Colombo Trip Overview
Enjoy the panoramic view of the pearl of the Indian Ocean for five nights by visiting the main highlights of our tropical island. Experience the mixture of ancient traditions and modern life on the 6 days/5 nights Cultural Tour itinerary. Discover the architecture of three former capitals, Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. Experience the beautiful wildlife of Minneriya National Park and experience the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by visiting ancient temple of Dambulla Cave Temple. Sri Lanka boasts a written history of 2500 years old. This tour package is included with main historical, architectural and sacred sites in Sri Lanka that you must travel. The marvelous architecture, monuments, vibrant festivals, vivacious cities, and spiritual sites are a mesmerizing experience that you are able to have while you are in Sri Lanka from this cultural package.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Enjoy the panoramic view of the pearl of the Indian Ocean for five nights by visiting the main highlights of our tropical island. Experience the mixture of ancient traditions and modern life on the 6 days/5 nights Cultural Tour itinerary. Discover the architecture of three former capitals, Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. Experience the beautiful wildlife of Minneriya National Park and experience the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by visiting ancient temple of Dambulla Cave Temple. Sri Lanka boasts a written history of 2500 years old. This tour package is included with main historical, architectural and sacred sites in Sri Lanka that you must travel. The marvelous architecture, monuments, vibrant festivals, vivacious cities, and spiritual sites are a mesmerizing experience that you are able to have while you are in Sri Lanka from this cultural package.
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport – Negombo
Stop At: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Upon arriving to the airport our company representative will pick you up and transfer you to Negombo. Negombo is about 2 meters above sea level and Negombo’s geography is a mix of land and water. The Dutch canal flows in the heart of the city of Negombo. The Negombo lagoon is one of the most scenic landmarks of Negombo. There are over 190 species of wildlife and plenty of birds in the mangroves of Negombo. The Northern border of the city is formed by the Ma Oya river which meets the Indian Ocean. Just 7kms from the Bandaranaike International Airport, at the tip of the Negombo lagoon lies the busy Negombo beach. Lush coconut palms and mangroves run along the beach, while the age old catamarans, outrigger canoes, and the more modern trawlers gently bounce at sea. Negombo is a famous fishing village that is equally proud of its Dutch fort and other Dutch period architecture. Enjoy a city tour and spend the day in the beautiful beaches of Negombo.
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Negombo
Day 2: Negombo – Anuradhapura
Stop At: Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
Have breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Anuradhapura. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. The city lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Anuradhapura
Day 3: Anuradhapura – Polonnaruwa
Stop At: Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
Have breakfast at the hotel and travel to Polonnaruwa. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop to filmed scenes for the Duran Duran music video Save a Prayer in 1982. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The ancient city Polonnaruwa was established as the capital after Anuradhapura had been invaded in the late 10th century. The remains of Polonnaruwa are so numerous that only a few highlights can be mentioned. One of the most striking of the many sites is Polonnaruwa’s Gal Vihara or Rock Shrine.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa
Day 4: Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya – Dambulla
Stop At: Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
Have breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Sigiriya. Sigiriya consists of an ancient citadel built by King Kashyapa during the 5th century. The Sigiriya site contains the ruins of an upper palace located on the flat top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes, the lower palaces located behind the lavish lower gardens, and moats and ramparts which protected the citadel. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. Next proceed to visit the cave temple complex in Dambulla. It is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. This paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of god and goddess.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Dambulla
Day 5: Dambulla – Minneriya National Park – Colombo
Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Have breakfast and proceed to Minneriya National Park to enjoy a morning safari. Minneriya National Park is a national park in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts. The park earned revenue of Rs. 10.7 millions in the six months ending in August 2009. Along with Kaudulla and Girithale, Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka. Once the safari ends proceed to Colombo and enjoy a city tour in the evening.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Colombo
Day 6: Colombo – Airport
Stop At: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
Have breakfast at the hotel and pack your things to travel back to your country. When its time for your flight be dropped to the airport.
No accommodation included on this day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
