Ready for an amazing adventure? Unravel the hidden wonders of Sri Lanka, often referred to as the gem of the Indian Ocean, with our exclusive Sri Lanka Tour Package. Situated as an island nation in South Asia, with a vibrant history spanning 2500 years and stunning natural beauty, Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of tourism, culture, and breathtaking wonders. It attracts visitors with its best golden beaches, which are a combination of historical, spiritual, and natural elements. Home to UNESCO world heritage sites, Sri Lanka is renowned for its diverse culture, language, tropical paradise, famous tea, gems and batik, ancient heritage, and wildlife preservation activities, making it an ultimate tourist destination with an unforgettable experience.
Some sightseeing places in Sri Lanka that are included in our Sri Lanka tour package are Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo.
Anuradhapura (Ancient capital of Sri Lanka)
Located in the northern part of Sri Lanka, it was founded in the 5th century. Due to the ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization, UNESCO named it a world heritage site in 1982 under the name of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. It is the first historical capital of Sri Lanka, which gives a fascinating glimpse of massive Buddhist shrines and monasteries, splendid palaces, pavilions, and parks. Many of them are masterpieces of architecture, art, and sculpture. In this tour, you will be visiting some of the famous ancient stupas/monasteries in Anuradhapura.
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Abhayagiri Vihara: It is the important ancient Buddhist monastic centre built on the northern side of Anuradhapura. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimages, with magnificent monasteries. The term Abhayagiri Vihara means not only a complex of monastic buildings but also a fraternity of Buddhist monks, or Sangha, which maintains its own historical records, traditions, and way of life.
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Dakhinna Stupa: Built in the 2nd century, this is a large brick mound structure, probably an unfinished stupa. It stands at an impressive height, with a large domed shaped structure. This stupa is believed to be an enshrined relic of the Buddha, making it a sacred place for worship and meditation.
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Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya: Established in the 5th century, this significant Maha Viharaya holds historical importance as a Buddhist monastery. Founded by King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura within the capital city, it maintained its prominence as the leading monastery in Sri Lanka over numerous centuries, evolving into a hub for study and practice.
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Isurumuniya: Renowned for its stone carvings, this site in Anuradhapura dates back to the rule of Devanampiya Tissa. Serving as a significant place of worship, it also boasts additional attractions such as the Isurumuniya Lovers carving, the Elephant Pond, and depictions of the Royal Family. The Isurumuniya Lovers carving, showcasing Gupta-style art from the 6th century, portrays a love narrative with a woman seated on a man's lap, a tale that has captivated audiences for generations.
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Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: Situated within the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest sacred big tree planted by humans. Over time, Buddhist monks and monarchs have safeguarded this tree. Throughout the centuries, various structures, such as statues, water channels, golden enclosures, and walls, have been built around the tree. Additionally, countless Buddhists have made vows and offerings at this sacred site.
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Jetavanaramaya: It is a famous Buddhist temple and one of the largest Buddhist stupas, holding great historical and religious significance. Located in the north central province of Sri Lanka, the stupa was built during the reign of King Mahasena (273-301 AD) of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. It took nearly 15 years to complete. The stupa is made of bricks and constructed in a bell shaped design with decorative elements.
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Mirisawetiya Vihara: It was built by King Dutugemunu in the second century BC. The story goes that when King Dutugemunu had gone bathing in the Tissa Wewa, he left a container holding Buddha's relics on the bank. However, when he tried to move it later, he couldn't. Believing it to be sacred, he built the stupa on that spot to honour and protect the relics.
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Ruwanwelisaya: The oldest and grandest stupa, constructed in 140 BC by King Dutugemunu, stands as a testament to his ambitious efforts to revive Buddhism in the country. This stupa is designed in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha, This site holds significant historical and religious importance.
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Thuparamaya: It is believed to be the first Buddhist dagoba built in Sri Lanka. It is a 3rd century BC Buddhist shrine believed to hold one of Buddha’s relics. The right collarbone makes it a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world.
Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
Renowned as lion rock due to the lion shaped rock formation. It is one of the historical monuments of Sri Lanka, consisting of the ruins of the ancient stronghold that was built in the late 5th century. Sigiriya was built by King Kashyapa in 473–495, and it stands majestically 600 feet straight up. It is located in the northern Matale district, near the town of Dambulla, in the central province of Sri Lanka. It is home to murals, gardens, and on top of the rock: a swimming pool and palace. Surrounding the rock are elaborate water gardens and terraced gardens with fountains, pools, and canals.
Lion Rock is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a must-visit in Sri Lanka. There are different arts on the walls, the arts are of beautiful women. It is believed that the drawings are the reflections of the beautiful women who lived in King Kashyapa’s palace. Sigiriya is considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning in the world. Its complex irrigation systems, architectural features, and artwork provide valuable insights into ancient Sri Lankan civilization.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, situated north of Kandy, is a town centered around a large isolated rock formation and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dambulla temple complex consists of five caves transformed into shrine rooms adorned with Buddha statues and more than 1,500 ceiling paintings. Dambulla Cave Temple became a popular place of residence for Buddhist monks, at least during the reign of this king. The cave temples are carved into the rock face, and their entrances are adorned with elaborate stone carvings and sculptures.
The architecture reflects a blend of Sri Lankan, Indian, and South-East Asian influences. More than eighty caves have been discovered and documented in the area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings of Lord Buddha and his life. A total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses also stand on the site. The latter include statues of the Hindu deities Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals found there cover an area of 2,100 square meters (22604 sq ft). The five caves were converted into shrine rooms.
Polonnaruwa- The Ancient City
Located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, it is the second-largest city in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is known as the second most ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka and has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Also, Polonnaruwa is the most beautiful and boasts an impressive array of ruined palaces and courtyards. In Polonnaruwa, you will be visiting some of the famous destinations, such as Gal Viharaya, Lankathilaka, and Parakrama Samudraya.
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Gal Viharaya: It is known as the rock temple of Budhha located in the north central province of Sri Lanka, built by King Parakramabahu. The main feature of this temple is four antique Buddha statues carved into the face of a large granite rock and depicted in different positions.
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Lankathilaka: It is a Buddhist temple built in the 14th century by Gampola King. The temple was designed by a South Indian architect and initially built on uneven bedrock using a granite base foundation.
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Parakrama Samudraya: It is a vast water reservoir built by King Parakramabahu and one of the largest and most famous reservoirs in Sri Lanka. The Parakrama Samudra initially consisted of five large reservoirs, which were divided into smaller dams to lessen the pressure on the main dam. The main five reservoirs that make up the Parakrama Samudraya are Thopa Weva, Eramdu Weva, Dumbuthula Weva, Kalahagala Weva, and Bhu Weva.
Sacred City of Kandy
Situated within the central highlands of Sri Lanka, the city of Kandy has been honored with UNESCO recognition for its sacred landmarks, landscaped gardens, and cultural museums. It is one of the best places to explore the art history of Sri Lanka. Kandy was the last capital of the ancient king’s era in Sri Lanka. It is in the mountainous and thickly forested interior of the island, with its tropical rainforest climate. It is known as a dreamland journey and is ideal for fun-seekers as well as for those who appreciate nature and biodiversity. Kandy is home to one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world, known as the Temple of the Tooth.
The Temple of the Tooth is the most important Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka. It is said to house a left canine tooth of Buddha and is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world. The temple was built during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe in the 18th century. The tooth is housed in a two-story inner shrine in the complex, packed with offerings of flowers, often lotuses. Buddhist monks pay homage to the tooth three times each day, and a great festival in honour of the tooth takes place each summer.
Nuwara Eliya (City on the plain)
It is located in the central province of Sri Lanka, surrounded by hills and mountains. Nuwara Eliya, which is situated among some of the most beautiful tea estates, also has a golf course, a race course, horses, rose gardens, and British style houses, all of which add up to a perfect vacation retreat, offering a level of perfection. Nuwara Eliya is famous for tea production and was a favorite hill station during British colonial times. Some of the famous destinations you will be visiting during this tour are Ramboda Falls, Sri Bhakta Temple, the golf course, and Hill Club.
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Ramboda Falls: Ranked as the 11th tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, Ramboda Falls is a magnificent natural wonder that is worth seeing. The Ramboda Ella Falls are formed by the Panna Oya River, which is a tributary of the Kotmale Oya. Ramboda Ella consists of three divisions that are carved into the face of the rock, which is beautiful to see. The scenery around the waterfall is eye-catching with lush greenery and tea plantations.
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Sri Bhakta Temple: It is one of the Hanuman temples in Sri Lanka, located on the peak of the stunning scenic hill in Ramboda, 30 km north of Nuwara Eliya. Constructed by Chinmaya in 1999, this temple features an 18 feet tall Hanuman statue, making it the tallest statue in Sri Lanka. The view from the top is breathtaking, as it is located on an elevated path.
Colombo (The Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka)
Colombo, situated on Sri Lanka's western coast, serves as the bustling commercial, industrial, and cultural hub of the island. As the nation's financial center and a prominent tourist destination, it is a blend of modern amenities and historical charm. Visitors can explore a vibrant cityscape with contemporary attractions like bars, restaurants, and shopping complexes, along with colonial-era structures. Some attractions that you will be visiting on this tour are the National Museum, Independence Square, Gangarama Temple, BMICH, Town Hall, Nelum Pokuna, and Pettah Bazaar.
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National Museum: The biggest museum in Sri Lanka opened way back in 1877 with just 800 items to show the country's history and culture. Now, it's grown to hold over 100,000 exhibits and is home to the island's most important library. At the museum, you can see lots of cool stuff, like ancient documents, artifacts, and even the fancy throne and crown used by the kings and queens of Kandy.
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Independence Square: Located in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, was built in 1948. The present-day square includes manicured fountain gardens, ponds, and the grand Independence Memorial Hall, immortalising those who fought to preserve Sri Lankan identity. It is a popular picnic spot.
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Gangarama Temple: One of Sri Lanka's oldest Buddhist temples was founded by a well-known monk named Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 1800s. This temple is famous for tourists to visit, a place for worship, and a place to learn and train for jobs. The coolest thing about the temple is its museum, which has lots of Buddha statues from different places, along with statues of Hindu gods, old watches, Dutch coins, and other ancient things.
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BMICH: The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) is a famous place where lots of different events happen. It's like a hub for both hosts and guests, providing a great place for all kinds of occasions. You can hold meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and more there. It's known for its impressive architecture and facilities.
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Town Hall: The Town Hall of Colombo is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Colombo. It is built in front of Viharamahadevi Park and is a meeting place for the elected municipal council. Today, it houses the administrative staff of the municipal council. Its garden is the venue for many rallies and concerts all year round.
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Nelum Pokuna: The Nelum Pokuna, which means "Lotus Pond," is a big place for shows and performances in Colombo. It opened in 2011 and has a fancy auditorium with 1,288 seats, along with a library and training rooms. They hold concerts, plays, dances, and even big conferences there.
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Pettah Bazaar: Pettah Bazaar is a well-known shopping spot in Colombo, just outside the Colombo Fort. It's bustling with activity, where shoppers can score great deals on a wide range of items. From clothes and electronics to toys, fruits, jewelry, and household goods, you'll find it all from street vendors and shops in this lively area. Following these destinations, your Colombo sightseeing ends here.
This wonderful Sri Lanka Tour Package is a specially designed trip for those who want to explore the new destination with many cultural tribes and natural beauty. Our 8 days tour package encompasses the essential highlights of Sri Lanka. Unlock the secrets of Sri Lanka with our expertly crafted itinerary, offering a personalized and private experience. You have the flexibility to extend your stay, select preferred destinations, and even upgrade the accommodation, so why wait? Join us in discovering the beauty of Sri Lanka.
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