Colombo Trip Overview
Spend four memorable days on exploring the cultural heritages of Sri Lanka such as Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Sri Lanka’s architectural marvels have surprised many throughout the world. Some of our ancient constructions have been influenced by other cultures, such as the Chola’s from South India, by the Dutch, Portuguese and even the British. Ruins of our ancient Kingdoms and their magnificence exudes royalty of a by-gone era. This tour will take you through the Cultural Triangle and you will be able to discover 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover the magical beauty of the land while exploring all the hidden gems of its culture, heritage and more. Transportation throughout the tour will be given in a luxury air conditioned vehicle and all entrance fees, meals and accommodation will be covered by us.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Spend four memorable days on exploring the cultural heritages of Sri Lanka such as Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Sri Lanka’s architectural marvels have surprised many throughout the world. Some of our ancient constructions have been influenced by other cultures, such as the Chola’s from South India, by the Dutch, Portuguese and even the British. Ruins of our ancient Kingdoms and their magnificence exudes royalty of a by-gone era. This tour will take you through the Cultural Triangle and you will be able to discover 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover the magical beauty of the land while exploring all the hidden gems of its culture, heritage and more. Transportation throughout the tour will be given in a luxury air conditioned vehicle and all entrance fees, meals and accommodation will be covered by us.
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo – Anuradhapura
Stop At: Sri Maha Boodhi Temple, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The sacred bodhi tree is central to Anuradhapura in both a spiritual and physical sense. It was grown from a cutting brought from Bodhgaya in India. Not only is it the closest authentic living link to Gautama Buddha, it is also the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and a recorded history.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Ruwanweliseya which was built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE is a stupa and a hemispherical structure containing relics in the scared city of Anuradhapura. The Stupa is also known as Swarnamali Seya, Ratnamali Chetiya and the Maha Thupa. The name denotes ‘sand of gems’, probably owing to a large extent of invaluable gems, gold, pearls and silver contained in the Stupa.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Jethawanaramaya Stupa is one of the tallest stupa of Sri Lanka. The stupa was constructed by the King Mahasen, between the years 273 – 301. The Jethawanaramaya stupa holds the relic of the Lord Buddha’s sash or the waist tie. The Stupa is also considered to be one of the prominent destinations listed under the sixteen places (solosmassthanaas the locals say), that a devoted Buddhist should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Abayagiriya Stupa, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Abhayagiri Vihāra was a major monastery site of Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism that was situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation. Historically it was a great monastic centre as well as a royal capital, with magnificent monasteries rising to many stories, roofed with gilt bronze or tiles of burnt clay glazed in brilliant colors.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family. This is the place where the mythical Pulasthi Rishi was said to live and the place of which the mythical King Ravana was born. The temple was built by King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC to 267 BC) who ruled in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 2: Anuradhapura – Dambulla – Sigiriya
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Located in central Sri Lanka, the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and South Eastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches to interior layout and decoration.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Sigiriya is located in the Matale District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is located within the cultural triangle formed by Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy, which includes five of the eight world heritage sites in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. It is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescoes), which are similar to those found at Ajanta Caves in India. It is generally agreed, however, that the Sigiriya Frescoes exhibit a uniquely Sri Lankan style.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Sigiriya
Day 3: Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Kandy
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Polonnaruwa Vatadge is an ancient structure located in a quadrangular area, Dalada Maluva in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. The Vatadage occupies most of the southwestern area of Dalada Maluva and is the prominent structure among other oldest and most sacred monuments of the city. The Vatadge has a similar design with that of the structures belonging to the Anuradhapura period, especially Thuparamaya and Lankaramaya.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hatadage, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Hatadage is an ancient relic shrine in the city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It was built by Nissanka Malla, and had been used to keep the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The Hatadage had been built using stone, brick and wood, although only parts of the brick and stone walls now remain. It appears to have been a two-storey structure, but the upper storey has now been destroyed. Three Buddha statues carved out of granite rock are located within a chamber of the shrine.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Gal vihara also known as Gal Viharaya and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granitic (granite gneiss) rock.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a square buiding with fine rock cut railing g going all around lying the Dalada Maluwa area of the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa. This building has been built by king Nissanka Malla (1187-1196). The most important feature of this building is the shape and the carvings of the stone pillars. These pillars are carved in the shape of a lotus stem and are curved in three places. The top of the pillars take form of a lotus flower. On the center is a small Stupa. The whole building is surrounded by a fence made out of stone.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Kandy
Day 4: Kandy – Negombo
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular cultural sights, and home to a tooth belonging to Buddha. Sitting within the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, the temple holds the tooth relic of Buddha, which was smuggled from India in the IVth Century CE. The Tooth Relic has played an important role in local politics since ancient times because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy Lake, Centre of Kandy City, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Situated next to the sacred Temple of Tooth, the Kandy Lake is a sight to behold. With the lush greenery of the surrounding hills forming a perfect backdrop, the lake embraces you with its serenity and resplendent beauty. The lake was built in 1807 by King Sri Vikrama Rajasinh. The most alluring is the island situated in the middle of the lake. Now plush with palm trees and bamboo thickets, the island in the beginning was the bathing place of the queens and the ladies of the court. A walk around the shores of the lake is a must for anyone visiting the lake.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue is one of the most visited attractions in Kandy. It reaffirms the city’s Buddhist leanings. The huge white statue sits atop a mountain peak and is a sight to behold. From the mountain peak where the statue looms large over Kandy, you can capture some of the most breathtaking views of the Kandy town.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
