Culture Triangle Tour In Sri Lanka – 10 Nights | 11 Days

Welcome assistance at the airport

A little bit of Yapahuwa
Yapahuwa was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. The citadel of Yapahuwa lying midway between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands
Yapahuwa served as the capital of Sri Lanka in the latter part of the 13th century (1273–1284). Built on a huge, 90-meter-high rock boulder in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress, Yapahuwa was a palace and military stronghold against foreign invaders.
The palace and fortress were built by King Buvanekabahu I (1272–1284) in the year 1273. Many traces of ancient battle defenses can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway, is its biggest showpiece. On top of the rock are the remains of a stupa, a Bodhi tree enclosure, and a rock shelter/cave used by Buddhist monks, indicating that earlier this site was used as a Buddhist monastery, like many boulders and hills in the area. There are several caves at the base of the rock. In one of them, there is a shrine with Buddha images. One cave has a Brahmi script inscription. At the southern base of the rock, there is a fortification with two moats and ramparts. In this enclosure, there are the remains of a number of buildings including a Buddhist shrine. There is also a Buddhist temple called Yapahuwa Rajamaha Vihara built during the Kandyan period.
The Tooth Relic was brought from Dambadeniya and kept in the Tooth Temple built for the purpose at the top of the third staircase. The relics were carried away from the temple here to South India by the Pandyas and then recovered in 1288 by Parakkramabahu III (1287–1293), who temporarily placed them in safety at Polonnaruwa.

A little bit of Kalpitiya
Records going far back reveal that the peninsula was associated with maritime trade and smuggling escapades since ancient times. It was first colonized by the Portuguese in the early 17th Century. The arrival of the Dutch eventually resulted in the ousting of the Portuguese from here and elsewhere in the island. Historical records show that during the Dutch period of the island’s colonial history, the northern end of the peninsula was used as a strategic base for a military garrison and naval outpost to monopolies trade supplies to the mainland. A well-preserved Dutch-era fort (incorporating an earlier Portuguese-era church) occupied by the Sri Lanka Navy and a Dutch church remain today. Nearby at Talawila to the south, a vibrant annual festival keeps alive its Portuguese heritage, at the ancient St Anne’s church festival, when thousands of Catholic devotees descend upon the tiny village to celebrate St Anne’s Day on July 26.

Breakfast: On the way to Yapahuwa (If you arrive early )
Lunch: On the Site
Dinner: At Hotel

Things to do :
Sightseeing at the Yapahuwa Kingdom
Kalpitiya Beach
Dolphin or Whale watching at the shores (Dolphin Bay)
Deep-sea diving
Snorkeling
Wind-surfing
Stay over two nights in Kalpitiya

After breakfast at Kalpitiya, Moving to the Anuradhapura Kingdom
A little bit of Anuradhapura
King Pandukabhaya, the founder and first ruler of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, fixed village boundaries in the country and established an administration system by appointing village headmen. He constructed hermitages, houses for the poor, cemeteries, and irrigation tanks. He brought a large portion of the country under the control of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. However, it was not until the reign of Dutthagamani (161–137 BC) that the whole country was unified under the Anuradhapura Kingdom. He defeated 32 rulers in different parts of the country before he killed Ellalan, the South Indian ruler who was occupying Anuradhapura, and ascended to the throne. The chronicle Mahavamsa describes his reign with much praise and devotes 11 chapters out of 37 for his reign. He is described as both a warrior king and a devout Buddhist. After unifying the country, he helped establish Buddhism on a firm and secure base and built several monasteries and shrines including the Ruwanweli Seya and Lovamahapaya
Another notable king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom is Valagamba (103, 89–77 BC), also known as Vatthagamani Abhaya. Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC), Mahaculi Mahatissa (77–63 BC), Vasabha (67–111), Gajabahu I (114–136), Dhatusena (455–473), Aggabodhi I (571–604) and Aggabodhi II (604–614) were among the rulers who held sway over the entire country after Dutthagamani and Valagamba. Rulers from Kutakanna Tissa (44–22 BC) to Amandagamani (29–19 BC) also managed to keep the whole country
By the time of Mahinda V (982–1017), the last king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

A little bit of Mihintale
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Eight miles (12.875 Km) east of Anuradhapura, close to the Anuradhapura – Trincomalee Road is situated the “Missaka Pabbata” which is 1,000 feet (300 m) in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. According to Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, Thera Mahinda came to Sri Lanka from India on the full moon day of the month of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa and the people, and preached the doctrine. The traditional spot where this meeting took place is revered by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. Therefore, in the month of Poson, Buddhists make their pilgrimage to Anuradhapura and Mihintale.

Breakfast: At Hotel
Lunch: On the Site
Dinner: At Hotel

Things to do
Sightseeing at the Anuradhapura Kingdom
Sightseeing at Mihintale
Sightseeing at Rambewa
Stay over two nights in the Anuradhapura Kingdom

After breakfast at Anuradhapura, Moving to Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya & Dambulla

A little bit of Polonnaruwa Kingdom
Poḷonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first established by the Chola dynasty as their capital in the 10th century. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site
The area is thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7th to 3rd century BC. Statues and paintings in these caves date back to the 1st century BC. But the paintings and statues were repaired and repainted in the 11th, 12th, and 18th century AD. The caves in the city provided refuge to King Valagamba (also called Vattagamini Abhaya) in his 14-year-long exile from the Anuradapura kingdom. Buddhist monks meditating in the caves of Dambulla at that time provided the exiled king protection from his enemies. When King Valagamba returned to the throne at Anuradapura kingdom in the 1st century BC, he had a magnificent rock temple built at Dambulla in gratitude to the monks in Dambulla
Breakfast: At Hotel
Lunch: On the Site
Dinner: At Hotel

Things to do :
Explorer Polonnaruwa Kingdom
Visit Sigiriya Lion Rock
Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Stay over two nights in Sigiriya

After breakfast at Sigiriya, Moving to Matale

A little bit of Matale
Matale is the largest city of Matale District of the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is 142 kilometers (88 mi) from Colombo and near Kandy. Surrounding the city is the Knuckles Mountain Range, the foothills were called Wiltshire by the British. It is a mainly agricultural area, where tea, rubber, vegetable and spice cultivation dominate. The Aluvihare Temple, on the north side of the city, is the historic location where the Pali Canon was first written down completely in the text on ola (palm) leaves in 29 BCE.
Matale was a site of a major battle in 1848 when the Matale Rebellion started and the British garrison in the Fort MacDowall in Matale was placed under siege by the rebels led by Weera Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda who are considered as national heroes in Sri Lanka.

Breakfast: At Hotel
Lunch: On the Site
Dinner: At Hotel

Things to do
Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple
Ranweli Spice Garden
Nalanda Gedige
Sera Ella falls
Sembuwaththa Lake
Pitawala Pathana (Optional)
Knuckles Mountain Range (Optional )
Stay overnight in Matale

After breakfast at Matale, Moving to Kandy

A little bit of Kandy
Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka the city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and is also the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988.
Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.

Breakfast: At Hotel
Lunch: On the Site
Dinner: At Hotel

Things to do :
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
National Spice Garden
Kandy Lake & Upper Lake drive
Temple of The Tooth relic
Cultural dance show
Gem Museum
Peradeniya Botanical Garden
Ambuluwawa Temple
Visit the Kandy National Museum
Visit the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha
Hanthana Mountain
Embekka Temple
Stay over two nights in Kandy

After breakfast at Kandy, Moving to Negombo

A little bit of Negombo
Negombo is a city on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. Near the waterfront, the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort now house a prison. Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermen’s huts, feeds into the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal. The canal leads south to Colombo. Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, completed in the 1920s, features a ceiling decorated with vivid religious paintings.

Breakfast: At Hotel
Lunch: On site
Dinner: At Hotel

Things to do :
Chill-Out at Negombo beach
Sightseeing at Angurukaramulla Buddhist Temple
Fishing Harbour
Fish Market
City tour / Shopping
Negombo Lake safari
Negombo old Catholic church
Hindu Temple
Stay overnight in Negombo

Breakfast: At Hotel
Lunch: At City
Transfer to Colombo airport (3hrs before departure )