from $844.00

Tour style – Culture & History

6 days

To see all of Sri Lanka’s stunning sights in six days sounds impossible but this tour hits all its amazing highlights! Visit incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites, stand in awe of sacred temples, stroll through exotic gardens and try a steaming brew of a delicious cup of tea, straight from the Nuwara Eliya plantation – this whirlwind trip is a feast for the senses! Get your adrenaline pumping down rushing whitewater rapids and make friends with the most adorable baby elephants at the Pinnawela orphanage – just keep in mind you’ll never get them through airport customs no matter how hard you try. Historical and natural wonders – what more could you want?

  • Day 1 Sigiriya

    One of the best ways to be introduced to this fascinating city is with a visit to the Cultural Triangle, where four amazing UNESCO world heritage sites sit. In the afternoon, head to the top of the famous, 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress for an amazing view over the triangle!

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  • Day 2 Polonnaruwa

    Explore UNESCO World Heritage listed Polonnaruwa, the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century. Steeped in history, one of its most striking features is the Parakrama Samudra, a large 5,940-acre reservoir built by King Parakramabahu. Don’t forget to check out the Gal Vihara as it’s one of the world’s finest Buddha sculptures!

  • Day 3 Kandy

    Before leaving the Cultural Triangle, head to the Dambulla Rock temple, dated all the way back to the 1st century B.C, which towers 160m over the surrounding plains. The largest and best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka, take in the sight of the 12 century statues and the beautiful 18th century Sri Lankan paintings about the Lord Buddha and his life. En route to Kandy, stop off at the exotic spice gardens in Matale – stroll through the fragrant greenery and learn about the many different spices Sri Lanka is famous for. Once in Kandy, just north of the lake sits the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, your next destination. The temple holds Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha himself! Finish off the day with an amazing Kandyan performance of dancing and drumming, the perfect way to end the day.

  • Day 4 Nuwara Eliya

    En route to Nuwara Eliya are the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya.- 150 hectares of beautiful sprawling grounds boasting more than 400 species of indigenous tropical flora and exotic plants.

  • Day 5 Colombo

    After a tasty breakfast, transfer to Colombo via Kitulgala where the film Bridge over the Rive Kawi was filmed. On a personalised tour of Colombo, tour the Gangaramaya Buddhist temple. Not only a temple, the Gangaramaya structure also includes a library, museum and a learning centre and is filled with a huge collection of Buddhist relics from around the world – put some time aside to fully appreciate it! Situated in the Beira Lake nearby is the Simamalaka shrine, designed by Sri Lanka’s leading architect Geoffrey Bawa. Walk over a pontoon boardwalk to this centre for meditation and see the numerous Buddha statues in various poses – sit by the waterfront and escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life.

  • Day 6 Colombo

    It’s time to leave the Isle of Serendipity behind and head for the airport.

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