8 Days / 7 Nights

Ultimate Buddhist Touch Tour

Airport → Negombo → Anuradhapura → Dambulla → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya → Matale → Kandy → Kataragama → Galle → Colombo

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DAY 01: Airport / Negombo

Route: Airport → Negombo (15 Mins)

• Airport Arrival: Meet and greet your Golden Lanka Travels guide at the airport arrival lobby and transfer to coastal Negombo.
• Negombo Coastal City & Heritage: Explore Negombo, famous as a lively fishing hub filled with coastal charm, diverse restaurants, and bustling beach roads.
  • Visit local Buddhist shrines renowned for intricate dragon entrances and centuries-old murals, alongside historic 300+ year-old library ruins.
  • Visit St. Mary’s Church, an iconic architectural structure with deep religious heritage.
  • Visit the local Fishing Village to witness traditional fish drying and preservation techniques passed down through generations.

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Negombo.

DAY 02: Negombo / Anuradhapura / Dambulla

Route: Negombo → Anuradhapura (3 Hrs) → Dambulla (1.5 Hrs)

• Anuradhapura Sacred Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage): Visit Sri Lanka’s first capital, a wealthy ancient monastic civilization discovered in the 19th century.
  • Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: Pay homage to the oldest historically documented tree in the world, grown from the right branch of the original Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
  • Ruwanweliseya Dagaba: Admire one of the world’s tallest stupas, built in the 2nd century B.C. by King Dutugemunu (103m in height, 287m in circumference).
  • Explore the Brazen Palace (Lovamahapaya), the serene Samadhi Statue depicting Buddha in deep meditation, and the famous rock carvings at Isurumuniya.
• Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage): Visit the iconic rock cave temple complex built by King Walagambahu in the 1st Century B.C. Covering 2,100 m², it features 5 main caves with over 80 documented surrounding caves, housing ceiling murals and 153 Buddha statues.

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Dambulla.

DAY 03: Dambulla / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya

Route: Dambulla → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya

• Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom (UNESCO World Heritage): Discover Sri Lanka’s 2nd ancient capital (1017 A.D. – 1235 A.D.).
  • Explore the Royal Palace ruins of King Parakramabahu, the Audience Hall, Vatadage, Galpotha, and the Lotus Pond.
  • Marvel at the massive 5,940-acre Parakrama Samudraya reservoir.
  • Visit sacred shrines including Gal Viharaya (featuring 4 magnificent carved rock Buddha statues), Kiri Vehera, and Shiva Temple.
• Sigiriya Rock Fortress: Climb the 5th-century rock citadel built by King Kashyapa (477–495 AD). Pass through royal water gardens and stone stairways leading to the famous Lion Gate to ascend the summit.
• Optional Excursions:
  • Minneriya National Park Jeep Safari: Spot wild elephant herds, bird species, and wildlife around the reservoir.
  • Elephant Back Safari: Scenic ride through forest trails and streams.

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Sigiriya/Dambulla.

DAY 04: Dambulla / Matale / Kandy

Route: Dambulla → Matale → Kandy

• Matale Aluviharaya Rock Temple: Visit the historic 3rd-century BC temple founded during King Devanampiyatissa’s reign, famous as the sacred site where the Buddhist Tipitaka was first written down in palm-leaf manuscripts.
• Matale Spice Garden: Experience a guided walk through spice plantations to see native cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper, followed by an authentic Sri Lankan cookery demonstration.
• Kandy Sacred City Exploration: Arrive in hill-country Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala Kings.
  • Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa).
  • Explore Kandy town bazaar, local handicraft centers, and gem lapidaries.
  • Attend a traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance Show in the evening.

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Kandy.

DAY 05: Explore Kandy & Ancient Temples

Location: Kandy & Surrounds

• Gemological Museum & Lapidary: Discover Sri Lanka’s world-renowned Blue Sapphires and gemstones with an educational documentary on mining and cutting techniques.
• Three Temple Loop Tour (Optional):
  • Embekke Devalaya: Famous for its exquisite, detailed wooden carvings dedicated to Lord Kataragama.
  • Gadaladeniya Temple: Built in 1344 AD on a rock outcrop, featuring unique South Indian Dravidian stone architecture.
  • Lankatilaka Temple: Built in 1344 AD atop a massive gray rock, representing classic traditional Sinhalese architecture.

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Kandy.

DAY 06: Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Kataragama

Route: Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Kataragama

• Seetha Amman Temple: Stop along the stream in Seetha Eliya, a key site on the Ramayana Trail dedicated to Lord Rama, Seetha Devi, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.
• Kataragama Sacred Pilgrimage Town: Proceed south to Kataragama, a sacred sanctuary worshiped across Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and indigenous Vedda faiths.
  • Visit the ancient Kiri Vehera Stupa, built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century BC (95 ft. height, 280 ft. circumference).
  • Visit the famous Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya shrine dedicated to God Kataragama (Skanda-Murugan).

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Kataragama.

DAY 07: Kataragama / Galle / Colombo

Route: Kataragama → Galle → Colombo

• Galle Dutch Fort (UNESCO World Heritage): Walk along the historic ramparts of Galle Fort originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and expanded by the Dutch. Enjoy sweeping ocean vistas.
• Highway Transfer to Colombo & City Tour: Proceed to Colombo for a city exploration covering colonial heritage landmarks, the 100-year-old Khan Clock Tower, BMICH, and modern commercial hubs.
• Gangaramaya Temple & Seema Malaka (Optional): Visit the iconic 120-year-old temple complex situated near Beira Lake, established by Venerable Hikkaduwa Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera.

Overnight & Dinner at your selected hotel in Colombo.

DAY 08: Colombo / Airport Departure

• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
• Airport Transfer: Transfer to Colombo International Airport for your departure flight.

End of Services.

Tour Terms & Conditions

Child Discount: Children ages 2–12 receive a 30% discount when sharing a room with parents (extra bed provided as a foldable/rollaway bed).

Cancellation Policy:

• 15+ days prior: No cancellation charge (provided no non-refundable commitments/advances were made to 3rd parties).
• 6 to 14 days prior: 50% charge or equivalent of first 2 days depending on program.
• 5 days or less: 100% cancellation fee.

Hotel Policy: Check-in: 12:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM.

Note: Wildlife safari jeeps provided locally feature basic insurance cover. All rates are net and subject to change if local tax regulations are updated.