8 days
Culture and History
Sri Lanka Ramayana Tour
Negombo, Chilaw, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Kataragama, Galle, Colombo, Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport
From $895$1,250
View tour
Home Tours Culture and History
Culture and heritage tours in Sri Lanka
The rock fortress at Sigiriya, the ruined capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the cave temples at Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites for an island this size.
- 4 tours in this style
- From $895 per person
- 8 to 15 days
- Private, and changed to fit you
- Excellent, 73 Google reviews
- 10 years of guiding Sri Lanka
- Private your own driver-guide and vehicle
- Registered Sri Lankan company, fully insured
- 24/7 support while you travel
Culture and History
The Cultural Triangle, and what sits around it
Most of the ancient sites sit in the Cultural Triangle between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Three or four days covers the main ones without turning the trip into a march between ruins.
A guide changes these places. Our driver-guides grew up with these stories, and at the larger sites we can add a site guide who works there.
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Start early at the rock
Sigiriya is a climb of over a thousand steps, so we get you there for opening, before the heat and the queues.
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Two ancient capitals
Anuradhapura is vast and best seen by bicycle or car. Polonnaruwa is compact enough to cycle in a morning.
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Living, not only ruined
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and the cave temples at Dambulla are working places of worship, so the timing of a visit matters.
Culture and History tours
Every route here is a starting point. Tell us what to change and we redraw it around your dates.
12 days Culture and HistorySri Lanka’s Legacy in Stone and Design
Colombo, Kandalama, Kandy, Bentota, Tangalle, Bentota, Negombo
From $1,815$2,500 View tour
13 days Culture and HistoryA Journey Through Time In Northern Sri Lanka
Kalpitiya, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Dambulla, Trincomalee, Colombo
From $1,875$2,520 View tour
15 days Culture and HistorySri Lanka Honeymoon Retreat At Island of Love
Pasyala, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Koslanda, Yala National Park, Bentota, Galle
From $2,985$3,400 View tour
Prices are per person and depend on the season, the hotels and the size of your group. Ask us for a quote on your dates.
Travel styles
Looking for a different kind of trip?
Most of our routes mix several of these. Pick the one that matters most and we build the rest around it.
Questions about culture and history trips
Straight answers on how these trips work. Anything else, ask us.
Full FAQHow many days do I need for the Cultural Triangle?
Three or four. That covers Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa comfortably, with Anuradhapura added if ancient cities are the reason you came.
What should I wear at the temples?
Shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off at the entrance. Carrying a light scarf and socks makes hot stone floors easier. Your guide will tell you what each place expects.
When is the best time to visit the ancient cities?
The Cultural Triangle is driest from roughly May to September, though it can be visited all year. Whatever the month, the sites are best early in the morning.
What travellers say
Rated excellent on Google from 73 reviews, shown here as they were written.
Ready to plan your Sri Lanka trip?
Tell us your dates and what you want to see. You will get a day-by-day draft with hotels and a price.
