(SKU: LK600H1300) Visit the ancient ruins and archaeological sites of 3 Sri Lankan Kingdoms. Take the tour to Yapahuwa Kingdom, Dambadeniya Kingdom and the Panduwasnuwara Kingdom.
Highlights:
- Visit the old temple of the tooth relic and royal palace complex in Dambadeniya.
- View the many ruins from different eras in Panduwasnuwara.
- See the elaborate rock fortress of Yapahuwa.
Includes:
- Transport throughout the tour in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Service of an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
- Hotel pickup & drop-off from/to Colombo.
- 1-Liter of bottled mineral water per person.
- All taxes & service charges.
Excludes:
Experience:
You will be starting your tour at 0800 hrs when you get picked up after breakfast from your hotel in Colombo. You will be taking two hours to travel to your first destination, Dambadeniya.
The kingdom of Dambadeniya was at its peak during the mid-thirteenth century, especially during the reign of King Parakramabahu II. He was a peaceful king who brought Sinhalese literature to new heights with his epic poetic masterpieces ‘Kavisilumina’ and ‘Visuddi Marga Sannasa’. You will get to see the recently excavated remains of the old temple of the tooth, where the tooth relic was housed previously, and the ruins of the royal palace complex with its gardens, walls, and moats.
After you will leave from Dambadeniya approximately by 1130 hrs. And you can spend some time having lunch at one of the good restaurants in the area, according to your choice. You will take up to two hours come to Panduwasnuwara, The ancient city was one of the first kingdoms of Sri Lanka, having been the capital during the 5th century BC. The site was used much later in the 12th century as well, resulting in a mix of ruins from various periods. The ruins are spread over an area of almost 12 hectares. Some of the most notable sights are the recently restored monument that was the two-storied former temple of the tooth, ruins of the royal palace and the artificial reservoir Panda wewa that is considered one of the earliest irrigation systems ever made by man. You will also be visiting the museum of Panduwasnuwara, which has many archeological finds from excavations in the area. You will be spending half an hour in Panduwasnuwara.
You will leave for your final destination Yapahuwa at 1400 hrs. Yapahuwa was the capital of Sri Lanka right after Dambadeniya when the Dravidians invaded. The fortress was built on a giant rock in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress. However, the architecture of this fortress is completely different from Sigiriya with wide staircases, beautiful stone sculptures and highly detailed carvings on pillars. On your visit, you will be able to climb to the fortress and view the ruins of the stupa on the summit of the rock. The stupa has some notable statues and imagery from the Kandyan era that you can peruse. You will be spending a couple of hours at Yapahuwa. You will be finishing the tour approximately by 1630 hrs. You will come back to the hotel at 2030 hrs completing your tour.
Notes: Comfortable walking shoes recommended for this tour. Drive time may change due to unpredictable road traffic. Photography stops on the way can be arranged but within locations with reasonable parking areas.
