Culture & Heritage Tour

Arrive at the Airport & warmly welcomed by Seelaan representative and then proceed to Negombo. Overnight in Negombo.

Today you will visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, established in 437 BC is the largest of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities of the cultural triangle . You may visit Kalawewa Tank built in 400 AD. Here you will witness ruins of temples, dagobas and Buddha statutes. You will also visit “The Sri Maha Bodi” a giant Bo tree which was a sapling from the Bo tree underneath which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the most frequented Buddhist site of Anuradhapura. The fame of Anuradhapura spread as far as the ancient Hellenistic world and established diplomatic links with China. It was the royal seat to 25 Buddhist and Hindu kings and the preeminent city of the island for 1400 years.
Overnight in Anuradhapura.

Today you visit Mihintale which is known to be the cradle of Buddhism. En route you will be able to witness the Aukana Buddha statue which was carved out of living rock in the 5th century BC.
Overnight in Anuradhapura.

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of ancient Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Check into your hotel & relax. Overnight in Habarana.

Leave early to climb Sigiriya rock fortress and palace ruin, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kashyapa (AD 477 - 495), and after the king’s death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.

Guests should have fair fitness levels to be able to climb the Rock fortress. Minimum duration to ascend to the top is about one hour at a moderate pace.

Back to the hotel. After lunch do a safari at Minneriya National Park Minneriya National Park. The extent of the Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. There are wet-lands in this National Park, which have international importance, animal and plant species, which are plenty in dry zone are found in this park. Wild elephants, various amphibians, local and immigrant bird species are plenty in this park.

About 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are bamboo trees which are rare in other parks and wild elephants can be seen conveniently. The significant feature is that this is the only park where you could see these majestic animals in large herd.

Overnight in Habarana.

Leave for Kandy the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. Enroute visit the cave temple complex of Dambulla which is known to be one of the largest cave temples of south Asia. Here you will witness ancient rock paintings of Lord Buddha. An optional elephant ride can be enjoyed in Habarana. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Colombo where you can refresh yourself after which you will join a midday city tour of Colombo. The tour will give you a glimpse of Colombo’s architecture, art and culture. You will then be transferred back to your hotel at the conclusion of your city tour where you will spend the night.

You may also visit a Spice Garden en-route, where you can see and learn about the spices that Sri Lanka is famous for. Sources dating as far back as 2600 BC inform us that the labourers who built the Great Pyramid of Cheops were fed spices to give them strength. Ancient Syrians are known for using cloves, and ancient Egyptian embalmers used cinnamon, which is originally a Sri Lankan plant.

Proceed to Kandy. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Visit the Kandy town walk around the city and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre. Visit Temple of the Tooth.
Overnight in Kandy.

Visit the famous Peradeniya Botanical gardens which was first built as a pleasure garden by King Wickramabahu III a Sinhala king around the year 1371 and was expanded by the British. It is renowned for the collection of more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. It also used during the Second World War by Lord Louis Mountbatten, the supreme commander of the allied forces in the South Asia as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command.
Overnight in Kandy.

Proceed to Nuwara Eliya, en-route visit a Tea Factory and learn how the world famous Ceylon Tea is produced. (if time permits after the train ride) Nuwara Eliya meaning “City on the Plain”or City of Light” is situated in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. Due to the high altitude, Nuwara Eliya has a much cooler climate. The town’s attractions include – Golf Course, Trout Streams, Victoria Park, Boating or fishing on Lake Gregory.
Overnight in Nuwaraeliya.

Catch the train to Ella for an unforgettable train ride through a most picturesque landscape. We will pick you from Ella station. Ella is a beautiful small village in Sri Lanka's hill country with little more than a handful of shops, hotels and guesthouses, but it has an almost perfect climate and occupies a very scenic vantage point, with views on a fine day stretching right across the South Coast of Sri Lanka. Visit Little Adam’s Peak.
Overnight stay in Ella.

Leave early for Yala. Check in at hotel. After a quick lunch leave hotel to do a safari at the Yala National Park which is the most visited and the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka's most popular wild life safari destination. Popular for Leopards, Crocodiles, Wild elephants, Deer, Bear, Peacocks and may varieties of birds including migratory birds such as flamingos. The uniqueness of the park is it's many different habitat diversities such as dense jungles, lagoons and open park areas, a beautiful sea front and rocky outcrops.
Overnight stay in Yala.

Leave for Mirissa a popular destination for those who like to relax on the beach or Surfing, Fishing etc. Fresh seafood, traditional Sri Lankan meals and international cuisine is a specialty. Afternoon leisure. You may do an excursions to Galle and other attractions.

Overnight in Mirrissa and leave for departure the following day.