7-Day Sri Lanka Cultural Tour with Ancient Cities and Sigiriya

• Get picked up from the airport and travel to Dambadeniya with your Sri Lanka driver. Dambadeniya is the third kingdom of Sri Lanka and became significant because the sacred tooth relic was placed here during the rule of King Vijayabahu III in the 13th century. It was initially used as a fortification built on a rock and protected by a moat, marsh, ramparts, and royal gardens.

• After lunch, travel from Dambadeniya to Anuradhapura.

• On the way, visit some historical places, including Yapahuwa and Panduwasnuwara. Yapahuwa's most remarkable masterwork remains an ornamental stairway that led to the royal palace.

• The surrounding vistas of breathtaking beauty enrich the climb to the top. Rambling jungle, rolling hills, and sunbathed rocks combine to create a picture-perfect setting.

Overnight in Anuradhapura.

• After breakfast, visit Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura was the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century to the early 11th century AD and is also known as the sacred city to Buddhists, with ruins of Buddhist temples, monasteries, and shrines. A very important Buddhist landmark in Anuradhapura is the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, or the Sacred Bo tree, a sapling of the very tree under which Lord Buddha became enlightened, planted in 288 BC. It is believed to be the oldest documented tree in the world.

• After lunch, travel from Anuradhapura to Ritigala. It is part of the Cultural Triangle. Ritigala is one of the less-visited yet most legendary ancient sites of Sri Lanka.

• Ritigala is also a paradise for bird lovers, being home to several endangered bird species.

Overnight in Polonnaruwa.

• In the morning, visit the Polonnaruwa cultural area. Polonnaruwa was a great city in Sri Lanka that came into prominence during its brief period of two centuries in Sri Lankan history.

• Visit the showcase of great ancient Sri Lankan architecture dating back to the 12th century AD, interwoven with many Buddhist monasteries and monuments built by King Parakramabahu I. Later, King Nissankamalla (1187 to 1196 AD) of the Kalinga dynasty also contributed to the development of many buildings and monuments at Polonnaruwa.

• After lunch, visit Medirigiriya. Medirigiriya is a famous Watadageya. The roof of the Vatadage was raised on three concentric circles of pillars. Between the circles of pillars were brick and stone walls, similar to the Buddhist railing at Sanchi.

Overnight in Sigiriya.

• After breakfast, visit Sigiriya. In the 5th century, King Kasyapa built his royal palace by transforming a natural rock into his fortress. The Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress, considered to be a wonder of the world, is one of Sri Lanka's most complex and invaluable sites. It is landscaped into water gardens, island pavilions, courtyards, and buildings by the king himself. This natural fortress is a symbol of pride for its people.

• After lunch, travel to Dambulla. The imposing 160-metre Dambulla Rock Temple is the most impressive and venerated Buddhist cave temple in Sri Lanka, festooned with a marvellous array of sculptures and murals.

• In the evening, you can do a wild safari in Minneriya National Park.

Overnight in Sigiriya.

• After breakfast, start the journey from Sigiriya to Kandy.

• On the way, visit Nalanda Gedige and a spice garden. Nalanda Gedige stands out as a fascinating site due in large part to its interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu architecture. The shrine's ground plan leans towards traditional Buddhist designs, but the 'Mandapam' or Waiting Hall shows a distinctly Hindu style, as do the door jambs. The crocodile balustrade, moonstone, and dwarf figures are once again influenced by Buddhism, along with the Tantric Buddhist carvings that exhibit an erotic form of art made famous by the carvings at Khajuraho in India.

• Visit a spice garden in Matale to see many different types of spices in Sri Lanka. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.

Overnight in Kandy.

• After breakfast, start your cultural journey in Kandy. Kandy is a major tourist destination and is also known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. It was the stronghold of the Sinhalese kings, who promoted and protected the local culture until the city fell to the British in 1815. Today, it is a bustling commercial city and is famous for the Kandy Perahera, a huge cultural pageant that takes place in July or August. It is one of the most colourful processions in the world. Thousands of drummers and dancers accompany a parade of ornamented elephants through the streets of Kandy. The leading tusker carries the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

• Visit the Temple of the Tooth, Peradeniya Garden, Lankathilaka Viharaya, Embekke Temple, and Gadaladeniya Temple.

Overnight in Kandy.

• After breakfast, travel from Kandy to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Pinnawala is the most popular and accessible place to see large numbers of these lovable animals in a natural habitat. It is the most popular elephant attraction with tourists because nowhere else, except at the splendid peraheras, will you see so many elephants at such close quarters. The government opened it in 1975 after many more baby elephants than usual had become separated from their herds that year. The persistent drought had dried up many village wells into which the young elephants had fallen while attempting to get a drink. Even today, elephants fall into quarries or gem-mining pits, and poachers or angry farmers who shoot the adults for destroying their crops leave some youngsters orphaned.

• In the evening, travel from Pinnawala to the airport.