Sri Lanka · UNESCO Heritage Sites

5-Day Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle Tour with Sigiriya and Kandy

5 Days Round trip from Anuradhapura Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura with its renovated monuments
  • 02 Roam through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • 03 Climb the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress
  • 04 Visit the Dambulla cave temple, home to about 150 stunning Buddha statues
  • 05 Discover the sacred city of Kandy

Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, exploring some of the island's most important UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. Discover the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, and the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, often referred to as the Eighth World Wonder. Continue to Kandy with a visit to the Dambulla cave temple, home to remarkable Buddha statues and paintings, and enjoy a traditional cultural show. The tour concludes with visits to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya.

The five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, showcasing some of Sri Lanka's most important and evocative religious art.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Anuradhapura, Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival and Anuradhapura Sacred City

  • At the arrival hall of Bandaranaike International Airport or your hotel, you will meet our representative, who will transfer you to Anuradhapura.
  • Afterwards, you will visit the sacred city of Anuradhapura, one of the UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites in Sri Lanka.
  • There, you can see renovated monuments, restored edifices, preserved ruins, and historical sites where archaeological excavations are still continuing.

In the afternoon, check in to the hotel.

2
Day 02

Mihintale Rock and Ancient Polonnaruwa

  • Start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
  • After breakfast, drive to Polonnaruwa. En route, you can visit Mihintale Rock, which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
  • Afterwards, you will visit Ancient Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site. Polonnaruwa is the second capital of Sri Lanka.
  • Here, you will find the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures - tombs and temples, statues and stupas - in a compact core.

In the afternoon, check in to the hotel.

3
Day 03

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and National Park Safari

  • Get ready for an exciting day! After breakfast, we will pick you up in Sigiriya to climb the Sigiriya rock fortress.
  • Referred to by locals as the Eighth World Wonder, Sigiriya is also a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site.
  • In the afternoon, you can enjoy a national park safari. If you are lucky, you can see wild elephants, boars, crocodiles, and many other mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
  • You will be back at the hotel at the end of the day.
4
Day 04

Dambulla Cave Temple and Kandy Cultural Show

  • Your next destination is Kandy city. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kandy.
  • On the way, you will visit the Dambulla cave temple, one of the UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. The five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, showcasing some of Sri Lanka's most important and evocative religious art.
  • During the journey, you can also visit spice gardens, showcasing the island's variety of spices and herbs. You can learn about and identify spices and herbs within this garden, and if you like, you can buy Sri Lankan spices and herbs.
  • In the afternoon, you can watch a cultural show blending traditional Sri Lankan dances.
  • Afterwards, return to the hotel.
5
Day 05

Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Peradeniya and Departure

  • Get ready for an exciting day! After breakfast, you can visit the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic - a tooth of the Buddha - in Kandy. "Please don't miss offering fresh flowers to the Lord Buddha".
  • You can also visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, the most extensive botanical garden in Sri Lanka. The gardens showcase all of Sri Lanka's flora and representative species from around the tropical world.
  • Afterwards, you can take part in a Kandy city visit. If you like, you can buy reasonably priced souvenirs, Kandian arts and crafts, and gems.
  • After this, you will finish the Cultural Triangle tour with us. It has been a wonderful time in the Cultural Triangle. Our representative will pick you up at the airport or in Colombo.
Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Ancient Polonnaruwa

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Ancient Polonnaruwa

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Anuradhapura 6 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Accommodation for guests: 4 nights in standard hotels/guest houses on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Transportation
  • Well-experienced licensed tourist chauffeur guide, who will guide you throughout the tour
  • Insurance: comprehensive passenger insurance
  • Guide and driver accommodation and meals

What's Not Included

  • This package excludes entrance charges
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Late check-out and early check-in charges are excluded
  • Air tickets
  • Camera and video permits
  • Guide/driver tips
  • Lunch, dinner, and refreshments (which are not mentioned in the itinerary)
  • Upgraded accommodation (3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotels)

Know before you go

  • You can customize your trip and accommodation; additional charges will apply.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Tour start
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Anuradhapura.

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Starting from

USD 240 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $240.00 — $675.00
Double Sharing $240.00 — $375.00

When

Travellers

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