SRI LANKA: CULTURAL TRIANGLE + PASIKUDA + KANDY in Sri Lanka

Facilities available

Wheelchair access

Adapted transfer

Description

10 Nights

From £2495 per person sharing (Flights quoted separately)

From April to September, this Sri Lanka wheelchair accessible holiday explores the Cultural Triangle, travelling with your own private guide & staying in accessible hotels. Visit ancient Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock & Temple of Tooth in Kandy. See wild Asian elephants in Minneriya & relax on Pasikuda beach. You need upper body strength & the ability to transfer into a regular car for this holiday.

Highlights:

• Sri Lanka wheelchair accessible holiday
• Polonnaruwa
• Wheelchair accessible hotels
• Elephant foundation
• Beach at Pasikuda
• Temple of the tooth
• Sigiriya rock
• Indian Ocean
• Minneriya jeep safari
• Kandy

Day 1

You will be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to your hotel situated near the airport.

Colombo is the commercial, industrial and cultural centre of Sri Lanka and located on an ancient trading sea route. Check in and relax in your lush tropical surroundings.

Day 2

This morning your driver/guide will collect you from your Colombo hotel and introduce you to the beauty of Sri Lanka, as we travel 5-hours to Sigiriya in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, sightseeeing along the way.

Our first stop is at the Munneswaram Temple at Chilaw. This important regional Hindu temple complex has been in existence since at least 1,000 AD and legend has it that it was here that King Ayodyha prayed to Shiva following his war with the demon king Ravana.

Our next stop is the sacred city of Anuradhapura - founded in the 4th century BC and the first kingdom in Sri Lanka. It was the capital of the island for many centuries and is now a World Heritage site. Anuradhapura is surrounded by temples, monasteries and the well-preserved ruins of the great Sinhala civilisation. The ancient remains on the mountain peak of Mihintale is a pilgrimage site regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, as it was here that the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa and introduced him to it. We view several ancient royal palaces and some of the tallest 'stupas' in Sri Lanka (commemorative monuments with a circular base, supporting a massive dome). We also visit the Jayasiri Maha Bhodhi (Sacred Bo Tree) which is over 2,200 years old and was grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment – making it the the oldest historically documented tree in the world.

Afterwards we continue to our hotel in this historic region.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting sacred sites, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 3

This morning we visit Sigiriya Rock - also known as Lion's Rock -  a massive 5th century fortress and palace ruins surrounded by extensive gardens and reservoirs.

This amazing fortress in the sky has 1,200 steps to the top and is now a World Heritage Site. You can view this mighty rock from the gardens below and visit the small museum near the entrance.

Afterwards we visit Hiriwaduna Village to observe the lives of the local people, before returning to our hotel with afternoon at leisure.

Day 4

This morning is at leisure to relax at your hotel.

In the afternoon enjoy a private jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. Birdlife is prolific in this park, where you can also hope to see wild Asian elephants. The elephants are particularly numerous in August and September, when they migrate along a corridor from neighbouring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed - an annual event known as "The Gathering".

Note: You need some upper body strength for this safari, as you will need to be lifted into the front seat of the game viewing vehicle. Please expect Minneriya to be very busy, with many vehicles.

Day 5

This morning we drive 1-hour to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa - the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th centuries following the fall of Anuradhapura and today a World Heritage Site.

Here you can explore these magnificent ruins, which contain some fine examples of Buddhist statues and marvel at this ancient civilisation.

We then continue 2-hours to the seaside town of Pasikuda on the warm east coast, with its magnificent Indian Ocean beaches. Check in and relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting sacred sites, with shoulders and knees covered. Not all of the site is accessible, but your guide will do his best to give you good views.

Days 6 To 7

At leisure to relax and enjoy the white sandy beaches of Pasikuda, with its crystal clear waters and one of the longest stretches of shallow coastline in the world.

You can also explore the local area, with your guide providing transport (pay any entrance fees locally).

Day 8

This morning we travel 4.5-hours through the beautiful countryside of central Sri Lanka to the bustling hill capital of Kandy, with sightseeing along the way.

On arrival we check into our hotel in this religious and ancient capital of kings.

In the evening enjoy a Cultural Show, with dancing and fire walking.

Note: Not all areas are accessible, but your guide will do his best to give you good views.

Day 9

Today we visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, that houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. Religious pooja ceremonies, when the golden casket containing the tooth is revealed, are held daily at 05.00, 09.30 and 18.30 - so this is the best time to visit.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site partly due to this temple. Its principal Buddhist complexes have considerable importance – the high priests of the two best known, Malwatte and Asgiriya, are the most important in Sri Lanka and the Asgiriya Maha Vihara has a large reclining Buddha image.

Afterwards we visit the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Dating back to colonial times, this magnificent property has abundant birdlife, including a bat colony. It also has a rare collection of indigenous tropical flora, including an Orchid House. We suggest you ask your hotel to pack a picnic today, so that you can enjoy it in these gardens.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting the temple, with shoulders and knees covered. Not all areas of the temple are accessible, but your guide will do his best to give you good views.

Day 10

We leave Kandy this morning and travel 4-hours to Colombo, stopping at a Spice Garden along the way.

On arrival you will be dropped off at your hotel conveniently situated near Colombo Airport.

Day 11

Transfer to Colombo Airport for your flight home.

Information last updated: 04/12/2023 14:13:52