Sri Lanka is a beautiful and culturally rich country located in South Asia that is known for its stunning landscapes, historic sites, and warm hospitality. If you're planning an 8-night, 9-day cultural tour of Sri Lanka, there are many interesting and beautiful destinations you can explore.
The tour can start in Negombo, a coastal town that is located close to the Bandaranaike International Airport. Negombo is known for its beautiful beaches and fishing villages, and you can explore the town's historic sites, such as the Dutch Fort and the St. Mary's Church.
The next destination on the tour can be Trincomalee, a scenic coastal city that is known for its beautiful beaches and historic landmarks. You can visit the Koneswaram Temple, the Fort Frederick, and the hot springs in the area.
From Trincomalee, the tour can continue to Kandy, a historic city that is known for its beautiful temples, colonial architecture, and scenic beauty. You can visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the beautiful Kandy Lake.
The next stop can be Nuwara Eliya, a beautiful hill station that is known for its tea plantations and scenic beauty. You can visit the tea factories, enjoy scenic drives, and explore the beautiful Horton Plains National Park.
From Nuwara Eliya, the tour can continue to Yala, a national park that is home to a wide range of wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and birds. You can enjoy a safari tour and explore the beautiful natural surroundings.
The tour can then continue to Bentota, a beautiful coastal town that is known for its beautiful beaches, water sports, and scenic beauty. You can enjoy water sports such as jet skiing, banana boating, and parasailing.
Finally, the tour can end in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a vibrant and dynamic city that is known for its historic sites, shopping, and dining. You can visit the historic sites such as the Gangaramaya Temple, the Independence Square, and the Colombo National Museum.
Sri Lanka 8 Nights 9 Days cultural tour can provide a comprehensive and memorable experience of this beautiful country. From the coastal towns of Negombo and Bentota to the scenic hill stations of Nuwara Eliya and historic cities of Kandy and Colombo, there is a wide range of destinations and experiences to enjoy in Sri Lanka.
Duration : 08 NIGHTS / 09 DAYS
Destination Covered : Negombo - Trincomalee - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Yala - Bentota - Colombo
DAY 01 : ARRIVE NEGOMBO
On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. You are met and transferred to your pre-booked hotel in Negombo. Overnight stay at Negombo.
DAY 02 : NEGOMBO - CHLAW - TRINCOMALEE 6 HRS 30 MIN DRIVE
After breakfast, you are picked up at 8 am and transferred to Trincomalee via Chilaw. En route visit Munneshwaram temple and Manavari temple. Munneshwaram Temple: It is believed that Munneshwaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was located here. Munneshwaram means the first temple for Shiva (Munnu + Easwaran). A Shiva Lingam was already here when Lord Rama visited this place. Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya with Sita in one of King Ravana’s Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by a Bramhaasthi Dosham (a malevolent black shadow) as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin.
Manavari Temple: When the Vimana was passing over Munneshwaram, he felt the Vimana vibrating, and realized the Brahmaasti Dosham was not following him at this particular point. He stopped the Vimana at this juncture and asked god Lord Shiva for advice. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying at four lingams located at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram, and Rameshwaram in India as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham. The first lingam was installed at Manavari about 5km from here, near the banks of the Deduru Oya. At the Manavari Temple, Chilaw Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed by Rama and to date, this lingam is called Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in world named after Lord Rama. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Trincomalee.DAY 03 : TRINCOMALEE - KANDY 5 HRS 30 MIN DRIVE VIA HABARANA, SIGIRIYA & PINNAWALA
After early breakfast visit Koneshwaram temple and Shankari Devi temple.
Koneswaram Temple Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee (also historically known as the ThirukonamamalaiKonesarKovil, the Temple of the Thousand Pillars and Thiru- KonamamalaiMaccakeswaramKovil) is a Hindu temple in Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka venerated by Saivites throughout the continent. It is built atop Swami Rock, a rocky promontory cape overlooking Trincomalee, a classical period harbor port town. Shankari Devi Temple The famed SHANKARI Temple, in Sri Lanka, is one of the 18 Devi Temples (AshtaDasha Shakti Peethas). Many have heard the Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Shloka starting with LANKAAYAAM SHAANKARI DEVI.composed by Sri Adi Shankara which means Shankari in Lanka. This Shloka enumerates the list of places of Devi temples which are considered to be part of the 18 Devi Peethas. Afterward, leave for Kandy. Enroute Kandy, see the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, visit Pinnawala Elephant orphanage and visit a spice garden. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.DAY 04 : KANDY - KITHULGALA - KANDY 4 HRS 15 MIN DRIVE
After breakfast proceed to Kithulgala
The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flowing through Kitulgala was the main location where the Oscar-winning movie “Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization.
Visit one of the waterfalls in Kithulgala. Return to Kandy. Discover Kandy city and Temple of Tooth Relic, Upper Lake & see panoramic views and other sightseeing in the city. Shopping with Batik Factory / Gem museum /Art & craft.
See the Kandyan Cultural Dance show. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.
DAY 05 : KANDY – PUSSELLAWA - RAMBODA – NUWARA ELIYA 3 HRS 30 MIN DRIVE
After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya. En route stop of Pussellawa Hills. The summit of the Hill overlooking the estate in Pussellawa is the place where Lord Hanuman first set his foot on Lanka. These hills stand tall in-between King Ravana’s capital city and Ashoka Vatika. The barren land here is believed to be the route in which King Ravana took Sita Devi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika which was a paradise on earth. To date, no vegetation grows on this passage except grass. King Ravana believed to have taken this passage on top of these hills to show Sita Devi the beauty of his Kingdom.
The Sita tear pond is found en route by the chariot route, is believed to have been formed by the tears of Sita Devi and has not dried up since even during severe droughts when the adjoining rivers dry up.
In this area, there are many large trees whose bright red blooms add color to the scenery. These flowers are called Sita flowers. The peculiarity of these flowers is the configuration of the petal’s stamen and pistil’s, which resemble a human figure carrying a bow and is said to represent Lord Rama.
Drive through scenic mountains to Nuwara Eliya, well known as “Little England”. Stop at the mountains covered with tea bushes and at Ramboda Waterfall. Enjoy the magnificent landscape.
Visit a tea factory, follow the tea trails to watch the interesting process, and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of Ceylon tea. En-route visit Sri Baktha Hanuman temple in Ramboda. In the hills of Ramboda where Hanuman was searching for Sita, the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka built the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple which is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 06 : NUWARA ELIYA - SITA AMMAN TEMPLE - ASHOKA VATIKA - ELLA - YALA 4 HRS 30 MIN DRIVE
After breakfast visit the Sita Amman temple in Sita Eliya, believed to be the place of Sita’s captivity called Ashoka Vatika. Thereafter proceed to Ella which is famous for its perfect views. In the Ella Gap have a break at the Ravana Ella falls, another Ramayana Trail site. Enjoy the rich nature. Proceed to Yala. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Yala.
DAY 07 : YALA - BENTOTA 5 HRS DRIVE
Early morning make a jeep safari at Yala National Park. Yala is the largest national park in Sri Lanka and is home to wild elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer, and crocodiles. A large flock of migratory and indigenous birds is also found here.
Leave for Bentota. Travel through Tangalle and Matara. En-route at Koggala see the stilt fishermen seated on poles mounted. In Galle visit the Dutch Fort.
Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride at Hikkaduwa. Make a boat trip in River Madhu to see bird and village life.
Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Bentota.
DAY 08 : BENTOTA - COLOMBO 2 HRS DRIVE
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Colombo. In Kalubovila visit the Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple. This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka.
Also visit the Kelaniya Temple. Kelaniya is a Buddhist sanctuary because it was believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. Within the temple premises, there is a Hindu shrine, too. It is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana but during the legendary war on Lanka a supporter of Lord Rama because he disapproved of Ravana's abduction of Sita. After Ravana's death Rama appointed Vibhishana as the new King of Lanka.
Thereafter make a city tour & shopping. A bustling metropolis, the city is an attractive blend of old and new. It has the lazy charm of the bygone era combined with the verve and vivaciousness of a modern city.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Colombo.
DAY 09 : COLOMBO - AIRPORT 1 HR DRIVE
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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