CulturalTriangle SriLanka
5
Day Itinerary •
Sri Lanka
Five days in the Sri Lankan Cultural Triangle gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest concentration of ancient Buddhist wonders in Asia, from the remarkable Sigiriya Rock and UNESCO Anuradhapura to the extraordinary Gal Vihara Polonnaruwa rock Buddhas, the fine Aukana standing statue, the remarkable Adam's Peak pilgrimage summit and the extraordinary Pinnawala elephant river bathing. This extended route covers the Cultural Triangle completely. Sigiriya and Dambulla on Day 1, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa on Day 2, Kandy Tooth Temple and Peradeniya on Day 3, the fine Aukana Buddha and Yapahuwa fortress on Day 4, and the extraordinary Adam's Peak sunrise pilgrimage and Pinnawala elephants on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, Adam's Peak season December to May
Getting There
Fly into Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB)
Getting Around
Hired car with driver essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 8,000 to 30,000 LKR per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, Adam's Peak is 5,500 steps at night
DAY 1
SIGIRIYA
MORNING
SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS
The most extraordinary ancient site in Sri Lanka and one of the finest in Asia, the remarkable Sigiriya Lion Rock rising 200 metres from the flat jungle plain, a 5th-century royal fortress palace built by King Kashyapa between 477 and 495 CE. The remarkable mirror wall with the extraordinary ancient graffiti scratched by visitors from the 6th to 14th centuries, the fine frescoes of the heavenly maidens in the rock-face gallery, the outstanding water gardens at the base and the extraordinary summit palace ruins with the most spectacular view in Sri Lanka are the finest ancient wonders on the island. Entry approx 4,500 LKR. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PIDURANGALA ROCK HIDDEN SUMMIT
The extraordinary Pidurangala Rock adjacent to Sigiriya, the finest viewpoint in the Cultural Triangle and the best place to photograph the remarkable Sigiriya Lion Rock from outside. The fine 45-minute climb through jungle and over granite boulders to the outstanding summit gives the most extraordinary aerial perspective of the remarkable Sigiriya rock rising from the flat jungle canopy. The fine reclining Buddha carved into the rock and the extraordinary summit panorama are the finest hidden experience near Sigiriya. Entry approx 500 LKR. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLES UNESCO
The extraordinary Dambulla Royal Rock Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest cave temple in Sri Lanka, where the remarkable five cave sanctuaries contain 153 Buddha statues, the outstanding 2,100 square metres of ceiling and wall paintings and the fine ancient drip ledge carved above the cave mouth to keep rain out for over 2,000 years. The remarkable Cave Two with the extraordinary Reclining Buddha spanning the entire cave length is the finest single cave interior in Asia. Entry approx 1,500 LKR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Minneriya National Park 30km east of Sigiriya, famous for the remarkable Gathering, the largest concentration of wild Asian elephants anywhere on earth when several hundred elephants converge on the extraordinary Minneriya Tank from August to October. The fine jeep safari into the remarkable dry zone scrub gives the most extraordinary elephant encounter in Asia. Entry approx 4,000 LKR plus jeep. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sigiriya village hotel Outstanding Sri Lankan breakfast before the climb. Substantial food before the Sigiriya ascent in the morning cool. | Lunch: Sigiriya area restaurant Fine Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch after the remarkable Sigiriya and Pidurangala combination. | Dinner: Dambulla or Sigiriya hotel Outstanding traditional Sri Lankan dinner. Extraordinary rice and curry with fine fresh coconut sambol.
DAY 2
ANURADHAPURA
MORNING
ANURADHAPURA SACRED CITY UNESCO
The extraordinary Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BCE to 1017 CE and one of the most sacred cities in the Buddhist world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the remarkable Ruwanwelisaya dagoba, the outstanding Jetavanaramaya stupa once the third tallest structure in the ancient world, the fine Thuparama and the extraordinary Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest documented tree in the world grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, are the finest ancient Buddhist monuments in Asia. Entry approx 5,000 LKR. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
SRI MAHA BODHI AND SACRED PRECINCT
The extraordinary Sri Maha Bodhi, the most sacred tree in Buddhism and the oldest tree with a documented planting date in the world, grown from a cutting of the original Bo tree in Bodh Gaya India brought to Sri Lanka in 288 BCE by Princess Sangamitta. The remarkable golden railing, the outstanding prayer flags and the extraordinary devotion of the Buddhist pilgrims who have maintained this tree continuously for 2,300 years create the most extraordinary living sacred site in Asia. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
POLONNARUWA MEDIEVAL CAPITAL UNESCO
The extraordinary Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the remarkable Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddha sculptures, the finest ancient stone carving in Asia, show the extraordinary reclining Buddha at 14 metres, the fine standing Buddha at 7 metres and the remarkable seated Buddha in meditation in a single remarkable granite face. The outstanding Vatadage circular relic house and the fine Rankot Vihara stupa are the finest medieval Buddhist monuments in Sri Lanka. Entry approx 5,000 LKR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ritigala Forest Monastery in the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve between Anuradhapura and Habarana, a remarkable abandoned 1st-century BCE forest monastery complex in extraordinary dense jungle reclaimed by nature over centuries, is the finest hidden ancient site in the Cultural Triangle. The remarkable forest walk through the extraordinary ruins with the outstanding birdlife and the fine atmospheric jungle reclamation make Ritigala the finest off-the-beaten-path experience in northern Sri Lanka. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Anuradhapura guesthouse Good breakfast before the sacred city. | Lunch: Anuradhapura restaurant Fine Sri Lankan lunch near the extraordinary ancient city. Outstanding rice and curry. | Dinner: Polonnaruwa or Habarana Outstanding dinner on the return. Fine Sri Lankan curry and remarkable king coconut.
DAY 3
KANDY
MORNING
KANDY SACRED TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE
The most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka and one of the finest in the world, the remarkable Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy housing the extraordinary tooth relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century CE. The fine morning puja ceremony at 6:30am when the remarkable golden casket is opened amid the extraordinary drumming and the fine white-clad devotees is the most extraordinary living Buddhist ritual accessible in Asia. The outstanding Kandy Lake and the fine colonial-era town centre surrounding the temple are the finest highland setting in Sri Lanka. Entry approx 1,500 LKR. 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
KANDY TOWN AND PERAHERA TRADITION
The extraordinary Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, with the remarkable Kandy Lake created by the final king in 1807, the outstanding Udawattakele forest reserve above the town and the fine Royal Palace complex adjacent to the remarkable temple. The extraordinary Kandy Esala Perahera festival in July and August, the finest procession in Asia with the remarkable tusker elephants carrying the tooth relic casket replica through the extraordinary firelit streets, is the finest cultural spectacle in Sri Lanka. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PERADENIYA ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
The extraordinary Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens 6km from Kandy, the finest botanical garden in South Asia and one of the most remarkable in the world, with the outstanding 147-hectare collection including the extraordinary avenue of royal palms, the remarkable Java fig tree with its extraordinary aerial root system, the fine orchid house and the outstanding collection of tropical flowering trees. The remarkable setting on the extraordinary Mahaweli River bend is the finest botanical garden landscape in Asia. Entry approx 3,000 LKR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Embekka Devale wooden shrine 15km from Kandy, a remarkable 14th-century Hindu and Buddhist shrine with the finest medieval woodcarving in Sri Lanka, the outstanding pillars covered in extraordinary decorative reliefs of swans, wrestlers, soldiers and remarkable double-headed eagles, is the finest and most overlooked heritage site near Kandy. The fine traditional craftsmen still working in the surrounding Embekka village ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kandy hotel Outstanding Sri Lankan breakfast before the early morning Tooth Temple puja. | Lunch: Kandy town restaurant Fine Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch in the extraordinary Kandy town centre. | Dinner: Kandy hill hotel Outstanding dinner at a fine Kandy hillside hotel. Extraordinary Sri Lankan buffet with remarkable views.
DAY 4
HIDDEN TRIANGLE
MORNING
AUKANA STANDING BUDDHA
The extraordinary Aukana Standing Buddha, the finest ancient stone sculpture in Sri Lanka, a remarkable 12-metre standing Buddha carved in the 5th century CE from a single granite face in the extraordinary dry zone forest. The remarkable detail of the fine carved robe clinging to the Buddha's form, the outstanding facial expression and the extraordinary engineering achievement of carving such a massive figure from a single rock face are the finest ancient sculpture accessible in Sri Lanka. Entry approx 500 LKR. 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
YAPAHUWA ROCK FORTRESS
The extraordinary Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, the fine 13th-century capital of Sri Lanka built on a remarkable 100-metre granite outcrop in the extraordinary Kurunegala district, where the outstanding ornamental stairway with its fine sculptural lions and the remarkable audience hall ruins at the summit give the finest hidden fortress experience in the Cultural Triangle. The extraordinary tooth relic of the Buddha was kept here briefly in the 13th century. Entry approx 500 LKR. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
KURUNEGALA ROCK TEMPLES
The extraordinary Kurunegala, the remarkable rock-city capital of medieval Sri Lanka, where the fine Ethagala rock elephant silhouette dominates the town skyline and the outstanding Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Burial Site near Dambulla contains the finest Bronze Age burial urns in Sri Lanka. The remarkable Arankele Forest Monastery ruins in the extraordinary forest near Kurunegala are the finest meditation forest sanctuary in Sri Lanka.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve jungle monastery ruins, abandoned 1st-century BCE forest monastery complex hidden in the remarkable dry zone scrub, are the finest off-the-beaten-path ancient site in Sri Lanka. The remarkable forest walk through extraordinary reclaimed ruins with the fine birdlife is unlike any heritage experience in the Cultural Triangle.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dambulla or Habarana Good breakfast before the drive to Aukana. | Lunch: Yapahuwa area Simple fine Sri Lankan lunch near the extraordinary fortress. | Dinner: Kandy on arrival Outstanding Sri Lankan dinner on arrival in Kandy. Fine curry and remarkable king coconut.
DAY 5
PILGRIMAGE
MORNING
ADAM'S PEAK SRI PADA PILGRIMAGE
The extraordinary Adam's Peak, Sri Pada, the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka and one of the finest pilgrimage sites in Asia, rising 2,243 metres from the extraordinary Hill Country south of Kandy. The remarkable 5,500-step ascent takes 3 to 4 hours and is finest made at night to arrive at the extraordinary summit for the fine shadow triangle cast by the peak onto the cloud below at sunrise. The outstanding sacred footprint at the summit is revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians simultaneously as the footprint of the Buddha, Shiva, Adam and St Thomas. Entry free. 2 hours drive
MIDDAY
PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
The extraordinary Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the finest elephant conservation centre in Sri Lanka, where the remarkable herd of rescued and orphaned Asian elephants bathes in the extraordinary Maha Oya River twice daily in the most accessible elephant river bathing experience in Asia. The fine mahout tradition and the remarkable elephant nursery with baby elephants are the finest close-range elephant encounters in Sri Lanka. Entry approx 3,500 LKR. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
KANDY FINAL EXPLORATION AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary final afternoon in Kandy exploring the remarkable Bahiravokanda Vihara white Buddha statue on the hilltop above the lake, the fine Kandy market and the outstanding traditional Kandyan dance performance at one of the fine cultural shows. The extraordinary Kandyan drum and dance tradition, the finest classical dance in Sri Lanka, is performed nightly with the remarkable whirling fire-knife dancers and the outstanding multi-drum ensemble.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Embekka Devale wooden shrine 15km from Kandy, a remarkable 14th-century Hindu and Buddhist shrine with the finest medieval woodcarving in Sri Lanka, the outstanding pillars covered in extraordinary decorative reliefs of swans, wrestlers, soldiers and remarkable double-headed eagles, is the finest and most overlooked heritage site near Kandy. The fine traditional craftsmen still working in the surrounding Embekka village are the finest woodcarvers in Sri Lanka.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Adam's Peak base Pre-climb tea and provisions at the remarkable Adam's Peak base village before the extraordinary night ascent. | Lunch: Pinnawala village Outstanding rice and curry at a fine Pinnawala village restaurant after the remarkable elephant bath. | Dinner: Kandy farewell Fine farewell Sri Lankan dinner in Kandy. Extraordinary buffet and remarkable arrack coconut spirit.
Where To Stay
Sigiriya Area Aliya Resort or Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. Approx 15,000 to 60,000 LKR. Kandy Earl's Regency or Mahaweli Reach. Approx 8,000 to 30,000 LKR per night. Budget Guesthouses throughout. Approx 2,000 to 6,000 LKR per night.
Top Tips
1. Adam's Peak night ascent requires a torch, warm layers at the summit and 3 to 4 hours of fitness.
2. Hire a car with driver. The extraordinary Cultural Triangle requires local knowledge to navigate.
3. Sigiriya is finest before 7am. The rock gets extremely hot and crowded by mid-morning.
4. The Kandyan dance show is nightly in Kandy. The extraordinary fire-knife dancers are the finest act.
5. Remove shoes at all temples. Modest dress required throughout the Cultural Triangle.
6. Sri Lankan rice and curry is extraordinary. Eat at local restaurants rather than hotel buffets for the finest flavour.
Total Budget
9,500 to 83,000 LKR/day