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HOME > Sri Lanka > Tours > Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour

Highlights of Sri Lanka - Private Tour

Day 1: UK to Colombo

Depart from the UK on your overnight flight to Sri Lanka.

Day 2: Colombo to Kandy

On arrival in Colombo your chauffeur guide will meet you at the airport. Afterwards transfer to Kandy (Approx. 4 hrs). Arrive into the last stronghold of Sinhala Kings & UN World Heritage Site the Hill Country capital of Kandy.

Enjoy a personalized city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Wander around the lake and the streets of Kandy getting a feel for this wonderful city and explore the local markets. Explore the citys Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and experience at Puja Ceremony. Early evening enjoy a colourful performance of Kandyan dancing and drumming. Stay: Hotel Topaz (or similar).

Day 3: Kandy to Dambulla

In the cool of the morning visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king andwas expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Transfer from Kandy to Dambulla. Stop at an exotic Spice Garden in Matale where you can be treated to a garden tour to understand the taste and aroma of the world famous spices. It is quite touristy however everyone learns something and most love it.

Visit the Dambulla Rock Temple. Climb up to the temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

Also you may get a chance to visit the Dambulla Market one of the biggest vegetable market in Sri Lanka and great place to connect with locals. If ever youre looking to buy a truckload of bananas, this vast wholesale market south of the centre offers a fascinating look at the vast range of produce grown in Sri Lanka. What you see being carted about with manic energy will be sold in Colombo the following day. Stay: The Paradise Resort & Spa (or similar)(breakfast included).

Day 4: Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

In the morning climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Continue from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa (Approx 1 ½ hrs). Visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu's statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Stay: The Paradise Resort & Spa (or similar)(breakfast included).

Day 5: Dambulla to UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK (breakfast included).

A short introduction to the highlights of Sri Lanka, this private tour with your own driver-guide spends a night at Kandy and two nights in the Sigiriya area, focusing on the island’s culture and history. Ideal for the first time visitor or those short of time, the Highlights of Sri Lanka takes in the World Heritage sites of Dambulla Rock Temple & Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

2023/24 package holidays escorted tours of Sri Lanka Holiday prices are per person based on two sharing.

Prices include flights, transfers and accommodation, and are subject to availability. Flights from Heathrow - other departures also available, call for details. Holiday code: T0919W.

Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour prices

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