Sri Lanka Cultural Tour

DambullaDay 01: Airport – Dambulla Arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport Meet and greet at the ariport Transfer to Dambulla.

Anuradhapura – GiritaleAfter breakfast We will leave for Anuradhapura Sightseeing of the ancient city of Anuradhapura considered the birthplace of Sinhala civilization & one of the world’s largest archaeological sites. It is considered as the greatest monastic city of the ancient world, & was founded in the 5th century BC. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²). Anuradhapura is also significant in Hindu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana. Proceed to Giritale for dinner Check into the hotel Overnight stay at the hotel

Polonnaruwa – SigiriyaAnother UNESCO world heritage site, according to the chronicles, during the 12th century a prince of great metal and physical vigour hailing from the Rohana (Southern part of Sri Lanka) forced his way to the throne of Sri Lanka as King Prakrama Bahu the great. Establishing himself in Polonnaruwa, a capital worthy of authority and ambition of the ruler, he proceeded to show himself as a successful warrior and a great administrator, during which time he, through a medium of a dam nine miles long created the Sea of Parakrama” harvesting rain water to be used in the dry period of the year for cultivation purposes, carving the irrigation brilliance of Sri Lankan’s in stone, when most of Europe where still in darkness. In a period of prosperity with the objective of storing food many such projects were undertaken some of which function even today. Today vast ruins stand sentinel bearing witness in Polonnaruwa to his power and glory.

Kandy – NegomboOne of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world, which was built to protect the sacred tooth relic thought to belong to Lord Buddha, which has been enshrined in Sri Lanka for hundreds of years As well as a host of other temples, visitors to the city can wander along Kandy Lake, stroll through the stunning Botanical Gardens created by the British in the 19th century and still one of the most beautiful gardens in Asia.The garden is famous for its countless (4000+) species of plants and trees. It is situated a 15-minute drive west of Kandy, and is a great escape from the city.Surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession. This was the last capital of the Sinhala kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), which is a famous pilgrimage site, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world, which was built to protect the sacred tooth relic thought to belong to Lord Buddha, which has been enshrined in Sri Lanka for hundreds of years As well as a host of other temples, visitors to the city can wander along Kandy Lake, stroll through the stunning Botanical Gardens

Negombo – Colombo – AirportNegombo is a city on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. Near the waterfront, the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort now house a prison. Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermen’s huts, feeds into the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal. The canal leads south to Colombo. Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, completed in the 1920s, features a ceiling decorated with vivid religious paintings. Negombo is a beach town and its located just 10 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport and it’s the first destination with sandy and beautiful beaches that you will meet right after you arrive in Sri Lanka at Bandaranaike International Airport.Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha. Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the largest city in Sri Lanka, once served as an important seaport for trade between the East and the West. Situated on the west coast of the country, Colombo is a vibrant and busy urban metropolis that boasts of all the mod-cons of today’s world in addition to some traditions of a bygone era, still alive and waiting to be experienced.