Explore the World Heritage Sites

<p>On arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport, you will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative of Tulip Holidays Sri Lanka will welcome you and transfer to Kandy (3 hour drive). You will be visiting an Ayurvedic and Herbal Garden (Free Entrance and Guide) to see the organic and endemic Ayurvedic plants and to get some knowledge about The Traditional Ayurveda. While enjoying a complimentary Ceylon Spice Tea session you can request for a complimentary Ayurvedic Head/ Neck or a Shoulder massage.</p><p></p><p>Relax and overnight stay in Kandy.</p>

<p>Visit The Sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, a historic temple that houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Enjoy the beauty of the Kandy Lake Round and the city in the evening by wandering around this royal city. Last ruled by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, before it was brought under the British rule in 1815, this city was the final royal capital of Sri Lankan kings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has a rich culture, history and heritage and attracts travellers from around the world.</p><p>Kandy city viewpoint is a place where you can see the whole city from one place. You will decide on the place you take your Lunch. Alternatively, take a stroll amidst the vibrant colour of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the Kandy Market. Fine-tune your evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music and drumming amplified by a cultural show that enhances the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Kandy.</p>

<p>After Breakfast, you will be off to see The Ceylon Tea Factory and Plantation where you will learn about Ceylon Tea Plantation and Manufacturing process (FREE). En route, you can visit the Sri Lankan Gem Museum (FREE). Thereafter visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, a flourishing national asset which is 30 mins away from The Tea Factory. First developed as a pleasure garden under royalty and later improved upon by the British, the gardens are located just four miles from Kandy and feature the most welcoming facilities as well. Walk into this 147-acre haven for an experience of bliss, passing well-tended lawns, pavilions and an octagon conservatory. Be greeted by the vast expanse of magnificently landscaped, lush green turf which will encourage you to take an exhilarating break. Towards the north of the entrance is a cafeteria that one might come across, before heading to some of the highlights here; this includes the Orchid House and the giant Javan fig tree, each with their sense of grace and beauty.</p><p>Next, you can do shopping in Kandy as this will be your last evening spending in this World Heritage city. Step into Batik shops, Silk Gardens, Arts and Craft shops around this royal city.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Kandy.</p>

<p>After breakfast, Head off on an Indiana Jones-like adventure as you discover the treasures of Sri Lanka’s Dambulla Temple (2-3 hour drive). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered the country’s best-preserved and biggest cave temple which has a rich history which runs all the way to the first century BC. This is called the Golden Temple of Dambulla.</p><p>Relax the evening as you will be heading to another trek in the morning.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Kandalama.</p>

<p>After breakfast, take a 30 min drive to witness the eighth wonder of the world. The Lion Rock which is also called the Sigiriya rock is the most important cultural attraction of Sigiriya. The Rock features the remnants of a royal palace on its summit. While ascending the rock, one will get the chance the take in frescos of lovely maidens, the mirror wall and a series of other features. </p><p>Head back to the hotel and relax your selves by enjoying the facilities provided by the hotel such as the Spa(for an extra fee) and the outdoor swimming pool
.</p><p>Transfer to Habarana (30 min drive) and overnight stay.</p>

<p>After breakfast, visit a beautiful village shaded on either side by a dry zone shrub forest called Hiriwadunna, with unpaved gravel paths and humble village folk - will give you a chance to witness Sri Lankan Village Life. A ride on a bullock cart along a dirt track and through rice paddies down to the picturesque Hiriwaduna Lake will leave you with a sense of peacefulness. A catamaran ride on the lake with its large variety of dry zone birdlife and views of the surrounding forest, marshland and vegetable plots of local farmers, will be an unforgettable experience for visitors and will most definitely be one of the places they feel most at peace, during the time spent in Sri Lanka.</p><p>Apart from a catamaran ride you can take rides on a tractor or hop on one of the much-loved tuk-tuks to a local home where you can interact with the family, witnessing and even assisting the women in the preparation of a typical Sri Lankan lunch using traditional Sri Lankan methods of cooking.</p><p>Your next stop will be The Minneriya National Park, a wildlife sanctuary, is the most easily accessed National Park from the cultural triangle and the Minneriya Jeep Safari is one of the most popular activities among travellers who visit the cultural triangle.</p><p>The largest recurrent annual gatherings of wild elephants take place between July and September at Minneriya National Park. This gathering is listed by Lonely Planet as among the Top Ten wildlife spectacles in the world. Although the months in which the elephant gathering occurs offer the best experience, the safari tour of Minneriya National Park is a pleasing encounter any day of the year.</p><p>The park provides sufficient feeding ground for elephants and many other wild animals, such as Sri Lankan leopards and Sri Lankan Bears. The wildlife here comprises of 26 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish and 75 species of butterflies.</p><p></p><p>Transfer to your Hotel and relax the evening.</p><p>Overnight stay in Habarana.</p>

<p>After breakfast, you will take a 1-2 hour drive to another UNESCO World Heritage Site - The ancient city of Polonnaruwa which is the second capital of Sri Lanka. The first group of ruins you meet after entering the ground of the Ancient City is the Royal Palace Group. This group of buildings dates from the period of King Parakramabahu I (1153 – 1186). The King`s Royal Palace is a massive structure, measuring 31 m by 13 m, once including 50 rooms supported by 30 columns. Even today it is quite an impressive building, but picture it being seven floors tall with 3 m thick walls, as the archaeologists claim it once was!</p><p>Visit The Sacred Quadrangle is a compact group of beautiful and impressive ruins within a raised up platform bounded by a wall. This is the most concentrated collection of buildings in the whole Ancient City, and a must-see for any visitor followed by the Shiva Dewale and Gal Viharaya.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa.</p>

<p>After breakfast, visit a place where one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world flourished called Anuradhapura (2-3 hour drive) which was the first capital of Sri Lanka founded in the 4th Century AD and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.</p><p>This UNESCO World Heritage site is a historical marvel with its well-preserved ruins of this ancient civilization. Amongst the masterpieces of this golden era are the many towering stupas (Dagabos), wonderful rock carvings, huge stone pillars, and ruins of royal palaces, monasteries and bathing tanks along with some of the most complex irrigation systems in the world, all of which demonstrates the architectural, engineering, hydrological and irrigational skills of this golden era.</p><p>Let the shade of the ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’, (a sapling of the sacred Bo tree in Bodh Gaya in India) give you peace and solace. Furthermore, you will visit Abhayagiri Dagaba which is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage towns and extensive ruins in the world. Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is considered a marvel for its architectural qualities. Thuparamaya where Collarbone of Buddha is enshrined and the first Stupa built in Sri Lanka. Lovamahapaya, also known as Brazen Palace which was once a structure of its own class.</p><p>Jetavanaramaya is the largest stupa in Sri Lanka and was the third-largest structure in the ancient world. Mirisaveti Stupa was built by King Dutugamunu after defeating King Elara (a legend associated with the relics of Lord Buddha) and Lankarama stupa which was constructed by King Valagamba in an ancient place.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.</p>

<p>After breakfast, transfer to Colombo (4-5 hours drive) and Relax the day to give some rest to your feet. Enjoy the luxuries in the hotel.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Colombo.</p>

<p>After breakfast, visit The Gangaramaya Temple which is a blend of Sri Lankan proud culture and modern architecture. This is situated by the scenic Beira Lake, not far from Galle Face, is one of the must-visit temples in Sri Lanka. For a chance to learn a bit about Sri Lanka history, pay a visit to the National Museum. It is the island's biggest gallery and is housed in a recorded structure. In the evening pay a visit to the huge open spread known as Galle Face Green is directly by the ocean and is a perfect spot to take in a magical sunset while enjoying Sri Lankan street food.</p><p>
Overnight stay in Colombo.</p>

<p>After breakfast, head to the historic city of the Galle (2 hour drive), where you will get the chance to wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dutch Fort. Walk along its cobbled streets lined with carefully preserved colonial buildings, shop at chic little concept stores and pay a visit to the Dutch Church and Museum to learn about the fortification’s rich history. If you are not planning to go to a Beach after the tour (If you are departing on Day 13) you can enjoy the beach and chill out in a Beach Restaurant in the evening.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Galle.</p>

<p>After breakfast, Return to Colombo, visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Center, get up close and personal with some of the world's majestic creatures. The turtle farm breeds, releases and rehabilitates sea turtles of all ages. Tour the sanctuary with one of the knowledgeable guides, who will teach you about these magical animals. Visitors also have the opportunity to hold and, with some luck, release the creatures into the wild. Wander around the commercial city of Colombo the whole day according to your preference. Colombo is a place for you to have a city tour with its modern and historical blend. There are places like Museum, Dutch Hospital, BMICH, Independence Square, Clock tower, Majestic City, Crescat Boulevard, One Galle face Mall and many more attractions with Night Life.</p><p></p><p>Overnight stay in Colombo.</p>

<p>After breakfast, you will be transferred to The Bandaranayake International Airport in time for your flight back or to a Beach Hotel you prefer, bringing to an end of an unforgettable adventure through Sri Lankan Culture and proud history.</p>