Culture Tour Sri Lanka - Leisure World Tours
12 Nights / 13 Days

Overview
A cultural journey that takes you back to 2500 years of history. An era when Buddhism was introduced to this Island and its peoples, still practised today by a majority 80% of the population. Enjoy this cultural journey through heritage listed sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya & Dambulla.  Relax unwind and indulge yourself in the refreshing golden beaches and warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Day 01: Negombo

​You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel in Negombo so you can relax after your long journey. Negombo is a busy fishing town located in close proximity to the airport. Its sandy beaches and huge lagoon tempted the Portuguese & Dutch to use it as a fishing port during colonization. There is a 120 km long Dutch canal and lots of churches in the town. A legacy left by the Portuguese during the colonial occupation. The Muthurajawela marshlands nearby have a large number of bird species that remain an attraction to eco-lovers. If you are up and about in the early hours of the morning you will be able to observe the fishing boats arriving ashore. The economy of Negombo is mainly based on tourism and the fishing industry.Your first day in Negombo will be a perfect start as you  look forward to your journey through the Island in the coming days. ​

Day 2 & 3 - Anuradhapura

Visit the Cultural Triangle
Destination: Dambulla/Sigiriya/Anuradhapura
Distance: 174 km
Drive: Approximately 3:10 hours ​
Sri Lanka's first ancient capital city. Troubled many times by the invading Cholas. This historic city had a thriving civilisation with a succession of more than 100 kings. You will soon discover that this ancient city had a sophisticated science, engineering  & health care system in operation. With the advent of Buddhism was born a highly disciplined spirituality & meditation centre.  A Bo-tree  grown from a branch of the original Bo-tree in "Buddha Gaya" in India remains sacred to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. This is the sacred Bo-tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. A 42ft statue of the standing buddha carved out of granite still stands today, mighty and colossal. You will be able to view this gigantic figure on your way to Polonnaruwa.
DAMBULLA HISTORIC CAVE TEMPLE
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site. Built in (1st century BC to 993 AD) More information
SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress which is heritage listed. Described as the eighth wonder of the world. This site is worth a visit. The climb to the summit is tiring. There will be touts offering to help you climb " say no thank you" otherwise they will pester you for money. More information

Day 4 & 5 - Polonnaruwa

A city of monasteries & dagobas
Distance: Polonnaruwa 106 km
Drive: Approximately 2:00 hours
Polonnaruwa, a City of monasteries and Dagobas was the capital of ancient Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century. There is a wealth of remarkable information here. Polonnaruwa was a key settlement even during the medieval period. It was King Vijayabahu I who established Polonnaruwa as the capital of his kingdom in 1055. Visitors who travel to the city from the south to the North will find the many monuments of great interest. ​

Day 6 & 7 -  Kandy

The city of the sacred tooth relic
Destination: Kandy 136 km
Drive: 2:50 hours
​
Kandy was once a separate Kingdom until it finally fell to the hands of the British Colonialists in March 1815. This kingdom withstood many attempts of capture by the invading Portuguese and Dutch Colonialists. This is a sacred city with a sacred temple in  which is housed the tooth relic of the Buddha.  It is a picturesque town in a lakeside setting. ​

Day 7 & 8 - Ella

Enjoy a scenic train ride to this hamlet.
Destination: Ella 132 km
Drive: Approximately 2:00 hours
Take a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella in the first class observatory. Pass through beautiful landscaped tea plantations and emerald forests. Enjoy the breath taking views on the way. Pass through misty mountains and watch cascading waterfalls. After you disembark you can take a trek to little Adam's peak or cycle through the tea plantations and enjoy the fresh air. ​

Day 9 - Tissamaharama & Yala

Time for a safari at the Yala Wildlife sanctuary
Destination - Tissa 88 km
Drive: Approximately 1:30 hours
You will be descending from the highlands towards the southeast of the Island, on the way stopping at Buduruwagala, an ancient temple. Here you will be fascinated by the 7 statues carved out of rock. There is a colossal statue called Kiri-vehera meaning milky shrine. Stories of this temple and its shrines are depicted in the ancient buddhist scriptures. This is a place of worship for local buddhists. The following day is one where your adrenaline will keep pumping as you take a safari tour in the wildlife sanctuary. The bumpy jeep ride is worth it as you get to observe wild elephants,  leopard, sloth bear, deer, crocks, and plenty of birdlife.

Day 10, 11 & 12 - Galle

Historic Galle Fort & a relaxing beach stay
​Destination - Galle 152 km
Drive - Approximately 2:30 hours
Travel through the southern coastal belt. The road meanders through beautiful palm fringed beachside properties. Take in the cool sea breeze as you pass through these coastal towns. There are all types of accommodation that have sprung up on the seaside. Here you will find luxury resorts, boutique hotels, cabanas and villas. You will observe a hub of activity as you journey past the beach towns with many tourists walking along the little towns buying souvenirs from little shops. Whale watching is very popular in the town of Mirissa. Your beach stay will certainly relax your nerves and re-juvenate you for your journey back home.

DAY 13 - Departure to Airport

Drive Distance: 151 km
​Drive Time: 2:15 hrs
Price Inclusions
  • 12 nights’ accommodation per person sharing 1 double room 
  • Meals on bed & breakfast basis. 
  • Air-conditioned, luxury car transfers for the tour as per the above itinerary 
  • Airport transfers: Pickup and drop-off. 
  • Services of an English Speaking, professional chauffeur guide. 
Notes
  • Transport price includes accommodation for the driver
  • All prices are inclusive of tax and service charges
  • Transport times are approximate and subject to change due to road conditions and weather. 
  • All reservations subject to availability at time of booking. 
  • The standard, hotel check-in time in Sri Lanka is 1300 hours and check-out at 12noon 
  • Sri Lanka Visa - please go to http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ to apply online. It is an easy process and the visa will be stamped on the passport upon arrival.
Price Exclusions
  •  Entry tickets to sites mentioned and not mentioned in the itinerary.
  •  Expenses of personal nature. 
  •  Meals other than specified above. 
  •  Any deviation off normal transfer routes (other than mentioned in the itinerary) is possible on request and can be paid directly to the driver. Rs 60 will be charged per extra Km. 
  • Tipping and baggage handling (Tipping is solely on your discretion. Driver tipping usually approx. USD 10 - 15 per day) 
  • Any other expenses not specified above. 
  • 4 STAR HOTELS OR SIMILAR
  • 5 STAR HOTELS OR SIMILAR
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D1.Wattala – Pegasus Reef   (BB)
D2.Anuradhapura – Heritage Hotel (BB)
D3. Anuradhapura – Heritage Hotel (BB)
D4.Polonnaruwa – Sudu Araliya (BB)
D5.Polonnaruwa- Sudu Aaraliya (BB)
D6.Kandy – Topaz (BB)
D7.Ella – Ella Mount Heaven  (BB)
D8.Ella- Ella Mount Heaven (BB)
D9.Yala – Tamarind Tree (BB)
D10.South Beach – Earl’S Reef (BB)
D11. South Beach – Earl’S Reef (BB)
D12. South Beach – Earl’S Reef (BB)
D1.Negombo – Jetwing Blue   (BB)
D2.Anuradhapura – Palm Garden (BB)
D3. Anuradhapura – Palm Garden (BB)
D4.Polonnaruwa – The Lake (BB)
D5.Polonnaruwa- The Lake (BB)
D6.Kandy – Tourmaline (BB)
D7.Ella – 98 Acres (BB)
D8.Ella- 98 Acres (BB)
D9.Yala – Ekho Safari (BB)
D10.South Beach – Citrus Waskaduwa (BB)
D11. South Beach – Citrus Waskaduwa (BB)
D12. South Beach – Citrus Waskaduwa (BB)