Sri Lanka History and Culture Tour

Highlight: Optional talk with a local historian in a historic colonial setting.
Stay: Galle Face Hotel
Arrive in Sri Lanka and transfer to Colombo. Begin your cultural journey with an optional discussion led by a local historian to set the stage for the days ahead.

Highlights: Yapahuwa Fortress, Aukana Buddha, Sasseruwa Cave Monastery
Stay: Near Anuradhapura
Enter the Cultural Triangle via Yapahuwa, a 13th-century rock fortress. Continue to Aukana to marvel at a 42-foot-tall Buddha statue and visit ancient cave temples.

Highlights: Mihintale, Mahakanadarawa Bridge, Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Climb Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Discover ruins, stupas, and ancient engineering marvels in Anuradhapura, the first royal capital of Sri Lanka.

Highlights: Polonnaruwa ruins, Gal Vihara, Ritigala Monastery
Stay: Heritance Kandalama
Walk through Sri Lanka’s medieval capital. Visit Gal Vihara’s carved Buddhas and explore the mystical forest ruins of Ritigala.

Highlights: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple
Climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress and admire its ancient water gardens and frescoes. Later, explore Dambulla’s richly painted cave temples.

Highlights: Aluvihara Rock Temple, Temple of the Tooth
Stay: Mountbatten Bungalow
Visit Aluvihara, where Buddhist teachings were first written. In Kandy, witness rituals at the sacred Temple of the Tooth.

Highlights: Royal Botanical Gardens, City Walk, Traditional Drumming
Explore British-era buildings, Kandy Lake, and the lush Peradeniya Gardens. Try your hand at Kandyan drumming or visit museums.

Highlights: Train journey, Tea plantations, Waterfalls
Stay: The Oliphant Boutique Villa
Take the iconic train ride to Sri Lanka's tea country. Visit waterfalls and learn colonial-era stories of the hill station.

Highlights: Lipton’s Seat, Nine Arch Bridge, Adisham Monastery
Stay: The Planter’s House
See stunning hill vistas from Lipton's Seat and explore colonial heritage at Adisham Monastery. Visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge near Ella.

Highlights: Buduruwagala Rock Statues, Kataragama Shrine
Stay: Kithala Resort, Tissamaharama
View Sri Lanka's tallest standing Buddha statue and attend evening poojas at the sacred Kataragama shrine.

Highlights: Tissa Wewa, Coastal Scenic Drive
Travel along the southern coast to Galle, with optional beachside stops for lunch and scenic views.

Highlights: UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, Dutch architecture, Boutique shops
Explore the fortified city of Galle, its charming streets, colonial architecture, and vibrant cafés.

Highlights: Traditional Puppetry, Lunuganga Estate
Stay: Colonial-style beach hotel in Bentota
Experience the cultural art of puppetry and visit architect Geoffrey Bawa’s peaceful country estate.

After breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure, ending your cultural adventure.