The Ancient Cities and West Coast Sri Lanka holiday is a cultural tour of the principal ancient cities and historic sites of Sri Lanka combined with a stay at one of the island's palm-fringed tropical beaches. Visits to Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy will be complemented by a relaxing time on the quiet west coast beach at Waikkal.

After a leisurely start to your holiday on a palm-fringed tropical beach on the west coast, you will head north into the island's Cultural Triangle (ancient cities area) to visit Anuradhapura, the first capital of ancient Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Following a tour of Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, you will continue round the Cultural Triangle to Polonnaruwa, the island's medieval capital. Visits to the impressive cave temples at Dambulla and the incredible rock fortress at Sigiriya will lead you to Kandy, the final principal point of the Cultural Triangle and the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. You will then return to the beach at Waikkal for some more rest and relaxation. The Ancient Cities and West Coast tour is a 15-day holiday on half board (bed, breakfast and dinner). To get a taste of what you will be doing on the Ancient Cities and West Coast tour, click on Holiday Highlights

Holiday Itinerary

Click on Map of Itinerary to see the route of your Sri Lanka holiday.

Day 1	Depart UK for the start of your Sri Lanka holiday!
Day 2	Arrive Colombo airport and greeted by your dedicated Tikalanka Tours chauffeur guide. Short transfer to the beach at Waikkal on the west coast. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 3	At leisure. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 4	At leisure. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 5	Leave Waikkal and drive up into the island's Cultural Triangle. Stop off at Yapahuwa ('Fire Rock'), one of the Ephemeral Capitals of Sri Lanka, which has great views over the area and a well-preserved steep ornamental staircase (famous for one of its lion's appearing on the Rs 10 note). Continue north to Anuradhapura, the first capital of ancient Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Night stay at Anuradhapura.
Day 6	After a leisurely morning, head to the hilltop temple of Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and enjoy a walking tour of this historic site. Night stay at Anuradhapura.
Day 7	Continue round the Cultural Triangle to Polonnaruwa, visiting the magnificent 12-m high standing Aukana Buddha on the way. Night stay at Polonnaruwa.
Day 8	Visit the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa for a tour of its historic temples and exquisitely carved statues. In the afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park to see elephants and a spectacular array of Sri Lankan bird life. Night stay at Sigiriya.
Day 9	At leisure. Night stay at Sigiriya.
Day 10	Early morning ascent of the rock fortress of Sigiriya to view the surrounding countryside at dawn - a very special experience indeed. Tour of Sigiriya's rock palace and ornamental gardens before continuing on to Sri Lanka's finest cave temples at Dambulla. After lunch, visit the Dravidian-influenced stone temple at Nalanda and the rock temple and scriptorium at Aluvihara on your way to the third and final point of the Cultural Triangle - Kandy. Night stay at Kandy.
Day 11	Morning walking tour of Kandy, taking in the Buddhist monasteries and Hindu devales, the lake, and the municipal market. In the afternoon, visit the beautifully kept and well presented Peradeniya Botanic Gardens on the outskirts of Kandy before experiencing the evening's Buddhist puja (blessing ceremony) at the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most revered religious relic. Night stay at Kandy.
Day 12	After a leisurely morning, take the afternoon train from Kandy to Colombo, winding your way through spectacular Sri Lankan 'jungle' as you drop down from the Hill Country to the western coastal plain for your return to the beach. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 13	At leisure. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 14	At leisure. Night stay at Waikkal.
Day 15	Depart Colombo airport with lots of ideas for your next Sri Lanka holiday...

To ensure that you will enjoy the Ancient Cities and West Coast holiday in Sri Lanka,
please click on Tikalanka Tips for more information.

If you would prefer to discuss your Sri Lanka holiday options with a Sri Lanka holiday expert, feel free to call Tikalanka Tours on 020 8802 3680 or email us at holidays@tikalanka.com where you can also order your Tikalanka Tours brochure or book a Sri Lanka holiday.

Holiday Price

The Ancient Cities and West Coast Sri Lanka holiday is available at various prices according to the holiday season you wish to travel. Click on Holiday Price for up to date holiday prices.

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