7-DAY CULTURE AND HERITAGE TOUR OF SRI LANKA

You will be picked up from BIA Airport or your hotel in Colombo, Negombo and Mount Lavinia by your very own chauffeur guide and transferred to Kandy (Approx. 3 hrs. 30 mins. Drive). On arrival in the hotel, spend the day at leisure relaxing and enjoying the hotel facilities.

Spend overnight at a Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.

After breakfast, you will drive to visit three temples which includes Embekke, Lankathilaka, Gadaladeniya.  Visiting three of the most ancient and historically important temples that are within an easy walking distance to another is a memorable expedition for a heritage lover.

Embekke is famous for the intricately carved wooden pillars of its bigger, or drum hall. each pillar had a different pattern carved into each of its four sides. Lankatilake is perhaps the finest temple in the district. An impressively solid-looking structure built on a huge rock outcrop and painted a pale blue rather than the usual white. Gadaladeniya built on a rocky outcrop and covered with small pools, the temple is reached by a series of steps cut into the rock.

Thereafter you will be driven back to Kandy and enjoy a city tour.

Pay your respect to the Temple of the Tooth Relic; a scenic and memorable ride by tuk-tuk around the upper lake; Visit Bahirawakanda temple - one of the most scenic places in the city and enjoy a guided stroll through the lush Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya for an introduction to tropical flora and fauna. For a spoonful of adventure, you have the option to wander around the street, purchase some fine batik, visit a traditional gem shop, an antique shop and fruit stalls of the Kandy city center. Traditional cultural show will complete the city tour in this small historical town.

After breakfast, you will be driven to visit Nalanda Gedige. An ancient Stone building made with a Pallavi Style. It is believed to have been constructed sometime between the 7th and 11th Centuries A. D. The Sinhalese monarchy was on the decline and South Indian kings were making their presence during this period. Architectural design of this temple is a fusion of Sinhalese and Tamil cultures that includes Tantric Buddhist carvings and Hindu elements.

Thereafter you will witness a wood carving experience in a small wood carving factory.

Handicraft of woodcarving in Sri Lanka has a long history. A wide range of handicraft items made of wood like wall hangings, fancy jewelry, figurines, sculpture, lacquer products, gift boxes, toys, educational items for pre-school children, household items are available in Sri Lanka. Here you will get live wood carving experience at a small wood carving factory. You will also engage in Carving wood and learn something about these historical crafts.

Late afternoon visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.

Dambulla Cave temple is one of the most impressive and well-preserved cave temples in Asia. This complex contains five caves with over 2000 sqm. of painted walls and ceilings. This emphasizes the artistic talents of the people lived in this small island. Due to its artistic & archaeological values, Dambulla Cave temple has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Spend overnight at a Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.

In the morning after a delicious breakfast, you will make the trip to the second capital, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, for a look at some of the island’s most dazzling ruins from its next significant era.

Polonnaruwa remains as one of the best planned archeological relic sites in the country, which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982. This is a well-preserved city with ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The Sea of Parakrama, a vast 12th-century man-made water reservoir is also one of the main highlights in this wonderful ancient city. Moreover, this is one of the best ancient cities in the country that gives a big experience within a short period of time as the monuments are in a more compact area.

Afternoon, hike the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky”, or in other words “Single Wonder of the Island”.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress which as built by King Kashyapa is the eighth Wonders of world and a UNESCO world heritage site. The Rock itself has its unique identity due to its shape.  The irrigational technologies of water gardens & archeological technologies of the large lion carved at the entrance are precious as they are still existing. The colorful frescoes with unique paintings of women and Mirror wall demonstrate the beauty and majesty of Sigiriya. 

Spend overnight at a Hotelon Bed & Breakfast basis.

After a mouthwatering breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to have your first taste of Sri Lanka’s illustrious history in Anuradhapura (Approx. 2 hrs. drive).

Anuradhapura is the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization. The city houses the oldest historically documented tree on earth, grown from a branch of the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago. It was also the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thereon, stop by Mihintale to take some picturesque shots of the cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihintale was a thick jungle inhabited by wild animals and was a hunting ground reserved for the royals. This is the place where Mahinda Maha Thero, the son of the Indian Emperor Asoka, met king Devamnampiyatissa in 250 BC which resulted in inauguration of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Today it is the main center for Theravada Buddhism and the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay at a hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.

Today after breakfast, you will proceed to visit 4th Kingdom of Sri Lanka which is called Yapahuwa.

The royal residence of Sri Lanka in the 13th century & was the capital of the country. it housed the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha for 11 Years. Of all the ancient ruins in the country, the Rock Fortress Complex of Yapahuwa is considered to be quite remarkable despite the fact that it isn't famous for most visitors. However, it is renowned as one of the best archeological sites in the country. it was able to visit some interesting remains. On top of the rock, the remains of a stupa, a Bodhi tree, and a rock shelter/cave used by Buddhist monks is visible. A couple of caves are seen at the base of the rock, one of which is a Buddhist Shrine whereas another cave has some inscriptions on it. The rock fortress has a strong resemblance to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

After completing the visit, you will be driven to your hotel in Negombo.

Spend overnight at a Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis.

Though it will be difficult to say goodbye, all good things come to an end. Your representative from Festigo India Journeys will meet you on time at the hotel lobby to return you by way of a scenic drive to the international airport for your departing flight and a safe journey home !