Simply Cultural Tour

Day 1

Welcome to Sri Lanka Upon arrival at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met by your guide for a private transfer to your hotel in Sigirya (150km / approx. 3.30 hrs) over night sigiriya.

Welcome to the Sri Lanka

Day 2

Set off this morning for Sigiriya, also known as the ‘lion Rock (15 km / approx. 15 mins).

This UNESCO World Heriage Site is one of Sri lanka’s major altractions. A spectacular pillar of rock visible from miles around, geologically Sigiriya is a hardened magma plug of an extinct volcano. Historically, the origins of the remains are disputed and it is thought to have been either a royal fortress built under the reign of King Kashyapa (477 – 495 AD) or a Buddhist monastery. Late atternoon you will drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa. (46km/approx. 1.5 hrs)
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders from southern India in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Over the following three centuries Polonnaruwa became a thriving commercial and religious centre, reaching its zenith under King Parakramabahu I in the 12th Century. He created beautiful parks, huge buildings and an enormous tank (reservoir) which acted both as a defensive border against intruders and as an important water source. Today the archaeological park contains many well-preserved ruins within a compact area. Start with a visit to the Polonnaruwa Museum where you can learn about the site in more detail, before heading out to Gal Viharaya, a Buddhist shrine where four statues of Lord Buddha are carved out of the rock. Other stops include Nissanka Latha Mandapaya which boasts well-preserved stone columns, the impressive Lankathilaka Temple and the ruined stone walls of the Royal Palace. Over night sigiriya.

The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same

Day 3

Today you will drive towards Kandy with a stop to visit the Dambulla cave temples en route
(105km / approx. 3 hrs).

The Dambulla cave temples are another UNESCO World Heritage Site which date back to the 1st Century BC. This amazing complex of five caves was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who upon regaining his throne commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha painted upon the walls.
Continue the drive to Kandy. Late afternoon you will: head to a Local hall to watch a show of traditional Sri Lankan music, dance and drumming. Afterwards you’ll visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. This important shrine boasts intricate carvings and beautiful Sri Lankan art. During the evening ‘puja’ throngs of pilgrims visit the temple to line up to glimpse the golden casket said to hold the sacred relic and to make offerings of Howers. Overnight Kandy

The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same

Day 4

Today you will drive through the hill country to Nuwara Eliya (115km / approx. 3 hrs).

En route you will stop at a tea factory and tea plantation where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the tea making process and the different grades of tea. Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country at an elevation of 1900m, Nuwara Eliya was a favoured retreat of the British in the 19th Century thanks to its cool climate. With an abundance of red and green roofed plantation bungalows, English country style homes, a fine 18 hole golf course and a racecourse, the town still has a decidedly British feel. The surrounding mountain slopes and valleys are carpeted with lush green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls.

Take a walk around the town centre, passing the Victorian post office, the old Hill Club and golf course before a stop at Holy Trinity Church, a quaint building constructed by the British in the mid 19th Century. Continue to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure. Over night Nuwara Eliya.

Day 5

This morning you will drive to Wadduwa (190km /approx. 5hrs)On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6

This day you will drive back to the airport for your flight (75km / approx 1.5 hrs or beach stay.