Sri Lanka Rich Cultural Tour 10 Days
Our cultural tours are tailored to showcase the world-renowned ancient historical ruins in Sri Lanka, which still stand as evidence of significant events in Sri Lankan history. Immerse yourself in the exploration of both well-known and lesser-known historical sites that hold archaeological value.
Included in the package are:
- Chauffeur Guide (English)
- 09 Nights’ Accommodation at selected hotels as per itinerary with Breakfast & Dinner
- Transportation in a Comfortable Air-conditioned vehicle
- All parking, highways fees, taxes, and all other expenses related to transfer/vehicle /Driver
- Driver Accommodations & Meals
- All Local Taxes & Charges
Excluded from the package are:
- All the entrance fees, ticket & activity package charges are exclusive according to the above itinerary
Note: Please note that tourists can choose to include or exclude one or more options from the set tour according to their requirements. The tour activities and itinerary can also be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
Details
Upon your arrival at the Colombo airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Colombo. After a long flight, you can take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your journey. You will be staying at the Galadari Hotel or a similar hotel in Colombo.
After breakfast, you will travel to Ridi Viharaya, which is located in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. The temple is of historical significance and dates back to the 2nd and 3rd century B.C. It consists of caves that were used for meditation and isolation by monks, and the stone-carved letters at the temple confirm the temple's age. Next, you will visit Arankele, an isolated meditation center in the woods that has hosted thousands of monks throughout history. You will stay overnight at the Yapahuwa Paradise Hotel or a similar hotel in Yapahuwa.
After breakfast, you will visit Yapahuwa Kingdom, which was used as a stone fortress to protect the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. The kingdom dates back to the 13th century and boasts impressive architectural designs and stone carvings that showcase the skillful ancient Sri Lankan technology. Later in the day, you will visit Haththikuchchi Temple, a hidden gem that is often overlooked by tourists despite its historical value. You will stay overnight at the Rajarata Hotel or a similar hotel in Anuradhapura.
Today, you will visit Mihintale, a high mountain peak that is more than 300 meters above sea level. The mountain is of historical significance as it was the site where Indian "Rahath Thero Mihindu" established Buddhism in Sri Lanka during the 3rd century B.C. You will visit the location where Mihindu Thero first met the Sri Lankan king Dewanampiyatissa while the king was out hunting. You will stay overnight at the Rajarata Hotel or a similar hotel in Anuradhapura.
Today, you will visit the Avukana Buddha Statue, an impressive creation carved from a natural rock that stands over 14 meters tall. The statue was crafted during the 5th century B.C. and took over six years to complete using only hand tools. After visiting the statue, you will travel to Ritigala, an isolated temple in the woods that was once a famous meditation center for monks. The ruins and rock-carved letters date back to the 1st century B.C., and the area was also an Ayurveda treatment center during the war period in Sri Lanka. You will stay overnight at the Cinnamon Lodge or a similar hotel in Habarana.
On day, Lanka Ceylon Tours will take you to see wild elephants at one of the national parks in the area before heading to Sigiriya. The best park to visit depends on the time of year, with Eco Park being best from November to March. In the evening, you'll explore Sigiriya, the awe-inspiring rock fortress with stunning features such as water canals, natural arches, and Sigiri paintings.
Sri Lanka itinerary starts with a visit to Medirigiriya, where you'll see the impressive Vatadage, a pagoda covered by a wooden and tiled roof. Then, you'll head to Pidurangala Rock, where you can enjoy a challenging but rewarding climb to the top. You'll witness stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Sigiriya Rock, and see the remains of a temple foundation, caves, and pillars. After this exciting day, you'll spend another night at Cinnamon Lodge or a similar hotel.
On the day, after breakfast, you will head to Dambulla Cave Temple, the most extensive and well-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. Built-in the 1st century, the temple complex has around 153 Buddha statues and murals covering 2100 square meters of space. After exploring the temple, you will head to Kandy, where you will visit the colorful Sri Muththumari Amman (Kovil) Hindu Temple. Later in the day, you will attend a Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, home to the sacred molar tooth of Lord Buddha. Stay overnight at Mahaweli Reach or a similar hotel in Kandy.
Explore three historical temples in Kandy, starting with Gadaladeniya Temple, built in the 14th century with a unique pagoda and cultural carvings. Lankathilaka Temple, built by King Buwanakabahu, combines both Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Embekka Temple is renowned for its intricate wood carvings and showcases Sri Lanka's artistic heritage. Afterward, visit the Royal Botanical Garden with over 4000 plant species. Stay overnight at the Mahaweli Reach or a similar hotel in Kandy. Each temple takes about 45 minutes to visit.
Lanka Ceylon Tours will provide you with a flexible schedule to accommodate your flight departure time. There are no set itinerary plans, and you will be dropped off at the airport to ensure you arrive in a timely manner. We hope you have enjoyed your tour of Sri Lanka with us and look forward to seeing you again!