Culture Tour

Overview

This tour focuses on Sri Lanka’s rich cultural tapestry, taking you through ancient cities, sacred temples, traditional villages, and colonial architecture. You’ll begin with a wetland boat trip in Muthurajawela before heading to Munneswaram Temple, a revered Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva. The tour also includes a visit to Sirambiadiya village, where you’ll experience Kaffir culture—a unique blend of African and Portuguese influences expressed through traditional dance and music.

The journey continues to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll see sacred temples, ancient ruins, and the Sri Maha Bodhi tree. You’ll also climb Sigiriya Rock and explore Dambulla Cave Temple with its intricate frescoes. In Kandy, the cultural capital, you’ll visit the Temple of the Tooth and watch traditional cultural performances that showcase the country’s artistic heritage.

The hill country portion includes visits to the Temple Loop near Kandy, featuring wood carvings at Embekke Temple and stone carvings at Gadaladeniya. You’ll also spend time with the indigenous Vedda people in Dambana, learning about their traditional lifestyle, hunting methods, and herbal medicine practices. The tour takes you through Ella’s scenic landscapes and the sacred pilgrimage site of Kataragama before heading south to Galle Fort.

The final days are spent in Colombo, exploring the National Museum, Gangaramaya Temple, Pettah Market, and the Pettah Dutch Museum. You’ll also visit Port City Colombo and relax at Galle Face Green, experiencing the modern side of the capital alongside its colonial past. This tour offers a thorough look at Sri Lanka’s multi-layered identity. Contact us to book your cultural journey.

Itinerary

Day 01 : Arriving in Negombo

Arrive at Colombo Airport and transfer to your hotel in Negombo.
In the evening, you will take a Muthurajawela Dutch Canal boat trip.
This area was once a large paddy cultivation but is now a marsh with sedge and grasses.
It has a bird sanctuary and a mangrove environment.
Overnight at a Negombo hotel.

Day 02 : Wilpattu

After breakfast, you will start traveling to Wilpattu.
On the way, visit Munneswaram.
The Munneswaram Kovil is a Hindu temple in Sri Lanka dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple features festivals and has spiritual significance, attracting pilgrims from across the island.
Daily sacred rituals are performed here.
You will also experience Sirambiadiya village entertainment, which is rooted in Kaffir culture, a blend of African and Portuguese influences.
Their traditional dance, “Kaffringa,” is accompanied by drums, tambourines, and metal spoons.
The music and dance styles of Baila and Manja are also part of their cultural heritage.
Overnight at a Wilpattu Hotel.

Day 03: Dambulla

Visit
- Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka’s first capital, known for its ancient ruins, sacred temples, and colossal dagobas.
Explore
- Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, an ancient fortress and palace complex built on a 200-meter rock. It features frescoes, gardens, and water features, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at a Dambulla hotel.

Day 04: Kandy

After breakfast, travel to Kandy.
In the morning, visit the
- Dambulla Cave Temple, known for its beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceiling.
En route, visit the
- Matale Spice Garden to see authentic Sri Lankan spices and handmade products.
In the afternoon, visit the
- Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
Afterward, enjoy the Kandy Cultural entertainment.
Overnight at a Kandy hotel.

Day 05: Nuwara Eliya

After a relaxed breakfast, visit the Sri Lankan Gem and Jewelry museum.
Next, visit galleries for authentic Sri Lankan Batik, silk, clothing, art, and crafts.
In the afternoon, travel to Nuwara Eliya.
En route, visit the
- Temple Loop, which includes the Embekke wood carving temple, Lankathilaka Image House, and Gadoladeniya Stone carving.
You will also see
- Ramboda Waterfall and the Damro Tea factory & shop.
Overnight at a Nuwara Eliya Hotel.

Day 06: Badulla

Visit
- Dambana Vedi Gammanaya, a historic village that is home to the indigenous Vedda people.
You can experience their traditional lifestyle through activities like hunting demonstrations and honey collecting.
You can also learn about ancient herbal medicine, visit a museum, meet the chieftain, and enjoy cultural performances.
Dunhinda Falls in Badulla, a 64-meter waterfall surrounded by lush greenery.
The falls are known as “smoky dew drops” because of the misty veil they create.
Overnight at a Badulla hotel.

Day 07 : Kataragama

Visit
- Ella Nature Paradise and enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view from Little Adam’s Peak.
In Ella, visit and explore the
- Nine Arch Bridge
- Ella Gap.
Kataragama Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
This temple attracts devotees of various faiths, including Hindu, Buddhist, Tamil, and Muslim.
Overnight at a Kataragama Hotel.

Day 08: Galle

Explore
- Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 17th-century colonial fortification was built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch. It features stunning architecture, a lighthouse, and museums.
In the afternoon, relax at
- Unawatuna Beach (also known as Jungle beach). This picturesque bay has calm waters, golden sand, and lush surroundings, making it perfect for relaxation and water activities.
Overnight at a Galle Hotel.

Day 09: Colombo

After breakfast, visit the
- Colombo Museum. The National Museum of Colombo showcases Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage through exhibits on history, art, and archaeology. Its collection includes ancient sculptures, masks, and jewelry, providing insight into the country’s diverse cultural traditions and its Buddhist, Hindu, and colonial influences.
In the evening, visit
- Gangaramaya Temple, which embodies Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and Buddhist values. The temple blends traditional and modern architecture and hosts cultural events like the Navam Perahera festival. It is a spiritual hub, educational center, and cultural institution.
Overnight at a Colombo Hotel.

Day 10: Colombo

After breakfast, visit
- Pettah Market in Colombo, which showcases Sri Lanka’s multicultural identity through its vibrant stalls and street food. It reflects the nation’s multi-ethnic heritage with a fusion of diverse influences, from traditional spices to modern goods.
- Pettah Dutch Museum, housed in a 17th-century colonial building. It showcases Sri Lanka’s Dutch colonial history through artifacts like ceramics, coins, and furniture.
In the evening, visit
- Galle Face Green, a 5-hectare oceanfront park. This historic site offers stunning sunset views, street food, and is a popular spot for kite flying and cultural events.
- Colombo Fort City. Port City Colombo is a modern 269-hectare development on reclaimed land that offers a financial district, marina, parks, and luxury living.