Cultural Tours

📌 Route Summary: 🛫 Airport -> 🏖️ Negombo -> 🛕 Anuradhapura -> 🌳 Habarana -> 🦁 Sigiriya -> 🏰 Polonnaruwa -> 👑 Kandy -> 🐘 Pinnawala -> ⛰️ Ella -> 🐘 Udawalawe -> 🛡️ Galle -> 🏖️ Bentota -> 🏙️ Colombo -> 🛫 Airport

☀️ Day 01 – Negombo Negombo is situated in west coast of Sri Lanka. The wide sandy beaches and the safe sea are the main attractions of Negombo. And it’s in close proximity to the Bandaranaike International Airport. A boat trip winding through the lush mangroves down the Dutch Canal or Muthurajawela Marsh will reward you with sightings of monitor lizards and flocks of migrant birds.

📍 Activities:

• Arrival in Colombo and meet Infinity Lanka Holidays representative at the Airport.

• Transfer to Negombo (only 20 min Drive).

☀️ Day 02 – Anuradhapura Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka and one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. The city is now a World Heritage site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. The city lies 205 km north of the current capital of Colombo on the banks of the historic Malvathu River. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over 16 square miles.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Transfer to Anuradhapura approx. 4 hour drive (170 Km).

• Visit Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) which was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment; it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.

• Visit Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C), the most famous of all the Dagobas, which originally depicted the perfect bubble shape.

☀️ Day 03 – Anuradhapura to Habarana Explore deeper chapters of the ancient kingdom before transferring to the central jungle plains.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel and visit the following places:

• Samadhi Buddha Statue (4th century AD), one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of deep meditation.

• Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd century B.C), well known for its rock carvings of The Lovers.

• Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds, 6th century AD), used by the Buddhist monks as a bathing pool.

• Thuparama Dagoba (3rd century B.C), the oldest Dagoba on the island, which enshrines the right collarbone of the Buddha.

• Visit Mihintale Temple, a highly significant site venerated as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

• Transfer to Habarana (1 1/4 Hours / 60 Km) and en route visit Aukana Buddha Statue which rises to a height of 11.36 meters, standing as the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka.

☀️ Day 04 – Sigiriya & Dambulla Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located in the Matale District. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. Sigiriya is treated as one of the most remarkable creations in the world, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). Path through the gardens along stone stairways come to the Lion Gate. Only the rock carving and the brick structure is evident today of the lion’s mouth through which millions of people have walked to admire the beauty of this magnificent citadel.The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urbanplanning. Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site situated in the central part of the country. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. There is a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

• Afternoon proceed on a village tour designed to experience the real traditional Sri Lankan rural village style. Travel in a traditional Bullock cart to a rural village through lush green paddy fields where you will be served tea and jaggery along with an authentic Sri Lankan style lunch. Visit a paddy field to see how local farmers grow and protect crops, followed by a traditional canoe ride on a lake in Habarana.

• Evening visit Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient statues and pristine wall paintings spread across five caves.

☀️ Day 05 – Polonnaruwa to Kandy Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capital, was established as the first city of the land in the 11th Century, A.D. It replaced Anuradhapura, which was plundered and made desolate by invading armies. Three Kings dominate the chronicles of the city and the period. The city reached a dazzling zenith in the 12th century, and much evidence remains of the old grandeur and glory. The ruins of the ancient city stand on the east shore of a large artificial lake, the Parakrama Samudraya, built by King Parakramabahu I (1153-86), whose reign was Polonnaruwa‘s golden age. Within a rectangle of city walls stand palace buildings and clusters of dozens of dagobas, temples, and various other religious buildings.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (approx. 1 3/4 Hours exploration).

• Transfer to Kandy approx. 4 hours (135 Km). En route visit Matale Aluvihare Rock Temple, highly significant as the historic location where the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) were first written down in ola leaves, after previously being passed down verbally by pupils.

☀️ Day 06 – Kandy The royal hill capital holds sacred monuments and beautiful botanical reserves from the last island kingdom.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, where Lord Buddha’s Tooth relic is housed inside the royal palace complex.

• Next, explore the Three Temple Loop known as Gadaladeniya, Embekke, and Lankatilaka Temples. These are historic Hindu-Buddhist Temples dating from the 14th Century.

• Visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, renowned for its beautiful orchid house and a collection of over 4,000 species of exotic plants across 147 acres.

• Attend a Cultural Dance Show in the evening which displays Sri Lankan arts, traditional drumming, and heritage dances.

☀️ Day 07 – Kandy & Pinnawala Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is setup especially for abandoned and injured elephants located at Pinnawala village, northwest of Kegalle town. Its success and fame have travelled throughout the world, currently being home to a large herd of captive elephants. Feeding and bathing in the river provide the best opportunities to see elephants close-up. Today Kandy also offers its visitors a rich collection of arts, crafts, and historical buildings, including a traditional bazaar and gem museum.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at Hotel.

• Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (approx. 1 1/2 Hours exploration).

• Embark on a Kandy City Tour, visiting Kandy town, the local bazaar, the arts and crafts center, and a certified Gem Museum and lapidary.

☀️ Day 08 – Kandy to Ella Train Journey Transition from the cultural kingdom to the scenic mountain passes via a historic railway line.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• Transfer to the railway station. Get on board the scenic train to Nanu Oya / Ella from Kandy, universally considered to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, passing through rolling green tea plantations and misty valleys.

• Your driver will receive you at the destination train station and transfer you directly to your hotel in Ella.

☀️ Day 09 – Ella Ella is a small town situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres above sea level, offering panoramic views of the central highlands.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• Visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge and walk along the scenic rail tracks.

• Trek through mountain forests to climb Little Adam’s Peak for panoramic views before visiting Ella town.

☀️ Day 10 – Udawalawe The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares and lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. Udawalawe is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants, with a herd of about 250 permanently resident, and is also an exceptional birdwatching site. 📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• Transfer to Udawalawe approx. 2 hours’ drive (90 Km).

• Visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, specially set up to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves before releasing them back into the wild.

• Embark on a Jeep safari at Udawalawe National Park.

☀️ Day 11 – Galle to Bentota Galle is a historic city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The fortified old city was founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century, and its stone sea walls were later expanded by the Dutch, encircling car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• Transfer to Galle approx. 3 1/2 Hours (150 Km).

• En route, get a chance to observe the old and challenging coastal tradition of stilt fishing.

• Take a guided walk inside the Galle Fort World Heritage Site to see colonial buildings and the Galle Lighthouse standing on the southeast tip.

• Transfer to your beach resort in Bentota for overnight stay.

☀️ Day 12 – Bentota Bentota offers safe swimming conditions combined with golden sand beaches and a wide array of mangrove lagoon safaris and water activities.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• A dedicated day of rest. Relax under the sun on the beautiful sandy beach or enjoy available optional watersports.

☀️ Day 13 – Colombo Colombo, situated on the west coast, is the principal port and largest city of Sri Lanka. The city’s rich multi-ethnic heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing historic colonial trading buildings with modern high-rises.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• Transfer to Colombo approx. 2 1/4 hours (125 Km) drive and visit the following places:

• Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka, sitting on the waters of Beira Lake.

• Galle Face Green, a popular seaside promenade lined with local street-food vendors.

• National Museum of Colombo, the biggest museum on the island, housing regalia of ancient dynasty rulers.

• Independence Memorial Hall, built as a tribute to the nation’s independence from British rule.

☀️ Day 14 – Colombo to Airport Departure Direct transit from the commercial capital back to the primary international terminal.

📍 Activities:

• Breakfast at the Hotel.

• Depending on your flight departure time, transfer directly to the Katunayake International Airport (approx. 1 hour / 33 Km drive from Colombo).