Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle & Beach






14 days from £7,260 for 2023 per person
This itinerary is one of Ampersand’s Top 10 Cultural Holidays.
This tour offers both an insightful view to Sri Lanka’s history taking in some of the finest historical, archaeological and natural treasures, as well as a relaxing a few days by the sea.
Starting in the cultural triangle visit the ancient city ruins of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, the beautiful Dambulla Cave Temples, which are adorned with Buddha statues and cave paintings and the inspiring sky citadel of Sigiriya where the old fort was built by King Kashyapa (477 - 495AD), and later used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.
Continue south into one of the old capitals of Sri Lanka, Kandy. Here visit the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and explore the Temple of the Tooth where you can gain an insight to Sri Lanka’s Buddhist history. For the final part of the tour, travel down to the south coast where you will have six wonderfully relaxing days at a charming boutique hotel with miles of beaches right on the doorstep.
This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your very own tailor-made tour of Sri Lanka. If you are feeling inspired and would like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Epic Journeys, Honeymoons and Family Holidays, as well as our favourite Surfing and Beach itineraries.
Itinerary details
14 days from £7,260 for 2023 per person
- Day 1 - Kalundewa Retreat - Dambulla
On arrival, your driver will take you to Sigiriya in the Cultural Triangle. - Day 2 - Kalundewa Retreat - Dambulla
Spend the day exploring Anuradhapura, Ritigala and Mihintale. - Day 3 - Kalundewa Retreat - Dambulla
Day exploring Aukana and Sigiriya Rock Fortress. - Day 4 - Kalundewa Retreat - Dambulla
Morning visit to Dambulla. Afternoon at leisure. - Day 5 - Kandy House - Kandy
Drive to Kandy. Afternoon at leisure. - Day 6 - Kandy House - Kandy
Spend the day exploring Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Temple of the Tooth. - Day 7 - Rock Villa - Bentota
Drive to Bentota. Afternoon at leisure. - Day 8 - Rock Villa - Bentota
Day at leisure. - Day 9 - Rock Villa - Bentota
Day at leisure. - Day 10 - Rock Villa - Bentota
Day at leisure. - Day 11 - Rock Villa - Bentota
Day at leisure. - Day 12 - Rock Villa - Bentota
Day at leisure. - Day 13 - Maniumpathy - Colombo
Drive to Colombo and spend the afternoon exploring the boutique shops. - Day 14 - In transit.
Transfer to Colombo airport for flight home.
To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson