Our new program launched from Sep 2011!
The following is just one of the many new programs that we have for Sri Lanka tours & fully-guided holidays. It is most suitable for those keen in looking for cultural & sight-seeing trips. It is also suitable for families with children and a wonderful cultural & heritage tours for them.
Please contact us for details on pricing or trip customisation such as pilgrimage to Adam’s peak (Dec-May), as well as other camping/cycling tours in Sri Lanka.
8D Sri Lanka Cultural Tours & Holidays
Day 01 : Arrive Colombo
Arrival at the Colombo International Airport. Pickup from the airport for your transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight in Colombo (4-star hotel).
Day 02 : Colombo / Anuradhapura
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura - the first Capital – 5th Century BC.
Anuradhapura is 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.
Visit many sites of the City of archaeological and historical interest including Isurumuniya - the first temple to be built in the island . Ruwanveliseya - the largest stupa in the island , Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya – which in their original form have been matching in size to the Great Pyramids in Giza being the tallest brick buildings in the world and have thus been declared as World Heritage Sites. Thuparamaya- the first Stupa to be built in Sri Lanka enshrining the left collor bone of the Buddha, the Samadhi Statue – meditating posture etc.
Other Highlights: Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Samadhi Statue, Elephant Orphanage, Twin Ponds
Overnight in Anuradhapura (3-star hotel).
Day 03 : Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa
After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa- the Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka- 11th Century AD
Polonnaruwa.… 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 Grainery 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 archaoelogicl and historical interest , some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history.
In Polonnaruwa , visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Gal Viharaya, Vatada Ge, Kumara and Lotus Ponds etc some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history.
Hop in to a Wood Carving Factory to see the skills of SriLankan Craftsmen
Overnight in Sigiriya (3-star hotel).
Day 04 : Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandy
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya.
Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya , a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa ,contemporary with the paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India , highlights being the Frescoes , Mirror Wall and the Lion’s Paw, considered as the 8th Wonder of the modern world , thought to be equivalant to the “Alakamanda” – Cellestial Palace of God Kuvera.
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 attibuted 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 reninforcem,ents of 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 .
Continue and visit the Dambulla Cave Temple considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings , sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his desciples, Kings , Gods etc.
Dambulla… a collection of five caves of different sizes full of paintings , sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his desciples, 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 Heritge Site.Initial authorship is attributed to King Valagambahu who took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura by invading armies, although the works span over all periods since then to the late Kandy Period in the 18th Century.
Leave for Kandy - the Hill Capital
Kandy………….literally 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. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendour of magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha .The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the City.It is a City for arts and crafts as well culture and history.
In a Batik Making Factory , see how beautifully the village girls turn out beautiful coloured cloths for different purposes with colourful designs.
In Kandy , undertake a City Tour including, the Upper Lake Drive - a place where one could have a bird’s eye view of the city below, a Gem Museum - to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the back ground history.
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional “Fire Walking” and walk across in the star lit night to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists worldover
Overnight in Kandy (4-star hotel).
Day 05 : Kandy / Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya – “Little England” through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by “Green Carpets”- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes
Nuwara Eliya… nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The golf course – one of the most finest and picturesque in Asia – the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.
En route 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.
Sight Seeing around the city - the important places being the Victoria Park , Gregory Lake , Golf Course,Market etc.
Nature Lovers could make a visit to see the Lover’s Leap Water Falls just outside the city which will involve a little bit of hiking for about 1 hour bothways.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya (4-star hotel).
Day 06 : Nuwara Eliya / Galle / Bentota
After breakfast leave for Bentota on the south west coast after visiting Galle
Galle … the port city, standing on one of the main sea routes in the southern part of the city, it has a unique charm among the many historic places in Sri Lanka. The Dutch built the 1st Protestant church in Sri Lanka here, and it is also famous for its Dutch Fort.
Enjoy the natural beauty on this mountainous route passing the two Water Falls – Devon and St. Claires.
In Galle, visit the Galle Dutch Fortress - a World Heritage Site.
Overnight stay at the Marina, Bentota (4-star beach hotel).
Day 07 : Bentota / Negombo
Enjoy a Boat Cruise up river which will enable you to have a glimpse of different life styles of the rural folks on one of these days.
Leave for Negombo – Little Rome
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”.
Overnight in Negombo (3-star hotel).
Day 08 : Depart Colombo
Transfer to the Airport for departure.
