Sri Lanka Cultural Tour

HIGHLIGHTS: NEGOMBO l ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE l ANURADHAPURA l POLONNARUAWA l DAMBULLA l SIGIRIYA l KANDY

Day 1 :
Arrival at Bandarnayka International Airport and transfer to Negombo Beach (15 min. drive)
Free time to acclimatize and to relax after the flight.
Overnight at Camelot Beach Hotel / Negombo.

Day 2 :
On your way to Anuradhapura the ancient capital of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) you will visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinawella where you can see the feeding of baby elephants by milk bottle and elephants bathing in the river.Most of these elephants were orphans who lost their parents to poachers or as a result of simply being left behind by their herd. Many were badly wounded when found, like a female elephant who had lost her eyesight as a result of a poacher's gunshot.
Overnight at Miridiya Lake Resort Hotel / Anuradhapura.

Day 3 : Visiting the ancient city of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is the 1st Capital of Sri Lanka in 380 BC. Under King Pandukabhaya. Anuradhapura became a great city with rapidly spreading of Buddhism due to the royal patronage. You can visit “ATAMASTHAN” eight Buddhist religious places which Lord Buddha also visited on his 2nd visit to Sri Lanka.
After Lunch a visit to the Minneriya National Park.
Minneriya National Park is world famous for its large elephant populations. In this park one can observe elephants at any given time of the day. Other than Elephants water buffalo, spotted & barking deer, wild boar, sambhur, are also found in this park. Though the leopard, jungle & fishing cats have recorded in the park sightings are very rare.
Overnight at Susu Araliya Hotel / Polonnaruwa.

Day 4 : Visiting Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka medieval capital was established as the city of the land in 11th century A.D.
Polonnaruwa replaced Anuradhapura as the capital city of Sri Lanka, because of the invasion of South India.
It was the capital of Sri Lanka from 11 AD to 13 AD.
The important kings of, Polannaruwa period are, King Wijayabahu the first, King Maha Parakramabahu the first and King Nissankamalla.
In the afternoon wildlife safari at Kaudulla National Park
Overnight at Thilanka Hotel /Dambulla.

Day 5 :
Dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991, Dambulla Cave Temple (or the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, in a region which includes more than 80 caves, Dambulla Cave Temple features 5 well-preserved caves, each of which houses ancient statues of the Buddha and historic artwork depicting the Buddha's life. The Dambulla Cave Temple grounds also features a functioning Buddhist Monastery dating back to the third and second centuries B.C.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The vast flat-topped 200m high Lion Rock stands starkly above the surrounding countryside of the central forest with magnificent views over the Dry Zone and south to the Central Highlands.
It was an exceptional natural site for a fortress, which was gets its name from the lions believed to occupy the caves. For many visitors, this impressive site is their favorite in the whole of Sri Lanka. There are stunning views from the top.
In addition to the rock fortress with its palace and famous frescoes, there are extensive grounds at the base and the whole is enclosed by an outer moat which contains water. Sigiriya was declared a World Heritage site in 1982 As you continue to the summit there are breathtaking views across the forest covered plains and additionally the walkway is decorated with vivid 1500 year old rock frescoes, much celebrated for the beauty of their female images.
After your check in to your hotel in Kandy, you can watch a typical cultural show (optional).
Overnight at Thilanka Hotel / Kandy.

Day 6 : Temple of the Tooth Relic
The tooth is said to have been snatched from the flames of the Buddha’s funeral pyre in 543 BC and was smuggled into Sri Lanka during the 4th century AD hidden in the hair of princess. At first it was taken to Anuradhapura, but with the ups & downs of Sri Lanka history it moved from place to place before eventually ending up at Kandy.
After a City Tour of Kandy, back to the West Coast
Overnight at Camelot Beach Hotel / Negombo.

Day 7 :
Transfer back to the airport.

RATES:
2 pax - 390 US$ p.p.*
4 pax - 320 US$ p.p.*
6 pax - 300 US$ p.p.*
8 pax - 290 US$ p.p.*
*if a winter peak season supplement applies, we'll inform you accordingly