport to Sigiriya

1. Golden Temple of Dambulla
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Welcome by our English-speaking guide from hotels in Colombo, the airport, or your pickup location, and drive to Sigiriya on the way to visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple. (entrance tickets & charges not included)
2. Minneriya National Park
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Evening Minneriya/Habarana, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco National Parks 4x4 safari according to the elephant’s availability. (entrance tickets & Safari jeep charges not included.)
   
   Overnight at Sigiriya.
   
   Highlights of the day: Dambulla Golden Cave Temple and Eco National Parks 4x4 Jeep Safari.

Day 2: Sigiriya

1. Pidurangala Rock
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Climbing to Pidurangala Rock early in the morning to watch the sunrise. (entrance tickets & charges not included)
2. Sigiriya Lion Rock
   7h · Admission ticket not included
   After breakfast, climb to Sigiriya Rock before the sun becomes rough, which is suitable for pictures, and climb to the top and back to the Sigiriya village tour (includes traditional cart safari, village boat ride, Sri Lankan traditional cooking & authentic meal experience with locals). (entrance tickets & charges not included)
   
   overnight at Sigiriya.
   
   Highlight of the day: Pidurangala & Sigiriya rock climbs, Sigiriya village tour.

Day 3: Sigiriya to Kandy

1. Matale Herbal and Spice Garden
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   After breakfast, travel from Sigiriya to Kandy.
   While going to Kandy, on the way visit the Matale Spice Garden (entrance is free).
2. Kandy
   7h
   Have lunch in Kandy, visit the Gem Museum and Workshop (entrance free), attend the Sri Lankan cultural & traditional dance show in Kandy (entrance tickets & charges not included), and take the night city walk & shopping (souvenir) in Kandy.
   
   Overnight at Kandy
   
   Highlights of the day: travel to Kandy, visit the Matale spice garden, visit the Gem museum and workshop, watch the Sri Lankan cultural & traditional dance show, and take a nighttime city walk & shopping in Kandy.

Day 4: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

1. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
   4h · Admission ticket not included
   After breakfast, visit the Tooth Relic Temple (entrance tickets & charges not included), have lunch in Kandy, and then travel to Nuwara Eliya.
2. Nuwara Eliya
   8h
   While traveling to Nuwara Eliya, on the way visit Ramboda Waterfall (a photo stop) and visit the tea plantation & factory (entrance free). After that, the evening Gregory Park visit and motorboat ride in Gregory Lake (entrance tickets & charges not included). If we have enough time, we can visit Seetha Amman Temple or Hakgala Botanical Garden (optional).
   
   Overnight at Nuwara Eliya
   
   Highlights of the day: Tooth Relic Temple visit, travel to Nuwara Eliya, Ramboda Falls, a tea plantation & factory, and Gregory Park.

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya to Ella

1. Ella
   4h
   After breakfast, take the 9:15 train ride from Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya Railway Station) to Ella to take the gorgeous panoramic view train. During the high season, please be aware that there is only a 50% chance of securing train tickets due to high demand. Additionally, we can only confirm ticket availability one day before the scheduled train date. (We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with these constraints.), (Entrance tickets & charges not included).
2. Nine Arches Bridge
   1h
   Visit "Nine Arches Bridge" in Ella.
   
   Overnight in Ella.
   
   Highlight of the day: train ride (3-4 h) from Nuwara Eliya to Ella; travel to Ella Nine Arch Bridge.

Day 6: Ella to Yala National Park

1. Little Adam's Peak View Point
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Early in the morning, climb to Little Adam's Peak to watch the sunrise, or visit Flying Ravana Adventure Club in Ella (zipline, abseiling, motorbike riding, swing, etc./optional), then travel to Yala National Park. (entrance tickets & charges not included)
2. Yala National Park
   5h
   While traveling to Yala on the way to Ravana Ella waterfall (photo stop), Yala National Park jeep safari (entrance tickets & safari jeep charges not included).
3. Mirissa
   3h
   After finishing the Yala National Park jeep safari, travel to Mirissa.
   
   Overnight at Mirissa.
   
   Highlight of the day: Ella Little Adam's Peak hike, Yala National Park jeep safari, travel to Mirissa.

Day 7: Mirissa to Hikkaduwa

1. Mirissa
   3h
   Whales & dolphins watching yacht tour in the morning (6:00 AM) (entrance tickets & charges not included)
2. Parrot Rock
   3h
   After lunch, visit Parrot Rock beach in Mirissa.
3. Coconut Tree Hill
   2h
   Coconut Tree Hill visit in Mirissa (we can stay nearly 1 h). and have lunch in Mirissa.
4. Japanese Peace Pagoda - Rumassala
   1h
   Travel from Mirissa to Galle Fort.
   If we have enough time, while going to Galle, on the way, visit the "Japanese Peace Pagoda' Temple in Unawatuna (optional).
5. Galle Dutch Fort
   1h
   Walk on the Galle Fort to see the sunset in the evening.
6. Hikkaduwa
   2h
   Travel to Hikkaduwa, and take a night walk in Hikkaduwa Beach.
   
   Overnight at Hikkaduwa.
   
   Highlights of the day: Mirissa whale & dolphin-watching yacht tour, Parrot Rock, Mirissa Beach, Coconut Tree Hill, Galle Fort, travel to Hikkaduwa, and a night walk in Hikkaduwa Beach.

Day 8: Hikkaduwa to Airport

1. Bandaranaike International Airport
   5h · Admission ticket not included
   Depending on the flight time, we can cover the below on the way to the airport: the Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Centre and the Madu River Lagoon Boat Safari (the boat ride and entrance are not included in the package) and the Sri Lankan unique seafood experience in Negombo (optional).
   
   It’s time to say ‘Goodbye’ to Sri Lanka. You will be transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake for your onward journey back home.

Pickup details

When you arrive at the departure terminal of the airport, the guide will use a paging board that mentions your name and "Explore Ceylona" (travel agent name).
If there is a station other than the one mentioned above when we come for pickup, inform us in advance.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels