Culture & Heritage Tour – 10 Days (Option 2)

Culture & Heritage Tour - 10 Days

(option 2)

DAY 01 - Colombo

Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka. Its Situated on the west coast of the island, Colombo is a principal port of the Indian ocean. It has one of the largest artificial harbors in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade. Colombo is the country’s biggest city, as well as the most developed. The heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls.

Activities

Arrival at Airport and welcomed by Infinity Lanka representative and transfer to your Hotel in Colombo approx. 1 Hour (33Km)
Depending on time available visit following places in Colombo
Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka-Sits in walking distance from the beautiful Lake Beira The religious significance of the temple attract many travellers.
National Museum of Colombo This is the biggest museum in the island nation and is undoubtedly the pride of Sri Lanka. The place houses some of the best and personalized collections of the ancient dynasty rulers
Independence Memorial Hall Erected in the year 1953, this was built as a tribute to the nation’s independence from British rule
Galle Face Green-most popular picnic attractions in Colombo the area is lined with street-food vendors, making it one of the best places for the street food
Overnight stay in Colombo

DAY 02 - Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka and one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. The city is now a World Heritage site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. The city lies 205 km (127 mi) north of the current capital of Colombo on the banks of the historic Malvathu River. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over 16 square miles (41 km2)

Activities

Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Anuradhapura approx. 4 ½ hours’ drive (200 Km)
Visit Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sampling of the tree under which prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
Visit Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect ‘bubble shape”
Overnight stay in Anuradhapura

DAY 03 - Anuradhapura & HAbarana

Activities

Breakfast at the hotel & Visit the following places
Samadhi’ Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of ‘Samadhi’ or deep meditation
Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings of ‘The Lovers’.
Kuttam Pokuna – twin ponds (6th century AD) was used by the Buddhist monks as a bathing pool.
Thuparama Dagoba (3rd century B.C) is the oldest Dagoba in the island, which enshrines the right collarbone of the Buddha.
Visit Mihintale temple, this site is significant, because it is venerated as the birth place of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Transfer to Habarana 1 ¼ Hours’ (60 Km) and en route visit Aukana Buddha statue which rise to a height off 11.36 meters is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka
Overnight stay in Habarana

DAY 04 - Sigiriya & dambulla

SIGIRIYA
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located in the Matale District The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft) high. Sigiriya is treated as one of the most remarkable creations in the world, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). Path through the gardens along Stone stairways come to the Lion Gate. Only the rock carving and the brick structure is evident today of the lion’s mouth through which millions of people have walked to admire the beauty of this magnificent citadel.The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

Dambulla Cave Temple
Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country is 72 Km north of Kandy. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. There is a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses.

Activities

Breakfast at the hotel
Visit Sigiriya rock fortress
Afternoon Proceed on a village tour designed to experience the real traditional Sri Lankan rural village style, Travel in a traditional Bullock cart to a rural village through lush green paddy fields where you will be served tea and " juggery" along with lunch made to authentic Sri Lankan style visit to a paddy field to see how the local farmers grow and protect their crops from the wild animals, at last a traditional canoe ride in a lake in Habarana
Evening visit Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. which contain statues and paintings.
Overnight stay in Habarana

DAY 05 - Polonnaruwa

POLONNARUWA
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capital was established as the first city of the land in the 11th Century, A.D. It replaced Anuradhapura, which was plundered, made desolate and laid hopelessly bare to the invading armies from South India.Three Kings dominate the chronicles of the city and the period. The city reached a dazzling but pitifully brief zenith in the 12th century and though ravaged by invasion in the centuries that followed, much evidence remains of the old grandeur and glory.The ruins of the ancient city stand on the east shore of a large artificial lake, the Parakrama Samudraya, built by King Parakramabahu I (1153-86), whose reign was Polonnaruwa‘s golden age. Within a rectangle of city walls stand palace buildings and clusters of dozens of dagobas, temples and various other religious buildings.

Activities

Breakfast at the hotel
Visit ancient city Polonnaruwa approx. 1 ¾ Hours’
Transfer to Kandy approx. 4 hours ( 135 Km) en route visit Matale Alu Viharaya the significance this temple is the writing of the Buddhist scriptures. After the Buddha’s passing away the Buddha’s preaching was passed on from generation to generation, verbally by his pupils.
Overnight stay in Kandy

DAY 06 - kandy

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Located 5.5 km from the west of the city Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres.

Activities

Breakfast at the hotel
Visit Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy where Lord Buddha’s Tooth relic is housed, the most venerated city of Sri Lanka.
Next you will go on to visit the Three Temple Loop known as the Gadaladeniya, Embekke and Lankathilake Temples. These are Hindu-Buddhist Temples from the 14th Century.
Visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, with a collection of over 4000 species of exotic plants
Visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, with a collection of over 4000 species of exotic plants
Attend Cultural Dance Show in the evening which displays Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage.
Overnight stay at Kandy

DAY 07 - ella

Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres above sea level.

The train ride from Kandy to ELLA is considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. This the journey is seven hours long and takes you through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views

Activities

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Kandy – 3 hours’ drive approximately
Get on board scenic the train to Nanuoya at 12.30 PM from Kandy which is known as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world
Driver will receive you at Ella train station and transfer your Hotel in Ella
Overnight stay in Ella

DAY 08 - udawalawa

Udawalawe National Park
The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, The reserve covers 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) and lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, in Sri Lanka

Udawalawe is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants, which are relatively hard to see in its open habitats with a herd of about 250 believed to be permanently resident and the park is also a good birdwatching site to endemic and rare migrants.

The Species recorded from the park include 94 plants, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds (33 of which are migratory), and 43 mammals. Additionally, 135 species of butterflies are among the invertebrates found in Udawalawe

Activities

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Udawalawa approx. 3 ½ Hours’ (150 Km)
Visit Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home which is specially set up to take care of orphaned elephants
Do a morning Jeep safari at Udawalawe national park
Overnight stay at Udawalawe

DAY 09 - galle

Galle Fort
Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.

Activities

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Galle approx. 3 ½ Hours’ (150Km)
En route you will get a chance to observe the old and challenging tradition of stilt fishing.
Take a walk inside Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese invaders and occupied by the Dutch
Overnight stay in Bentota

DAY 10 - Transfer to Air Port

Activities

Inclusions

Accommodation on double sharing basis at Hotels with daily Breakfast.
Transport by private Air Condition Car/Van/Bus
English Speaking Chuffer
All Parking, taxes,Highway tall charges and fuel charges etc.
Driver’s allowances and all other expenses related to the Vehicle.

Exclusions

Medical and insurance of any kind.
All entrance fee.
Safari jeep fee, & any kind of activity fee
Monuments entrance fee
Lunch,Dinner and Cost of Extra Meals & Beverages
Laundry at any hotels
Personal nature Expenses i.e. Meal, Tipping etc
Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay / cancellation / hike in fare, strike or any other natural calamities
Camera Fee at Monuments

BOOK OR CUSTOMIZE THIS TRIP

If you wish to book this package or make any changes to it please do get in touch with us. Our friendly team of travel consultants at Infinity Lanka Tours will happily assist you.