Cultural Tour of Sri Lanka

Overview
Places to See
Itinerary
Selection of Hotels
Notes

Ayubowan!

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Cultural Tour of Sri Lanka – 3 nights

Sri Lanka is a lush, tropical island paradise, known to Arab traders as Serendib - hence the word "serendipity", meaning discovery by happy accident. It was famously described by Marco Polo as "undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world".

This is a culturally rich and environmentally diverse country, with nine World Heritage Sites (the oldest dating back to the 3rd Century BC); 86 species of mammals (including elephant and leopard) and more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics); a colorful array of flowering plants and trees, and a Hill Country famous for tea; 14 National Parks out of 100 areas protected by the government; and an Indian Ocean coastline boasting palm-fringed and sandy tropical beaches.

Sri Lanka, once known as Serendib Taprobane is now also known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. This paradise isle, which is indeed shaped like a pearl, offers pristine beaches, lush tea estates, and more waterfalls perhaps than any other country- a staggering 350 that cascade dramatically down rolling, Hillsides and mist-shrouded mountains, and a culture that reaches back over 2,500 years. Famous for its spices and spice plantations, Sri Lanka was described by a renowned botanist, as simply one big botanical garden.

Cities where you are staying

  • 03 nights in Habarana or Dambulla

What you will do during the tour

  • Visit medieval capital Anuradhapura
  • Visit Temple in Mihintale
  • Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Visit Ancient city of Polonnaruwa
  • Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
DAY 1 - AIRPORT / DAMBULLA (Approx. distance – 150 km / transfer time: 4 to 5 Hrs)

On arrival at Colombo International Airport on, you will be met by a professional English speaking driver from Travel Ease Tours.

After the completion of formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle. Thereafter, you will make the journey to Sigiriya, in the north-central plains – an area known as the “Cultural Triangle” (an area filled with ancient monuments, palaces and monasteries, which take you back to the golden age of Sinhalese civilization).

Upon arrival check into the hotel, and spend the rest of the day in leisure and relaxation.

Overnight at your selected hotel in Dambulla.

DAY 02 – DAMBULLA / ANURADHAPURA / DAMBULLA (Approx. distance – 75 km / transfer time: 1.5 to 2 Hrs)

After breakfast, depart for Anuradhapura, to the north. Upon arriving, you will enjoy a city tour of this sprawling and majestic city, filled with monuments, temples, monastic complexes, palaces, ruins and courtyards, which are well-preserved and spellbinding.

Visit the ruins of one of Sri Lanka’s oldest capitals and one of the oldest continuous inhabited cities in the world, founded in the 05th century BC. Here is found the largest number of ancient monuments of a great civilization. Buddhism found its first real home in Sri Lanka at Anuradhapura, and it thus contains some of Theravada Buddhism’s most sacred sites.

Thereafter, visit the “Sri Maha Bodhi” Bo Tree, which is the oldest authentically verified tree in the world, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. The “Sri Maha Bodhi” tree in Anuradhapura, planted from a cutting from the original “Bo Tree” under which the Buddha received enlightenment, continues to draw thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. The pillars of the brazen palace which once had nine stories, the image of the Samadhi Buddha which is one of the finest pieces of Buddhists sculpture, the twin ponds, guard-stones and the moon- stones are amazing remains and reminders of a great civilisation.

A few sites that can be seen in Anuradapura

  • The Jetavanarama – The 3rd tallest structure of the ancient world behind the Great Pyramids and the largest stupa ever built anywhere in the world.
  • Ruwanweli Seya
  • Abhayagiri Dagoba
  • Thuparama
  • Lovampahaya
  • Lankarama
  • Isurumuniya
  • Magul Uyana
  • Kuttam Pokuna
  • Samadhi Statue

Thereafter, make the short journey to Mihintale, a 1000 feet high mountain peak. It holds a special place in the hearts of Sri Lankan Buddhists, due to it being the place where Buddhism made its presence in the island.

Upon completion, you will be brought back to your hotel in Sigiriya.

Overnight at the selected hotel in Dambulla.

DAY 03 – DAMBULLA / SIGIRIYA / POLONNARUWA/ DAMBULLA

After breakfast visit the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Sigiriya is an impressive rock palace surrounded by landscaped gardens and expansive views of the surrounding countryside. The UNSECO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya, a most singular geological formation towering 660ft above the surrounding plains. Sigiriya Rock is in fact an ancient hardened magma plug from an extinct and long eroded mountain. The Rock consisted of an opulent palace atop which is now in ruins; an intricate and extensive network of gardens, ponds, reservoirs and aqueducts can be observed around the complex. The mirror wall and the frescoes of ancient “Sigiriya Damsels” can be viewed on the rock. The views are truly spectacular and awe-inspiring.

On completion proceed to Polonnaruwa. (Approx. distance – 61 km / transfer time: 1.5 to 2 hours)

Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is situated in the north-central region of Sri Lanka and is an important ancient architectural site. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best-planned archeological sites on the island, with its numerous palaces, monuments, ponds, temples, museums and statues. Polonnaruwa is home to the Parakrama Samudra (Sea of King Parakrama), a huge reservoir built by the namesake King around A.D. 386, best known for his immortal phrase, “Let not a single drop of rain that falls on this island flow into the ocean without first serving humanity.” Polonnaruwa is a dream come true to any person with panache for history, culture, tradition and nature.

A few sites that can be seen in Polonnaruwa:

  • Gal Vihara – A rock temple of the Lord Buddha. The central feature consists of 4 Buddha statues carved into the rock – 2 seated, 1 reclining and 1 standing.
  • The ruins of the Royal Palace
  • Lakatileka Temple
  • Medirigiriya Vatadage – A vatadage is a type of Buddhist structure, circular in shape and adorned with intricate stone carvings, they act as a protection for smaller stupas built within them or important relics.)
  • Statue of the great King Parakramabahu

Upon Completion return to your hotel.

Overnight at the selected hotel in Dambulla.

DAY 4 – DAMBULLA / AIRPORT

After Breakfast, travel to Dambulla (approx. 22 km – 30 mins), home to the Golden Temple of Dambulla or the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Golden Temple of Dambulla is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It towers 530 feet above the surrounding plains with sweeping views of the Sigiriya Lion Rock and the Kandyan Hills in the distance. The Cave monastery, home to Buddhist monks is covered with exquisite 2,000 year-old murals depicting the life and times of the Lord Buddha. The shrines also house a collection of 157 statues of Buddha in various sizes and poses, including a 15 meter long reclining Buddha and vividly coloured frescoes on the walls and ceiling, making this the largest antique painted surface in the world.

Thereafter, proceed to the airport (approx. 130 km / transfer time – 3.5 to 4 hours) to catch your flight back home or your selected beach resort.

END OF TOUR

SELECTION OF HOTELS

Standard Hotel:

LOCATION HOTEL ROOM TYPE MEAL PLAN NO. OF NIGHTS
DAMBULLA KASSAPA LION ROCK STANDARD BED AND BREAKFAST 03 NIGHTS

Deluxe Hotel:

LOCATION HOTEL ROOM TYPE MEAL PLAN NO. OF NIGHTS
DAMBULLA AMAYA LAKE SUPERIOR BED AND BREAKFAST 03 NIGHTS

Notes

  • Please note that standard check-in time is 1400hrs and standard check-out time is 1200hrs.
  • This is only an offer without any obligation on the hotel rooms, until such time the tour is confirmed and availability is checked.
  • When making payment, kindly ensure that the entire amount given in our offer (finally in our invoice) is made without any deductions to us. All bank charges to be borne by remitter. As such total amount in our final invoice to be credited to our account without any deduction please. In the event of any deductions, such differences are to be collected in cash on arrival of the guests.
  • If payment is to be made via credit card, then a 2.75% to be added on top of the quote we made in our offer and represented in our final invoice for payment.

Good to know:

  • On Arrival at the Airport, you will first reach Immigration, then to collect your ‘checked-in’ baggage. Once you clear customs, our representative will page you and meet you just outside the arrival hall.
  • Sri Lanka being a tropical county, is hot and humid. Ideal clothing would be cotton and comfortable clothing, casual footwear or slippers and a wide brim hat. Please use suntan lotion, because the UV index is always high. Shorts and t-shirts are allowed in most settings, except when visiting temples and other religious establishments. Ladies are required to cover the shoulders as well, when visiting places of worship.
  • Temperatures throughout the year in lowland areas (sea level to 1500 feet amsl) range from an average of 25 degrees Celsius at night to 32 degrees Celsius during the day (the real feel temperature is almost always higher). In the hill country (above 1500 feet amsl) the average temperatures range from an average of 15 degrees Celsius at night to 22 degrees Celsius during the day. Please note that if you are travelling during winter, to the hill country, it is advisable to wear a light to medium jersey, as temperatures do on occasion dip to single figures.
  • Liquor will NOT be served on Poya days (Full moon day) and on any other Religious holidays.
  • All major credit cards are widely accepted in all reputable outlets (restaurants / shops etc.)
  • Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. But if you are keen to know what is acceptable in local terms, it ranges between US$5/- per day up to US$25/- per day depending on the level of satisfaction of your driver when it comes to individual / family travel. For group travel other than the guide, the coach crew is to be tipped too. The amount for a day can vary depending on group size, but the recommended amount is US$15/- to US$40/- per day.