India > Leisure Tour >Sri Lanka >Combo Tour of Culture, Nature & Adventure
You will see many of Sri Lanka’s most significant facets of Culture, Nature & Adventure on this combo tour. This tiny island nation, otherwise known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean, has become a popular tourist destination for holidaymakers.
During this comprehensive ten-day journey, you will explore, The ‘must-see’ ancient ruined cities of Sigiriya, Mihintale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa & Rock Cave temple. These sites are the main focus of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Exciting game drive in Udawalawe & Minneriya National Parks, both are rich in flora and fauna. The Devil’s staircase & Satan’s steps, an enchanting 14 km trek in Udaweriya, is all about spectacular scenery, Rolling plains, Crystal clear water streams, tea estates….
In this tour, you will get engaged with a country’s culture, specifically the lifestyle of the people, the history of those people, traditional Cuisines, their art, architecture, religions, Nature, and adventure.
Note: The tour can be customized further with the interest of the traveller. Please do write to us to know more options and special interest tours.
On Arrival at Colombo Airport, A member of our local team will receive you. Or an appointed driver who will take care of your transfer and check-in at the hotel/resort in Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura is a major city of the state and also a capital city of North Central Province. The town is one among the traditional capitals of Sri Lanka, popularly known for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization.
En route, you shall enjoy lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant. Here you will get an opportunity to know Sri Lankan cuisine. On arrival, check into the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. If you want to overcome Jet lag, we suggest a leisurely village walk. It may help you to get used to a different environment and time zone.
Breakfast at hotel, & leave for Polonnaruwa tour. Visit a once flourishing kingdom, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms. Here we see the remains of ancient shrines, palaces, stupas, houses, hermitages, tanks, and parks, each one describing its own story of a celebrated past. Here you’ll enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at a local restaurant. Then proceed to have a game drive in Minneriya national park – one of the Largest known wild Asian Elephant Gathering at one place within the world. Watch as these huge animals drink, play, and snack on the green, lush grasses that the receding water has exposed. This three-hour private jeep safari will be one of the thrilling experiences of your tour. In the evening, relax & unwind at a hotel.
Today you rise and the early hours, and after an early breakfast at Hotel, You leave for Sigiriya; visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Today, Sigiriya is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. The huge column is of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft.) high. The entry opens for the tourist at 06:30 am. It is always better to start the climb early morning. It takes about 1 to 1.25 hrs to reach the top. Not necessary to talk about the view from the talk. It’s awesome. Lunch at a local outside restaurant. Post lunch, if you feel you have enough time and energy. You can visit the Aukana – Buddha statue. It is approx. 50 km from Sigiriya and drive may take 75 to 90 minutes. Aukana Buddha Statue in Sri Lanka that rises to a height of 11.36 meters is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. During this drive, you shall see the large ancient “Kala Wewa” rainwater reservoir. Later return to Habarana.
Breakfast at hotel, check out & leave for Kandy. Enroute stop at Dambulla. Visit Dambulla Rock Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Inside paintings and statues are linked to the great Gautama Buddha and his life journey. In all, there are 153 Buddha statues inside.
Lunch at a local outside restaurant. Later proceed to Kandy; check in to the Hotel in Kandy. In the evening, visit a Buddhist temple Sri Dalada Maligawa, popularly known as Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Here we witness the “Maligawa Thewawa,” an offering ritual by women & Kandy cultural dance show.
Today after breakfast, you shall visit three temple sites.
1. Lankathilake, at Udunuwara Hiyarapitiya village, is the famous temple of Lankatilaka. The massive rock where the temple was built is known as Panhangala Rock. It is one of the three famous ancient temples near Peradeniya.
2. Embekke Devale, popular for its decorative woodcarvings, pillars, and other edifices, settle in the Udu Nuwara. Alluring & elaborate Wood carvings on wooden pillars are the finest products of woodcarvings to be found in any part of the world.
3. Gadalaeniya Rajamaha Viharaya with a primaeval monastery is found on the flat rock at Diggala, Kandy. This temple design is basically a South Indian design.
You can have an enchanting village walk around the area – Can get a real experience of Sri Lankan village lifestyle. Post lunch break, drive to Peradeniya to Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden. The major of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka.
Stay: Kandy.
After Breakfast at Hotel, your journey starts for Bandarawela. This scenic journey is via Nuwara Eliya. Due to its geo-climatic characteristics, Nuwara Eliya is known to produce tea, excellent quality. Also, you can taste fresh Ceylon tea produce in a tea factory. Enroute a brief halt at famous Ramboda waterfalls.
Enjoy lunch at a specialty restaurant at Nuwara Eliya. After enjoying a leisurely walk around Gregory Lake or Gregory Reservoir, the most famous land of this place, Transfer to Nanu Oya Station. From Nanu Oya Station to Bandarawela, you shall enjoy the most scenic train ride. This journey is about two and a half hours. On arrival, check into the hotel.
Rise and shine in the early hours. Leave for Udaweriya Trek with a packed breakfast. Trek start from Udaweriya Estate junction to Bambarakanda – The highest waterfall of Sri Lanka – 240.8m. And it is about 12-14 Kms. This trek is all about spectacular scenery, Rolling plains, Crystal clear water streams, tea estates, vegetable patches, tiny remote villages, Tea picker’s colonies, blue skies, and blue mountains in the distance. It is a heavenly feeling!!! The Devil’s staircase & Satan’s steps road by the British highlight the Colonial Trek. You shall enjoy the traditional Sri Lankan Village Lunch. Later return to Hotel in Bandarawela to relax and unwind. Overnight stay at Hotel in Bandarawela.
After breakfast, you shall check out & drive to Udawalawe National Park, which is famous for its large population of elephants. En route, you can visit Buduruwagala Temple, which means “The rock with the statue of Buddha.” On arrival at Udawalawe, check into the hotel / Campsite. After lunch, it’s a time for Udawalawe Jeep Safari. The elephants are the highlights of this park, but the park is also home to many other species of mammals. Overnight stay in your hotel or campsite in Udawalawe.
After breakfast, leave your hotel for Colombo. En route, you can visit Rathnapura town. You can visit Gem Mine in Rathnapura; it is the most popular place for gem mining in Sri Lanka. Here you see the process of digging the pits and washing the gravel containing the gems. After lunch at a local restaurant, proceed to Colombo City. If you have enough time and energy, you can take a short-guided orientation tour of this Capital city of Colombo or do some last-minute shopping at some popular stores or supermarkets. And then, you will be transferred to the AirPort to board the flight for home-town or onward destination.
