- Overview
- Itinerary
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
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The essence of culture: all-inclusive Sri Lanka 4-day tour
Encounter ancient historical monuments, temples, and laid-back villages on this Sri Lanka 4-day adventure through the Sri Lanka cultural triangle.
Cover the entire circuit of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, five UNESCO world heritage sites, hundreds of historical marvels, and five cultural cities within four days. Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the Aukana Buddha statue, Mihintale (the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka), and Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and see the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)—all covered within 4 days. Your comprehensive cultural tour itinerary includes a Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, a spice/herbal garden, Sri Lanka hill country, a Pinnawala elephant orphanage, a jungle trek, tuk-tuk transport, an oxcart ride in a rural village, and many more. Includes either standard, 3-star or 4-star accommodation with daily breakfast and dinner.
Start: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Finish: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ages: min. 15
Group size: min. 2
Nature of tour: private
Highlights
- Visit the world's 3rd tallest ancient building (after pyramids) and the tallest Buddhist stupa built in the 2nd century.
- The proposed 8th-century world wonder, one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, dates back to the 5th century.
- Visit Dambulla, a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries with 157 Buddha statues and paintings (with a surface area of 2100 m²).
- The Avukana statue (5th century), 14 m, is one of the best examples of Buddha statues from ancient Sri Lanka.
- Visit Mihintale ancient Ayurveda hospital—perhaps the oldest hospital in the world, according to Historia Hospitalism 1975, by Heinrich E. Müller-Dietz.
- Go bicycling, ride a tuk-tuk, and take an oxcart ride while exploring a rural village on a village tour.
- Attend the evening ceremony of the Tooth Relic Temple with your guide.
- Kandy walking, sightseeing tour and shopping.
- You will visit the Kandyan cultural show, witness the acrobatic performances of Sri Lankan dancers, and listen to the soothing music performed by musicians.
- Take a 360-degree panoramic view from the summit of the Sigiriya rock fortress.
- Walking through the spice/herbal garden while learning about herbal trees, plants and spices.
- Walk through the tea plantations, the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya, Victoria Park, and many more.
- Minneriya Safari Park is in search of wild elephants, crocodiles, and other wild creatures with a local guide and driver.
- Attend the Tooth Relic Temple evening ceremony with your guide.
Is this trip right for you?
- The entire trip is private (transfers and sightseeing).
- This 4-day Sri Lanka trip packs a lot. It’s one of the most popular 4-day tours to Sri Lanka. We run in our original style, perfect for those who look for a short Sri Lanka trip and have a desire to do the most within 4 days. If you are after a more leisurely trip in Sri Lanka or a shorter trip, please refer to our other tour itineraries.
- Sri Lanka can get scorching in the summer. While we aim to do our walking tours and city tours early in the morning or afternoon, when it’s cooler, remember to keep a bottle of drinking water and bring a hat, sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt, and anything else that will protect you from the sun.
- Part of travelling with serendipity means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way, you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We visit several temples on this trip, and to enter them, you must have decent clothing. At the same time, you have to remove the head covers and shoes upon entering the temple. Please click here to learn more about the rules and regulations pertaining to Sri Lankan temple visits.
Hotels
This tour can be booked with 4 types of accommodation standards: 3-Star, 4-Star, and 5-Star hotels. If you need any other category of hotel, please inquire. Choose a suitable category of hotel for your trip. The hotel category makes a big difference in your package price.
Medium
The tour can be booked mainly in English, German, French, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese. Please inquire about other languages.
Cancellation policy
Cancel 24 hours prior to arrival for a full refund.
Choose your payment method.
We offer you mainly three payment options: card payments, bank transfers, or payment on arrival. You can choose whatever is the most convenient payment option for you. If you opt for payment on arrival, we will collect a 10% advance payment from you as a guarantee once the booking is confirmed.
Single supplement
The trip can be booked with a single room for the entire trip with a single supplement (please enquire about your chosen category of hotel).
Additional info
- A confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this tour.
- All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples are expected to remove footwear and hats upon entering the temples.
- The duration of transfers is approximate; the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions.
- Infants must sit on laps.
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
- This is a private tour or activity.
- You can reach us 24 hours a day through our hotline at 0094-77-4440977.
The essence of culture: all-inclusive Sri Lanka 4 days tour
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 7:00 am
Colombo / Anuradhapura / Sigiriya
Meet and greet by Serendipity Tours representative and leave for Sigiriya. En route visit Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura city tour
There are eight significant icons that represent Sri Lanka’s connection to Buddhism, and all of them are situated in Anuradhapura, thus calling this collection “Atamasthanaya,” meaning “eight sacred places.” There is a unique story or history connected to each one of them. Most of them were built by kings that ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom. You will visit all these places on our hop-on, hop-off Anuradhapura City Tour.
• Ruwanwelisaya: It is a “stupa” that was built by King Dutugamunu and is one of the biggest completed ones to date.
• Thuparamaya: It is the oldest ‘dagoba’ in Sri Lanka and possibly the oldest visible one in the world.
• Lovamahapaya: The significance of this building is that the roof was once covered in bronze tiles.
• Abhayagiri: It is one of the biggest viharas in Anuradhapura. It was a monastery of 5000 monks.
• Jethavanaramaya: It is a sacred world heritage site and accommodated some 3000 monks at the time. It is also quite similar to Abhayagiri.
• Mirisavetiya: This stupa was built by King Dutugamunu after defeating King Elara.
• Lankaramaya: This is also built by a king called King Valagamba in the Anuradhapura Kingdom times and is one of the eight sacred places in the city.
Aukana Buddha statue
The Avukana statue is considered one of the best examples of a standing statue of the Buddha from ancient Sri Lanka. The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 46 feet (14 m), was carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. The Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue built in Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
Mihintale
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura. It is one of the oldest religious sites in the world, dating back to the 2nd century BC. King Devanampiyatissa built it. Temple is now a pilgrimage site and the site of many important religious monuments and abandoned structures, such as an Ayurveda hospital.
Heinz E. Müller-Dietz (Historia Hospitalism 1975) describes the hospital of Mihintale as being perhaps the oldest in the world.
Activities
Anuradhapura historical city tour, Aukana Buddha statues, Mihintale
Accommodation
Hotel in Sigiriya
Day 2
Time : 7:30 am
Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya
After breakfast, leave for Polonnaruwa ancient city, en route,
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa is the second-most historical city in Sri Lanka. It was made the capital of Sri Lanka after Anuradhapura. The ruins in Anuradhapura are much older than the ruins in Polonnaruwa; therefore, the ruins in Polonnaruwa are in much better condition than the ruins in Anuradhapura. On your hop-on, hop-off city tour, you will be visiting palaces, dagobas, and temples, which provide a good example of Sri Lankan historical craftsmanship. In this 3-hour guided tour of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, you will cover some of the following attractions:.
• Royal Palace (Palace of King Parakramabahu, the most prolific and gifted builder of the era)
• Nissankamulla Palace (royal audience hall with impressive stonework)
• Gal Viharaya (Contains some of the best rock sculptures in the country)
• Thuparama & Lankathilaka Image Houses (good examples of vaulted shrine rooms)
• Vatadage (gives an idea of what a complete vatadage may have looked like)
• Rankoth Vehera (largest stupa in Polonnaruwa)
• Parakramabahu Statue (Statue of one of the greatest kings of ancient Sri Lanka)
Stop At: Ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya is located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 feet) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Culavamsa, the site was selected by King Kasyapa (477–495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure—Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
Uttarama rock temple
The Uttararama is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granitic (granite gneiss) rock. The images consist of a large, seated figure, another smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, a standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhala sculpting and carving arts and have made the Gal Vihara the most visited monument at Polonnaruwa.
Safari of Minneriya National Park
Get a thrilling look at the elephants of Minneriya National Park during this 3-hour private Jeep safari. Travel to a wilderness refuge known for hosting one of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants on earth (each June through September), observing these giant creatures as they drink, feed, and congregate.
This activity will include a safari tour by Jeep with a jungle tracker, where you can see animals in the jungle, including elephants, bears, wild boars, deer, buffalo, monkeys and many other animals (if you are lucky, leopards too). Return to Habarana.
Activitie
Visiting Sigiriya Rock, Polonnaruwa Ancient City, Museum, Minneriya National Park Safari
Accommodation
Standard hotel in Sigiriya
Day 3
Time : 8:00 am
Sigiriya / Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel and leave for Kandy; en route, visit Dambulla Golden Temple, Matale Aluvihara Temple and Spice Garden. In the evening, visit the tooth relic temple (ceremony).
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple
Dating back to the 1st century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under an overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with religious images as well as various gods and goddesses. There are images of the Buddha and the bodhisattvas. The temple has several caves that have been converted into shrine rooms. The caves were built at the base of a 150-meter-high rock during the period of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms.
The famous Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dambulla cave monastery remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka.
Temple of the tooth relic (1 hour)
Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sinhala), or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex, which houses the Relic of the Tooth Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a world heritage site partly due to the temple.
Kandyan cultural show (1 hour)
The Cultural Dance Show. Sri Lanka's culture is so closely connected to dance and drama, and no function will be complete without displaying a dance or even a drama. As a multi-ethnic land, Sri Lanka boasts of a rich conflux of dance and drama. The two main ethnic groups share two spectacular dance and drama traditions, which enrich the fame Sri Lanka has gained in this sphere.
National Museum
The Kandy National Museum, opened in 1942, is located next to the sacred Temple of the Tooth and is housed in a section of the Royal Palace where the King’s concubines resided. This museum has over 5000 objects on display, and among the most impressive exhibits are King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe II's golden crown and a copy of the 1815 treaty known as the ‘Kandyan Convention’ by which, on March 2, 1815, Ceylon ceded to the British, ending 2,357 years of monarchy.
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts are an integral part of Sri Lanka’s ancient cultural heritage. Traditional Sri Lankan crafts are vital industries in many parts of the island that include wood carving, mask making, drum making, mat weaving, handlooms, lacwork, rush and read products, etc.
The royal palace
The last king to reside in the Royal Palace was King Sri Wickrama Rajasinhe until he was overthrown by the British in 1815 with the aid of Kandyan chieftains. Once part of a large palace complex that included the Raja Wasala (King’s Palace), Magul Maduwa (Royal Audience Hall), Meda Wasala (Queens’ Palace), Palle Wasala (King’s Harem Quarters), and Ulpange (Queen’s Bathing Pavilion), together with the Temple of the Tooth.
Royal audience hall
The ‘Magul Maduwa’, a finely carved masterpiece in timber, is where the king met his ministers and carried out his daily administrative tasks. Many historic events have taken place at this location, and it was here that the British handed over the death sentence to the Sri Lankan national heroes Keppatipola Disave and Madugalle Disave. A replica of the Royal Audience Hall of Kandy was constructed in granite in Colombo in 1948 to commemorate Sri Lanka’s independence from the British.
Kandy city walk
Your Kandy city walk starts near Kandy Lake. Your guide leads you to the picturesque and important corners of the city, such as Kandy Lake, Kandy fish market, vegetable market, clock tower area, and Bazar area. The walking tour lasts about 1 hour.
CITY and SHOPPING (optional)
The city tour will include places of tourist interest such as Kandy Lake, a historical church, the Buddhist Hindu Temple, and the Batik factory.
Activities
Dambulla golden temple, Kandy city tour, visiting spice/herbal garden, the temple of the tooth relic, museum, Kandyan cultural show
Accommodation
Standard hotel in Kandy
Day 4
Time : 9:00 am
Kandy / Colombo
Breakfast at the hotel and leave for Colombo, en-route Kandy sightseeing tour,
Peradeniya botanical garden
Peradeniya botanical garden is the most popular botanical garden on the island, with many thousands of years of history. Today it is visited by thousands of visitors every day, and it harbors more than 4000 plants, trees, veins, dendrobiums, and much other flora.
Tea plantation/factory
You will be visiting a tea plantation after the Botanical Garden. The tea plantation is situated in the mawanella just a few kilometers from the main road. You will witness the tea manufacturing process in the tea factory and taste cups of unblended Ceylon in the tea center.
Pinnawala elephant orphanage
The first orphanage dedicated to jumbos started in 1975. Spreads over 9 hectares near the river of Kumbukan Oya, which is the bathing spot for elephants. You will be guided to the bathing spot as the elephant bathes, plays, and enjoys the water.
Activities
Visiting Peradeniyagarden, Tea Estate/Tea Factory, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Accommodation
No accommodation today.
.........................End of the tour........................
- The package includes 3 nights' accommodation in 3-star and 4-star hotels
- The hotel offers daily breakfasts starting from day 2
- There will be a daily dinner at the hotel, with three dinners starting from the first day
- Transport by air-conditioned private car or van with an English-speaking driver/guide (please enquire about other languages)
- All passengers are fully insured during the sightseeing tours
- All-inclusive technical tour of the tea factory and garden
- Private guided cultural tour of Sigiriya rock fortress
- Private guided temple tours of Tooth Relic Temple, Dambulla Golden Temple, and Gangarama Temple
- Guided Polonnaruwa ancient city tour
- All-inclusive Minneriya safari tour
- Walking tour of Peradeniya Garden
- Entrance fees for the below sites,
- Sigiriya rock fortress
- Sigiriya museum
- Anuradhapura
- Dambulla cave temple
- Polonnaruwa historical city
- Polonnaruwa museum
- Royal Botanic Garden
- Kandy tooth relic temple
- Tea factory
- Kandy city tour
- Colombo city tour
- Gangarama temple
- BMICH
- Independent square
- Kandyan cultural show with Gem Museum
- Spice garden
- All current taxes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tips and Gratuities.
- Wildlife safari Minneriya
- Pinnawala elephant orphanage
- Anuradhapura
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