Taking your next trip to the island nation? Here is the Sri Lanka cultural triangle itinerary for you.
When it comes to spiritual or cultural travel destinations, Sri Lanka always tops the list. The nation, situated on the coast of Indian Ocean, is truly a gem. From pristine beaches to wildlife, Sri Lanka has everything a traveler would love.
We have curated a 4-day itinerary for you that covers the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Use this article as a guide to help you have a great cultural experience in Sri Lanka. The cultural triangle covers ancient historical significance of this nation.
Day 1: Kandy
Commence your journey in Kandy. It is a city amidst the hills that has a lot of cultural importance. Start your day with the blessings of Lord Buddha. The temple of the tooth relic, or Sri Dalada Maligawa, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a sacred place for Buddhists.
It is the temple architecture that attracts more visitors. Visiting hours are 5.30 am to 8 pm. The entry fee rates vary for locals and foreigners. The tickets are between LKR 1500-2000. Your next spot can be Royal Botanical gardens. It is open from 7.30 am to 6 pm.
There is a café inside the botanical garden that operates from 8 am to 5 pm. Ticket counter for botanical gardens entry opens at 7.30 am and closes at 5 pm. The entry tickets range from LKR 1500 for children under 12 years and LKR 3000 for foreign adults.
The Royal Botanical Garden also houses the Kandy National Museum. 9 am to 5 pm are the visiting hours, and tickets are priced at LKR 600 for foreign nationals. By this time, it will be evening. Kandy Lake is a great spot to spend the evening hours.
Also, don’t forget to book tickets for Kandy Cultural dance show. It showcases various artists performing vivid dance forms of Sri Lanka. The expressions, the costumes, fire dance, peacock dance — everything is worth watching.
Day 2: Sigiriya
Kandy to Sigiriya is less than 100 km. here is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lion Rock Fortress. You will have to hike and climb the rock to see the majestic view of nature. 5 am to 5 pm are the visiting hours. Entry is free for children below 6 years of age.
For non-SAARC foreign adults, tickets are priced at $36. For non-SAARC foreign children and SAARC foreign adults and children, tickets are priced at $18. If you want to visit the Sigiriya museum, then you need to buy separate tickets. The ticket costs $6.
Another hike in Sigiriya is Pidurangala Rock. If you want to hike moderately but want a stunning view, climb this rock. Though entry to the rock is allowed at any hour, we suggest you climb before the sunrise or sunset.
The ticket price is LKR 500 per person, and booking times are from 5 am to 6 pm. At the base, you will find a temple called Rajamaha Viharaya. This will be the starting point of your hike, where you will have to show entry tickets. After that, you will have to climb for about 15 minutes to reach the top.
Day 3: Anuradhapura
On day 3, let us explore the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. It is also termed an on-set of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Now it is in ruins but once upon a time, it served as a very important location. It is now a World Heritage Site. You will come across the remnants of Sinhalese civilisation here.
There are two spiritual spots you can cover. One is Ruwanwelisaya, that was constructed back in 40 BC. It opens at 5.30 am and closes at 9 pm. The tickets cost more than LKR 500. Another shrine you can visit is Sri Maha Bodhi. Visiting hours are between 6.15 am and 9 pm.
It is believed that the Bodhi tree here is the plantation of the original Bodhi tree of India. This is considered to be the branch of the same tree under which Gautam Buddha achieved Nirvana. The ticket price is LKR 500 for foreign adults.
Jetavanaramaya is a stupa estimated to house 10,000 monks at a time. It is the tallest stupa in the world. Visiting hours are 8 am to 5 pm. Purchase an entry ticket priced at $25 for foreign nationals and $12 for SAARC nationals.
The archaeological museum in Anuradhapura is another must visit spot. It is near the Mahabodhi Temple, and the tickets are included in Jetavanaramaya tickets only. Visitors are allowed from 9 am to 5 pm.
Day 4: Polonnaruwa
To end the cultural triangle, visit Polonnaruwa. What makes it popular is the architecture of the Chola Kingdom of India. It became another capital of Ceylon after Anuradhapura’s destruction. It has served as the capital of the Sinhalese and Chola kingdoms.
Here you must see the Gal Vihara with the giant statue of Buddha. It is a rock-cut statue. Vatadage is another Buddhist building found in Polonnaruwa. There are many legends associated with the building and its purpose. It merely acts as a stupa meant to provide protection to the monks.
You are allowed to visit the area only from 7 am to 8 pm. Polonnaruwa is full of monasteries, stupas, and Buddhist architecture.
Conclusion
We hope you get to explore a lot of Sri Lankan culture and history in your four days of travel. Don’t forget to explore nearby to make more of your Sri Lankan trip.
Dive into the culture of this island country, which has preserved its rich heritage for ages. From the ancient capital Anuradhapura to the last capital, Kandy, Sri Lanka is full of significant events. Enjoy the Kandy cultural dance show and make a memory of a lifetime.
Let the heritage city of Anuradhapura take you away in the past. Enjoy the rock at Sigiriya and immerse yourself in nature with beautiful clicks. We wish you a memorable trip to the cultural triangle.
Contact Ceylon Empire Travels to get Sri Lanka cultural triangle itinerary.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
