Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 - Arrival Transfer / Sigiriya Or Dambulla

Meet on arrival at Bandaranayke International Airport by Our Representative and transfer to Sigiriya – Check in at Hotel – Rest of the day at leisure – Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 02 - Sigiriya Or Dambulla / Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya Or Dambulla

Breakfast at Hotel – Proceed to Sigiriya - Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster – Leave for Polonnaruwa - Visit Polonnaruwa- Which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site - Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya – where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ‘Upright’, ‘Sedentary’ and ‘Recumbent’ postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic - Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03 - Sigiriya Or Dambulla / Anuradhapura / Sigiriya Or Dambulla

Breakfast at Hotel – Leave for Anuradhapura Visit Anuradhapura - It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka; It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect ‘bubble shape" that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of 'Samadhi' or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings of 'The Lovers'. Kuttam Pokuna – twin ponds (6th century AD) was used by the Buddhist monks as a bathing pool. Thuparama Dagoba (3rd century B.C) is the oldest Dagoba in the island, which enshrines the right collarbone of the Buddha – Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 04 - Sigiriya Or Dambulla

Breakfast at Hotel – Morning at leisure – Afternoon visit the Dambulla Rock Temple. Climb up to the temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters – Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 05 - Sigiriya Or Dambulla / Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel – Leave for Kandy en route visit a spice garden in Matale, to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed – Check in at Hotel – In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing - Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 06 - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel - Morning proceed on a sightseeing tour of Kandy visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers - Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and a lapidary – Return to Hotel – Rest of the day at leisure – Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 07 - Kandy / / Transfer To Beach or Departure Transfer

Breakfast at Hotel – Transfer to respective beach resort up to Bentota or to Airport to connect with your departure flight.

Extensions

You may choose to spend more time on the beach in Sri Lanka or spend a last night in Colombo. Also Sri Lanka can easily be combined with the Maldives, less than an hour’s flight away, and boasting some of the world’s finest beach resorts. Alternatively, Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour, India, offers a host of attractions, including the world famous Taj Mahal. It is also possible to combine Sri Lanka with Dubai or some of the other Gulf States and South East Asia.

Price Include

• Meet & assist Arrival/Departure transfer & Tour as per the Itinerary by air conditioned vehicle with services of an English-speaking chauffer Guide.
• 01/02 Pax – Car
• 03/06 Pax – Micro Van
• Accommodation in Hotels listed or similar on Twin sharing basis with a mandatory Single supplement from 02 to 06 Pax.
• Meal Plan on Bed/Breakfast basis (Daily Breakfast).
• Entrance fees to visit – Sigiriya Rock Fortress , Polonnaruwa , Anurdhapura , Dambulla Rock Cave Temple , Royal Botanical Gardens , Temple of the Tooth ,Kandyan Cultural Dance
• Mineral Bottle Water throughout the tour. (02 “500ml” Bottles Each Per Person Per Day)
• Wet Wipes. (01 Each Per Person on Arrival)
• Free Wi-Fi on the vehicle.
• Porterage, Service charge & Government tax.

Price Exclude

• Visa for Sri Lanka, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application
• Return Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Tips, bar, laundry, telephone calls and other personal expenses not specified above. Lunches & Dinner as per the itinerary.
• Lunches & Dinner as per the itinerary.
• If transfer to Beach Resort end of tour Departure transfer from Beach resort

Selection of Hotels

3* Hotels

• Negombo–Paradise Beach Resort or similar - Standard room
• Dambulla or Sigiriya - Kassapa Lion Rock or similar - Standard room
• Kandy – Swiss Residency or Similar - Standard room

4* Hotels

• Negombo–Goldi Sands Hotel or similar - Standard room
• Dambulla or Sigiriya - Paradise Resortor similar - Standard room
• Kandy -Ozo Kandyor Similar - Standard room

Notes

Kandy Perahera Supplement; please note that if the stay at Kandy is coinciding with the Kandy Festival Season (Tentative dates of the Kandy Esala Perahera 08th - 18th August 2016) a supplement to be added (Prices are variable hotel to hotel)