Sri Lanka Tour | Sri Lanka Travel | Private Sri Lanka Tour with Pyala Travel - Travel Program
Travel to Sri Lanka with this Cultural Trip to Sri Lanka. Individual Sri Lanka Tour from Pyala Travel.
Sri Lanka Culture Tour
private tour
Explore the Cultural Heritage of Sri Lanka
On this Sri Lanka Culture Tour you will visit the great cultural heritage on this beautiful island. From the buddhist temples to the colonial legacy of the Dutch and the British.
from 1295,-
12 days
Tabs
Day 1 arrival Colombo, transfer Negombo
Upon arrival you will be met by your driver at the airport. He will drive you to the fishing village of Negombo a few kilometers further north. Located on a lagoon, this is a wonderful place to recover from your flight and to get used to the Sri Lankan way of life, for example on one of the beaches. You have a beautiful view over the water where colorful fishing boats float with huge homemade sails in a characteristic shape.Negombo was in the Golden Age, an important place for the Dutch spice trade, which is still visible in the ruins of an old fort and the Dutch church. It is possible to rent a bike and cycle along the Dutch canals. Or bike along the lagoons where fishermen catch crab, shrimp and lobster. Sinhalese women sell the freshly caught fish directly on the local market. Do you like fish, then you have found your spot here! Late in the afternoon, you can choose for an (optional) cruise through the lagoon. See how the fishing boats come in, look at village life along the water and enjoy the colorful birds.
Day 2 Negombo - Anuradhapura
Early in the morning, you visit the fish market Negombo. A colorful event. Fishermen bring their catch ashore. The fish is directly sold on to the traders who in turn sell the fish on the market.You are traveling to the area of the Ancient Cities' of Anuradhapura. Here you can find some of the finest examples of Sri Lankan heritage. Anuradaphura was the capital of Sri Lanka for a long time. Here you find immense ancient stupas; constructed of brick plastered with whitewash surrounded by ancient temples. The most famous is perhaps the stupa where the collarbone would be of Buddha Sakyamuni from North India. A visit to the oldest Bodhi tree, one of the largest sanctuaries in Sri Lanka is a must! In line with the white-clad pelgims who have come from afar to honor the Bodhi tree. Today or tomorrow you visit temples and stupas of your choice in consultation with your driver. Also visit the ancient stupa in Mihintale, built on a cliff with stunning views of the surrounding area. This place is so famous in Sri Lanka because in this place the then King accepted Buddhism that was passed by the daughter of Indian king Ashok to him.
Day 3 Anuradhapura
Today you make a selection from the many possibilities. There are three architectoniscal sites you can visit namely: stupas, monasteries and secular buildings such as hospitals, palaces and beautiful tanks (pokunas). Pokuna are large water containers for drinking water, essential for the old city. A visit brings you back in time since the city of Arunaradhapura rose omsteeks the third century BC. and flourished until the 11th century AD. The sites thus date back to different times and testify to a rich and highly developed civilization. Check it in search of the beautiful moon rocks at the entrance of a temple, decorated with animals of the zodiac and other symbols.
Day 4 Anuradhapura- Sigiriya (Minneriya Safari)
You leave Anuradhapura and travel to Sigiriya (Habarana). In the afternoon you go on safari in the fantastic bird and elephant reserve at Minneriya Habarane. Just after sunrise or just before sunset, the animals come to drink at the watering holes. Depending on the drought and the season many animals can be seen. Besides magnificent herds of elephants, you might see crocodiles, herons, cranes, mariboe and hornbills, an experience!
Day 5 Sigiriya - Sigiriya Rock
There is a lot to do from Sigiriya. You make a choice in consultation with the driver how to implement the program. Today you will visit preferably early in the morning the spectacular fortress of Sigiriya; one of the finest attractions in the country. This fort from the 4th century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and according to the locals, this is the eighth wonder of the world. The cliff rises 200 meters above the surrounding landscape. You walk along a spiral staircase. Halfway you will see the well-preserved wall paintings of the so-called clouds girls. You realize why this rock is nicknamed Lion Rock when you look at the entrance of the palace and see the 3 meter high lion claws. The story tells once a King lived on top of the rock who decided it was a nice place for his palace.
Day 6 Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa
Today you will be driven to the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa where you can rent bikes. You can cycle through this archaeological site with beautiful temples and stupas. Polonnaruwa is beautifully situated on one of the biggest 'tanks', artificial lakes (pokunas) of Sri Lanka. These tanks from the 12th century are quite shallow water reservoirs, that collect the monsoon rains and are used as storage for later irrigation. They are also breeding grounds for many bird species. Polunaruwa was one of the major urban centers of Southeast Asia in the 12th century and an ancient capital of the island. Of course you can also see the most beautiful masterpiece of the area, the group of four sublime Buddha statues, carved from a single piece of granite: Gal Vihare. It is a half hour drive from Sigiriya.
Day 7 Sigiriya - Kandy via Dambulla
En route to Kandy visit Dambulla cave temple. The Sinhalese king Valagam Bahu once fled here when he was chased out of his capital. He was very religious and had five rocks turned into a rock temple and decorated it entirely with images of Buddha. The complex houses murals of well over 2,000 years old. A climb of 150 meters in height brings you to it. Do not forget to stop during the climb to enjoy the beautiful views and observe the playing monkeys.You drive through an area where many different kinds of spices are grown; such as cloves, pepper and nutmeg. During a visit to some 'spice garden "you can get an idea of the growth and processing of a large number of herbs. You will also see different coffee, cocoa and rubber plantations; which also can be visited. Kandy is the second largest city in the country. The Royal City is one of the many UNESCO monuments of Sri Lanka. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Dalada Maligawa, known as the "Temple of the Tooth. Around sunset a ceremony is held in which a Buddha tooth is the centre of attention. The left tooth of Buddha is the most important Buddhist relic of Sri Lanka. Many pilgrims come to Kandy to make a sacrifice in the temple. During the Esala Perahera, the spectacular festival in July or August, many pilgrims come to see the spectacular processions.
Day 8 Kandy
At an altitude of 500 meters surrounded by hills Kandy makes for a pleasant place to stay all year round. You can make some nice walks in the surrounding hills. From Kandy you will visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, where young cast elephants are given a home. At the elephants bathingpool you can help wash these colossal and friendly animals. There is a chance that you may also help in feeding bottled milk to the youngest elephants. Along the way, you can also visit the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, where you can admire, among others, more than 300 orchids. In the evening you can enjoy the many local delicacies and of course the Kandy Dancers, the most famous dancers of the island. The highlight of the show is running over glowing charcoal.
Day 9 Kandy - Galle
You travel to the south coast to Galle. En route visit Weligame, where the famous' stilted fishermen "can be see. Fishermen stand here on stilts in the water to catch their fish. In galle in 1663 the Dutch built a large fort. The huge building, more like a village, gives a good idea of the power of the VOC in that period. Nowadays it, in almost original condition, lies at the entrance to the Bay of Galle. Within the thick walls, the atmosphere has not changed in over three hundred years, it is also the best preserved fort of Southeast Asia. Dutch names like Grote Kerk, Leynbaan, Utrecht-Bastion, Akersloot Bastion and Clippenberg Bastion recall the time when there was a vibrant herb and spice trade between Ceylon and the Netherlands.
Day 10 Galle
Today you have the whole day to enjoy the fort. Go to the Dutch Reformed church where all Dutch tombstones with inscriptions attest to the fact that once Dutchmen lived here. The museum is around the corner and the strawling through the intimate streets where beautiful villas and beautiful typical houses lie. The Montessori school gives you a warm welcome to come and take a look. At the end of the day it is lovely to walk on the ramparts of the fortress on the seaward side. All the locals do it with you! There are kites and her you can enjoy the sunset.
Day 11 Galle - Colombo
Today you will travel to the capital, Colombo. Visit the bazaar of Pettah, a colorful place filled with shops, street trading, mosques and Hindu temples. The city has been around 600 years and became a major port city in the Portuguese era in the 16th century. The Dutch and British period brought prosperity to the city and now the city breathes this mix of cultures. Look for the Dutch colonial architecture in Catholic churches or Anglican churches. Or close the trip with an afternoon tea and enjoy once more the characteristic Ceylon tea. Usually (depending on the airline, of course) you will be driven to the airport in the evening to take the plane around midnight to go home.
Day 12 departure Colombo
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Hi, I am Dhanushka Kumarage, your local travel agent.
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Discover sri-lanka with me!
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