Overview
Sri Lanka cultural tour 5 days overview
This private Sri Lanka cultural tour in 5 days follows the island’s history from its first capital to its last kingdom. Walk among the giant stupas of Anuradhapura, cycle the ruins of Polonnaruwa, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, see the painted caves of Dambulla and finish in Kandy, home of the Temple of the Tooth.
It covers five of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with Kandyan dancing, a spice garden and village life along the way. Compare every route on our Sri Lanka cultural tours page.
Your 5 day / 4 night cultural tour
From the first capital to the last kingdom
The Cultural Triangle and Kandy in one easy loop from the airport.
DAY 01Overnight: Anuradhapura
DAY 02Overnight: Sigiriya
DAY 03Overnight: Sigiriya
DAY 04Overnight: Kandy
DAY 05No overnight stay
Pickup and return
Start: Bandaranaike International Airport, or your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Finish: the airport for your flight home, or your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Send us your flight times and we plan the first and last days around them.
Where you will stay
Night 1: Anuradhapura.
Nights 2–3: Sigiriya or Habarana.
Night 4: Kandy.
Four nights with breakfast in hotels of your choice, from comfortable 3 star to boutique and luxury, confirmed in your quote.
Before you book
What is the price of this 5 day cultural tour?
We send a personalised quote, because the price depends on your hotels, the vehicle and the number of travellers. Your private car, driver and four nights with breakfast are included; entrance tickets and safaris are quoted separately.
Which UNESCO sites does this tour visit?
Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, the Dambulla Cave Temple and the Sacred City of Kandy: five of Sri Lanka’s eight World Heritage Sites.
When can we see the Kandy Esala Perahera?
The great procession of the Tooth Relic takes place over about ten nights in July or August, depending on the full moon. Tell us your dates and we will check the year’s schedule and plan around it.
What should we wear at the temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hats at temples and sacred sites. White or light clothes are best at the Temple of the Tooth.
Can we continue to the hill country or the beach?
Yes. From Kandy it is easy to add the tea country, the Ella train or the south coast, and our 7 day Sri Lanka culture tour ends at Galle Fort.
Compare all our Sri Lanka cultural tours, the shorter Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle tour, or the Sri Lanka culture tour 7 days with Galle Fort.
Highlights
- A private 5 day Sri Lanka cultural tour with five UNESCO sites
- Anuradhapura, the Sri Maha Bodhi and Mihintale
- The ruins of Polonnaruwa and Gal Vihara
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple
- A spice garden and a Kandyan dance show
- The Temple of the Tooth and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
