3 Days Ancient Capital Cities Tour from Colombo

Itinerary

Day 1: COLOMBO – POLONNARUWA

Pass By: Apple Vacations Srilanka, Colombo, Western Province
We operate with our own fleet of vehicles to maintain our high standards of services together with our team of professional licensed tourist guides and chauffeurs who are fluent in most of the major languages required for tours. Our Customer Service, Our fleet of Vehicles & Drivers are Available for 365 days in the year, 7 days in the week & 24 hours in the Day Apple Vacations truly capture and understand the needs of our valued customers. Our reputation will be developed by providing a high quality product and services Our ultimate goal is to provide an unforgettable travel experience to our clients, not just to see the Sri Lanka to experience the real Sri Lanka

Stop At: Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
Poḷonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Thuparama, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
Thuparamaya is an ancient Buddhist temple in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Located in the sacred area of Mahamewna park, the Thuparamaya Stupa is the earliest Dagoba to be constructed in the island, dating back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
The Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharaya and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at 3 star Hotel

Day 2: POLONNARUWA – ANURADHAPURA - SIGIRIYA

Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in 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
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
This city is known as the home of an offspring of the Bo tree where the Buddha found enlightenment.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
As the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, Ruwanwelisaya is considered to be an icon of architectural glory in ancient Sri Lanka. Ruwanwelisaya, rising with its glory in the city of Anuradhapura, tops the list among Buddhists’ sacred places. Ruwenwelisaya bears witness for his incomparable service to revive Buddhism in the country. It is located just a short walk away from Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. The stupa is one of the eight places of veneration situated in Anuradhapura which are places believed to have been visited by Buddha during his three visits to Sri Lanka.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Ritigala Forest Monastery, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
Ritigala Mountain at a height of 766 m above the sea-level is the highest mountain in the north-central dry plains of Sri Lanka. The mountain mass about three miles long and about two miles wide at its widest point is covered with dense jungle inhabited by wild elephants, leopards and bears. It is the watershed of the Malwatu Oya which feeds the Nachaduwa tank and Kalueba Ela which feeds Huruluwewa. The Ritigala Mountain has been declared a Strict Natural Reserve in order to maintain its pristine environment.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
Jethawana Stupa is the largest stupa in the Sri Lanka. It was originally 400 feet (122 meters) in height and was the third tallest building in the world at that time. Even today as a brick monument, Jethawanaramaya still remains the tallest of its kind in the world.
Duration: 10 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at 3 star Hotel

Day 3: SIGIRIYA – PIDURANGALA - DAMBULLA – COLOMBO

Stop At: Ancient City of Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
Sigiriya is the most exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art, architecture and landscaping. Built over 1,600 years ago, the now sinister-looking 600 ft high black rock once appeared like a massive dazzling white cloud floating above the surrounding forests. Its sides were painted with beautiful frescoes of semi-naked nymphs. A large gatehouse in the form of a lion guarded the entrance to the innermost sanctum of the city – the Sky Palace on top of the rock. Sigiriya burst briefly into pre-eminence and was then abandoned and lay hidden in the forests for nearly 1,500 years. The climb to the top is strenuous but it is worth it. Definitely a must visit site!
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Pidurangala Rock, Sigiriya, Central Province
Pidurangala Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Pidurangala village of Matale District, Sri Lanka. The temple was constructed on a massive rock called Pidurangala, which is located a few kilometers north of the historical fort Sigiriya
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Habarana, North Central Province
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 kilometres east of Colombo and 72 kilometres north of Kandy. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Popham's Arboretum, Dambulla, Central Province
An arboretum is a place where trees are grown for study and display as a tree garden. The IFS-Popham Arboretum, Sri Lanka’s only dry zone arboretum was established over five decades ago on 7.5 acres of thorny scrub jungle and abandoned ‘Chena’ land in Dambulla which is in the geographical center of our island, where history and culture merge amidst a natural landscape of water and mountains.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Kaludiya Pokuna, Dambulla, Central Province
The approach to this ancient historical site is very pleasant, winding its way through paddy fields and vegetable cultivations – typical rural Sri Lanka, which gives way to beautiful stands of tall, dry monsoon forest. You even find peacocks crossing the road at intervals. There are also two pokunas or ponds from which the name Kaludiya Pokuna has been derived
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Oakray Woodcarvings, Sigiriya, Central Province
From typical wooden elephant ornaments to the more intricately carved wooden traditional masks, Oak Ray Wood Carving boasts of one of the more comprehensive wood carving collections in Sri Lanka. The ‘Oak Ray’ brand, primarily catering to the hospitality needs of tourists has diversified its name into the niche of handicrafts and has quickly become a go-to establishment to find that perfect memento of your journey around the Paradise Island of Sri Lanka.
Duration: 10 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.