Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour ( 8 Days Tour)

Kandy – In the Presence of Culture

The capital city of Colombo embodies the bustling spirit of a city and the remarkable culture of the island nation of Sri Lanka. The herbaceous and floral aromas of black tea emanate from a popular local cafe situated inside a renovated 17th-century Dutch hospital.

The sapphire waters of the ocean glint against the golden shores draped in sand. Locals wind beneath the dangling saris and colorful shirts hanging over the aisles of the Pettah Market, the bustling shopping district. Your flight lands at Bandaranaike International Airport, where your private transfer meets you upon your arrival.

High-rises overlook the shoreline and locals lounge on the emerald grass of the coastal plain known as Galle Face Green. You leave the city behind and wind along the scenic road towards the capital of the hilly province.

Water buffalo graze on the tall, untamed grasses. Palm fronds and ferns decorate the roadside, providing views of the emerald jungle canopy. You reach Kandy, a city of blending tropical ambiance and a cool, hillside climate set along the banks of Kandy Lake.

The waters shimmer with cobalt, reflecting the surrounding hills and the island at the center of the lake. After settling into the comforts of your luxurious hotel overlooking the lakeshores, you partake in a captivating Kandyan dance performance, welcoming you to the marvels of Sri Lanka. Performers enter the stage in traditional attire. Women wear elegant skirts decorated with red and white trim. Golden spires top their head and ears. Elaborate beadwork glistens in the light as the costumes accentuate each movement into an enchanting flow moving to the beat of the drum.

What’s Included: airport transfer, accommodation.

Anuradhapura – In the Company of Birds and a Rock Fortress

In the morning, you have an early breakfast before venturing to the banks of the Kandalama Wewa Reservoir. Fishermen stand waist deep in the water and cast their nets over the surface, letting the latticework slowly sink over unsuspecting fish. Lush hills and verdant plains lead to the captivating mountaintops surrounding the banks of the ancient reservoir. The irrigation system helps supply needed water for drinking and farming. You have the chance to observe locals as they take to the water, both for fishing and boating. Their traditional vessels cast their bright sails into the wind, billowing over the cobalt hues of the reservoir.

Workers tend to the encircling stone walls, helping keep the reservoir safe and intact. Egrets linger along the lakeshore, dipping their bills into the marshy soil in search of breakfast. Their flush-white plumage stands out from the verdant countryside ambiance. Thrushes twitter in the trees, adding a soundtrack of musical calls to the day. Your guide leads you away from the water and into the jungle to conquer the vertical walls of the Sigiriya Fortress, located atop the cooled magma summit of an extinct volcano more than 650 feet above the surrounding trees. A monastery was erected on the plateau in the 3rd century BC, with the royal residence of King Kashyapa following in the 5th century AD.

The stairway leading to the top contains remnants of frescoes and a pair of lion’s paws carved into the rock face. You have a remarkable view of the countryside from atop the sheer walls, taking in the moats covered with lily pads and quiet shrines peeking out of the treetops. You reach the Mirror Wall beyond the frescoes. The wall was once coated with a blaze reflecting the women in the above gallery. Ancient graffiti continues to decorate the walls, providing scholars insight into the development of language and the appreciation of art.

What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, tour, transfer, accommodation.

Polonnaruwa – Sacred Ancient Lives

In the morning, the scent of coconut emanates from the local breakfast curry locals enjoy. The aroma of tamarind and lime accompanies the refreshing, fruity aroma of freshly shredded coconut. After breakfast, your guide leads you to the ancient brick structures of Polonnaruwa, a sacred destination established in the 10th century. The monuments within the complex were mainly erected during the 12th century, including the marvelous stupa reaching a height of nearly 180 feet tall and a diameter of 575 feet. You notice the similarities between the stupa’s design and the dagabas you saw at Anuradhapura.

The preserved city retains its shape and integrity spread across the hundreds of ancient tombs, temples, and statues. A small reservoir shimmers at the edge of the contemporary town, with the trees of the nearby national parks edging the border of the ancient city. Your guide leads you along a former royal road to the ruins of the Royal Palace. The grounds once held 50 rooms supported by 30 large columns.

The walls reached a thickness of nearly 10 feet. A portion of the walls remains, with holes representing holds for the floor beams of higher levels. Standing beneath the massive remains provides a view of the true size of the former royal residence.

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, transfer, accommodation.

Colombo – Return to the Capital

In the morning, the greenery around Polonnaruwa returns. The sunlight washes over the ancient palatial ruins that continue to enchant you. At breakfast, the scent of coconut blends with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, offering a refreshing decadence to the day. Your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you away from the ancient ruins, returning to the bustling streets of Colombo.

The city feels familiar in its golden shores and vibrant marketplace. The skyline overlooks the lapping waves. The scent of cinnamon and pastries emanate from the café inside the 17th-century Dutch hospital.

After taking the time to settle into the comforts of your luxurious hotel, you meet your private guide to tour the National Museum. The galleries overtake the interior of a 19th-century colonial structure. A large stone Buddha from the 9th century greets you upon entering.

His enigmatic smile creates the perfect ambiance for which you can enjoy the museum depicting Sri Lanka’s ancient and colonial past. You enter into the gallery containing the throne of the King of Kandy. The red-velvet hues symbolize power and prestige amongst the ornate decoration, indicating the importance of the seat of the last king of Sri Lanka.

What’s Included: breakfast, transfer, tour, accommodation.