5-Day Sri Lanka Cultural Tour: Kandy, Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa
Follow Sri Lanka’s ancient heritage from Kandy and Sigiriya to the historic cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Tour Overview
- Duration: 5 Days
- Group Size: Private tour (customizable for individuals or small groups)
- Route: Colombo Airport • Negombo • Kandy • Dambulla • Sigiriya • Anuradhapura • Polonnaruwa • Colombo • Airport
Explore some of Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist and ancient heritage sites across Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The itinerary includes the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya and the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa before returning to Colombo.
5 Days in Sri Lanka - Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo Airport to Kandy
Meet your chauffeur at Bandaranaike International Airport and travel towards Kandy. The day introduces several important cultural and religious sites.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Airport meet and greet
- Elephant Millennium Foundation
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Kandy Lake
- Evening Kandyan Cultural Dance Show
- Optional Gem Museum
Overnight: Kandy.
Day 2: Kandy to Dambulla and Sigiriya
Travel from Kandy to Sigiriya through Dambulla, with opportunities to experience Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist heritage.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
- Optional village experience
- Optional traditional Sri Lankan lunch
- Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress
- Sunset view from Sigiriya
Overnight: Sigiriya.
Day 3: Sigiriya to Anuradhapura
Travel north to Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s most important ancient cities and religious centres.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Sri Maha Bodhi
- Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
- Thuparamaya
- Jetavanaramaya
- Abhayagiri Monastery
- Isurumuniya Temple
- Mirisawetiya Temple
- Anuradhapura Sacred City
Overnight: Anuradhapura.
Day 4: Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa
Continue to Polonnaruwa and explore the ancient city and its major archaeological sites.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Royal Palace
- Quadrangle
- Vatadage
- Gal Vihara
- Rankoth Vehera
- Lankatilaka Image House
- Parakrama Samudraya
Overnight: Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya.
Day 5: Polonnaruwa to Colombo and Departure
Travel towards Colombo for a final city tour before continuing to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Colombo City Tour
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Independence Square
- Galle Face Green
- Old Parliament
- Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct
- Optional souvenir shopping
End of tour: Bandaranaike International Airport.
Inclusions:
- Airport meet and greet
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Star-class hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Bottled drinking water
- Wi-Fi during the tour
- Expressway and parking charges
- Fuel charges
- Government taxes
- 24/7 support
Exclusions:
- International airfare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Lunch and dinner
- Entrance tickets
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuities