Sri Lankan Mini Cultural Tour

Arrival at the Katunayake International Airport and meet your travel assistant of Walksons tourist Private Limited. (Travel Time Approximately- 50 min's)

Relaxing at inland hotel Colombo and explore the Sri Lanka's main commercial city places.

City Colombo deem as Sri Lankan main hub where almost all commercial activities are taken place,nevertheless. Apart from that Colombo chanting a history of 600 years back by the ruins of residences, Sea facing cannons, Aged Dutch Church's, natural port which handled hundreds of commercial ships as eastern sea nucleus many years ago during the impact of the colonial period of Portuguese, Dutch, British Era. Plus National Museum, Colombo Planetarium, Gangarama lake temple, BMICH(Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall ), Old Parliament at the face of Galle Face Green, Main Commercial Buildings at Fort, Luxury Shopping Centers.

Diner and overnight at inland hotel Colombo.

After breakfast, the tour starts with a visit to the Elephant Orphanage Pinnawala, The place where disabled, helpless elephants and tuskers are kept. Established 1975 the territory around 25 acres. (Travel Time Approximately- 2 hours & 20 min's)

There are about one hundred elephants in this orphanage. The tourist is treated with exceptional scenes of how they take food, how the baby elephants are milk-fed, rare instances of their playful activities and how they all do leisurely bath in the nearby river during the morning and noon time.

Later on proceed to Yapahuwa Kingdom of Royal.(Travel Time Approximately- 2 hours & 30 min's)

Yapahuwa which was built by the minister Subha, is one of the fortresses used by the Singhalese kings who fled to Malaya Dehsaya after destroying the Pollonnaruwa kingdon by Kalinga Magha, the Indian invader. Yapahuwa become the capital of Sri Lanka when Buwanekabahu I became king (1272 AD - 1234 AD) and providing protection to Dambadeniya kingdom for a long time under minister Subha and prince Weerabahu. The temple was constructed by "Neththipola Unnanse" with the approval of king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe in the 18th century and one has to go across this temple to enter the old Yapahuwa kingdom. Yapahuwa which is an old rock fortress is situated nearly 90m above the ground level, like other ancient rock fortresses, Yapahuwa too had been protected by water ways. It is apparent from the ruins of old water ways that can be seen today. To reach the old Dalada Maligawa(Old Tooth Relic Temple) one has to go through three stair cases. On other side of these stair cases there are carvings and paintings of "Bahirawa", lady dancers with pots called "Punkalasa", pictures of lions and "Korawakgal" can be seen. The pillers of Dalada Maligawa were decorated with various carvings and paintings like "Galboradam", "Palapethi", petals of lotus and lotus flowers. (Source :www.srilanka.travel)

Diner and overnight at inland hotel Yapahuwa.

After breakfast proceed to Anuradapura Kingdom.(Travel Time Approximately- 1 hour & 15 min's)

Established in 5th century of Buddhist Era Anuradhapura is the oldeswt and the first capital of Sri Lanka. During its peak of glory many thousands of people lived in the city. Royal palaces, monasteries, shrines glistening with gems at the pinacle of conical roofs, multi storeyed houses, leisure gardens, water pools and forested parks could be seen everywhere in the city. The ruins of the old city are scattered towards the north and the west of the modern city. Two most important dagobas namely the Thuparama and the Ruwanweliseya in which relics of Buddha are deposited have been restored according to their original shape, the bulb-like model.

Abhayagiriya built in the first century and Jethawanaramaya built in the third century tower up to 120m and are second only to Egyptian pyramids in Ghiza. Excavations have discovered ornaments, statues, coins along with seven religious books made out of golden sheets. Sky scraping dagobas built in the Anuradhapura era still tower majestically over the greenery. Many hundreds of the ground floor stone pillars of Lowamahapaya, a multi storeyed building which housed more than thousand Buddhist monks, remains today by the side of the Sri Maha Bodhi. The sacred bo-tree is considered to be the oldest existing tree in the world. The tree, which is a shoot of the original bo-tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, was brought to Sri Lanka and replanted in this place more than 2200 years ago, is now being supported by a metal structure.

The most excellent stone carvings can be seen in Anuradhapura. The Guard stones at Rathna Prasadaya (Gem Palace) and the moonstone at the foot of a stairway near the Queen's Pavilion provide the best examples. There are other stone carvings at Isurumuni Temple, which are famous in the names of 'The Isurumuni Lovers'; 'Man and the Horse's Head'; 'Bathing Elephants'.

Apart from these there are three major water reservoirs that were built by the Anuradhapura kings, still catering for the agriculture in the area. (Source :www.srilanka.travel)

Enjoy evening with Habarana Jumbo Rides. This is the most thrilling and exciting experience any foreigner can entertain in Sri Lanka. To ride a massive animal in the size of a jumbo elephant should be one that is very rare and most enjoyable.

Relaxing, Diner and overnight at inland hotel Dambulla.

after breakfast proceed to polonnaruwa. (Travel Time Approximately- 1 hour & 30 min's)

After the invasions towards the end of 10th century, the Sinhala Kingdom shifted from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa. The reign in the 11th century of King Parakramabahu the Great was the golden era of Polonnaruwa kingdom. A large reservoir called the "Parakrama Samudraya" (The Sea of Parakrama) built by this king still caters for agriculture in the district. In addition this king sponsored many projects including monasteries, temples, palaces, bathing pools and Buddha statues. Most of them are constructed in forested parks surrounded by moats.

Although there are a large number of ancient ruins in Polonnaruwa, only a few can be mentioned here. One of such beautiful places is the Polonnaruwa Rock Shrine. This contains Buddha statues in various postures, sleeping, sitting and standing. Around the sitting statue lions and lightning strokes are carved in stone. In a shrine there is another sitting statue around which are carved the figures of various Gods including Brahma and Vishnu. There is another statue standing about 8m which has steered a little from the tradition showing a folded arms sign. These are considered as excellent works of art in the Sri Lankan culture, and there is another statue standing about 4m and holding a book in both hands, which is believed to be of King Parakramabahu himself. The 'Book' carved out of stone which is 9m long and 0.5m thick is another marvel among these ruins.

The square compound situated in the middle of the old city with 12 superb buildings adds to the glory of the past of Polonnaruwa. There is another Buddha statue in the back of another building made using large bricks. The tourist is attracted by many more ruins that can be found in the area. (Source :www.srilanka.travel)

Evening proceed Minneriya national park to have a jeep safari. (Travel Time Approximately- 40 min's from pollonnaruwa)

Minneriya National Park is one of the dominant wild life sanctuaries in srilanka coming along with massive tanks inside the area such as Minneriya Reservoir which was built by king Mahasen at ancient time who is still believe as " God of Minneri" by the locals. Minneriya Wild Life Park was announced as Wild life sanctuary in 1938 with the intention of preserving the Catchment area of Minneriya reservoir. This wild life park is vastly renowned for the high population of Wild elephants that render unforgettable experience to the visitors coming from every parts of the world, not only elephant leopards, sambar deer's, purple-faced langurs and many species of mammals and birds can see.

Relaxing, Diner and overnight at inland hotel Dambulla.

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress.(Travel Time Approximately- 25 min's)

Sigiriya which shows the amazing ingenuity of ancient Sinhalese was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century. The rock stands 200m above the tree tops showing majestically its terra cotta and grey core which is the most fascinating part of the scene. The rock summit is flat with an area of about 4 acres, with a slight slope. On the ground below the rock there are some moats, a wall and some water parks. In the past there had been a stairway to climb up the rock through two massive fore legs of a lion made out of stone. Sigiriya is the best city in Asia restored under the First Millennium Cities, and in 1982 it was declared as one of the World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO.

The royal palace on the summit of the rock and the water works at the foot of the rock are instances of a complex design of a city carried out by unique engineering skill. Sigiriya frescos or the paintings of women are the best attraction of the tourist. There are about 21 pictures of women who are supposed to be of the king's harem. Sigiriya is considered as one of the most ancient sites where tourists have expressed their views as graffiti on a stone wall called the 'Mirror Wall'.

The Sri Lankan history offers a fascinating story to the scholar who follows the trails of the beginnings of Sigiriya. King Kashyapa kills his own father the former king in a most inhuman manner and fearing his younger brother who would pose him a threat flees the city to find his own safe place on the rock of Sigiriya. He starts building the palace on the summit in 477 A.D. and completes it in seven years time with a palace comprising of several storeys and water works at the foot of the rock. He thought this would guarantee his safety and a carefree luxurious lifestyle which unfortunately was not to be so. His brother Mugalan defeats him later on and ascends to the throne.

King Kashyapa had a very artistic mind. This fact is proved when considering the minute detail of all constructions that are found on the site of Sigiriya. The fun parks are symmetrically designed, the water works have an intricate pattern and most of them are still workable after 1500 long years. (Source :www.srilanka.travel)

Next proceed to Dambulla Cave Temple. (Travel Time Approximately- 20 min)

Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the major tourist sites in Srilanka, It is truly a Cave Complex Comprising around 90 Cave's in various kind of wall paintings and statues. The major Caves comprise 153 Lord Buddha's statues and other statues of kings, Hindu God's, Wall Painting acquire more attraction of thousands incoming tourists to Cave Temple, which painted on special cement treatment upon the rock surface using naturally manufactured rainbow colors. Wall Paintings express instances of load Buddha's period along with Arahath Monks (monks who passed certain step of mind towards the Nibbana) and other involved peoples; there are thousands of paintings aged over 2000 years back.

Relaxing, Diner and overnight at inland hotel Dambulla

After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Kingdom of kandy, en route visit to Matale Spice Garden. (Travel Time Approximately- 2 hours & 30 min's)

Matale Spice Garden is a very valuable place to visit because of its heavy distribution of ayurvedic plant and other renown species. During the ancient time Ceylon (srilanka) Was an well known trading hub of spice used by the vendors from middle-east, Greece, Portuguese etc. the trade still remaining in same quality. At the place tourists can have the knowledge of these plants and have a chance to purchase products made using them.

Royal Kingdom of Kandy is one of the exceptional world heritage sites where you will witness the most venerated Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Palace Temple with a Golden Roof where the world renown annual Kandy Dalada perahera(pageant) is taken place. Kandy is the last kingdom of the Sinhala kings of Sri Lanka before it became a crown colony of Britain in 1815.Inside this territory you also visit the museum which coffered the history telling equipments of the kandy Royal Kingdom. (Travel Time Approximately- 15 min)

Tour of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden is located on a very fertile land of about 147 acres by the Mahaweli River. Thousands of tourists from around the world visit this site every year. This has initially been built for the recreation of the ancient Sinhala kings of the Kandyan Kingdom. This garden consists of various parks with different species of plants that belong to diverse countries and climates. Some plants are several hundred years old. You will experience the most eye-catching and picturesque scenes in this place.

Next you will be proceeding to the Gems and Jewellery Shops which are very famous around the world for their unique Sri Lankan jewellery with embedded gems. This fact is doubtlessly proved by Prince William who offered to his fiancée Kate a golden ring embedded with a Sri Lankan Blue, which you might have witnessed through CNN, BBC and Reuters.

Diner and overnight at inland hotel Kandy.

After Breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya en route visit to tea factory. Travel Time Approximately- 2 hours & 30 min's (viewing travel)

This is the highest town above sea level in Sri Lanka. The sun is very mild throughout the year and average temperature fluctuates between 10-15*c. This is a very healthy cold for the body and the atmosphere offers a pleasant and salubrious climate. That is why the world calls it 'The Little England'. There are beautiful mountain ranges like on other, lush green tea plantation, stunning waterfalls, botanical gardens, 18-hole golf courses, horse races.

Whole day enjoy the beauty of the city.

Relaxing, Diner and overnight at inland hotel Nuwara Eliya.

Early to the breakfast tourist will be taken to the most exciting site of unforgettable Horton Plains Hike which ends at the World's End. This is surely an immensely admirable sight. On the way the visitor will witness not only the sambur but also Deer's And Wild boar's endemic to the Horton Plains with Truly picturesque waterfalls, tiny rivers and finally the Misty and the mysterious World's End having the depth of 4000ft gorgeous view. ( Travel Time Approximately- 1 hour & 15 min's by the entrance (viewing travel))

Evening relax at inland hotel Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast proceed to Benthota Beach Holiday or proceed to Katunayake for the Departure flights.