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Culture & Heritage

Ancient Kingdoms

Five UNESCO wonders in five days

5 days / 4 nightsBest Jan–SepModerate paceFrom US$360 pp

Overview

The tour

Walk in the footsteps of kings through the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, medieval Polonnaruwa, the cave temples of Dambulla and the royal city of Kandy.

Highlights

  • Sunset at the Ruwanwelisaya stupa
  • The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree
  • Mihintale, cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism
  • Sigiriya at dawn, Pidurangala at dusk
  • Polonnaruwa by bicycle
  • The painted caves of Dambulla

Your route

Where you'll go

5 days4 nights5 stops≈ 650 km by road
Indian OceanBay of BengalN050 km1Anuradhapura2Sigiriya3Polonnaruwa4Dambulla5Kandy
StopAirportRouteHill countryNational park
  1. Arrive at the airport
  7. Fly home

Read more about Anuradhapura · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Dambulla · Kandy

The giant lion paws at the entrance stairway of Sigiriya
Rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Seated Buddha statues inside the Dambulla cave temple
The octagonal tower of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy

Day by day

Your itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive & the first capital

    Drive to Anuradhapura and watch the great white Ruwanwelisaya stupa glow at sunset.

    Overnight in Anuradhapura
  2. Day 2

    Sacred city & Mihintale

    Visit the Sri Maha Bodhi and the ancient dagobas, then climb Mihintale, where Buddhism first came to Sri Lanka. Continue to Sigiriya.

    Overnight in Sigiriya
  3. Day 3

    The Lion Rock

    Climb Sigiriya at dawn, then watch it glow at sunset from the top of neighbouring Pidurangala.

    Overnight in Sigiriya
  4. Day 4

    Polonnaruwa & Dambulla

    Cycle through Polonnaruwa's medieval ruins, then visit the five painted caves of Dambulla.

    Overnight in Sigiriya
  5. Day 5

    Royal Kandy

    Drive to Kandy for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then continue to the airport, or onward into the hills.

Every day can be changed: add a night, swap a hotel or skip a site.

The details

What's included

Included

  • Entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary
  • Expert site guides at Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur-guide
  • Hand-picked hotels with daily breakfast
  • Airport meet & greet and all transfers
  • Fuel, parking and highway tolls
  • Refillable water bottle & 24/7 local support
  • All government taxes

Not included

  • International flights
  • Sri Lanka ETA (visa)
  • Lunches and most dinners
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

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