Heritage & Wildlife Explorer
Anuradhapura · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Colombo
Overview
Explore Sri Lanka's legendary Cultural Triangle, three UNESCO World Heritage ancient cities, combined with a thrilling elephant safari at Minneriya and a visit to Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism. Ends with Kandy's sacred temple and a Colombo city tour.
Tour Highlights
- ✓ Anuradhapura ancient city (UNESCO), 2,500+ years of Buddhist heritage
- ✓ Mihintale, cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, 1,840 granite steps to summit
- ✓ Aukana Buddha Statue, masterpiece of ancient rock sculpture
- ✓ Sigiriya viewing point
- ✓ Polonnaruwa ancient royal capital (UNESCO), Gal Vihara sculptures
- ✓ Minneriya National Park jeep safari, the famous elephant "Gathering"
- ✓ Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (UNESCO)
- ✓ Matale Spice Garden (optional)
- ✓ Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
- ✓ Temple of the Tooth Relic & Kandy City Tour
- ✓ Kandyan Cultural Show
- ✓ Giragama Tea Factory & Plantation
- ✓ Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- ✓ Colombo City Tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Airport → Anuradhapura
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, welcomed by your Perk Travels representative. Transfer to Anuradhapura (~4 hours). Check in and relax. Overnight in Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura → Mihintale → Aukana → Sigiriya
After breakfast, tour ancient Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital (5th century BC), featuring the Sacred Bo Tree (world's oldest authenticated tree, 2,250 years), Ruvanveliseya Dagoba (300 ft diameter), Jetawanarama (370 ft), and Thuparama Dagoba. Visit Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, with 1,840 granite steps to summit shrines and panoramic countryside views. En route to Sigiriya, stop at the magnificent Aukana Buddha Statue, a colossal standing Buddha carved from a single granite rock. Overnight in Sigiriya.
Sigiriya Viewing Point → Polonnaruwa → Minneriya Safari
After breakfast, view Sigiriya Rock Fortress from the scenic viewing point (no climb/no entrance fee). Proceed to Polonnaruwa (UNESCO), 11th–12th century royal capital with well-preserved ruins of the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara rock sculptures of Buddha (Upright, Sedentary, Recumbent postures), Audience Hall, Lotus Bath, and Parakrama Samudra lake. Attend Minneriya National Park safari, famous for the spectacular elephant "Gathering" around ancient reservoirs, plus deer, buffalo, crocodiles, and birdlife. Overnight in Sigiriya.
Dambulla → Matale (optional) → Peradeniya → Kandy
Early breakfast, then visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (UNESCO), built 1st century BC, five caves with 150+ Buddha images and the world's largest cave painting area. Optional: Matale Spice Gardens tour with complimentary herb head massage. Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, 147 acres originally built as a Sinhala royal pleasure garden, with extraordinary variety of trees, plants, and flowers. Kandy city tour including Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Bazaar, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum. Evening: Kandyan Cultural Show. Overnight in Kandy.
Kandy → Giragama Tea Factory → Pinnawala → Colombo
After breakfast, transfer to Colombo. En route visit Giragama Tea Factory & Plantation, witness the full tea manufacturing process, see how tea is graded, and taste pure Ceylon tea in the factory. En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (established 1975), observe the herd bathing in the river, bottle-feeding baby elephants, and learn about the captive-breeding conservation programme. Arrive in Colombo. City tour including Pettah bazaar, Hindu and Buddhist temples, colonial buildings, BMICH. Check in to hotel. Overnight in Colombo.
Colombo → Airport → Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Included
- ✓ Private transport with English-speaking driver/guide
- ✓ Meet & assist at the airport
- ✓ 6 Breakfasts & 5 Dinners
- ✓ 2 × 500ml water bottles per person per day
- ✓ Anuradhapura city tour
- ✓ Mihintale
- ✓ Aukana Buddha Statue
- ✓ Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- ✓ Minneriya National Park safari
- ✓ Polonnaruwa city tour
- ✓ Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
- ✓ Matale Spice Garden
- ✓ Temple of the Tooth Relic
- ✓ Kandyan Cultural Dance
- ✓ Kandy city tour
- ✓ Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
- ✓ Giragama Tea Plantation
- ✓ All applicable local taxes
Not Included
- ✗ Return international flight ticket
- ✗ Driver/guide tips
- ✗ Lunch
- ✗ Christmas Eve & New Year Eve gala dinners
- ✗ Peak period supplement
- ✗ Travel insurance
- ✗ Visa fees & bank charges
- ✗ Camera fees & personal expenses
- ✗ Porterage & restaurant tips
- ✗ Optional tours or services not mentioned above
