Sri Lanka
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Summer vacation departure days only! Enjoy Perahera Festival & World Heritage Sites for 6 nights and 8 days
There’s still time! Come see the Kandy Perahera Festival, held from July 23rd to August 2nd, during your summer holidays!
Consider planning your Sri Lankan adventure to coincide with the magnificent Kandy Perahera Festival, the nation’s most celebrated spectacle. Witness the awe-inspiring procession as a sacred relic containing the tooth of Buddha is paraded through the vibrant streets of Kandy atop a resplendently adorned elephant, accompanied by captivating dancers who embody the rich heritage of traditional music and court dance.
This captivating 6-night, 8-day itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration of Sri Lanka’s enchanting allure, catering to the diverse needs of travelers, from independent adventurers to families and groups. Embark on an unforgettable journey encompassing four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an exhilarating jeep safari, a fascinating tour of a renowned tea factory, a relaxing sojourn at a picturesque beach resort, and the option to indulge in an authentic Ayurvedic treatment.
*Image is for illustrative purposes only.
| Travel back in time to the Kandy Kingdom with the Perahera Festival
“Perahera”, signifying a grand procession or parade, is a celebrated tradition across Sri Lanka, including Colombo and Kataragama. However, the Kandy Perahera Festival, a magnificent spectacle held for two weeks from the new moon to the full moon during the Esala month, reigns supreme in scale and grandeur.
Witness a mesmerizing display as the sacred relic of the Buddha’s tooth, enshrined upon a resplendently adorned elephant, is paraded through the vibrant streets of Kandy under the starry night sky. Accompanying this sacred procession are captivating dancers, their movements a testament to generations of inherited traditional music and court dance.
The Perahera is a symphony of sights and sounds, featuring a diverse array of participants: whip bearers, flag bearers, land officials, drummers, the head of the elephant house, dancers, lay representatives, and a captivating display of the Wes dance. A majestic procession of 60 to 100 exquisitely decorated elephants, gathered from across the nation, creates a truly awe-inspiring spectacle.
The dances performed during the festival, a legacy of the Kandy Dynasty, showcase the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan folk dance. From the graceful movements of female dancers to the dynamic and powerful battle dances of their male counterparts, and the mesmerizing displays of torch-wielding performers, each dance form possesses its own unique character.
The rhythmic heartbeat of the festival lies in the captivating drumbeats. A variety of traditional drums, each carefully selected to complement the specific dance style, creates an exhilarating and unforgettable auditory experience.
This extraordinary spectacle transports viewers back in time, offering a glimpse into the grandeur and splendor of the bygone Kandy Dynasty.
| Get great value for your stay at our hotelsBesides festivals, there are plenty of other things to see in Sri Lanka!
★You can’t miss the four World Heritage sites
Ascend the majestic Sigiriya, often referred to as the “Fortress in the Sky,” a breathtaking citadel rising dramatically from the heart of the jungle. Admire the renowned “Sigiriya Lady,” a captivating fresco depicting a beautiful woman, which remains remarkably vibrant on the sheer rock face.
Dambulla Cave Temple
This magnificent Golden Temple is a natural cave complex comprising five chambers adorned with breathtakingly vibrant murals and housing a multitude of revered Buddha statues.
Kandy, the Ancient City
Immerse yourself in the captivating ambiance of Kandy, a city steeped in history and tradition. Explore the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic, wander through the vibrant local markets, and experience the tranquility of Kandy Lake.
Experience the vibrant pulse of this ancient city, where cultural festivals and events continue to thrive, adding to its unique charm.
Goal
Appreciate the picturesque and captivating cityscape of Kandy, a city brimming with exotic charm and bearing the indelible marks of its Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial past.
★Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park in the best season
Embark on a thrilling jeep safari through rugged terrain and dense woodlands, where you have a high probability of encountering the awe-inspiring sight of wild elephants bathing in the swamps.
★Enjoy the authentic taste at the tea factory
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of tea at the renowned Giragama Tea Factory. Indulge in the exquisite flavors of authentic Ceylon tea, a true taste of Sri Lanka.
This experience also presents a wonderful opportunity to acquire unique and memorable souvenirs to cherish.
★Optional authentic Ayurvedic experience
Consider an optional authentic Ayurvedic experience at Sidarepa Ayurvedic Resort, a renowned establishment with a rich history in Ayurvedic healing. (Additional charges may apply.)
Detoxify your mind and body and achieve ultimate relaxation.
★Consecutive nights at a beach resort
A three-night stay at a beach resort provides ample opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation between sightseeing excursions.
<How to read the schedule>
(Travel) Departure area ➔ Arrival area [Travel time]
★World Heritage Sites◆Other programs
*If the scheduled hotel is fully booked, we will arrange for you to stay at a hotel of the same rank.
| Schedule | Details | Accommodation/Hotel/Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 |
11:20 Depart Narita to Colombo on SriLankan Airlines flight UL455 17:45 Arrive at Colombo Airport. , where a driver will greet you. Take you to your hotel in Sigiriya. (Transfer) Colombo Airport → Sigiriya [Approximately 4 hours] |
[Sigiriya] Stay at Kassapa Lions Rock Breakfast Lunch Dinner - Plane - |
| Day 2 |
After breakfast, ★World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock Tour We will guide you to the "Fortress in the Sky" towering over the jungle. The "Sigiriya Lady" fresco of a beautiful woman, colorfully painted on the side of the rock, is also famous. (Transfer) Sigiriya → Minneriya [Approximately 40 minutes] Afternoon ◆ Please request a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park Enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. (This is a national park where elephants, peacocks and other rare wild birds are likely to appear.) |
[Sigiriya] Stay at Kassapa Lions Rock Breakfast Lunch Dinner ◯ — ◯ |
| Day 3 |
★World Heritage Dambulla Sightseeing We will guide you to the World Heritage Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple. The largest cave temple in Sri Lanka, with five natural caves decorated with vividly colored murals and many Buddha statues are enshrined. After that, we will head to Kandy. (Travel) Dambulla → Kandy [Approximately 3 hours] Enjoy the Kandy Perahera Festival in the evening |
[Kandy] Hill top stay Breakfast Lunch Dinner ◯ — ◯ |
| Day 4 |
After breakfast, ★ Enjoy a visit to the World Heritage Site of Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a stroll around the market, and sightseeing in the city. (The market may be closed on Sundays.) After that, visit ★Giragama Tea Factory near Kandy. After that, head to the beach resort of Kalutara. (Travel) Giragama → Kalutara [Approximately 4 hours] |
[Kalutara] Stay at Coco Royal Breakfast Lunch Dinner ◯ — ◯ |
| Day 5 |
★World Heritage Site Galle Sightseeing Tour of the Galle Fort, a World Heritage Site built during the Dutch colonial period. You can also enjoy shopping in the colonial streets lined with colonial-era buildings, unique general stores and souvenir shops. |
[Kalutara] Stay at Coco Royal Breakfast Lunch Dinner ◯ — ◯ |
| Day 6 | Free for the whole day (please relax at the beach resort). Optionally, you can enjoy a full-fledged Ayurvedic experience at Sidarepa Ayurveda Resort . (Additional charge) |
[Kalutara] Stay at Coco Royal Breakfast Lunch Dinner ◯ — ◯ |
| Day 7 |
After breakfast, head to Colombo. (Travel) Kalutara → Colombo [Approximately 1.5 hours] Until departure ◆ Enjoy sightseeing and shopping in Colombo . Afternoon or evening: Depart for the airport according to your flight time. (Travel) Colombo → Colombo Airport [Approximately 50 minutes] (Arrive at the airport approximately 3 hours before your flight) 19:15 Depart Colombo on SriLankan Airlines UL454 for your return flight. |
[Overnight on board] Morning Lunch Dinner ◯ — Flight |
| Day 8 | 07:30 Arrived at Narita Airport. Thank you for your hard work! |
| Tour General Information
●About the time required for sightseeing
The estimated sightseeing time is about 1.5 to 3 hours. (This may vary depending on the schedule, location, and weather.) The time can be adjusted, so please feel free to contact us in advance if you have any requests.
●About the pick-up area
The driver will flexibly accommodate stops at supermarkets and rest stops along the travel route, so please feel free to consult us on the day. (If the travel distance exceeds the limit due to a major change in route, etc. (approximately 20 km), an additional fee will be charged locally. Please keep this in mind.)
●About meals
Outside of urban areas such as Colombo and Kandy, there are limited restaurants, and there are often no restaurants within walking distance of hotels and tourist spots. In
our plan, we will basically take you to the hotel buffet for breakfast and dinner, and to a local restaurant along the way for lunch. (Breakfast will be at the hotel the night before.)
Even if the plan does not include meals, we will provide transportation to places where you can eat. (Meals will be paid locally.)
If you have a request for a restaurant, please let us know in advance.
●About drivers/guides
Except for Japanese guides, there will be only one driver, and we cannot accompany you during sightseeing or meals, as you will not be able to leave the private car.
●About programs paid for locally
Train arrangements, Ayurveda, meals at hotels, marine sports, and other special arrangements are basically paid for locally.
●When using trains
We cannot arrange trains alone, so if you would like to arrange trains, we can only do so in conjunction with a package (airline ticket + local arrangements/local arrangements only)
*Please note that we cannot arrange trains if you only charter a private car.
●Please be careful to check that your passport has not expired and that your visa is incomplete.
Please note that we cannot take responsibility if you do not check for yourself.
(Sri Lanka has required a visa to enter Sri Lanka since January 2012.)
It usually takes about two weeks from application to receipt of a passport. (Varies depending on the time of year)
Please prepare well in advance.