4 days cultural tour in Sri Lanka visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Itinerary

Day 1: Negombo - Anuradhapura

Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
It is believed that this is where Mahinda converted King Devanampiyatissa to Buddhism. Mahinda was the son of an emperor from India, but chose a path of devotion and instead became a Buddhism monk. Mihintale, or “Mahinda’s Mountain,” eventually became the cradle of Buddhism in the Sinhalese culture. For centuries, it was a complex of cave dwellings, monasteries, and stupas used by monks. Thankfully the ruins of some of these buildings can still be seen today, making Mihintale the perfect day trip from Anuradhapura.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Isurumuniya Vihara is a monastic complex carved out of solid rock. Built by King Devanampiyatissa, it was used to house 500 ordained Buddhist monks, or issira. Typically, issira were children from noble families in high castes willing to dedicate their lives to the teachings of Buddha and the path to enlightenment. Once they were ordained, they lived apart from the rest of Anuradhapuran society.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
This sacred fig tree was propagated from the original Bodhi Tree under which Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment. Siddhartha Gautama was the young Indian prince who founded the Buddhist religion. He is also referred to as Gautama Buddha, or known simply as the Buddha.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Known as the “Great Stupa,” the Ruwanwelisaya stupa is an enormous white structure that predates the Jetavanarama stupa by over 100 years. King Dutugemunu, who became ruler after defeating King Elara, commissioned its construction in 161 B.C. Sadly, he did not live long enough to see its completion. The gleaming white monument is quite large, with a height of 91.4 meters and a circumference of 290 meters. It is the second highest stupa in Anuradhapura and continues to be an important place of worship.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Abhayagiri Dagaba, Watawandana Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Located at the north end of Anuradhapura is the Abhayagiri Vihara monastic complex. It was constructed by King Vattagamini in 88 B.C. and had the capacity to house 5,000 monks at a time. For nearly 600 years this was the largest monastery in Sri Lanka. The property, which extends over 500 acres, features Buddha statues, a stupa, one of the most outstanding moonstones in Sri Lanka and two very famous bathing pools, the Kuttam Pokuna.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Jetavanaramaya Monastery and stupa were built by King Mahasen (273 – 301 A.D.) It has a height of 122 meters and is believed to have been one of the tallest structures in the ancient world when it was completed, second only to the Egyptian pyramids at Giza. Built with bricks made of sand and clay, the Jetavanaramaya stupa is as much a testament to ancient engineering as it is to spirituality. A part of Buddha’s sash, a religious relic, is said to be enshrined here. Gazing up at this architectural feat, you will be in awe of the ancient world of Anuradhapura.
Duration: 20 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Anuradhapura

Day 2: Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya

Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya ( Uththararamaya) is one of the main attraction in Polonnaruwa. The name Uththararama means the temple by the north side. This was done by king Parakamabahu in Polonnaruwa Kingdom time. This has two seating Buddha statues, one Standing statue and one statues in a Parinirvana Manchakaya. All the statues were done from a single huge granite rock.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Pabalu Vehera, Gal Vihara Road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Pabalu Vehera, is another typical dagaba, dating back to King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186). This is the third largest dagaba in Polonnaruwa, and in excellent condition. The original name of this stupa is not known. The current name "Pabalu" (meaning beads) was derived from the fact that a large number of small glass beads being found during the excavation of the area around the stupa.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Rankoth Vehera, Ancient Bhikku Hospital, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Rankot Vihara is a huge dagaba in excellent condition, of impressive 54 meters tall! It is the largest dagaba in Polonnaruwa, the fourth largest in Sri Lanka, and dates back to King Nissanka Malla (1187 – 1196). At least fifty-five meters in height and standing on a large platform, and it is today preserved wonderfully in its original brick form. In form it is supposed to look somewhat similar to the ancient Anuradhapura stupa of Ruwanweliseya and in fact it was even referred to as such, although the names Ratnavalli Stupa and Rankoth are even more applicable.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Lankathilaka Image House, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Lankatilaka temple history runs back to the Gampola Kingdom era. King Buwanekabahu IV has built this temple in 1344 AD. The King's Chief Ministers Senalankadhikara was entrusted to carryout the construction work of this temple. The South Indian architect Sthapati Rayar has designed this with a blend of Sinhalese architecture of Polonnaruwa period and of Dravidian and Indo Chinese style is the opinion of late Professor Paranavitana.
Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Sigiriya

Day 3: Sigiriya - Dambulla

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Main Road, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Referred by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka. The palace is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
The Dambulla cave temple is one of the UNESCO World heritage sites and the temple has 157 statues of the Lord Buddha, many paintings on the ceilings and walls that emphasis the artistic talent of ancient days.The statues and art found within the cave truly highlight the artistic abilities of those living in the past. It is well persevered and a walk through the caves will prove to be both insightful and a very memorable experience.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Dambulla

Day 4: Dambulla - Kandy - Negombo

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The temple of the tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This precious relic attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day. The relic of the tooth is kept in a two-story inner shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks. The relic rests on a solid gold lotus flower, encased in jeweled caskets that sit on a throne.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, also known as Royal Botanical Gardens, is the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka. The alluring garden is particularly famous for its variety of beautiful orchids. Take a walk through the green foliage, lay back in peace and tranquility or explore the rich varieties of plants, flowers and spices in the garden. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens houses 4000 labeled species of flora. The garden also boasts of an artificial lake with water plants including the giant water lily and papyrus reeds.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: No accommodation provided on this day