Itinerary
Delve into the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle on a gentle four-day journey designed for the mature traveler. Beginning and ending in Colombo, this art and architecture tour blends the marvels of ancient ruins, impressive statues, and awe-inspiring temples with the serene beauty of Sri Lanka’s landscapes. Ascend to fifth-century fortresses, explore the spiritual ambiance of Kandy, and witness the artistry of Polonnaruwa. A visit to a traditional tea factory offers a taste of local heritage. With comfortable hotels, reliable transportation, and a relaxed itinerary, this group tour makes discovering Sri Lanka’s rich past both accessible and enjoyable. The unique selling point lies in its seamless blend of history and natural wonders, all curated at a pace that encourages deep appreciation and comfort.
day 1 - Arrival Colombo
Arrive at Colombo airport, where a representative will meet, greet, and transfer you to the selected hotel in Colombo. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Colombo.
day 2 - Colombo – Dambulla – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya (230km – 5 Hrs)
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Colombo. Begin the tour with a visit to Dambulla Rock Temple to explore this 2,000-year-old sacred pilgrimage site carved deep inside a mountain. This awe-inspiring complex of five caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features thousands of metres of painted walls and ceilings and contains more than 150 images of the Buddha and other deities and Sri Lankan kings. Continue to Polonnaruwa for a luscious lunch. Afterwards, take a city tour of Polonnaruwa and discover the well-preserved ruins of this ancient city. Built about 1,000 years ago, it features a large artificial lake, which is still in use and feeds a network of irrigation canals, the remains of a royal palace and several temples and administrative buildings. Transfer to your hotel in Sigiriya and enjoy a delicious dinner!
Overnight in Sigiriya.
day 3 - Sigiriya – Kandy (195km – 4 Hrs)
Take the road after a tasty breakfast. Begin to explore with a climb to the fifth-century Sigiriya fortress, which sits atop a rock that dramatically rises almost 200 metres above the rainforest. King Kashyapa built a citadel at the top of this giant boulder known as the ‘Lion Rock’, which was the innermost stronghold of a vast fortified city. It was later abandoned and forgotten until the British found it and began an archaeological exploration. Today, the remnants of this once thriving city offer a tantalising indication of what once stood here. Pass through the lion’s ‘belly’, climb to the top, and enjoy the breathtaking views. Then, continue to Kandy, visiting a spice garden on the way. Indulge in a delectable lunch in Kandy and enjoy an afternoon city tour that includes the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In the evening, witness a cultural show, followed by a savoury dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Kandy.
day 4 - Kandy – Pinnawala – Depart Colombo (130km – 4 Hrs)
Have a delightful breakfast at the hotel and begin your adventure with a visit to an arts and crafts centre, a gem museum, and a tea factory in Giragama. Relax while enjoying lunch in Pinnawala. Then, head towards Colombo for a late evening drop-off.
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Customer Reviews
Read what other travelers have to say about Cultural Tour
Excellent
From the moment Sam picked us up from the airport, nothing was too much trouble for him. if he could make your stay better he would. He offered advice and local knowledge but was never over the top. As a guide he was familiar with and had a real passion for his country. The weather was bad in the south of the country for our first week, so Aitken Spence changed our itinerary so we went northeast first and south the second week, meaning we missed the rain. How many companies would do that? I recommend this company and Sam.
Excellent
I traveled around Sri Lanka with Harold Samaraweera, my guide and driver, and he was wonderful! Harold is very experienced, courteous and takes very good care of you. I have visited many beautiful places and have seen elephants and even a leopard. The hotels were excellent and every morning Harold was already waiting with his car to pick me up for a day of culture, nature and good food. Thank you Harold for your attention, it felt like family and I hope to return next year! !
Very Good
Good service and informative driver. Thank you for the recent trip which was very informative. Everything was well organized and quite relaxed. My driver was great and had all the information about the places we visited. I would definitely recommend Aitken Spence if you are looking for a travel provider.
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