Sri Lanka · Tribal Experiences

5-Day Sri Lanka Tribal and Safari Tour with Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa

5 Days Round trip from Katunayake Hard pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit the Veddha Village in Dambana and immerse yourself in the local culture
02 Experience thrilling jeep safaris in Wasgamuwa National Park and Minneriya
03 Explore the ancient city ruins of Polonnaruwa
04 Enjoy a village tour in Habarana
05 Witness the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Embark on an exciting 5-day adventure through Sri Lanka that combines indigenous culture, wildlife, village life, and ancient heritage. Visit the Veddha Village in Dambana to learn about Sri Lanka's aboriginal community, continue to Wasgamuwa for a wildlife safari, and enjoy a village tour in Habarana. Explore the ancient city ruins of Polonnaruwa, head to Minneriya for a thrilling jeep safari, and complete the journey with a visit to the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Embark on an exciting 5-day adventure through Sri Lanka that combines indigenous culture, wildlife, village life, and ancient heritage.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Colombo, Kandy, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Habarana, Katunayake, Wasgamuwa National Park

Languages English, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport and Transfer to Kandy

Arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport.
Meet and greet by a representative at the airport lobby.
Transfer to the hill capital of Kandy.
Check in to your Kandy hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at Kandy Hotel.

Day 02

Transfer to Veddha Village in Dambana and Continue to Wasgamuwa

Breakfast at the hotel.
Proceed to Veddha Village (Dambana).
After visiting the Veddha community, proceed to Wasgamuwa and check in to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at Wasgamuwa Hotel.

Day 03

Wasgamuwa Safari, Transfer to Habarana, and Village Tour

Early in the morning, transfer to Wasgamuwa National Park for a safari.
Collect your breakfast packs from the hotel.
After visiting Wasgamuwa National Park, proceed to Habarana.
Check in to Habarana Hotel.
In the evening, around 15:00, transfer to proceed with the village tour.
After completing the village tour, transfer back to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at Habarana Hotel.

Day 04

Explore Polonnaruwa Ancient City and Enjoy a Minneriya Jeep Safari

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Polonnaruwa to explore the ancient city ruins.
After exploring Polonnaruwa City, transfer to Minneriya to proceed with the Minneriya jeep safari.
After the Minneriya safari, transfer to Sigiriya Hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya Hotel.

Day 05

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Transfer to Colombo

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Sigiriya Rock Fortress for a visit.
After exploring it, transfer to Colombo.

Where this trip takes you

Veddha Village in Dambana, Wasgamuwa National Park, ancient city ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock Fortress

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Katunayake 8 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation in standard rooms on a half-board basis at the hotels specified or of a similar standard
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle from airport pickup to drop-off in Colombo
Services of a National Guide/Chauffeur Guide
Transport insurance included
One 500 ml bottled water per person per day
Company gift

What's Not Included

Visa fees
Entrance fees to sites - National parks: Adult 25 US$ / Child 15 US$; Polonnaruwa: Adult 25 US$ / Child 15 US$; Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic: 12 US$ / Child 50% discount; safari jeeps: 10,000 LKR to 12,000 LKR. Please kindly note that entrance fees may change due to exchange rates.
Cost of beverages throughout the tour
Expenses of a personal nature
Tips and porterage
Any other services not specified above
Optional excursions and additional services could be provided, for which we will charge additionally
Visits to wildlife parks will be at the client's own risk
Jeeps available are very basic, with basic insurance cover only, not comprehensive as in the case of vehicles used for tours

What to bring

To cover from the heat - cap or hat
Photography equipment
An extra bottle of water
Small snacks

Know before you go

Obey the instructions given by the guide/safari jeep driver.
Never get out of the safari jeep.
Do not feed any animals.
Do not collect any plants or fauna.
Sri Lanka's Aborigines, or the Veddas, meaning 'people of the forest,' have a history much older than Prince Vijaya's landing in the 5th century BC and the origins of the Sinhala race. Archaeological evidence suggests that the modern Veddas' Neolithic ancestors inhabited this island as far back as 10,000 BC. Once roaming the Great Plains of the north-central region to the central mountains, today the remaining Vedda population is confined to Dambana, which is close to the Maduru Oya sanctuary.
They are essentially hunter-gatherer forest dwellers, with little change in their lifestyle from the Stone Age to modern times. The language they use is an ancient dialect of Sinhala, and their staple diet is venison. Veddas are allowed to hunt legally to sustain themselves within certain areas and are also expert fishermen. They collect bees' honey and exchange it with locals for axe blades and cloth.
Today, the Veddas are more modernized, at least concerning clothing, and the perfect way to observe them is to organize a camp close to or within a reservation. The Veddas will be more than glad to show you their way of life. With an axe hanging from their shoulders and a bow slung behind them, it gives you the impression that not much has changed since the dawn of time for these proud warriors of the forest.

Logistics