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Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples Tour: Anuradhapura + Kandy + Polonnaruwa

Cultural Sri Lanka: Kalpitiya + Anuradhapura + Sigiriya + Kandy
LPI12C

12 NIGHTS

FROM $2,390

Per person sharing

Flights quoted separately

Anuradhapura Polonnaruwa Sigirya Dambulla Temple Tooth Kandy

Visit the most important Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples on this private tour - including sacred Bo Tree in Anuradhapura, the ancient ruins at Polonnaruwa, cave temples at Dambulla, Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Avukana Buddha & Sigiriya Rock. Complete your holiday relaxing on the warm beaches of the southwest coast (Oct to Mar) or Trincomalee (Apr to Sept). English speaking guide & all transfers included.

▲

• Kalpitiya	• Anuradhapura	• Sacred Bo Tree	• Avukana Buddha
• Sigiriya Rock	• Polonnaruwa	• Dambulla Temple	• Kandy
• Temple of the Tooth	• Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples Tour

▲

• Kalpitiya	• Anuradhapura	• Sacred Bo Tree
• Avukana Buddha	• Sigiriya Rock	• Polonnaruwa
• Dambulla Temple	• Kandy	• Temple of the Tooth
• Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples Tour

Day 1

You will be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to your hotel situated near the airport.

Colombo is the commercial, industrial and cultural centre of Sri Lanka and located on an ancient trading sea route. Check in and relax in your lush tropical surroundings.

Day 2

This morning we leave Colombo and travel 3.5-hours northwards to Kalpitiya on the west coast.

The Kalpitiya Peninsula consists of a collection of 14 islands and is known for its lovely beaches, excellent kite surfing, dolphins and seasonal whale watching.

Day 3

In season (November to March) depart from Kalpitiya Harbour at 07.00 for a private Whale Watching boat ride on the warm Indian Ocean.

Sperm whales are the most common, but you can also hope to see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Fin whales and sometimes a Killer whale. Common dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, Spinner dolphin, Risso's dolphin and Striped dolphin are also seen in these clear waters and you may even see turtle, bluefin tuna and flying fish.

Afterwards return to shore, with balance of day at leisure.

Note: Wear a jacket as it can get cold on the boat and take a sun hat, sun glasses, binoculars, sunscreen, camera & small towel. Take your own snacks & drinks. You will be on the water for several hours in seas that can be rough, so if you are not a good sailor remember to take preventative travel sickness tablets well in advance.

Day 4

Enjoy a morning at leisure relaxing on the beaches of Kalpitiya.

In the afternoon we drive 2.5-hour to the sacred city of Anuradhapura - founded in the 4th century BC and the first kingdom in Sri Lanka. It was the capital of the island for many centuries and is now a World Heritage site.

Day 5

This morning we explore Anuradhapura which is surrounded by temples, monasteries and the well-preserved ruins of the great Sinhala civilisation.

The ancient remains on the mountain peak of Mihintale is a pilgrimage site regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, as it was here that the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa and introduced him to it. We view several ancient royal palaces and some of the tallest 'stupas' in Sri Lanka (commemorative monuments with a circular base, supporting a massive dome). We also visit the Jayasiri Maha Bhodhi (Sacred Bo Tree) which is over 2,200 years old and was grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment – making it the the oldest historically documented tree in the world.

In the afternoon drive 1-hour for a private jeep safari to Wilpattu National Park. Meaning 'land of the lakes' this is the largest national park in Sri Lanka, extending for over 500 square miles (1,300 square km) with nearly 60 natural lakes of varying salinity. Enjoy a private jeep safari in this vast wildlife conservation area that is renowned for its leopards. Wilpattu is also home to 30 other animal species including the water buffalo, elephant, sambar deer, spotted deer, mongoose and mugger (marsh) crocodile. Small mammals such as giant squirrels and flying foxes adorn the trees and peacocks are easily spotted. Sloth bears are also present but are rarely seen. Birdlife is also abundant - including many water birds and raptors.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting sacred sites, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 6

We leave Anuradhapura this morning and travel 2-hours to Sigiriya in the heart of the Cultural Triangle.

Along the way we stop to view the famous Avukana Buddha statue, carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. Standing at over 40 feet (12 m), it is the tallest and most magnificent undamaged ancient image in Sri Lanka.

We then continue to our hotel in this historic region.

Day 7

This morning we climb Sigiriya Rock - also known as Lion's Rock - a massive 5th century fortress and palace ruins surrounded by extensive gardens and reservoirs.

Here you can visit the small museum located near the entrance, before climbing 1,200 steps to the top of this amazing fortress in the sky that is now a World Heritage Site, with the reward of incredible views. Ancient rock paintings can be seen in one section of your ascent.

After returning to your hotel for lunch, enjoy an afternoon private jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, where you can hope to see wild Asian elephants. The elephants are particularly numerous in August and September, when they migrate along a corridor from neighbouring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed - an annual event known as "The Gathering". Birdlife is also prolific in this park.

Note: If you have mobility issues, you can still view Sigiriya Rock from the gardens at the bottom. Please expect Minneriya to be extremely busy, with many jostling vehicles.

Day 8

This morning we drive 1-hour to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa - the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th centuries following the fall of Anuradhapura and today a World Heritage Site.

Here you can explore these magnificent ruins, which contain some fine examples of Buddhist statues and marvel at this ancient civilisation, before returning to Habarana.

The afternoon is free to relax at your hotel, where optional activities include riding an elephant, touring the local town in a bull cart or enjoying an Ayurvedic spa treatment.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting sacred sites, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 9

This morning we travel 3-hours to the bustling hill capital of Kandy.

Along the way we stop at Dambulla to explore its famous Golden Rock Cave Temple, a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. This vast isolated rock mass with five caverns filled with statues is the largest and best preserved cave monastery in Sri Lanka and is a World Heritage Site.

We also visit a Spice Garden, before checking into your Kandy hotel in this religious and ancient capital of kings.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting Dambulla Temple, with shoulders and knees covered. There is a steep uphill walk to the temple, so this excursion is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Day 10

Today we visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth that houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. Religious pooja ceremonies, when the golden casket containing the tooth is revealed, are held daily at 05.00, 09.30 and 18.30 - so this is the best time to visit.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site partly due to this temple. Its principal Buddhist complexes have considerable importance. The high priests of the two best known, Malwatte and Asgiriya, are the most important in Sri Lanka and the Asgiriya Maha Vihara has a large reclining Buddha image.

Around lunchtime enjoy a Sri Lanka Cooking Class, learning to make traditional spicy foods which you can all enjoy. The balance of your afternoon is free to relax at your hotel.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting sacred sites, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 11

This morning transfer 5-hours from Kandy, travelling through the beautiful scenery of central Sri Lanka to your Southwest Coast beach resort.

Check into your hotel, settle in and relax on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.

Day 12

At leisure to relax and enjoy the sparkling Indian Ocean beaches of the warm Southwest Coast.

You can swim in the sea, suntan around the swimming pool or indulge yourself with a spa treatment, as this region is renowned for its yoga and Ayurvedic spa remedies that cleanse body, mind and spirit. Enjoy the local Sri Lankan culture and food, as well as miles and miles of wide sandy beaches, framed by coconut palms.

Optional excursions include a canal boat ride to see water birds, monkeys and water monitors. You can visit a turtle hatchery, as sea turtles nest on these beaches from December to April, and participate in water sports on Bentota Lagoon.

Full day excursions are available to historic Galle Fort, Udawalawe National Park and its Elephant Transit Home, the impressive Mulkirigala Rock Temple, and Koggala where from October to May you can take a flight to see enormous blue whales (these should be booked in advance).

Day 13

Transfer 2.5-hours to Colombo Airport for your flight home.

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