Cultural Highlights of Sri Lanka

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Colombo, Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Galle

This luxury Sri Lanka tour features private touring of top cultural and historical sites and accommodation in the country’s best hotels.

Begin in Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka, with private touring of bustling markets and historic sites in interesting neighborhoods such as Fort, Pettah and Cinnamon Gardens, and visits to notable buildings designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most acclaimed modern architect.

Next, explore the Cultural Triangle, a region filled with fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tour the ancient Buddhist cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. See monumental stupas, ruined palaces and sculptures carved in stone. Visit one of Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist sites, a temple built around a sacred bo (bodhi) tree thousands of years old. At Mihintale, see a beautiful water garden, abandoned monasteries and centuries-old stone staircases shaded by frangipani trees. Visit Sigiriya, an ancient rock citadel that's Sri Lanka's most spectacular attraction. See the Sigiriya Damsels frescoes, which were painted on the rock walls centuries ago, and climb to the top of the rock to explore the ruins of a fifth-century palace and take in panoramic views over farmland, forest, lakes and mountains. Also spot wild elephants and other animals in Minneriya National Park.

Next, visit Dambulla to see impressive cave temples filled with Buddhist sculptures and vibrant religious paintings. Continue to Kandy, a former royal capital in the hills. En route, visit a spice plantation to learn how different spices—including Sri Lanka's renowned cinnamon—are grown and harvested. In Kandy, see a puja (religious ceremony) at the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO site dedicated to a sacred relic of the historical Buddha. Also, visit a local market, and tour the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya. In the evening, enjoy a performance of traditional Sri Lankan dance and fire walking.

Continue to Galle, an ancient fortified port and UNESCO site with a colonial-era atmosphere and unique mix of cultures. Stay in the heart of the Galle Fort historic district at Amangalla, one of the finest and most romantic luxury resorts in Sri Lanka. During private touring, visit local museums, explore evocative backstreets, walk on the sea walls to the lighthouse, look for reminders of the Dutch and British colonial years, observe daily life and browse local shops, some of the best in the country. Also, enjoy flexible private excursions to regional highlights such as a sea turtle hatchery and a traditional mask workshop. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a tour of Lunuganga, the private country estate of Geoffrey Bawa, with the option to visit Brief Garden, designed by his brother, Bevis Bawa.

We can easily combine our private Sri Lanka tours with other destinations such as India, Dubai, the Maldives, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, Singapore or England.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world