OVERVIEW
13 Days Sri Lanka Cultural Tour Package – Summary
The Sri Lanka Cultural Tour gives you a deep appreciation of the island’s history. You will gain a better understanding of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and religious heritage on a tour designed also to uncover lesser-known, but still entrancing remains of Sri Lanka’s cultural past. As ever, we can adjust this itinerary in order to suit your needs: you may have the luxury to slow the tour down in places for more relaxation time, uncover the heritage of Jaffna in the far north or simply to enjoy some beach days at the end of your holiday.
Activities Covered
- Learn of the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
- Explore Dambulla’s serene Buddhist cave temples
- Visit Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth
- Experience one of the finest train journeys in the world
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Visit the jungle shrine of Kataragama
- Discover life within Galle’s 17C Dutch Fort
- Enjoy the palm fringed beaches and turquoise waters of the south
Places Covered
- Negombo 1N
- Anuradhapura 2N
- Sigiriya 2N
- Kandy 1N
- Nuwara Eliya 1N
- Ella 1N
- Tissa 2N
- Benthota 2N
Inclusion
- Assistance at the Airport
- Private English Speaking driver for the entire Journey
- Kandy City Tour – 2 hours
- All government taxes
- Fuel & local insurance for the vehicle
- Accommodation on bed and breakfast will be offered on the basis hotel’s options.
- Private semi-luxury car/van (air-conditioned)
- Colombo city & shopping tour – 3 hours
- Nuwara Eliya city tour – 2 hours
- Galle City Tour – 2 hours
- Tea plantation visit & factory visit – Free tea tasting
- Spice Garden visit & 15 min Ayurvedic Massage
Exclusion
- This package excludes the sightseeing entrance charges
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses are excluded.
- Late check outs & early check in charges are excluded.
- Camera & Video Permits
- Guide/Driver tips
- Travel insurance is excluded
- There are no Air-tickets included in the tour package
Itinerary
Negombo
Start your day with a serene walk along Negombo Beach, followed by a hearty breakfast at a beachfront café. Visit the bustling Negombo Fish Market to experience local life, Enjoying a delicious seafood lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari through the Muthurajawela Marsh to see diverse wildlife & spend your evening relaxing at Negombo Lagoon, taking in the beautiful sunset. Conclude your day with dinner at a seaside restaurant and explore the vibrant nightlife before returning to your accommodation.
Activities – Day 01
- Arrive at Sri Lanka (Katunayake International Airport)
- Warm welcome from our Driver at the airport
- Proceed to Negombo City
- Check-in at the hotel and relax
- Visit a fishing village or at leisure in the beach
- Enjoy your first Sri Lankan buffet dinner at the hotel
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Accomodation : Club Hotel Dolphin (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : BIA Airport to Negombo – 30 Minutes (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Anuradhapura
Begin your day in Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, with a visit to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, believed to be the world’s oldest living tree planted by humans. Explore the impressive Ruwanwelisaya Stupa and marvel at its magnificent architecture. Discover the historic Jetavanaramaya Monastery, one of the tallest stupas in the world. Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Abhayagiri Monastery and its museum, rich with ancient relics and history. Conclude your day with a peaceful stroll around the beautiful Twin Ponds (Kuttam Pokuna) before heading back to your accommodation.
Activities – Day 2
- Wake up to see the beautiful sunrise at the beach
- Taste Asia’s best crab at the seafood breakfast buffet
- Proceed to Anuradhapura City
- Visit Architectural wonder of Yapahuwa
- Visit Sasseruwa /Aukana Buddha Statue
- Discover the Ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura
- Check-in at the hotel and relax
- Enjoy your Sri Lankan buffet dinner at the hotel
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Activities – Day 3
- Wake up to the beautiful Anuradhapura village life
- Take a morning walk around the charming village
- Explore Mihintale, where Buddhism took root in Sri Lanka
- Visit the ‘Mahakanadarawa’ stone bridge
- Head out on a safari at Wilpattu National Park.
- Check-in at the antique-style hotel and relax
- Enjoy your Sri Lankan buffet dinner at the hotel
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Accomodation : Heritage Hotel (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Negombo to Anuradhapura – 05 Hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Sigiriya
An essential destination of every Sri Lanka trips, the amazing ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya might strike one as a peculiar sight. Its round structure and its intricate ancient urban landscape surely astound the best of us! Declared as a world heritage by UNESCO, this massive column of rock once used to be the capital of an ancient Sri Lankan kingdom. As you step into Sigiriya rock, you are bound to be amazed by the infamous Sigiriya frescoes depicting the beautiful Lankan women of the fifth century. The Mirror Wall, providing an outlook of ancient poetry, gives you a glimpse into the lives of early visitors of the site. Moreover, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Gardens of Sigiriya as you wonder about the intellect and ingenuity of the ancient minds at work. Topping the list of tourist destinations in our Sri Lanka tour packages, Sigiriya fortress is a captivating masterpiece of ancient urban landscape and architecture.
Activities – Day 4
- Wakeup to a beautiful morning in Anuradhapura
- Appetizing buffet Breakfast at the hotel
- Take a morning walk around the charming village
- Proceed to Polannaruwa City
- Visit Ancient city’s ruins
- Visit Archaeological Museum short drive away gives an insight into the kingdom
- Visit the Polonnaruwa tank or take a forest walk to Ritigala
- Check-in at the hotel and relax
- Enjoy your Sri Lankan buffet dinner at the hotel
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Activities – Day 5
- Wake up to the beautiful Polannaruwa village life
- Rise early and climb the magnificent Sigiriya Rock
- Enjoy a wonderful Sri Lankan traditional boat ride
- Experience how Sri Lankan ancestors travelled through a cart ride
- Experience Sri Lankan culture in a truly village experience
- Check-in at the antique-style hotel and relax
- Enjoy your buffet dinner at the hotel
- Overnight stay at the hotel
Accomodation : Girithale Hotel (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Anuradhapura to Polannaruwa – 3 hour (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Kandy
Being an important and well-praised site among those of the Buddhist faith, Kandy is one of the favorites of our Sri Lanka tour packages. This historic city of majestic splendor will sweep you off your feet with its lush greenery and scenic mountain ranges. The mildly cool weather of the city refreshes you as you take a cheerful stroll through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, appreciating its vibrant beauty. Home to a rich cultural heritage, Kandy will definitely provide you with a unique immersion into the local traditions, as you see the dancers dressed in colorful costumes with distinctive drums begin to perform the cultural dance, which is a unique and well-preserved aspect of Sri Lankan culture. After experiencing the mesmerizing activities that the city has to offer, you will be spending the night in a Kandy hotel overlooking a magnificent city waiting to be explored. Kandy surely is a place that will be in your heart for ever!
Activities
- Wake up to peacocks’ squawk early in the morning
- Enjoy a delightful local breakfast buffet
- Try some mouth-watering fresh tropical fruits
- Checkout from the hotel
- Proceed to the city of Kandy
- En route visit Dambulla Golden Cave temple
- Take a part in Sri Lanka Spice Village Trip
- Check in at a beautiful hotel in Kandy and relax
- Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Evening Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Witness a Sri Lankan traditional cultural show
- Devour a Sri Lankan style grand dinner buffet
- Overnight stay and relax at the hotel in Kandy
Accomodation : Grand kandyan (5 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Dambulla to Kandy – 2 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Nuwara Eliya
Among the top favorites of our Sri Lanka tour packages, Nuwara Eliya is a vibrant city that boasts acres of lush-green tea estates, soothingly chilly weather, and enchanting flora and fauna. Nuwara Eliya is a destination not to be missed when you are planning your trip to Sri Lanka, don’t miss Nuwara Eliya as it is a must-see destination. The opportunities at Nuwara Eliya are endless; from long walks in the beautiful parks at the heart of the city, to adventurous hikes through the highlands and tea plantations, this old colonial town never fails to impress one! As you wake up and fill your lungs with pure air, your mind will wonder thinking what this charming town has to offer me today. Will you dine in one of the colonial Tudor-style buildings? Or, will you enjoy a fun horseback ride along the bank of Gregory Lake? Whatever your choice may be, the wonderful city of Nuwara Eliya is the perfect holiday destination in the beautiful island paradise of Sri Lanka!
Activities
- Enjoy the misty morning with a cup of iconic Ceylon tea
- Devour a humongous breakfast buffet at the hotel
- Proceed to Nuwara Eliya
- On the way, witness the Ramboda falls
- Stop over at world famous Labukale tea estate & plantation
- Experience Sri Lankan tea culture with a ‘Tea Tour’
- Visit a strawberry farm & enjoy a fresh strawberry juice & shake
- Check in at a colonial-style hotel
- Later, visit Gregory Lake and watch the beautiful sunset
- Walk around ‘The Little England’ filled with friendly locals
Accomodation : Jetwing St Andrews (5 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Kandy to Nuwara Eliya – 1 hour 15min (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Ella
Beautiful Sri Lanka is all you are asking for, and we give that on your wonderful Sri Lanka itinerary. Ella town is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka from your Sri Lanka tour itinerary. You experience one of the most picturesque train rides in the world when you pass beautiful mountains, steamy waterfalls, luscious forests, and villages with beaming locals: on the Kandy to Ella train. You climb the Ella rock and walk along the rails on the famous Nine Arch Bridge. As promised by your customized Sri Lanka itinerary, you arrive at the edge of the Diyaluma falls yet, another Sri Lanka attraction. You jump right in the gushing water, and you feel like you are in an infinity pool, but it is all the magic of nature!
Activities
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check out From Hotel & Proceed to Ella
- Enjoy a world famous train ride From Nanu Oya To Ella
- Capture beautiful waterfalls and old style train stations
- Check in to the charming Ella hotel & refresh
- Stop over at world famous Labukale tea estate & plantation
- Witness the famous Ella Gap
- Visit the beautiful Nine Arch Bridge
- Bath in natural pools of beautiful waterfalls
- Hike mini Adams Peak
- Appetizing Sri Lankan dinner buffet at the hotel
Accomodation : Morning Dew Hotel (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Nuwara Eliya to Ella – 4 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned) / Train Ride
Tissa
Tissamaharama, often called Tissa, is a charming town located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Renowned for its serene landscapes, historical significance,
Activities – Day 09
- Delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel
- Check out From Hotel & Proceed to Tissa
- En route, take a small detour to Buduruvagala to see SL tallest rock-cut Buddha statue
- Spent at the sacred jungle shrine of Kataragama
- Check in to the charming Hotel & refresh
- Enjoy Dinner Buffet experience
Activities – Day 10
- Wake up From the Bed & Have a Delicious Breakfast
- Check out From Hotel & Proceed to Galle
- En route to capital of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom in the 2nd century B.C
- Take a leisurely walk through the iconic Galle Fort
- Take a relaxing stroll along the Unawatuna Beach
- Check in to the charming Galle Hotel & refresh
- Indulge in a beachfront dining experience, known for its fresh Seafood
Accomodation : Ekho Safari (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Ella to Tissa – 3 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Bentota
Whether you want to explore Sri Lanka with your family, your loved one, or by yourself, a trip to Sri Lanka not a completed one without a visit to the golden sandy beaches of Bentota! Also known as Paradise Island, the sandy stretch of Bentota beach bordering the lagoon is a popular tourist attraction in our Sri Lanka tour packages. This resort town on Sri Lanka’s Southern coast is a hub of watersports including surfing. A romantic boat ride to the nearby Madu River or a fun visit to the turtle hatchery to see the little ones are a few ways to make the most out of your time in Bentota. As you take a sip of the local toddy, you realize that Bentota is a true paradise. You watch the waves crashing to the shore, and the sun glistening on the sandy beach. Yes, this is why you should visit this tropical island of beauty to make memories that will last for ever!
Activities Day 11
- Wake up with the sounds of Beaches
- Enjoy a breakfast buffet rich in curry flavors
- Proceed to Bentota beach
- Prepare to take a boat ride to visit whales & dolphins
- Visit a turtle hatchery to learn about Sri Lankan turtles
- Engage in fun water activities at Madu River
- Get the natural experience of mangrooves at Madu River
- Check in at the beachfront hotel & relax
- Stroll along the orange beach when the sun sets
- Enjoy a grand seafood dinner buffet
- A relaxing overnight stay at the beach hotel
Activities Day 12
- Wake up enjoying a cup of refreshing Ceylon tea
- Enjoy a relaxing Yoga session by the beach
- Devour a breakfast filled with seafood from Indian ocean
- Engage in fun water sports activities in the Bentota sea
- Take a dip in the warm Indian ocean
- Don’t miss the stunning sunset by the beach
- Enjoy a dinner that includes a famous Sri Lanka carb dish
- Overnight stay in the tropical beach hotel
Accomodation : Thaale Benthota (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Galle to Bentota – 2 hour 30min (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Colombo
This morning we have to Drive to Colombo to have some free time to do some last-minute shopping in Colombo and to pack your belongings. You will check out from your hotel and be transferred to the airport after spending a memorable time on your Sri Lanka 7 day tour. Have a safe journey!
Activities
- You’ll have Colombo City Tour for 03 Hours if you had enough time for your Flight
- Doing Some Last Minute of Shopping in Colombo
- Pack your Things & Proceed to Airport (02 Hours Drive)
- Airport Drop & Enjoy Your Flight & Safe journey!
- END!
Do I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka?
Yes, you will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. In addition, if you intend visiting Sri Lanka on a short visit,you will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival.
My holiday is over 30 days, how can I obtain an extension to my visa?
You can either apply and obtain an extended visa from a Sri Lankan Embassy/ Consulate from your country of residence prior to arrival in Sri Lanka or get an extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo 10. This procedure will take about 2-3 hours, and you will have to give a bona fide reason for staying over 30 days. If you are staying in a resort for a long period, the staff will be able to help you with the application.
Can I purchase a local mobile connection while on holiday?
It’s a good option to purchase a local SIM card and top up cards while you are on holiday. The mobile call rates are relatively cheap for both local and IDD calls. There are many mobile operators in the country (E.g. Dialog, Mobitel, Etisalat, Hutch etc.,). Dialog has a counter at the Colombo Airport and you can obtain a connection on arrival. A Dialog connection will cost about Rupees 1500. Top up cards are freely available island-wide. You can buy top-up cards for denominations of Rupees 100, 400 & 1000. Be sure that your phone is `dual band’ and unlocked.
Can I access the internet freely?
Most hotels provide internet facilities. There are internet cafes in most towns with WIFI connection. Connections in smaller towns will be slow. The average cost of surfing in a Cyber Café is about US$ .50 per hour. Many large 5 star and some boutique hotels provide Wifi facilities.