Spiritual Sri Lanka, “Housue of the Buddhist Heritage”

📍 Destination: Anuradhapura → Polonnaruwa
🛏️ Overnight Stay: Hotel in Polonnaruwa
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

🚗 Morning Journey to Polonnaruwa – The Medieval Capital

After breakfast, embark on a historical journey to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (10th – 12th century AD) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This well-preserved city showcases the brilliance of ancient engineering, grand palaces, and intricate stone carvings, making it one of the most impressive historical sites on the island.

Must-See Attractions in Polonnaruwa:
✔ The Royal Palace Complex – Explore the King’s Palace, Audience Hall, and Bathing Pool, showcasing the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s medieval rulers.
✔ The Quadrangle – A remarkable collection of ancient Buddhist shrines and stupas.
✔ Gal Vihara – A spectacular rock carving of four massive Buddha statues, cut from a single slab of granite.
✔ Parakrama Samudra – A man-made reservoir larger than Colombo’s harbour, showcasing ancient hydraulic engineering.
✔ Hindu Temples & Shrines – Discover Shiva Temples and intricate statues of Hindu deities, reflecting South Indian influences.
✔ Lankatileka & Watadage – Ancient Buddhist temples with stunning architecture.
✔ Lotus Bath & Kiri Vihara Dagoba – Sacred sites displaying Sri Lanka’s unique temple design.

Rest & Recharge
📍 Overnight Stay in Polonnaruwa
✔ Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening and a delicious Sri Lankan dinner.

📍 Destination: Polonnaruwa → Kandy
🛏️ Overnight Stay: Hotel in Kandy
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning Transfer to Kandy – The Hill Capital

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and depart for Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill capital and last royal kingdom. Nestled among lush mountains and tea plantations, Kandy is a city rich in history, spirituality, and tradition. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel and take the afternoon to relax and unwind.

Evening Visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic

In the evening, visit Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic), one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses Sri Lanka’s most venerated relic – the tooth of Lord Buddha, which has been enshrined in Kandy since ancient times.

Highlights of the Visit:
✔ Witness Buddhist rituals and traditional offerings at the sacred shrine.
✔ Explore the golden-roofed temple and its beautiful frescoes, wood carvings, and ancient artefacts.
✔ Learn about the Esala Perahera Festival, Sri Lanka’s grandest cultural event, held in July/August.

Traditional Cultural Dance Show (Evening Performance)

After visiting the temple, enjoy a mesmerizing Kandyan Cultural Dance Show. Experience Sri Lanka’s rich artistic heritage with traditional drumming, fire dancing, and acrobatics, a spectacle once performed for royal courts.

Show Highlights:
✔ Graceful Kandyan and folk dances
✔ Live traditional drum performances
✔ Thrilling fire-walking finale

Rest & Recharge
📍 Overnight Stay in Kandy
✔ Return to your hotel and enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan dinner.

📍 Destination: Kandy → Embekke Devalaya → Gadaladeniya Temple → Lankatilaka Temple
🛏️ Overnight Stay: Hotel in Kandy
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning Visit to Three Historic Temples
After breakfast, embark on a spiritual and historical journey through three of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable ancient temples. These temples, dating back to the Gampola Kingdom (14th century AD), showcase some of the finest examples of wood carvings, stone architecture, and Buddhist traditions in the country.

🛕 1st Stop: Embekke Devalaya – The Masterpiece of Wood Carvings

Why Visit Embekke Devalaya?
✔ Built by King Vikramabahu III (1357-1374 AD) and dedicated to Lord Kataragama.
✔ Famous for exquisite wood carvings, including mythical creatures, floral designs, and intricate patterns on pillars.
✔ Home to the Drummers’ Hall, a stunning wooden structure showcasing Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
✔ Hosts the annual Perahera Festival, featuring traditional dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants.

🏯 2nd Stop: Gadaladeniya Temple – The Stone Marvel

Why Visit Gadaladeniya Temple?
✔ One of Sri Lanka’s oldest temples, built in 1344 AD during the Gampola Kingdom.
✔ Entirely built with stone blocks, carved directly from the hill on which it stands.
✔ Features a unique blend of South Indian and Sinhalese architecture.
✔ Currently undergoing government-led preservation and restoration efforts.

🏔️ 3rd Stop: Lankatilaka Temple – The Jewel of Kandy

Why Visit Lankatilaka Temple?
✔ Situated atop a massive rock formation, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
✔ Built in 1344 AD, known for its striking white exterior and three-story architectural design.
✔ Houses a grand seated Buddha statue, beautifully adorned with original frescoes and painted ceilings.
✔ Features a rock inscription in the Pali language, recording royal grants given to artisans who built the temple.
✔ Still home to woodcarvers practising their centuries-old craft at the base of the rock.

Rest & Recharge
📍 Overnight Stay in Kandy
✔ Return to the hotel for a relaxing evening and enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan dinner.

📍 Destination: Kandy → Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage → Kelaniya Temple → Colombo
🛏️ Overnight Stay: Hotel in Colombo
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning Transfer to Colombo via Pinnawala

After breakfast, depart from Kandy and begin your journey to Colombo, stopping en route to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a sanctuary dedicated to the care and conservation of orphaned and displaced elephants.

🐘 Visit to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (Established in 1975)

Why Visit Pinnawala?
✔ World’s first and only elephant orphanage, home to rescued baby elephants.
✔ Watch elephants being bottle-fed and bathed in the river.
✔ Breeding center success – Over 25 elephants born here since 1984.
✔ Learn about Sri Lanka’s elephant conservation efforts.

🕌 Visit to Kelaniya Temple – A Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage Site

Continue your journey to Kelaniya Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist sites, believed to date back before recorded history. It is said to be the location of Lord Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka in 543 B.C., where he delivered a sacred sermon.

Kelaniya Temple Highlights:
✔ One of Sri Lanka’s oldest and holiest Buddhist sites.
✔ Houses a sacred jewelled seat, believed to be where Buddha sat and preached.
✔ Features intricate frescoes, ancient murals, and a magnificent golden stupa.
✔ A significant place for Buddhist pilgrims, especially during the Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera festival.

🏙️ Arrival in Colombo & Leisure Time

After visiting Kelaniya Temple, continue your journey to Colombo and check in at your hotel. Spend the rest of the evening exploring Sri Lanka’s bustling capital, with its blend of historical landmarks, shopping hubs, and coastal views.

Optional Evening Activities:
✔ Take a leisurely walk along Galle Face Green.
✔ Visit Colombo’s vibrant night markets & shopping malls.
✔ Unwind at a rooftop bar with scenic ocean views.

Rest & Recharge
📍 Overnight Stay in Colombo
✔ Enjoy a delightful Sri Lankan dinner and relax before your final day.

📍 Destination: Colombo
✈️ Departure: Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast

🚗 Morning Drive to Colombo – The Commercial Capital

After breakfast, embark on your final journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s vibrant trade and commercial capital. As the largest city on the island, Colombo beautifully blends historical charm with modern energy, making it the perfect place to conclude your trip.

🏛️ Colombo City Tour – A Cultural & Historical Mosaic

Must-Visit Attractions in Colombo:
✔ Galle Face Green – A scenic seafront promenade with stunning ocean views.
✔ Colombo Fort & Pettah Market – A bustling commercial hub with colonial-era buildings and a vibrant street market.
✔ Gangaramaya Temple – A beautiful Buddhist temple blending Sri Lankan, Thai, and Chinese architecture.
✔ Independence Memorial Hall – A landmark symbolizing Sri Lanka’s independence.
✔ Lotus Tower – The tallest structure in South Asia, offering panoramic city views.

🛍️ Shopping in Colombo – A Retail Paradise

Before heading to the airport, enjoy a shopping tour to pick up souvenirs, Ceylon tea, gemstones, handcrafted artefacts, and designer fashion. Colombo offers some of the best shopping experiences in Asia, from high-end malls to traditional street markets.

Where to Shop in Colombo:
✔ Odel & Paradise Road – Luxury boutiques for fashion, home décor, and lifestyle products.
✔ Pettah Market – A bustling local bazaar for unique souvenirs and authentic Sri Lankan crafts.
✔ Barefoot & Laksala – Authentic stores for handwoven textiles, ceramics, and traditional handicrafts.

✈️ Departure – Farewell Sri Lanka!

As all great journeys must come to an end, your chauffeur guide will escort you to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight.

Memories to Take Home:
✔ Breathtaking landscapes & serene beaches
✔ Unforgettable cultural experiences & historical wonders
✔ Warm Sri Lankan hospitality & delicious cuisine
💙 Thank You for Exploring Sri Lanka – We Hope to Welcome You Back! 🇱🇰