8-Day Sri Lanka Cultural & Nature Sightseeing Tour
Discover the true essence of Sri Lanka on this immersive 8-day journey that combines UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wild safaris, scenic train rides, and coastal beauty—all in one unforgettable tour.
Day 01
Arrival and booking in to a hotel in Sigiriya
As per your 7 nights and 8 days tour package, today you will reach Bandaranaike International Airport.
At the airport you will be met and greeted by our CEYLON EYEFUL TOURS representative and thereafter board your vehicle and journey to your first place of visit, The Golden Cave Temple, located in Dambulla. It is a UNESCO heritage site with almost 2000 years of history. There are five major caves, where you can see many statues, ruins and ancient paintings. The five-chambered building is the biggest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. Murals are painted over a total surface area of 2100 m2. The shrine contains 157 statues in all. The massive 150 m-tall rock that serves as the temple’s roof makes its presence a natural wonder. The huge, 15-meter-tall golden statue and pagoda were built after extensive repairs.
Day 02
Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, Minneriya and back to Sigiriya
On the second day of your trip, you will be brought to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. The second-oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka is Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa served as Sri Lanka’s second capital following the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It also features the beautiful remnants of Parakramabahu’s exquisite garden city, which was built in the 12th century, together with the Brahmanic temples built by the Cholas. The city is home to several archaeological treasures, including temples, shrines, castles, and ruins. Discover all there is to know about King Parakramabahu I’s palace (1153–1186). There are still intact walls in the 50-room structure, which was formerly rather huge. The walls of the king’s audience chamber are flanked by intricately carved stone elephants, while lion statues keep guard. There are enormous freshwater-spitting crocodile mouth statues in the king’s bathing pool. The Shiva Devale No. 2 is a stone structure that is tucked away in a little woodland. It is Polonnaruwa’s second-oldest Hindu temple.
After touring the historic city of Polonnaruwa, we are moving toward the Minneriya National Park. Many people visit this wildlife reserve to see Sri Lankan elephants. 150–300 wild elephants may congregate near Minneriya Tank during the dry season. Numerous wild creatures, including the Sri Lankan Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, buffalo, and indigenous monkeys, call the 888.4-hectare Minneriya National Park home. After that, you’ll be driven back to Sigiriya to spend the night.
Day 03
Sigiriya to Kandy
On the third day, you’ll do rock climbing before traveling to Kandy, which is known for the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya, also referred to as the “lion rock,” served as King Kashyapa’s capital and seat of government. The 180-meter-high rock According to a local tradition, King Kashyapa built a gateway in the shape of a huge lion halfway up a cliff in Sigiriya. Due to its shape, it was referred to as the “lion rock” (Sigiriya). The king’s death led to the castle’s abandonment. In the fourteenth century, it was still in operation as a Buddhist monastery. UNESCO has named the fortress’s ruins, which are still visible today, a World Heritage Site.
Our next stop will be at the town of Hiriwadunna. The small town is not far from the rural area. This charming tiny town of barely 2500 people acts as a time portal. Observing the peasants’ daily routines in this way is fascinating. You may also have a delectable traditional Sri Lankan lunch and take bullock cart and boat excursions.
The Spice Garden, a magnificent location bursting with fragrances and flora, will be our next stop. You will also get the chance to learn about all the different ways that spices are used in food and medicine. The Matale Muthumariamman Temple will be our next destination. The words Muthu, which means pearl, Mari, which means rain, and Amman, which means mother, are combined to form the name Muthumariamman. It is a shrine to Mariamman, the Hindu deity of rain and fertility. It’s fun to visit the temple. A lot of people visit the temple for religious events and marriages. The largest religious ceremony conducted in the temple throughout the month of March is the chariot festival, which is a joyful celebration. Then, we’ll proceed directly to Kandy, so you may dine and spend the night there.
Day 04
Kandy City Tour
On your fourth day of travel, you will see the magnificent city of Kandy, and we’ll also take you to a few surrounding places. Our car will pick you up at the hotel after breakfast. One of the sites we’ll visit is the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of Sri Lanka’s most well-known tourist destinations. For all Buddhists across the world, it is a very important and cherished place. It is the temple where the left canine tooth of the Buddha is honored. In 1988, UNESCO declared it a treasure of world culture.
Your next stop will be the Bahirawakanda Temple on Bahirawakanda Hill, a well-liked tourist destination known for its spectacular Buddha sculpture. We’ll eventually make our way to the Kandy viewpoint, which provides a comprehensive perspective of the city. The next stop is the nearby market, where you may purchase a variety of items, including organic foods and gifts. Our next outing will take us to the National Gems and Gemmological Museum, a museum where you can learn about the gems in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, it offers in-depth information about Sri Lanka’s lengthy history, which spans back 4.6 billion years. Also on exhibit are some of the most amazing minerals ever found. . Later, we’ll make our way to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. More than 4,000 distinct plant species may be found on this stunning 147-acre landscape. It is situated around 5.5 kilometers outside of Kandy. The renowned Mahaweli River borders this serene real estate property.
The Kandy Cultural Dance Show will be our next stop. The dance, passion, and cultural history of Sri Lanka are shown in this breathtaking performance. Since the dancers from the Kandy Lake club have been doing it since around 1982, you shouldn’t miss it. Its primary objective is to present each dance from Sri Lanka on a single stage. The final stop is the Kandy shopping center. After spending the whole day visiting each destination, you will be driven back to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
Day 05
Kandy to Ella through Nuwara Eliya
On the fifth day, you will visit the wonderful Ella, a charming town located in the Central Province’s highlands. On the way towards the highlands, you will come across mountains, waterfalls, and lovely greenery. Along the journey, you’ll stop at a few places, like the 109-meter-tall Ramboda Falls, Sri Lanka’s eleventh-tallest waterfall (358 ft). The Damro Labookellie Tea Centre and Tea Garden, the oldest tea institution in Sri Lanka, will be the destination of our next excursion. A free factory tour and tastings of tea are available.
We’ll stop at a few well-known locations en route to the charming town of Nuwara Eliya, including Gregory Lake, where you may have a pony ride and savor a delicious lunch. After that, we’ll proceed to the Nuwara Eliya post office. It is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest post offices and has a distinctive design. You’ll then be driven to the Nanu Oya Railway Station, where you’ll board the train for the most amazing ride to the gorgeous city of Ella. It is one of the most romantic rail journeys in Sri Lanka. Taking in the stunning vistas of Sri Lanka’s beautiful green tea farms, mountains, bridges, valleys, and dense wilderness is a must-do activity. It’s also the best way to learn about Sri Lankan culture. Chat with other commuters, wave to kids running by the tracks, and eat the hot delicacies sold by the vendors who board the train at each station. After the train ride, you’ll be escorted to your overnight location.
Day 06
Ella to Yala through Tissamaharama
On day six, we will be heading to Yala; we will be visiting a few locations on the way, like Little Adam’s Peak. Due to the resemblance between the two summits, Little Adam’s Peak (also known as Mini Adam’s Peak) was named after the revered Adams Peak (Sri Pada). An accessible climb to Little Adams Peak ascends a stunning peak covered with tea plantations, where you may observe people picking tea. Sceneries of thick jungles are breathtaking. You will never forget this ascent.
Then we’re going to the Nine Arch Bridge, which you may have seen on your train ride, but it’s worth going back to see the beauty and the bridge’s design. The Bridge in the Sky is another name for the Nine Arch Bridge. It is a structure from the Colonial era with a viaduct bridge structure.
Then, the Ravana Falls, also called Ravana Ella and named for the mythical king Ravana, will be our destination today. King Ravana, who then concealed her in a cave beneath the waterfall, allegedly took hostage Princess Sita. It is the country’s largest fall. The waterfall takes on the appearance of an areca blooming in the rainy months.
We will then head straight to Yala National Park, the nation’s second-largest national park and one that is bordered by the Indian Ocean, for your safari excursion. Only two of the park’s five blocks, Ruhunu and Kumana national parks, are accessible to the general public. Yala was designated as a refuge for animals in 1900. You will be driven to the hotel for supper and a night’s stay after the safari.
Day 07
Yala to Mirissa
On day seven, you’ll be driven straight to Mirissa. Come on, let’s head to Coconut Tree Hill when you get to Mirissa. It could be Mirissa’s most well-known location. There is a mineralized headland that faces the Indian Ocean close to Mirissa. Walking along the beach from the street takes around 10 to 15 minutes. When you get to the top, which provides a spectacular view of the beach and Mirissa Bay, you have to snap a photo in this gorgeous frame. After that, you might wander the town before retiring to your overnight lodging
Day 08
Mirissa to Galle , Bentota and departure
This is your departure date. if time permits, you will be driven to visit the Galle Fort, Turtle Hatchery Farm and for a safari boat tour on the famous Madhu River. Then you will be driven to the airport.
Galle Fort, which is situated on the Galle Coast. It was constructed by the Portuguese in 1588, and the Dutch refurbished it beginning in 1649. Even though it has been standing for more than 432 years, it still has a lovely appearance and is now regarded as a significant architectural monument.
Our following excursion will be to see the Turtle Hatchery Farm in Galle, which seeks to improve the toughness of the young turtles. A guide, who will meet you at the main entrance, will give you a tour of the structure. Then, we’ll make our way to the charming Madu River in Balapitiya town for a boat ride. The neighboring creek creates a number of islands, and the area’s biological system also results in a gorgeous wetland
Duration: 08 Days / 07 Nights
Destinations:Airport – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa- Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Tissamaharama – Mirissa – Bentota – Airport
Tour Inclusions
Bottled water
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Driver/guide
Tour Exclusions
Drinks
Lunch
Food and drinks
Want to Book This Tour?
- Airport pickup/drop-off and all transportation in a private vehicle
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Accommodation in handpicked hotels (B&B or Half-Board available)
- Entry tickets to all major attractions, safari, and train ride
- Madu River boat safari, cultural shows, and village experience