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Guided Tours

Sri Lanka Cultural Highlights Tour

Route:
  • Anuradhapura
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Dambulla Rock Temple
  • Matale
  • Peradeniya
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Kitulgala

8 DAYS from £pp

Tour Highlights
  • Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
  • Visit Anuradhapura, Sri Lankas first capital
  • Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Rock Temple, both World Heritage Sites
  • Experience a Sri Lankan Spice Garden
  • Tour of Kandy, a World Heritage Site, plus stay and watch a cultural show
  • Enjoy the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
  • Visit Nuwara Eliya tea estate/factory

To book call us on 0330 818 8907

Sri Lanka Cultural Highlights Tour

Sri Lanka is a historic and cultural storehouse set against a backdrop of stunning beauty. No visit to the island is complete unless you venture into the interior and sample these wonders at first hand. Our 7 night Scenic Highlights tour, staying at premier hotels, gives a fascinating insight into the wonders that exist in Sri Lanka today - the ancient cities and temples of past civilisations, the fascinating highlands where world famous Ceylon tea is grown on the steep hillsides, the lakeside city of Kandy, the last stronghold of the Sri Lankan Kings, an orphanage where elephants are looked after; there is much to see.

Tour Itinerary

1

You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to the Sigiriya Village Hotel. The remainder of the day is spent at your own leisure with dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

2

After breakfast visit Anuradhapura, the first capital of the island dating from the 4th century BC. See the sacred Bo Tree, world-famous Samadhi Buddha, the remains of the Brazen Palace and rock carvings. Afternoon at leisure with optional bird watching or nature ramble (payable locally). Dinner and overnight stay at the Sigiriya Village Hotel.

3

After breakfast, proceed to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th & 12th centuries AD. See the ruins of the Royal Palace, Lotus Bath and Polonnaruwa Statue and visit the Gal Vihara with its splendid carved Buddha statues. Afternoon at leisure with optional Sri Lankan wood carving experience or a visit to the Polonnaruwa Rest House (payable locally). Dinner and overnight stay at the Sigiriya Village Hotel.

4

Early morning exploration of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a World Heritage site dating back from the 5th century AD, built by the King Kashyapa. In the afternoon visit the world heritage site of Dambulla Rock Temple dating from the 1st century BC and the impressive cave temples which have over 2000 square metres of painted walls. Meal and overnight at hotel.

5

After breakfast, proceed to Matale visiting its Spice Garden and a Batik factory to experience the rich variety of the countries spices and marvel at the batik paintings. In the afternoon experience a city tour of Kandy, a World Heritage site, visit a gem museum and lapidary as well as a bazaar and an arts and crafts centre, plus enjoy a drive around Kandy Lake. Dinner and overnight at the Tourmaline Hotel or similar.

6

After breakfast, visit the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. Continue to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where you will witness first-hand elephants being fed, bathed and trained by the wildlife authorities. In the evening head back to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in time for the 'Pooja' (religious worship) and a cultural show. Dinner and overnight at the Tourmaline Hotel.

7

After breakfast continue on to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's leading hill resort & tea growing centre. Visit a tea factory followed by a short city tour. Dinner & overnight at the Heritance Tea Factory Hotel or similar.

8

After an early breakfast travel on to Kitulgala, witnessing the Devon's and St.Clares waterfalls and passing the site where the film 'The Bridge On The River Kwai' was filmed, continue to Colombo where you will experience a city tour before being transferred to your respective beach hotel or your next flight.

Important Information

Visas

A visa is required for entry into Sri Lanka. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote "Mercury Holidays". The cost of the visa is from £63. The visas take around 10 working days to issue and are only valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel, however, please be aware that your passport will be required for the application so make sure that you will not need it during this time. Alternatively, you can visit The High Commission of Sri Lanka at 13 Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2 2LU.

Minimum

This tour will run with a minimum of 2 people.

Tour Dates & Prices

Please note

The price displayed is a from price only and can vary depending on the chosen travel date.

Please note

Single travellers & couples may not always travel as a group. If the hotels detailed are not available alternatives will be used of a similar standard. The tour may also be reversed but all sites mentioned & content will remain the same.

Flight Times

Depending on flight times, a night may need to be spent in Colombo prior to the tour.

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