History and Heritage Tour

A country with a rich history and heritage that has been passed throughout the years, Sri Lanka has many interesting places that speak directly of these aspects. We at Lakpura have come up with a tour to help you learn about the history and traditions of our little island which makes it a much loved place to visit. First we tour the cities of Colombo and Negombo which are coastal towns and then head to the hill capital of Kandy which is a centre for culture. Travelling deeper we move on to Galoya and then to the veddah village, who are indigenous people, dwelling in the forests. Enjoy safaris at the park and along the lake and head to Dambulla.

10 Day Tours

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SKU:LK10AAH011

History and Heritage (10 Days)

$829.00 SGD

~~$892.00 SGD~~ $829.00 SGD

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Sri Lanka though a renowned leisure destination for its mesmeric hill country, exquisite beaches, and fascinating cultural attraction of ancient cities and shrines is not a destination that readily comes to mind for a golfing holiday. If you look up the Sri Lanka Map you will learn to your delightful surprise that you can easily fit in three fabulous golf courses of all Asia located at three elevations.

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2 Days in Negombo

Your first leg of the tour will be spent visiting the commercial capital of Colombo and touring some of the most important landmarks in the city including Independence Square and the Old Parliament. You can also enjoy some shopping at high end boutiques. Then you will explore the busy streets of Negombo and the Negombo fishing village across the lagoon

City tour in the Commercial City of Sri Lanka, Colombo

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse,the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green,Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

City Tour in Negombo City

The Negombo Fishing Village also known as the Lellama by the locals is located across the lagoon bridge, near the Old Dutch Gate. The large open-air fish market is the second largest in the country. It gives you an unpretentious insight into the local fisher community. The market is loud, vibrant and smells like fish! You will be able to witness the fishermen in hundreds of boats bringing in their days catch. See how the wholesalers and restaurateurs trade and watch the packing and loading of fish for distribution across the country as well as for export – worldwide. The retail area is a bustling hive of activity – with customers negotiating prices with mom and pop fish vendors

2 Days in Kandy

In Kandy, you will be stopping by the Millennium Elephant Foundation which funds the care and expenses of elephants and then head towards the Royal Botanical Gardens. Your two days will be spent visiting the temple of the Tooth Relic which is an important landmark and then tour the rest of the city which speaks volumes of our heritage

Millennium Elephant Foundation

The Elephant Foundation provides and funds the care, medical treatments, food, mahout salaries, the running costs of the charity as well as having an on-call Mobile Veterinary Unit which travels around the country treating sick elephants in need. The Elephant Walk Experience is another alternative to elephant riding for tourists, which is an ethical, up close and personal experience for tourists.

Royal Botanical Gardens

Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Kandy

Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala Kings, and is the islands cultural centre. It was Sri Lanka’s capital until the British took control in 1815 and due to its significant association with Buddhism; UNESCO has now made the Sacred City of Kandy a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ancient kingdom of Kandy is also home to Edwardian buildings, a king-made lake, a nature reserve and exciting shops. As the second largest city of the island and the capital of the Central Province, Kandy has grown from being a medieval kingdom to a friendly, busy city set in forested hills and surrounded by tea plantations and close to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

2 Days in Galoya

You can witness and experience the lifestyle of the Veddha community, a forest dwelling group of indigenous people living in Sri Lanka – the last of its kind and walk through the jungle with the village chief. Then enjoy an early morning safari at the Gal Oya National Park and a boat safari along the calm waters of Senanayake Samudraya

Veddah Village

Gal Oya Lodge neighbours one of the last remaining communities of the Veddha – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka. We can invite the village Chief to take you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Discover and learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive, explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings. It’s a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya.

Early Morning Safari in Gal Oya National Park

As you drive the jungle slowly begins to come alive amongst the fresh hues of sunlight gleaming through the foliage, with piercing birdcalls and buzzing insects. One of our skilled drivers turns off the engine of the jeep at certain points, which allows you to silently creep through, taking in all the noises of the magnificent, waking park. Your expert naturalist points out the inhabiting wildlife, including grey langurs, various species of deer, a plethora of birds, small mammals, elephants, reptiles and if you are super, super lucky, perhaps even the leopard.

Boat Safari on Sri Lanka’s largest lake

Enjoy the only experience in Sri Lanka that allows you to spot wildlife from the water. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. With a little luck you could spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge. A 2-3-hour safari by boat, and a scenic 40-minute drive from the lodge to the lake is perfect to explore the national park and surrounding villages.

3 Days in Dambulla

In Dambulla you will be trekking up to the Monkey Mountain, visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Quite a busy few days you can also enjoy a calm authentic Sri Lankan village tour, a farm lunch and a cooking demo conducted by a local farmer family with traditional rice and curries

Monkey Mountain

For the intrepid ones, a 2-hour uphill trek first thing in the morning to the top of the cliffs facing the lodge is rewarded with stunning 180 degrees’ views over the large forested valley we are in. If you set off early enough you can watch the sun rise over the hills in the distance and observe the seemingly never-ending jungle canopy below. Return for a well-earned breakfast and enjoy the view looking back up what you just climbed.

Dambulla Cave Temple

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

The Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

Cooking Demonstration and Lunch at Priyamali Gedara

This experience provides an authentic farm lunch and cooking demo done by an actual local farming family. Learn the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cooking as the farmer’s wife and daughters demonstrate their art. Chat with the farmer to learn more about how the fresh ingredients are obtained from the surroundings. Indulge in a healthy farm meal cooked over wood fires and served on lotus leaves over woven trays. Traditional rice, lentils, fresh local vegetables cooked into fragrant curries, fried fish, and poppadum will play a major role in the meals. Those who are interested can also request the farmer’s wife for some delicious kotthu, which they can purchase separately.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Authentic Sri Lankan Village Experience

Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home-cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

Departure

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island.

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