Sri Lanka Cultural Tour Hill Country North- East- South Coast 14 days

Sri Lanka Cultural Tour Hill Country North- East- South Coast 14 days

Tour can be customized after reservation. We are one of Sri Lanka's leading inbound tour operators, with over 20 years of experience in tailor-made travel experiences. Fully licensed, Tourist Board approved and all our driver/guides possess the required guiding permit. A 24h customer hotline (English, French & German) and a fully insured fleet of new a/c vehicles (limousines and mini buses) provides safety and travel comfort for our clients.

Itinerary

Day 1: AIRPORT l CHILAW

Stop At: Munneshwaram Hindu temple, Munneshwarama, Chilaw 61000 Sri Lanka
Arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport, meet and transfer to the first hotel in Negombo. Visit
Munneswaram Temple
Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associated it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of the ancient Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva in the region.

The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Shiva (Siva) is the most prestigious and biggest, and is popular amongst Hindus. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Ayyanayake and Kali. The Kali temple is also popular with Buddhists, who frequent the complex. Post-19th century, most of the devotees of all temples in the complex belong to the majority Sinhala Buddhist ethnic group; the temples, excluding the Ayyanayakeand the Buddhist temple, are administered by families belonging to the minority Hindu Tamils.

Munneswaram is a village with mixed Sinhala and Tamil population situated in the historic Demala Pattuva ("Tamil division") region in the Puttalam District. The main Shiva temple owns extensive property in the surrounding villages, ownership of which was affirmed when the region was part of the medieval Kotte Kingdom. The temple was destroyed twice by the Portuguese colonial officers, who handed over the properties to the Jesuits. Although the Jesuits built a Catholic chapel over the temple foundation, locals reconstructed the temple both times. Due to religious and demographic change after the late 18th century, most surrounding villages and towns are not directly associated with the temple administration and maintenance. However, the villages of Maradankulama and Udappu are associated with organizing the main temple festival.

The main festivals celebrated at the temple include Navarathri and Sivarathri. The former is a nine-day long festival in honour of the presiding Goddess, while the latter is an overnight observation in honour of Lord Shiva. In addition to these two Hindu festivals, the temple has a festival of its own, the Munneswaram festival, a four-week-long event attended by Hindus and Buddhists.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Murugan Temple, Chillaw - Colombo Main Road Madampe, Chilaw 61000 Sri Lanka
Manavari Kovil is a Hindu temple 9 kms north of Chilaw. It’s a typical Tamil temple but of significance for Hindu pilgrims from India who travel along the Ramayana trail to visit places connected to Lord Rama. Manavari was the first place where Rama installed a Lingam. This was a remedy to Lord Shiva after commiting the worst possible crime in Hinduism, Brahmincide, by killing King Ravana, who had abducted Rama’s consort Shiva. Ravana was a Brahmin. The Shiva-Lingam in Manavari is called Ramalingam, as it was erected by Lord Rama. There are only two Lingams in the world named after Lord Rama, the other one being that of Rameshwaram in India, the most sacred place in Tamil Nadu. A Ramalingam is an extraordinary object of worship in Hinduism, as Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu and a Lingam is a representation of Shiva, Vishnu and Shiva being the highest gods of different groups of Hindus. Usually, in Vishnuism, Vishnu does not venerate Shiva. He does so as Rama, as told in the Vishnuite Ramayana epic, because the sacrilege of Brahmincide was indespensible to restore the order of the world by freeing Sita and returning to rule in Ayodhya. The erection of the Lingam as symbol of Rama’s devotion to Shiva hence is an extraordinary event in Hindu mythology.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Carolina Beach Hotel or Amagi Beach Hotel / Chilaw

Day 2: CHILAW l TALAIMANNAR l JAFFNA

Stop At: Adam’s Bridge, Mannar 41000 Sri Lanka
After breakfast leave for Jaffna. On the way visit
Adam’s Bridge
Adam's Bridge also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Geological evidence suggests that this bridge is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. The bridge is 50 km (30 mi) long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (south-west) from the Palk Strait (northeast). Some of the sandbanks are dry and the sea in the area is very shallow, being only 1 to 10 metres (3 to 30 ft) deep in places, which hinders navigation. It was reportedly passable on foot up to the 15th century until storms deepened the channel: temple records seem to say that Adam's Bridge was completely above sea level until it broke in a cyclone in 1480.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Jaffna Heritage Hotel or FOX Hotel / Jaffna

Day 3: Jaffna

Stop At: Jaffna Fort, Jaffna Sri Lanka
Jaffna is a city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Nallur Kandaswamy is a huge Hindu temple with golden arches and an ornate gopuram tower. By the coast, star-shaped Jaffna Fort was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and later occupied by the Dutch and British.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Nagadeepa Temple, Uraniya Village, Mahiyanganaya Sri Lanka
Nagadeepa Island
This is one of the most recognised landmarks in the area. It is believed that Lord Buddha had visited Nagadeepa to settle a dispute between two Naga Kings, Chulodara and Mahodara. After hearing Lord Buddha’s sermon, they offered him the throne. You will have the chance to visit a few Hindu Kovils in Nagadeepa.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Jaffna Heritage Hotel or FOX Hotel / Jaffna

Day 4: JAFFNA l TRINCOMALEE

Stop At: Trincomalee Beach, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Trincomalee is the cultural and economical capital of Sri Lanka's East Coast. The ancient town of Trincomalee is the third-largest city in Sri Lanka and best known for its harbor, one of the world’s largest deep-water anchorages. The former Dutch Fort Frederick is on the way to Swami Rock – a breathtaking cliff that is topped by the Koneswaram Hindu Temple, one of the holiest Shiva shrines in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Koneswaram Temple is also known as Tirukoneswaram Kovil (Hindu temple) which is situated on top of Swami Rock. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, and it is one out of five such temples situated around Sri Lanka. It is believed that this Kovil has been in existence since 2500 years ago, and was renovated by the south Indian Chola king Kulakottan and maintained by other Sinhala Buddhist kings
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Anantaama Hotel or JKAB Beach Hotel / Trinco

Day 5: TRINCOMALEE

Stop At: Trincomalee Beach, Trincomalee Sri Lanka
Trincomalee is an important port city since ancient times. Set on a peninsula, Fort Frederick was built initially by the Portuguese and captured in 1639 by the Dutch. Within its grounds, the grand Koneswaram Temple stands on Swami Rock cliff, a popular vantage point for blue-whale watching. The holy complex contains ornate shrines and a massive statue of Shiva. Nearby Gokanna Temple has panoramic views over the city and the coastline.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Nilaveli Beach, Nilaveli Sri Lanka
Time to enjoy a truly tropical beach. Nilaveli is facing the Pigeon Island Marine National Park and is perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. Bright corals and colorful fish swarms can be seen directly through the crystal clear waters.
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Anantaama Hotel or JKAB Beach Hotel / Trinco

Day 6: TRINCOMALEE l POLONNARUWA l optional JEEP SAFARI

Stop At: Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic cities in Sri Lanka, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop in many movies. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Optional Jeep Safari At the Minneriya National Park. Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season. The Minneriya tank contributes to sustain a large herd. Elephants gathered here is numbering around 150-200. Some reports account number of elephants to as high as 700. They migrate here from Wasgamuwa National Park and benefit from food and shelter of the park's forest.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kassapa Lions Rock or Wewa Addara Hotel, Sigiriya

Day 7: SIGIRIYA l DAMBULLA l KANDY

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Climb the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle’, where you will have a chance to gaze over the stunning views of Central Sri Lanka. Sigiriya (sometimes called Lion’s Rock) is the ruins of an ancient palace in a 200m high rock fortress, overlooking the beautiful plains of North-Central Sri Lanka. Built for an exiled Indian prince, the breathtaking ruins are one of Sri Lanka’s main tourist attractions and date back to AD 477. Despite its age, Sigiriya still retains much of its former beauty and features some of the finest examples of ancient art in the form of wall paintings, as well as a network of attractive gardens and reservoirs, and Sigiriya’s namesake – a gigantic pair of lion’s paws cut into the rock. With its fascinating history and unerring beauty, Sigiriya is often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world and the UNESCO-sponsored Central Cultural Fund has even restored Sigiriya’s 5th century Water Gardens, so that you can get a glimpse of what Sigiriya might have been like thousands of years ago.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, Kandy - Jaffna Highway, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
Dambulla Rock Temple is a magnificent gallery of Buddha images and wall and ceiling paintings not seen anywhere else in the Island. It is a complex of five cave temples with its origin going back to the first1st century BC.
Dambulla and its five cave temples are filed with Buddhist murals and many Buddha statues. Visitors must remove their shoes and approach the shrines bare-foot. The first cave is filled with the 47-foot-long recumbent image of the meditating Buddha.
In the second cave, there are 150 beautifully carved and preserved gilded statues of gods and Buddhas. The rock ceilings are painted in brilliantly preserved and intricately detailed patterns and images of the holy figures.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Thilanka Hotel or Casamara Hotel, Kandy

Day 8: KANDY l TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH RELIC l ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Stop At: Kandy Lake, Centre of Kandy City, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka's second largest city and cultural capital is the gateway to the higher hills and tea plantations.
The clarity of the air and its verdant, hilly outlook around the sacred lake make it a pleasant escape from the heat of the coasts.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Royal Botanic Gardens, පේරාදෙණිය පාර, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Established in 1816, these gardens are located about 6.5km before Kandy on the side of the Colombo-Kandy highway. Initially planted with Coffee and Cinnamon, now includes beautiful Sri Lankan and overseas species. No vehicle is allowed entry to this 147-acre garden. It is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Mahaweli River.
The Avenue of Royal Palms, Bamboo-fringed riverside drive, Bat drive, Spice garden, Orchard house, Cactus house and a Glasshouse of anthuriums, begonias, African Violets and other species and the giant Javan fig tree found on the great lawn attract locals as well as visitors from overseas. It covers an area of 1600 sqm. Keep your eyes open for an oxen driven lawn mover.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Thilanka Hotel or Casamara Hotel, Kandy

Day 9: KANDY l HILL COUNTRY l TEA PLANTATIONS l NUWARA ELIYA

Stop At: Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya, A5, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya or City of Light is the tea capital of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1889 m and is the most visited hill station of the island.
Nuwara Eliya was found by a group of British officers during the earlier part of the 19th century, who as the story goes, had gotten lost while elephant hunting. The British governor at the time, Sir Edward Barnes, was told about this little town and subsequently decided to take residence there, soon creating a health resort, which soon became internationally renown.
Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by a seemingly endless array of tea plantations populated by tea pickers who are almost exclusively Indian Tamils, who are distinct from the Ceylonese Tamils who live in the Northeast of the country.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Glenn Fall Hotel or Heaven Seven Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Day 10: NUWARA ELIYA l ELLA l YALA

Stop At: Ella Rock, Ella Main Street NECS-Nature Exploration and Conservation Society Sri Lanka, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ella is a beautiful small village in Sri Lanka's hill country with little more than a handful of shops, hotels and guesthouses, but it has an almost perfect climate and occupies a very scenic vantage point, with views on a fine day stretching right across the South Coast of Sri Lanka.

A traveller writes:
"The view through the Ella gap was probably the best in the entire island. It was quite early and the isolated hills on the plain popped up like little islands in the mist."

As if view's weren't enough, Ella is surrounded by hills perfect for walks through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hibiscus Garden Hotel or Okrin Hotel, Yala

Day 11: YALA NATIONAL PARK

Stop At: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
Optional morning and/or afternoon Jeep Safari.
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife. The island’s isolation from the mainland, the heavy rainfall of the two diagonally blowing monsoons, and the country’s wide range of altitudes have given Sri Lanka a variation in climate and biodiversity normally found only across an entire continent.
The top draw is the Sri Lankan leopard, a sub-species endemic to the country; in certain areas of the park, the average leopard density is as high as one cat to every square kilometre. During the fruiting of the palu trees in June and July, sloth bears are often observed.
Other animals you might spot include sambar (a large deer), spotted deer, buffalo, wild pig, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, langur monkey, toque monkey, golden jackal and Indian palm civet.
The combination of freshwater, marine, scrub and woodland areas ensures a high diversity of birds. Indeed, the park hosts 220 different types, and serious twitchers have recorded 100 species in a single day.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Kataragama Temple, Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya, Katharagama, Kataragama 91400 Sri Lanka
Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also go there to worship. The town has the Kataragama temple, a shrine dedicated to Skanda Kumara also known as Kataragama deviyo. The ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa, which is believed to be built by the regional king Mahasena in the 6th century BC is also a major attraction in Kataragama area. The town has a venerable history dating back to the last centuries BCE. It was the seat of government of many Sinhalese kings during the days of Rohana kingdom.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hibiscus Garden Hotel or Okrin Hotel, Yala

Day 12: YALA l MIRISSA l UNAWATUNA l GALLE l TURTLE HATCHERY l COLOMBO

Stop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa 81740 Sri Lanka
A destination for independent travelers and surfers on Sri Lanka's South Coast is Mirissa. A small fishing village with a beautiful beach and excellent surf points.
Mirissa has a lot of small charming restaurants, most of them directly on the beach. Fresh seafood, traditional Sri Lankan meals and international specialties are available at reasonable prices.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna Sri Lanka
Unawatuna is a beautiful and quiet beach resort just 5 km south of Galle.
While Unawatuna offers many hotels and guesthouses for all travelers, it is still an uncrowded, authentic Sri Lankan beach resort.
The name Unawatuna derives its name from the Singhalese words, Onna-wetuna, which translates into "there it fell". Over a period of time, Onna-wetuna became Unawatuna.
A golden beach which is protected by coral reefs, safe swimming, wreck & reef diving and some surf points making Unawatuna a more and more popular travel destination.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
The port city of Galle is not only of historical interest but the business center of the South of Sri Lanka.
This is the right place if you want to experience the Singhalese culture, away from the touristic hot-spots without loosing out on your holiday itinerary.
Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who developed the harbor at Colombo.
Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European invaders. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Grand Oriental Hotel or Pegasus Reef Hotel, Colombo

Day 13: Colombo l Negombo

Stop At: Colombo Fort, Galle Buck, Colombo Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, cosmopolitan and filled with many-starred international hotels, shopping centers and surprisingly westernized, yet with its own unmistakable Sri Lankan character.
Colombo, the commercial and political heart of Sri Lanka is a fascinating mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high piled fruit and vegetables, colourful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices.
The colourful street markets, colonial-era buildings, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples of Colombo can easily be explored with your driver/guide.
The suburb Mount Lavinia is well known for its beach since the colonial time. The sea is a safe and popular bathing spot. Its clean sandy beaches are jutting into the waters of the Indian Ocean with softest sand and the calm and clear water.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Negombo Beach, Negombo Sri Lanka
Negombo is a major harbour city north of Colombo. Near the waterfront you can see the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort and the Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermen’s huts, feeds into the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal. The neoclassical St. Mary’s Church features a ceiling decorated with vivid religious paintings.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
• Dinner: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
Accommodation included: Overnight at Camelot Beach Hotel or 'The Beach' Boutique Hotel, Negombo

Day 14: NEGOMBO l AIRPORT

Pass By: Bandaranaike International Airport, Canada Friendship Rd, කටුනායක 11450, Sri Lanka
Transfer back to the airport

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options available
No accommodation included on this day.