Sri Lanka · Religious & Spiritual

Glimpse of Sri Lanka (5 Days)

5 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Colombo. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla and its historic cave complex
  • 02 Climb the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya
  • 03 Experience village life with an oxen cart ride, catamaran safari and cooking demonstration
  • 04 Go on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park
  • 05 Explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy
  • 06 Watch a colorful Kandyan Cultural Show
  • 07 Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya
  • 08 Enjoy a city and shopping tour in Colombo

Discover some of Sri Lanka’s most memorable cultural and natural highlights on this 5-day journey through Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy and Colombo. Explore sacred temples, ancient heritage sites and lively city landmarks while travelling in a private vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide.

Along the way, experience village life in Sigiriya, enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration and home-cooked lunch, and head into Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari. From the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a Kandyan cultural show to Colombo’s historic monuments and shopping areas, this itinerary offers a varied introduction to the island’s history, spirituality, wildlife and local traditions.

Delight your taste buds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Matale, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Airport > Dambulla > Sigiriya

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffeur guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Dambulla

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.

On completion of the day check into the hotel and relax. 

2
Day 02

Sigiriya > Minneriya > Sigiriya

After breakfast at the hotel visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.

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.

Thereafter visit a local village in Sigiriya and experience the Sri Lankan local village life.

Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

Afterwards, proceed to Minneriya National Park and go on a lovely jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.

This three-hour 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.

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

3
Day 03

Sigiriya > Matale > Kandy

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Matale visit a Spice Garden and a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. (Travel Time - 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

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.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Later in the evening go on technical tours related to arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. 

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.

Afterwards, watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

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.

On completion of the visit return back to the hotel and relax.

4
Day 04

Kandy > Colombo

After a relaxed morning at the hotel, visit the Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

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.

Afterwards return back to the hotel, check out and proceed to Colombo and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 3 to 3 ½ hrs)                               

Later in the evening go on a City and Shopping tour in the commercial city of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

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 and the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores. Enjoy the nightlife as you party till the morn.

On completion of the day return to the hotel and relax.

5
Day 05

Colombo > Airport

After the breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island.   

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Colombo. 6 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
  • Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
  • All prevailing taxes and service charges.
  • 2 x 500ml Water Bottles per Person per Day.

What's Not Included

  • Visa and Related Expenses.
  • Entrance fees
  • Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
  • Hotel Accommodation
  • Expenses of personal nature.

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not recommended for people with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • (1) Your hotel in Colombo. (2) Your hotel in Negombo. (3) Your hotel in Mount Lavinia.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Colombo.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Colombo.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Colombo..

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