Step on a journey like never before and uncover the beauty and hidden gems of Sri Lanka with our Best Sri Lanka Tour Package, ensuring an extraordinary adventure that awaits. Sri Lanka, located in Southeast Asia, is a tropical island that is full of adventurous activities, unbelievable historical sites, exotic beaches, culture, and natural beauty. Though it is small in size, it has many more things to offer the visitor. It is rich in culture, languages, historical sites, and endless beaches. Besides that, there are also an abundance of elephants, famous tea gardens, ancient heritages, wildlife preservation, and so on, which makes Sri Lanka a famous tourist destination.
Begin your journey in the heart of Sri Lanka by visiting the famous destinations: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla Cave Temple, Aluvihara Rock Temple, Sigiriya, Kandy, and Colombo.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, situated northwest of Kegalle, was founded in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department on a 25-acre coconut property by the Maha Oya River. Initially located at Wilpattu National Park in 1972, it later moved to Bentota's National Holiday Resort and then Dehiwala Zoo before settling in its current location. The orphanage aims to provide care for orphaned and displaced elephants, ensuring their well-being without any form of mistreatment. Visitors flock to witness elephants and their behaviours, especially during bathing times, making it a popular attraction.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Renowned as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is located in the central part of Sri Lanka and has a rich history dating back to the 3rd century BC, when a monastery was installed in Dambulla. In the 1st century AD, the caves began to be transformed into shrines, which continued into the 18th century. It is the largest and best preserved complex in Sri Lanka. Boasting 80 caves, the temple's main highlights are housed within five caves, which have been converted into five rooms with images of Buddha and ceiling murals. Recognized as the largest and best-preserved complex in Sri Lanka, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage status since 1991.
Aluvihara Rock Temple
It is a sacred Buddhist temple located in Aluvihare, Matale District of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by hills, the Aluvihara cave temple is situated 30 km north of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road. The history of Aluvihare Rock Temple can be traced back to the 3rd century B.C., during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. It is believed that the King built the shrine, planted the Bo sapling (a young tree), and founded the temple after the introduction of Buddhism to the country during his reign.
Sigiriya (Lion Rock Fortress)
It is the world's oldest historical monument, located in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. It was built in the 5th century. An ancient rock fortress and palace built by King Kashyapa during his reign. It has both historical and archaeological significance and is declared the 8th world heritage site of Sri Lanka by UNESCO. It is a massive column rock that is nearly 200 meters high. The rock is decorated with colorful paintings of beautiful women, and it is believed that the drawings are reflections of the beautiful women who lived in King Kashyapa’s palace. You will see two enormous lion paws carved out of the rock.
Kandy City
It is a large city surrounded by mountains in central Sri Lanka. It is full of natural beauty and biodiversity. Kandy is the center of Buddhist spirituality and pilgrimage. It is famous across the world for its rich culture, glorious history, and impressive old world charm. You will get a chance to explore the beautiful Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is one of the most important Buddhist shrines, and other temples on this tour.
Kandy is one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. This city has many charming temples that portray rich architecture. You will be visiting some of the beautiful temples in Kandy.
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Temple of Tooth Relic: This is one of the must visit temples in Kandy, world-renowned place of worship, where the left canine tooth of Gautam Buddha is enshrined. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple carries a lot of value for Buddhists all over the world. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) was originally built by the Kandyan Kings in 1595 to house and honour the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. This precious temple attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day as a means of worship.
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Lankatilaka Vihara: It is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Udunuwara, Kandy. It is located on Daulagala Road, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Pilimathalawa junction and a few kilometres from the ancient Buddhist temple, Gadaladeniya Vihara. It was constructed as a four storey building that stood eighty feet high and sat on an uneven rock bed overlooking the Hanthana mountain range.
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Gadaladenyia Vihara: It is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Pilimathalawa, Kandy. It is about 18 km west of Kandy and 6 km west of Peradeniya. It is considered one of the largest rock temples in Sri Lanka. The architecture of this temple is designed following Hindu artistic styles. The temple was built on a flat rock and is famous for Sri Lanka’s best paintings from the Middle Ages.
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Embekka Devalaya: Located in the Udunuwara area of Kandy, it was built by King Vikramabahu III of the Gampola Era in Sri Lanka. This temple is dedicated to the deity of Kataragama. A local deity called Devatha Bandara is also worshipped at this site. You will see beautiful wood carvings on the pillars and roof that are beyond stunning. It is a place with some of the best woodcraft in the world.
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Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple: Located 30 km north of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla Road. It is a historical place to absorb the traditions of Sri Lankan Buddhism. It is a place where the Pali canon (standard collection of scriptures) was written down completely in text on Ola leaves. This temple has 13 caves and a library with a gallery of antiques, including Buddha statues made of clay and marble.
Colombo (The Commercial Capital)
The bustling heart of Sri Lanka, as the largest city in Sri Lanka, is the administrative and economic centre located in the western province. Being the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, this city offers historical monuments, colonial architecture, beaches, fine dining, vibrant nightlife, and many shopping centres. This is the most populated city in Sri Lanka. Explore renowned landmarks such as the majestic Gangaramaya Temple, the sacred Kelaniya Temple, and the serene Gangarama Seema Malakaya.
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Gangaramaya Temple: Located on the Beira Lake, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo. The architecture features a mix of Sri Lankan, Indian, Thai, and Chinese styles. It was founded in the late 19th century by a famous scholarly monk. The temple functions not only as a site of worship but also as an institute of learning and a cultural centre. The temple is surrounded by statues of Buddha, lions, and china vases.
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Kelaniya Temple: Renowned as Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, is a sacred Buddhist temple built on the bank of the Kelaniya River in Sri Lanka. This temple is a perfect combination of historical significance and architectural aesthetics. It is a popular tourist destination but also an invaluable educational institution, especially for students of history and architecture.
Some of the famous destinations you will be visiting on this tour are: The National Museum, the largest museum in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1877 and modeled on Italian architecture. Here, more than 1000 artifacts, paintings, statues, and royal objects, like the throne and crown, are on display in its two-story building. The Old Parliament, located in the Colombo Fort area facing the sea, is the building that houses the presidential secretariat of Sri Lanka. Independence Memorial Arcade and Independence Square are the best places to relax in Colombo. It serves as a monument, a park, a walking trail, and an area as well. The square is used as a venue for national ceremonies, cultural events, and exhibitions. The creation of Beira Lake dates back to the early 16th century, when the Portuguese built it as an artificial reservoir. Initially intended as a defensive measure to safeguard the city from potential threats, the lake also facilitated the transportation of goods and weaponry. Over time, its purpose has evolved, and today, Beira Lake has transformed into a recreational space where people come for leisure and relaxation. Odel Shopping is a popular department store in Sri Lanka that stocks a variety of items for men, women, and children, including casual wear, formal attire, swimwear, activewear, and accessories like shoes, bags, and jewelry.
Another attraction is the Cinnamon Gardens, located in the heart of Colombo, a residential area known for its elegant homes and tree-lined streets. The neighborhood is characterized by its lush greenery and well-maintained gardens, providing a peaceful and serene environment in the bustling city. Laksala Handicrafts Emporium offers a diverse range of handicrafts, including wooden carvings, sculptures, handmade pottery and ceramics, traditional masks and poppets, Batik clothing, and textiles. The lighthouse is a prominent landmark, providing a beautiful panoramic view of the Indian Ocean from above. The lighthouse itself, which is 29 meters high, is perfect for enjoying the aerial views of the Indian Ocean. The Clock Tower has historical significance as it was constructed during the British colonial period in Sri Lanka. The clock tower has become not only a functional timepiece but also an iconic structure that reflects the colonial history of Sri Lanka, and the last destination is Colombo Harbor, also known as the Port of Colombo, which is the largest and busiest port in Sri Lanka.
As our incredible 6-night 7 days Best Sri Lanka Tour Package comes to an end, prepare to be swept away by this magnificence island gem. This package from Nepal gives you the opportunity to explore the top notch places of Sri Lanka, where every moment is a treasure waiting to be discovered. If you wish to customise your trip by upgrading accommodations, extending your stay, or choosing specific destinations, just let us know! We're here to create a tailor-made itinerary that suits your preferences perfectly. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience the breathtaking wonders of Sri Lanka. Reserve your adventure today and witness the magic of this tropical heaven unfold right before your eyes.
Thank you so much, Holidays to Nepal team, for their time and effort that they have put into our tour to make it memorable. Our holiday tour to Bali wouldn’t have been completed without your perfect and cosy planning. It was such a good experience, and I will definitely choose Holidays to Nepal for our next trip as well, and I highly recommend others choose them as their travel partner as well. Keep it up, and best of luck for more achievements.