Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka

 

The "Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka" is a comprehensive journey through the island's rich and diverse heritage. This tour immerses travelers in the historical, religious, and artistic facets of Sri Lanka. Highlights include exploring the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, climbing the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and visiting the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Additionally, travelers will experience the colonial charm of Galle Fort, the vibrant cultural performances in Kandy, and the intricate cave temples of Dambulla. This odyssey offers a deep dive into Sri Lanka's cultural tapestry, showcasing its centuries-old traditions, architectural marvels, and vibrant local life.

 

Day 1 Arrival - Relax

Day 2 Game Drive at Wilpattu National Park

Day 3 Anuradhapuraya Ancient Sites - Mihintale Temple

Day 4 Sight-seeing Tour of Jaffna

Day 5 Sight-seeing Tour of Delft Island & Jaffna

Day 6 Sight-seeing Tour of Point Pedro & Jaffna

Day 7 Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Local Village visit with a Cookery Demonstration - Dambulla Cave Temple

Day 8 Polonnaruwa Ancient Sites - Enjoy the beach at Nilaveli

Day 9 Beach at Nilaveli 

Day 10 Beach at Passikudah 

Day 11 Beach at Passikudah 

Day 12 Kandy Sight-seeing

Day 13 Nuwara eliya by Train

Day 14 Tea Experience - Colombo

Day 15 Transfer to Airport for onward flight

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Negombo (west coast) 
  • Wilpattu – Game Drive in National Park 
  • Anuradhapura – Archeological sites
  • Mihintale – Buddhist Temple
  • Jaffna (North) – Sight-seeing Tours
  • Dutch Fort
  • Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
  • Delft Island
  • Naga Deepa Temple
  • Point Peduru
  • Keerimalai Springs
  • Sigiriya – Rock Fortress
  • Village tour with a cookery demonstration on local kitchen
  • Dambulla – Cave Temple
  • Polonnaruwa – Archeological sites
  • Trincomalee Sight-seeing tour 
  • Beach stay at Nilaveli
  • Passikudah Beach stay
  • Sight-seeing tour of Batticaloa 
  • Kandy – Sight-seeing Tour
  • Temple of the Tooth relic
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Tea Plantations and waterfalls
  • Nuwara eliya – Sight-seeing tour 
  • Tea Plantation and factory
  • Colombo – Sight-seeing tour

 

OPTIONAL

  • Polonnaruwa – Visit to Archeological sites 
  • Visit to the Pigeon Island
  • Whale Watching 

 

Proposed Round Tour Packages

All Rates Are :

  • In United States dollars, Per Person 

 

Round Tour Rates Includes:

  • Meeting at the Airport upon arrival and assistance during the stay
  • Private transport in Air con Car / Coach – Airport to Airport
  • Bottle of mineral water on arrival
  • Service of English Speaking Guide (European, Russian, Tamil, Malay, and Chinese speaking guides on request)
  • Accommodation in mentioned or similar hotels in air condition rooms 
  • Meal Plan offered is Bed and Breakfast basis. Can be amended to suit

 

Round Tour Packages Excludes:

  • Lunch, Dinner and beverages 
  • Meal Plan – if to be as Half Board or Full Board (Supplements are given)
  • Extras of personal nature
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Extra services other than those specified
  • Entrance Fees at places of interest(Given as a supplement)

 

Children Policy

  • Infants 0 – 2 years: Free of charge (Baby cot on request)
  • Child 2 – 12 years: 50% of adults rate sharing a room with parents including extra bed

              25% of adults rate sharing a room with parents excluding extra bed

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please Note:

  • The rates quoted are based on the mentioned or similar category hotels.
  • The rates are net and include government taxes (VAT, TDL & NBT) 
  • These rates are subject to change without prior notice in the event the government changes the tax policy, if the hotels change their rates, or for any situation beyond our control.
  • These rates are applicable for tour operators/travel agents working exclusively with us, in Sri Lanka.
  • All hotel classifications are as per Sunway Holidays classifications. 
  • Confirmation of hotels will be subject to availability at the time of final confirmation.
  • Meal plan will be on a booked basis.
  • Half Board will be from arrival day dinner to departure day breakfast
  • Full Board will be from arrival day lunch to departure day breakfast

 

Other Conditions:

  • Optional excursions and additional services could be provided at extra costs.
  • Visits to wildlife parks, adventure activities, etc will be at the client's own risk.
  • Payment by credit cards will be subject to 3% bank charges

 

Cancellation charges (Sri Lanka):

  • Within 07 - 00 days - 100% chargeable from the total package price as a cancellation charge.
  • Within 14 - 08 days - 75% chargeable from the total package price as a cancellation charge.
  • Within 21-15 days - 50% chargeable from the total package price as a cancellation charge.

 

Children Policy 

  • Below 2 Years – On a complementary basis. 
  • Age between 2 – 12 – With Extra Bed - Will Pay 50% of adult rate (when sharing a room with parents).
  • Age between 2 – 12 – Without Extra Bed - Will Pay 25% of adult rate (when sharing a room with parents).

 

Peak Period Supplement 

  • Stays in between 1st July 2024 to 31st August 2024 following supplements will apply.
    • In 3* Hotels – USD 15 per room, per night 
    • In 4* Hotels – USD 25 per room, per night 
    • In 4/5* Hotels – USD 30 per room, per night
    • In 5* Deluxe Hotels – USD 40 per room, per night

 

Annual Kandy Esala Perahara Supplement 

  • Stays in Kandy between 10th August 20th August 2024 following supplements will apply.
    • In 3* Hotels – USD 30 per room, per night 
    • In 4* Hotels – USD 40 per room, per night 
    • In 4/5* Hotels – USD 45 per room, per night
    • In 5* Deluxe Hotels – USD 50 per room, per night

 

Hotel Rules & Regulations:

  • The official check-in time at all hotels will be 1200hrs.
  • The official check-out time at all hotels will be 1100hrs.
  • Early check- in / late check-out is subject to availability from the hotel
  • Cancellation policy will also be applicable for any reduction of rooms after the release period.

 

Tipping :

  • Recommended minimum tipping per person, per day for groups above 15 pax -Guide USD 3 & driver USD 2
Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 01 : Arrival - Relax

A warm welcome to Sri Lanka by our representative / your guide, at the Bandaranaike International airport, 30 KMS North of Colombo, the Island’s capital. You will be transferred to your beach hotel in Negombo. Enjoy your first glimpse of the color and culture of Sri Lanka as your travel to the coastal town of Negombo. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax and unwind by the Indian Ocean. The beach is at its most picturesque around sunset time when local fishermen mend their nets and prepare their boats ahead of night fishing trips. The strip of restaurants and cafés behind the beach, is lively after dark and a great place to sample local seafood.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 02 : Game Drive at Wilpattu National Park

Enjoy an early breakfast and leave for Wilpattu. In the afternoon make a Jeep Safari in the Wilpattu National Park. In the far north east of Sri Lanka, Wilpattu encompasses 130,000 hectares of savannah and marshland is fast regaining its popularity as a wildlife destination. Its varied habitats support 31 Spices of mammal, including elephant, jackal, sambar deer, spotted deer, laughing deer, buffalo and mongoose. Most visitors are here for the sloth bears and leopards. The animals tend to congregate around Wilpattu’s trademark ‘villus’, or lakes, which feed into the Modara Gamaru and Kala Oya Rivers. It tends to be far less busy than the island’s better known national parks. Encounters with elephant and monitor lizards are frequent; leopards and bears may be more elusive but over the course of your stay the odds of seeing them are high. Move to Anuradhapura for the next two nights stay.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 03 : Anuradhapuraya Ancient Sites / Mihintale Temple

Enjoy your breakfast and make a guided tour of the first capital of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura, the greatest and most resilient of all Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals, and Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura, was founded in 377 BC and thrived until its destruction by Indian invaders in 993AD. Today, its monuments attract tourists and Buddhist pilgrims from across the globe. The most revered monument on the site, however, is of more modest proportions: enclosed within tiers of gold railings, the Sri Maha Bodhi, or Sacred Bodhi Tree, is believed to have grown this tree from a cutting taken from India over 2,500 years ago and from the tree under which the Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is considered to be the oldest tree in the world! Mihintale Temple holds immense cultural and religious importance for the people of Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 04 : Sight-seeing Tour of Jaffna

Enjoy your breakfast depart for Jaffna the northern capital of the Island predominantly Hindu where you will stay the next three nights. After a short rest start off the sight-seeing. visit the nearby Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, one of the island’s most revered Hindu shrines. Dedicated to the God Murugan, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is the region’s largest temple. Hundreds of visitors pour beneath its huge gopura tower every day, walking barefoot along ornately decorated walkways flanked by rows of gold-arched alcoves and an impressive ablutions tank to worship at the main sanctum. Most of what survives today dates from the 18th century, the Portuguese having destroyed a more ancient structure two-hundred years ago. Later visit the Jaffna Library and the Fort which dates back to 1618 Portuguese period.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 05 : Sight-seeing Tour of Delft Island & Jaffna

Enjoy your breakfast take the 8 am Boat to Delft Island which is the largest and most interesting of the many islands off the Jaffna Peninsula. Low-lying and largely arid, it is ringed with coral sand beaches and bands of shallow, turquoise water. Make a visit to an ancient Hindu temple and ruins of the Dutch Fort. Enjoy a traditional Jaffna lunch in a local restaurant before departing for Nagadeepa where you will visit an ancient Buddhist temple. On returning to Jaffna, spend the rest of the day by the pool side of your hotel.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 06 : Sight-seeing Tour of Point Pedro & Jaffna

Enjoy your breakfast and visit the Jaffna’s bustling market district in the morning, take a walk around and explore a bit by yourself. Visit the northern-most point of Sri Lanka, Point Pedro in the afternoon. On your way stop at Keerimalai Spring for a dip in a stepped pool of vivid turquoise water surrounded by ocean.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 07 : Sigiriya Rock Fortress / Local Village visit with a Cookery Demonstration / Dambulla Cave Temple

It’s going tom be a long day. Enjoy an early breakfast and visit the UNESCO-listed 5th century site of Sigiriya. Accessed by a steep 600 feet hike up to the ancient natural rock fortress that dominates the surrounding landscape. Make a pause at the huge lion paws carved in to the rock, the original gateway to the fort. Marvelous views across the countryside of the Cultural Triangle are your reward for the haul to the top. On your return visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sri Lanka’s greatest cave-temple complex, the walls and ceiling of this Buddhist site are resplendent with frescoes and there are hundreds of statues of Buddha, Dambulla is located on a huge granite outcrop in the Dry Zone, with views extending over the tropical canopy to distant Sigiriya and beyond. Make a visit to a nearby village and get a glimpse of an authentic local experience, gaining insight into the daily activities of the villagers, and enjoying a catamaran ride on the lake. Take a tuk-tuk ride to a village house where you will interact with a local family and learn the art of preparing an authentic Sri Lankan lunch. Tasty traditional sweet meats for dessert and warm Ceylon tea will enrich the experience. Later in the afternoon wildlife lovers can take an optional Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park. Its renowned for large herds of elephants. The Minneriya Tank, a reservoir built by an ancient civilization, attracts large herds of elephants, deer, and water buffalo to its shores, particularly during the dry season (June to September) when Minneriya National Park gains fame for the “the Gathering”, when you as many 300 wild elephants around the reservoir.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 08 : Polonnaruwa Ancient Sites / Enjoy the beach at Nilaveli

Enjoy the breakfast and visit Polonnaruwa, ranged around a huge man-made lake, Polonnaruwa, is the most impressive and compact of the island’s ancient sites. Its vestiges – comprising finely sculpted statues, frescoes, colossal Buddha images and immense stupas. Look out for the famous Gal Vihara or “Rock Temple” where you will see four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone, reflecting peace, serenity, and strength. Optional - Cycling around the sites 3-4 KMS is an ideal way to explore the historic site Later leave for Trincomalee the east coast of the island. Make a quick visit to the Lover’s leap, well known Hindu Kovil, Dutch period Fort and the Kinya Hot water springs. Check in at your hotel in Nilaveli, where you will stay 2 nights and relax by the sand beach.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 09 : Beach at Nilaveli

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and spend the days relaxing by the Indian Ocean. Optional – A visit to close by Pigeon Islands, deep-sea whale watching boat trip, snorkeling are recommended.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 10 : Beach at Passikudah

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and later leave for Batticaloa (Passikudah) in the east coast of the island. Check in at your hotel in Passikudah, where you will stay 2 nights and relax by the sand beach.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 11 : Beach at Passikudah

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and spend the day relaxing by the Indian Ocean. Make an optional sight-seeing tour of Batticolloa

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 12 : Kandy Sight-seeing

Enjoy your breakfast and depart for Kandy. Make a city tour of Kandy, the island’s cultural capital and the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy, Kandy is encircled by jungle-covered hills. Located in the refreshing highlands, Kandy is easy to fall in love with. Stop at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the island’s most revered Buddhist shrine. Pilgrims dressed in white clothes come to worship throughout the day, carrying lotus blooms and frangipani flowers to present at the shrine. Proceed exploring Kandy’s colorful Bazar, Upper Lake, arts centers, museums etc. Visit the Kandy’s Royal Botanical Gardens famed for the world-class collection of orchids, palms and, the real showstopper, a giant Javan fig tree. Later attend a cultural dance performance with fire dancing.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 13 : Nuwara eliya by Train

Enjoy the breakfast and board the train from Peradeniya railway station to Nanuoya, nearby to Nuwara eliya, on a scenic three and a half-hour train journey (dependent on the local railway regulations) through Sri Lanka’s beautiful highlands. The drive is scenic, nature rich, with mountains covered with tea bushes. Your driver guide will meet you at Nanuoya and bring you to the hotel for the night’s stay

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 14 : Tea Experience / Colombo

Enjoy your breakfast and make an optional visit to Horton Plains, also known as the World’s end. Horton Plains National Park in the central highlands is a stunning natural wonder. Park is home for a variety of wildlife and to the world’s end. The plains plateau comes to a sudden end at World's End, a stunning escarpment that plunges 880m. The nature walk here is around 4kms with the trail that loops back to Baker's Falls is another 2kms. The continuation back to the entrance is of another 3.5 kms. The round-trip walk takes a leisurely three hours. On your way back, visit a tea factory to learn how the region’s most fragrant brews are produced. The Tea experience starts with a guided tour of a local tea factory, where you’ll be shown how the top best leaves are picked and processed. Taste a cup of freshly brewed pure Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Tea. You can also buy fresh tea from the factory outlet. Explore the city center to see the colonial buildings, Race Course, Hill Club Hotel, Gregory Lake and Sita Amman Kovil. Leave for Colombo the Islands commercial capital. Have a sight-seeing tour of the capital city, where you will stay tonight.

Cultural Odyssey of Sri Lanka
Day 15 : Transfer to Airport for onward flight

Enjoy your breakfast and later make the transfer to the airport for your onward flight

Day 01 : Arrival - Relax

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Negombo
Golden Star Beach Hotel
Golden Star Beach Hotel
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Negombo
Goldi Sands Hotel
Goldi Sands Hotel

Negombo is a popular beachside retreat situated just minutes away from the International Airpo...

Read More
Negombo
Tamarind Tree Garden Resort
Tamarind Tree Garden Resort
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Negombo
Goldi Sands Hotel
Goldi Sands Hotel

Negombo is a popular beachside retreat situated just minutes away from the International Airpo...

Read More
Negombo
Tamarind Tree Garden Resort
Tamarind Tree Garden Resort
Read More

Day 02 : Game Drive at Wilpattu National Park

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Anuradhapura
Miridiya Lake Resort
Miridiya Lake Resort
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Anuradhapura
Rajarata Hotel
Rajarata Hotel
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Anuradhapura
Aryana Boutique Hotel
Aryana Boutique Hotel
Read More

Day 03 : Anuradhapuraya Ancient Sites / Mihintale Temple

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Anuradhapura
Miridiya Lake Resort
Miridiya Lake Resort
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Anuradhapura
Rajarata Hotel
Rajarata Hotel
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Anuradhapura
Aryana Boutique Hotel
Aryana Boutique Hotel
Read More

Day 04 : Sight-seeing Tour of Jaffna

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Jaffna
The Valampuri
The Valampuri
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Jaffna
Fox Resort
Fox Resort
Read More
Jaffna
Northgate
NorthGate
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Jaffna
Fox Resort
Fox Resort
Read More
Jaffna
Northgate
NorthGate
Read More

Day 05 : Sight-seeing Tour of Delft Island & Jaffna

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Jaffna
The Valampuri
The Valampuri
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Jaffna
Fox Resort
Fox Resort
Read More
Jaffna
Northgate
NorthGate
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Jaffna
Fox Resort
Fox Resort
Read More
Jaffna
Northgate
NorthGate
Read More

Day 06 : Sight-seeing Tour of Point Pedro & Jaffna

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Jaffna
The Valampuri
The Valampuri
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Jaffna
Fox Resort
Fox Resort
Read More
Jaffna
Northgate
NorthGate
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Jaffna
Fox Resort
Fox Resort
Read More
Jaffna
Northgate
NorthGate
Read More

Day 07 : Sigiriya Rock Fortress / Local Village visit with a Cookery Demonstration / Dambulla Cave Temple

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Dambulla
Pelwehera Village Resort
Pelwehera Village Resort
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Dambulla
Occidental Paradise
Occidental Paradise
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Dambulla
Occidental Paradise
Occidental Paradise
Read More

Day 12 : Kandy Sight-seeing

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Kandy
Hotel Topaz
Hotel Topaz
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Kandy
Radisson Hotel
Radisson Hotel
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Kandy
Mahaweli Reach Hotel
Mahaweli Reach Hotel
Read More
Kandy
The Grand Kandyan
The Grand Kandyan
Read More

Day 13 : Nuwara eliya by Train

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Nuwara Eliya
Heaven Seven
Heaven Seven
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Nuwara Eliya
Mirage Kings Cottage
Mirage Kings Cottage
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Nuwara Eliya
The Blackpool Resort & Spa
The Blackpool Resort & Spa
Read More

Day 14 : Tea Experience / Colombo

Silver Packages

Three Star Hotels

Colombo
Sofia Colombo City Hotel
Sofia Colombo City Hotel
Read More
Gold Packages

Four Star

Colombo
Radisson Hotel Colombo
Radisson Hotel Colombo
Read More
Platinum Plackages

Five Star

Colombo
Cinnamon Lakeside
Cinnamon Lakeside
Read More
Starting from USD 0.00per person

Send Inquiry

Name is required.
Telephone is required.
Arrival date is required.
Number of adults is required.
Type of trip is required.
Email is required.
Country of residence is required.
Number of days is required.
Message is required.