A Cultural Sri Lankan Escape

Sensational Sri Lanka

A Cultural Sri Lankan Escape

£2150 per person

Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, this sensationally tropical 11 night Cultural Sri Lankan holiday offers a remarkable combination of captivating heritage, stunning landscapes, an abundance of wildlife as well as some tranquil relaxation.

With recorded history dating back over 2000 years and archaeological World Heritage Sites recognised by UNESCO, there are so many relics and artefacts to see and ancient kingdoms to explore as you travel into the heart of this beautiful county. Anuradhapura, the first ancient Royal capital is where your Sri Lanka Tour will begin with a 2 night stay at the luxury boutique Forest Rock Garden Hotel.

 

As the name suggests, this unique hotel is surrounded by lush green trees and is carefully designed to feel similar to the ancient, sacred city. From here, you are ideally located to embark upon your early morning safari to Sri Lanka’s largest National Park, Wilpattu, home to 31 species of mammals as well as an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest.

 

Your first heritage tour will also depart from here with a guided tour of this remarkable city. Sitting in the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, close to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and built overlooking the 8th wonder of the world – the rock fortress of Sigiriya, Heritance Kandalama is ideally located for cultural exploration and is your 5* paradise hotel for the next 4 nights. With 3 stunning pools including an infinity pool which blends over the water of the Kandalama Lake, quality relaxation time is also guaranteed in this peaceful retreat.

 

With an overnight stay in Kandy at Cinnamon Citadel, you will be able to visit one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist shrines, The Temple of Tooth Relic as well as visit Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO world heritage site before visiting an elephant sanctuary on-route to your final destination, Negombo.

 

Your last few leisure days spent at the 5* stylish Sri Lankan beach hotel, Jetwing Blue will enable you to absorb all that you have experienced on this cultural Sri Lankan holiday.

Highlights of a Cultural Sri Lankan Holiday

  • Wildlife Safari at Wilapattu National Park searching for sloth bears and leopards
  •  City tour to the sacred city of Anuradhapura to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a splendid medieval city of Royal palaces, parks and reservoirs
  • The ancient city of Sigiriya where you can climb the 5th century Rock Fortress
  • The Golden Temple of Dambulla were you can explore this largest and best preserved Sri Lankan cave temple complex
  • Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines in the world
  • The Elephant Sanctuary in Pinnawala – an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground, home for the largest herd of captive wild Asian elephants in the world
13 Days
2+ Age
Sri Lanka
Culture & History
Family Holidays
Honeymoon
Indian Ocean
Sri Lanka

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Day 01 Departure:
Depart from London (Any) to Colombo.
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Day 02 Colombo Airport - Anuradhapura:
Upon arrival to Colombo Airport you will be met by a chauffeured guide and taken to Anuradhapura (transfer time: approx. 5h) where you will be staying at Rock Forest (4*) in a deluxe room on half board basis. Spend the rest of the evening at Leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 03 Wilapattu and Anuradhapura:
Get ready to go on an early morning Safari to visit the Wilapattu National park: Home to large herds of wild elephants, deer, water Buffalos, the Sloth bear and the leopard. Upon completion of the safari take a city tour of Anuradhapura , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world’s largest archaeological ‘dig’, a renowned beauty spot and a centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. You will also visit a tree grown from a cutting of the original ‘Bo’ tree under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Return to the hotel upon completion for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 04 Anuradhapura - Kandalama:
After a late breakfast you will then proceed to Kandalama (transfer time: approx. 3h) where you will be staying at Heritance Kandalama in a superior room on half board basis. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by one of the three pools. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 05 Kandalama:
Enjoy and spend the day at leisure in Heritance Kandalama (5*) on Half board basis (daily dinner and breakfast).
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Day 06 Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa:
After an early breakfast, we explore the rock fortress of Kasyapa, which dates back to the 5th Century A.D. and the ruins of Kasyapa’s palace on the summit of Sigiriya rock, an UNESCO world heritage site. We go on to tour the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, visiting key sites including Shiva Devale, Watadage, the rock inscriptions of Nissankamalla and the Gal Vihare.
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Day 07 Hiriwaduna:
Set off in the early morning to explore the beauty of the Hiriwaduna village to experience the life styles and the natural beauty of the rural part of Sri Lanka. Upon completion of the tour you will return to the hotel to spend the remaining day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 08 Kandalama - Kandy:
After a scrumptious breakfast you will then be transferred to Kandy (transfer time: approx. 2h) visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO world heritage site en route. You will be staying at Cinnamon Citadel (4*) in a superior room on half board basis. In the late afternoon you will be visiting one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines in the world- the Temple that houses the Tooth Relic of Buddha. Upon completion of the visit return to you hotel for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 09 Kandy - Negombo:
After breakfast you will proceed to Negombo (transfer time: approx. 3h) visiting the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala en route. You will be staying at Jetwing Blue(5*) in a deluxe room on half board basis. Spend the rest of the day leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 10 - 12 Negombo:
Enjoy and spend the day at leisure at Jetwing Blue (5*) on Half board basis (daily dinner and breakfast).
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Day 13 Negombo - Colombo Airport:
Breakfast at the hotel and later proceed to the Colombo airport (transfer time: approx. 30m) for your flight back home.
  • Private transfers by air-conditioned vehicle with your personal chauffeur/guide
  • Accommodation in a double / twin room at 4 & 5* hotels as described on half board basis
  • All entrance fees
  • All applicable taxes
  • Lunch throughout
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Vehicle whilst at leisure unless specified otherwise
  • Visa fee (@USD35 per person) – please refer http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ for more information and to obtain the ETA visa