Culture and Coast (12 Days)

Culture and Coast (12 Days)

This unique 12 Day tour of Sri Lanka is the complete package of Paradise Island. Your journey will take you to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, where ancient ruins and kingdoms romanticize the land with tales of times long since forgotten. Explore the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy and get lost in the beautiful, scenic, evergreen hills and valleys of Hatton and Ella. Conquer the wilderness of some of Sri Lanka’s most famous National Parks. Spend a leisurely number of days relaxing on the golden, sun-kissed shores of the southern coast and discover the post-colonial city of Galle. Finally experience the urban lifestyle of Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo.
(SKU: LK10110400)

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport > Dambulla > Sigiriya

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 2: Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Sigiriya

Stop At: Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka's ancient history.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, Minneriya 50150 Sri Lanka
This safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 3: Sigiriya > Matale > Kandy

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Euphoria Spice and Herbal, Kandy Dambulla Road Arunaloka Farm, Madawala Ulpotha, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 4: Kandy > Hatton

Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 5: Hatton > Ella

Stop At: Adam's Peak (Sri pada), 22070 Sri Lanka
Adams Peak, there is probably no mountain anywhere more famous than Sri Pada – Adam’s Peak (7362ft/2250m) for non-mountain reasons than this. It is sacred to three religions; to Buddhists the human-foot-shaped hollow on the pinnacle boulder marks one of the personal appearances of the Buddha; the Muslims believe that the depression marks Adam’s expiation of his disobedience by standing there for an age on one foot; to the Hindus, by whom the Peak has been venerated for millennia, its name is Sivan Adi Padham, for it is the Creative Dance of the god Siva that the ‘print’ calls to remembrance. Whichever legend you may believe; this beautiful place has been a pilgrimage centre for over a thousand years.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 6: Ella > Yala

Stop At: Ella, Ella, Uva Province
Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 7: Yala > Ahangama

Stop At: Handunugoda Tea Estate, Handunugoda Rd Tittagalla, Ahangama 80650 Sri Lanka
Handunugoda Tea Factory which is also known as the Virgin White Tea Factory. Learn the history of the tea that this factory produces. Get to know how the famous Virgin White Tea is plucked and processed completely untouched by human hands. Engage in a tasting session with a delicious cup of tea and scrumptious chocolate cake. Get a chance to purchase some tea leaves as a souvenir.
Duration: 2 minutes

Stop At: Koggala, Koggala, Galle District, Southern Province
Watch the captivating sight of fishermen perched on stilts in the waters along the coast of Koggala. Hear the stories of how stilt fishing came to Sri Lanka, from the mouths of the fishermen who have practiced the craft for generations. Learn how the stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it. Get some amazing photographs of the fishermen silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 8: Ahangama > Mirissa > Ahangama

Stop At: Mirissa Whale Watching, AH 43, Sri Lanka
This tour gives you an opportunity to see the biggest mammals on earth, the whales, in their natural habitat. Get a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales as they swim in the waters to the south of Sri Lanka. Gain more knowledge about the whales as a species from a qualified naturalist and learn to identify them. This tour gives you a responsible whale watching experience with a minimal imprint on nature.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 9: Ahangama

Stop At: Ahangama, Ahangama, Galle District, Southern Province
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 10: Ahangama

Stop At: Ahangama, Ahangama, Galle District, Southern Province
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 11: Ahangama > Balapitiya > Colombo

Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
Go on a wonderful boat ride down the Madu River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon harvesting natives. Enjoy the restorative qualities of the famous fish massage. Observe the waterbirds in their natural habitats.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka
Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star Hotel.

Day 12: Colombo > Airport

Pass By: Katunayake, Sri Lanka
After the breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.