ABOUT THIS TOUR
Explore the legendary Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka on this comprehensive 8-day heritage tour. Visit the three great ancient kingdoms — Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya — along with the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temples and the sacred city of Kandy, home to the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic.
TOUR ITINERARY
Explore our carefully curated tour packages, designed to offer you unforgettable experiences and adventures in stunning Sri Lanka!
-
Day 01: Airport / Negombo - Approximate travel time 20 Minutes
- Helanka Vacations representative will meet you at the arrival lounge and transfer you to Negombo.
- Arrival time to be updated.
- Negombo is situated by the shores of a lagoon which was once a trading port for the Portuguese and Dutch.
- The economy of Negombo is mainly based on its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon, ceramics, and brassware.
- Arrive and check into the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
- Evening free time to enjoy on the beach.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
-
Day 02: Negombo / Anuradhapura - Approximate travel time 03-04 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura.
- Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Anuradhapura is now a picturesque city filled with mystery and rich in ancient Sinhalese culture.
- Check into the hotel. Afternoon visit Mihintale Temple.
- Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura and is believed to be the site where the Buddhist monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa, marking the beginning of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
- The stairway rises through 1,840 granite steps, leading to beautiful scenery from the summit.
- Before commencing your climb, visit the Vejja Sala, the ruins of a hospital dating back to the 3rd century AD.
- Kantaka Cetiya is one of the first religious monuments built in Sri Lanka, resting at a height of 425 feet.
- The next level of the rock holds the Ambasthala Dagoba, a great historical monument and a symbol of Mihintale.
- Other famed attractions such as Kaludiya Pokuna also reside within this mountain area.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
-
Day 03: Anuradhapura Sites
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Thereafter set on a sightseeing tour in the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
- Atamasthana, also known as the “Eight Sacred Places”, Mirisawetiya, and the Samadhi Buddha Statue are located within the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura.
- The eight sacred places are Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweliseya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanaramaya, Mirisaweti Stupa, and Lankaramaya.
- The Sri Maha Bodhi is a sapling of the ancient tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago, brought to Sri Lanka from India.
- Thuparamaya is said to be the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka.
- Jetavanaramaya Stupa, a towering brick mound, was one of the tallest brick structures of ancient times.
- Mirisawetiya is one of the most ancient stupas in Sri Lanka, towering to a height of 120 feet and more than 2,100 years old.
- The Samadhi Buddha Statue is considered one of the finest sculptures in Sri Lanka, as each angle of the statue gives a different expression.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight accommodation.
-
Day 04: Anuradhapura / Dambulla - Approximate travel time 01-02 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Proceed to Dambulla. En route visit Namal Uyana.
- Jathika Namal Uyana is the largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain in Asia, stretching over 970 acres of land.
- The quartz in the area is said to be over 550 million years old, and the towering ironwood trees are endemic to the land.
- A walk through this canopied forest offers magical scenery, with beams of sunlight passing through the trees and onto the forest floor.
- Check into the hotel and relax.
- Afternoon visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
- Dambulla Cave Temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
- The cave temple was first constructed during the reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya.
- There are five caves in the temple and 157 statues of Lord Buddha, with paintings on the ceilings and walls highlighting the life of Lord Buddha.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
-
Day 05: Dambulla / Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa - Approximate travel time 01-02 Hours
- After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya and visit Sigiriya Lion Rock.
- Sigiriya holds the remains of King Kasyapa’s palace, set atop the rock and showcasing its age-old beauty.
- Climb Sigiriya Rock, also known as Lion Rock.
- When entering the site, walk along the Royal Gardens consisting of pools, fountains, and aromatic gardens.
- As you enter the second level of the rock, witness the colourful paintings that date back to the 5th century AD.
- Another interesting architectural masterpiece is the Mirror Wall, which was covered with graffiti between the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
- The Audience Hall is part of the royal complex constructed on a rock boulder.
- The Cobra Head Cave is named due to the natural shape of the rock itself.
- Sigiriya is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.
- Thereafter proceed to Polonnaruwa.
- Check into the hotel. Evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
-
Day 06: Polonnaruwa / Kandy - Approximate travel time 02-03 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel. Set on a city tour in Polonnaruwa.
- Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a commercial and religious centre.
- The glories of that age can be found in archaeological treasures that still create a picture of how the city once looked.
- Some ancient structures include the Palace of King Parakramabahu, Potgul Vehera, Shiva Devale, Vatadage, Nissanka Lata Mandapaya, Sathmahal Prasada, Hatadage, Atadage, Gal Potha, Pabalu Vehera, Rankoth Vehera, Lankatilaka, Kiri Vehera, Gal Viharaya, and Tivanka Image House.
- Proceed to Kandy.
- Kandy was the capital of Sri Lanka during the ancient times of kings and queens.
- Nestled among low hills and surrounded by the Mahaweli River, this religious city is one of the most sacred places of worship for Buddhists and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Arrive and check into the hotel.
- Evening witness the Kandyan Cultural Show, a unique show of Sri Lankan traditional dance including fire and harvest dances, with an entertaining fire-walking act.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
-
Day 07: Kandy Sites
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
- The Temple of the Tooth Relic, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the crown jewel of Kandy city.
- “Maligawa” translates to palace, and the temple is part of the royal palace complex.
- It has witnessed centuries of peaceful reigns and remains one of the most important historical and religious places in Sri Lanka.
- Return to the hotel and relax.
- Afternoon proceed to Embekke.
- Legend states that King Vickramabahu III’s consort, Henakanda Biso Bandara, had a dream in which a god appeared and requested the building of a temple.
- When it was discovered that a drummer named Rangama had the same dream, they considered it a sign and built the temple together.
- Except for the sanctum, the rest of the temple is made almost entirely of wood.
- From carved wooden pillars to the beautifully crafted roof, the entire temple is decorated with intricate carvings.
- Notable carvings include entwined swans, double-headed eagles, rope designs, female dancers, wrestlers, bird-human hybrids, elephant-bull hybrids, and elephant-lion hybrids.
- The carvings of the temple include 125 series of decorations, 256 liyawela type designs, 64 lotus designs, 30 decorative patterns, and roof designs, making a total of 514 unique designs.
- The roof is an excellent example of ancient wooden architecture, where 26 rafters are supported by a single wooden pin.
- Return to the hotel.
- Overnight stay at the hotel.
-
Day 08: Kandy / Airport - Approximate travel time 04-05 Hours
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Optional, depending on the departure flight time: Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden. USD 12 per person.
- Thereafter, you will be transferred to the airport to connect with your departure flight.
- Departure flight time and hotel leaving time to be updated.
- End of the tour.
THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Accommodation as per program
- Entrance fees for sites mentioned
- Water bottle on arrival
- All applicable taxes
THIS PACKAGE EXCLUDES
- International air tickets & visa fees
- Lunch & dinner unless mentioned in the program
- Early check-in & late check-out
- Tips and porterages
- Camera & video permits for tourist sites
- Personal expenses at hotels
- Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
TOUR PATH
GET IN TOUCH
We're here to help make your Sri Lanka adventure seamless and unforgettable.