Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle 7 Days

Tour Overview

Discover the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka on this 7-day journey, from the bustling capital of Colombo to the hill capital of Kandy, the dramatic rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla, the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, and the scenic hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Experience the rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality of this beautiful island nation.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Colombo & to Kandy

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Colombo: visit the Gangaramaya Temple (a beautiful Buddhist temple with a mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture, housing a large collection of Buddhist artifacts), the Colombo National Museum (the largest museum in Sri Lanka, with its collection of artifacts from Sri Lankan history including the crown jewels and the throne of the last king of Kandy), the Independence Memorial Hall, the Old Parliament Building, the Galle Face Green (a beautiful oceanfront urban park), the Beira Lake, and the historic Fort and Pettah districts (with their colonial architecture, bustling markets, and the famous Red Mosque). After lunch, drive to Kandy (approximately 2.5-3 hours), the hill capital of Sri Lanka and the last capital of the ancient kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the central highlands at an altitude of 500 meters, surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Kandy Lake. Upon arrival, explore Kandy: visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, housing the tooth relic of the Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its beautiful architecture, golden canopy, and the daily puja ceremonies where devotees offer flowers, incense, and prayers). Visit the Kandy Lake (a beautiful artificial lake in the center of the city, built in 1807 by the last king of Kandy, with its beautiful promenade and the small island in the middle). Evening watch a traditional Kandyan cultural dance performance (with its energetic drumming, fire dances, and the famous Kandyan dance forms, a unique cultural experience). Welcome dinner with Sri Lankan cuisine including rice and curry, hoppers, string hoppers, and kottu. Overnight in Kandy.

Day 2: Kandy & Royal Botanical Gardens

Morning explore Kandy: visit the Upper Lake Drive for beautiful views of the city and the surrounding mountains, the Kandy View Point (for panoramic views of the city, the lake, and the Temple of the Tooth), the Bahirawakanda Vihara (a giant Buddha statue on a hill overlooking the city, with beautiful views), the International Buddhist Museum, the World Buddhist Museum, and the Gem Museum (Sri Lanka is famous for its gems, including sapphires, rubies, and cat’s eyes). Visit the Kandy Market and the nearby handicraft shops for shopping for Sri Lankan handicrafts, batik, spices, and gems. After lunch, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya (approximately 15 minutes from Kandy), one of the largest and most beautiful botanical gardens in Asia, spanning 147 acres, with its collection of over 4,000 species of plants including the famous orchid collection, the palm avenue, the giant Java fig tree, the spice garden, the bamboo grove, and the beautiful lawns and flower beds. The gardens were originally established as a royal pleasure garden by the kings of Kandy in the 14th century. Visit the nearby University of Peradeniya campus (one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world, set in a beautiful valley). Evening return to Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja ceremony (a beautiful and moving experience, with the sound of drumming, the smell of incense, and the devotion of the pilgrims). Overnight in Kandy.

Day 3: Kandy to Sigiriya & Dambulla

Morning drive from Kandy to Sigiriya (approximately 2.5-3 hours), passing through the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside with its tea plantations, rice paddies, and villages. Upon arrival, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic landmarks in Sri Lanka, a massive 200-meter-tall granite rock with the ruins of an ancient royal fortress and palace built on top by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD. Climb the 1,200 steps to the top, passing by the famous Mirror Wall (with its ancient graffiti dating back to the 8th century, with poems and comments written by visitors over the centuries), the beautiful frescoes of the Sigiriya Damsels (the famous paintings of celestial maidens or cloud girls, with their vibrant colors and elegant poses, painted on the rock face), and the Lion Paws Terrace (where a massive lion statue once stood, with only the giant paws remaining, giving the rock its name). At the top, explore the ruins of the royal palace, the throne, the water gardens, and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and countryside. After lunch, drive to Dambulla (approximately 30 minutes from Sigiriya) and visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, with five caves carved into a massive granite rock, housing over 150 Buddha statues, including a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha, and beautiful wall paintings and murals covering over 2,000 square meters, depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha and the history of Sri Lanka. The caves have been a sacred pilgrimage site for over 2,000 years. Visit the Dambulla Museum and the nearby Golden Temple (with its massive golden Buddha statue at the entrance). Evening drive to Habarana or Sigiriya for overnight. Overnight in Habarana/Sigiriya.

Day 4: Polonnaruwa & Minneriya

Morning visit Polonnaruwa (approximately 30 minutes from Habarana), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka (from the 11th to the 13th centuries), one of the best-preserved ancient cities in South Asia, with its stunning ruins of palaces, temples, stupas, and statues scattered across a beautiful archaeological park. Explore the ruins: visit the Royal Palace (the massive 7-story palace of King Parakramabahu I, with its massive brick walls and beautiful views), the Council Chamber, the Royal Baths (the beautiful Kumara Pokuna or Prince’s Pool), the Gal Vihara (the most iconic site in Polonnaruwa, with four beautiful Buddha statues carved into a single granite rock face, including a 7-meter-tall seated Buddha, a standing Buddha in a unique pose, and a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha, considered some of the finest examples of ancient Sri Lankan sculpture), the Lankatilaka Temple (a massive brick temple with a beautiful arched entrance and a huge standing Buddha image inside), the Kiri Vihara (a beautiful white stupa, one of the best-preserved in Polonnaruwa), the Rankot Vihara (the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa, 54 meters high), the Shiva Devale (a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its beautiful stone carvings), and the Parakrama Samudra (a massive artificial reservoir built by King Parakramabahu I, one of the largest irrigation tanks in Sri Lanka). After lunch, visit the Minneriya National Park (approximately 30 minutes from Polonnaruwa), famous for its large gathering of wild Asian elephants (the Great Elephant Gathering, one of the largest gatherings of wild elephants in the world, with up to 300 elephants gathering around the Minneriya Tank during the dry season from June to September). Take a jeep safari through the park to see the elephants, as well as other wildlife including deer, buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles, and a variety of birds including pelicans, herons, and eagles. Evening return to Habarana/Sigiriya. Overnight in Habarana/Sigiriya.

Day 5: Anuradhapura & Mihintale

Morning drive to Anuradhapura (approximately 1.5 hours from Habarana), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka (from the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD), one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world, with its massive stupas, ancient temples, sacred trees, and beautiful irrigation tanks. Explore the ruins: visit the Sri Maha Bodhi (the Sacred Bodhi Tree, the oldest historically documented tree in the world, planted in 288 BC, grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Sangamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka of India, one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism), the Ruwanwelisaya (one of the largest and most beautiful stupas in the world, 55 meters high, built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BC, with its golden dome and beautiful vahalkada or frontispieces), the Jetavanarama (the largest stupa in the ancient world, 122 meters high when built, now 71 meters, built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD, with its massive brick structure), the Abhayagiri Vihara (a massive monastic complex with its beautiful stupa, 75 meters high, one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in ancient Sri Lanka), the Isurumuniya Vihara (a beautiful rock temple with its famous stone carvings including the Isurumuniya Lovers and the Horse Rider), the Thuparamaya (the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, built in the 3rd century BC, with its beautiful wooden pillars), the Mirisavetiya stupa, and the beautiful Basawakkulama and Tissa Wewa tanks (ancient irrigation reservoirs). After lunch, visit Mihintale (approximately 15 minutes from Anuradhapura), the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka in 247 BC when the Indian monk Mahinda (the son of Emperor Ashoka) met King Devanampiya Tissa at the top of the hill. Climb the 1,840 steps to the top, visiting the beautiful stupas, temples, caves, and the famous Ambasthala Dagoba (the stupa built on the spot where Mahinda and the king met), the Maha Seya (a large stupa with its beautiful views), the Naga Pokuna (a beautiful rock pool with its five-headed cobra carving), and the Kaludiya Pokuna (a beautiful black water pool). Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the top. Evening drive to Dambulla or Kandy for overnight. Overnight in Dambulla/Kandy.

Day 6: to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Country

Morning drive from Dambulla/Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (approximately 2-3 hours from Kandy), a beautiful hill station in the central highlands of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1,868 meters, known as Little England for its cool climate, colonial architecture, and beautiful English-style gardens, surrounded by lush tea plantations and misty mountains. Upon arrival, explore Nuwara Eliya: visit the Gregory Lake (a beautiful artificial lake in the center of the town, with its beautiful promenade, boat rides, and views of the surrounding mountains), the Victoria Park (a beautiful public park in the center of the town, with its beautiful flowers, trees, and birdlife), the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (one of the oldest golf courses in Asia, established in 1889, with its beautiful setting among the tea plantations), the Grand Hotel (a beautiful colonial-era hotel built in 1891, with its Tudor-style architecture and beautiful gardens), the St. Clair’s Falls (one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, 80 meters high, known as the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka), and the Devon Falls (a beautiful 97-meter-high waterfall). After lunch, visit a tea plantation and tea factory (Nuwara Eliya is at the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, with its lush green tea plantations covering the hillsides). Take a guided tour of a tea factory to learn about the tea-making process from plucking to processing to packaging, and enjoy a tea tasting of different varieties of Ceylon tea. Visit the Pedro Tea Estate or the Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Estate. Take a walk through the beautiful tea plantations and meet the Tamil tea pluckers (mostly women of Indian Tamil origin, who have been plucking tea in Sri Lanka for generations). Evening enjoy the cool climate and the beautiful scenery. Visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens (approximately 10 minutes from Nuwara Eliya), a beautiful botanical garden set in the hills, with its collection of temperate and subtropical plants, roses, orchids, and ferns, and its beautiful views. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 7: Nuwara Eliya to Colombo & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Nuwara Eliya or a scenic train ride (the train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy or Ella is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, passing through beautiful tea plantations, mountains, waterfalls, and villages, with stunning views from the train). After breakfast, drive from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo (approximately 3-4 hours), passing through the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside. Upon arrival in Colombo, do some last-minute shopping for Sri Lankan products including Ceylon tea, spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg – Sri Lanka was known as the Spice Island), gems, batik, handicrafts, and traditional masks. Visit the House of Fashion, the Odel department store, or the Paradise Road shops for shopping. Visit the Galle Face Green for a final walk along the ocean. After lunch, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your 7-day Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle tour.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses