9-Nights Classical Sri Lanka - Small Group

9 nights from: $3,956

Classical Sri Lanka - Small Group
Live and breathe the culture of Sri Lanka as you take a walking tour through the picturesque backstreets of Colombo, see the famous fortress of Sigiriya set upon its rocky outcrop and visit Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery in Kandy. For something truly unique, take part in a Nuwara Eliya tea experience-an all-immersive tea leaf picking and fresh tea tasting affair, at one of the world’s most beautiful tea plantations. Voyage into the depths of the jungle on a game drive in Wilpattu National Park and keep your eyes peeled for leopards and elephants. Before the journey home, be sure not to miss the exquisite fragrances of the National Spice Garden in Matale and the architectural wonders of Anuradhapura-the capital city of Sri Lanka’s first kingdom that ruled for a thousand years.


Dining Summary

• 6 Dinner (D)
• 9 Breakfast (B)
• 2 Lunch (L)

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Sigiriya Rock: Visit the beautifully landscaped Sigiryia's Royal Gardens, boasting ancient water features, terraced gardens and natural boulders.
• Sigiriya: Climb Sigiriya Rock and admire breath-taking views over the lakes and villages below.

• Colombo: Enjoy dinner and drinks with your fellow travelers.
• Nuwara Eliya:
• Nuwara Eliya: Your mouth-watering dinner features the best of Sri Lankan cuisine.

• Sigiriya Rock: Visit the beautifully landscaped Sigiryia's Royal Gardens, boasting ancient water features, terraced gardens and natural boulders.
• Sigiriya: Climb Sigiriya Rock and admire breath-taking views over the lakes and villages below.

• Sigiriya: Meet a practising Buddhist and embark on a guided walking tour through Ritigala Jungle and hear tales of the forest dwelling monks, a monastic community, who once inhabited the monastic reserve, devoting their lives to living simply in the forest.
• Anuradhapura: Explore the temple complex, sprawling with a rich collection of archaeological wonders.
• Kandy: Visit Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery, enjoy a private viewing of his magnificent paintings and discuss his unique perspectives on life over a cup of tea.

• Nuwara Eliya: Drum making in Sri Lanka is a fascinating craft deeply rooted in the country's culture and traditions, this cultural heritage is passed down through generations. The drums are produced by skilled artisans and are not only musical instruments, but they also play a vital role in religious ceremonies, traditional performances, and cultural events throughout the country. Each drum tells a story, connecting the present with the rich history and traditions of Sri Lanka. Your visit supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Cities and Communities.

• Colombo: Head on a leisurely walking tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes, a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, and discover the hidden treasures this city has to offer.
• Colombo: Take a panoramic city tour of Colombo including all the main sights and Pettah market.
• Colombo: Explore by Tuk-Tuk old Colombo town and cruise the city streets while watching the sun lower over the Indian ocean. See the city lights come alive for an evening of buzzing activity.
• Wilpattu National Park: Ascend deep into the lush, dense jungle on a jeep safari in search for Sri Lanka's big four. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of colorful birds.
• Wilpattu National Park: Ascend deep into the lush, dense jungle on a jeep safari. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of colorful birds.
• Sigiriya: Visit this famous fortress set upon its prominent rocky outcrop.
• Polonnaruwa: Your visit to the archaeological park will reveal what life in the area was like when the city was thriving, 800-years-ago.
• Dambulla: See Raja Maha Vihara - the most impressive of Sri Lanka's Cave Temples.
• Kandy: Enjoy a traditional dance performance in the evening.
• Kandy: Visit the site of the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple.
• Nuwara Eliya: Join your Local Expert to visit a tea plantation and learn how this crop is produced. You'll even have the opportunity to experience the traditional technique of tea-leaf picking, before sampling some of the freshest tea possible.

On top of a rock plateau overlooking dense jungle and a vast plain, 90 mi/145 km northeast of Colombo, is Sigiriya, the mysterious remains of the fifth-century fortress of King Kasyapa. When it was built, an impressive 5-acre/2-hectare fort sat astride the rock and a city nestled at its base, but now the city is gone and the fortress is in ruins. According to legend, King Kasyapa gained power after burying his father alive. He ruled for the next 18 years, until his half brother Mogallan defeated him in battle. As his soldiers retreated, Kasyapa remained on his elephant facing the opposing army. Then, with great drama, he pulled out a dagger and slit his throat.Free Sigiriya Travel
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The ruins of Sigiriya are unique among the ancient sites in Sri Lanka. Be sure to brave the rickety-looking spiral staircase to see the 19 frescoes of female nature spirits (Apsaras) painted beneath an overhang about 300 ft/90 m up the rock. The frescoes are very beautiful—their colors stunningly vibrant after 1,500 years. A wall covered with 1,000-year-old graffiti and poetry (left by visitors who recorded their impressions of the painted women) lies just above the frescoes. Near the top of the rock fortress are a pair of huge stone Lion's Paws (all that remains of a giant stone lion). See the ruins in the morning—it's much cooler, and people and domesticated elephants may be walking along the road. There's a small archaeological museum at the base of Sigiriya.

In nearby Dambulla you can visit a series of caves on a mountain ledge. They contain frescoes showing some of Buddha's epic struggles against evil. (Photographs are not allowed in Dambulla's caves).

Sigiriya and Dambulla are usually seen together as a day trip from Kandy. If you're traveling by car, you can see Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa on the same day. But it will be a long day—plan to overnight in Sigiriya or in one of the beautiful resorts around Kandalama Lake (near Dambulla).