Cultural Heritage Trail

Journey Through Time

🇱🇰 15-Day Cultural Heritage Trail – Journey Through Time

Theme: Sacred Cities • Ancient Civilizations • Spiritual Legacy • Cultural Landscapes
Perfect for: History lovers, cultural travelers, educators, senior travelers, heritage enthusiasts

🗓️ Tour Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

Start: Airport (Colombo) – End: Airport (Colombo)

🌍 Full Route:

Colombo → Anuradhapura → Mihintale → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya → Dambulla → Matale → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Kataragama → Yala → Galle → Unawatuna → Balapitiya → Colombo

🏛️ Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Anuradhapura

  • Welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport

  • Drive to Anuradhapura (approx. 4.5 hrs)

  • Check-in to heritage hotel

  • Evening walk around Tissa Wewa lake

Overnight: Anuradhapura

🕉️ Day 2: Explore Ancient Anuradhapura

  • Visit Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya

  • Explore Abhayagiri Monastery & Jetavanaramaya

  • See Isurumuniya Lovers rock carvings

Overnight: Anuradhapura

🗻 Day 3: Mihintale & Transfer to Polonnaruwa

  • Morning climb at Mihintale (cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka)

  • Transfer to Polonnaruwa (approx. 2 hrs)

  • Evening exploration of ancient ruins: Royal Palace, Gal Vihara, Parakrama Samudra

Overnight: Polonnaruwa

🏯 Day 4: Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Village Experience

  • Morning visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress

  • Optional: Traditional village experience with bullock cart ride & cooking demo

  • Transfer to hotel near Sigiriya/Dambulla

Overnight: Sigiriya / Dambulla

🕍 Day 5: Dambulla Cave Temple & Matale Spices

  • Visit UNESCO-listed Dambulla Golden Cave Temple

  • Stop at Matale Spice Garden

  • Transfer to Kandy – cultural capital

Overnight: Kandy

🎶 Day 6: Kandy Cultural Day

  • Morning visit to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

  • Upper Lake Drive & Royal Botanical Gardens

  • Evening: Kandyan Dance Cultural Show

Overnight: Kandy

🌄 Day 7: Train Ride to Nuwara Eliya

  • Scenic train ride: Kandy to Nanu Oya

  • Visit Ramboda Waterfall

  • Explore tea estates & Gregory Lake

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

🚂 Day 8: Highland Journey to Ella

  • Visit Seetha Amman Temple

  • Transfer to Ella via scenic roads

  • Stop at Ravana Falls, enjoy views from Nine Arches Bridge

Overnight: Ella

🛕 Day 9: Ella to Kataragama

  • Sunrise hike to Little Adam’s Peak

  • Transfer to Kataragama, sacred pilgrimage town

  • Evening puja ceremony at Kataragama Temple

Overnight: Kataragama

🐘 Day 10: Yala National Park Safari

  • Morning safari at Yala National Park (leopards, elephants, sloth bears)

  • Relaxed evening near Yala or beachside

Overnight: Yala / Tissamaharama

🌊 Day 11: Transfer to Galle via Tangalle

  • Stop at Weherahena Temple or Hummanaya Blowhole

  • Reach Galle Fort, a colonial gem

  • Leisure evening inside Galle Fort

Overnight: Galle

🏖️ Day 12: Explore Galle & Beach Time in Unawatuna

  • Visit Galle Dutch Fort (UNESCO)

  • Enjoy Unawatuna Beach or snorkel at Jungle Beach

  • Visit Japanese Peace Pagoda

Overnight: Unawatuna

🛶 Day 13: Balapitiya River Safari & Mask Village

  • Transfer to Balapitiya

  • Boat safari along Madu River (mangroves, cinnamon islands)

  • Visit Ambalangoda Mask Museum (crafts & heritage)

Overnight: Balapitiya / Bentota

🏙️ Day 14: Colombo City Tour

  • Drive to Colombo

  • City tour: Independence Square, Gangaramaya Temple, Pettah Market, Galle Face Green

  • Optional: Last-minute shopping

Overnight: Colombo

✈️ Day 15: Departure

Airport transfer for onward flight with unforgettable memories

🛎️ Tips for Visiting

✅ Tour Inclusions:

 

  • Private air-conditioned transport with driver/guide

  • 3-star (budget) or 4/5-star (luxury) accommodation options

  • Daily breakfast (BB), Half board / Full board on request

  • All entrance tickets & experiences listed

  • Driver accommodation included

📸 Optional Add-ons:

    • Cultural photography tour

    • Ayurveda massage sessions

    • Professional guide or historian