Sri Lanka: Temple, Rock & Safari — 2 Days

Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Minneriya National Park from Colombo

This two-day circuit departs Colombo and moves inland through Sri Lanka's cultural heartland, covering three UNESCO World Heritage sites and a wildlife reserve. The itinerary visits the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, where a relic of the Buddha is housed; the rock-cut caves of Dambulla, dating to the second and third centuries BC; and Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was the palace and pleasure garden of King Kassapa. The second day concludes with an evening safari in Minneriya National Park, where elephants and other wildlife congregate during the dry season. Total driving time across the two days amounts to approximately nine and a half hours, with accommodation in Habarana.

Highlights

Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the most venerated Buddhist site in Sri Lanka
Dambulla Cave Temple complex, UNESCO World Heritage site with chambers carved from rock in the second and third centuries BC
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former royal palace and pleasure garden of King Kassapa
Evening safari in Minneriya National Park, where Asian elephants and other wildlife congregate seasonally

Day by day

1Colombo to Kandy to HabaranaColombo · Colombo to Kandy · Kandy to Habarana · Temple of the Tooth Relic · Sorowwa Resort & Spa

Travel begins with a driver pickup in Colombo and a three-hour drive north to Kandy. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, where a tooth of the Buddha is preserved in a shrine — the site is among the most significant in Theravada Buddhism. From Kandy, the route continues northeast for two and a half hours to Habarana, a central location for accessing the region's main archaeological sites. Overnight stay at Sorowwa Resort & Spa.

2Dambulla Caves, Sigiriya Rock and Minneriya SafariDambulla Cave Temple · Sigiriya Rock Fortress · Minneriya National Park · Minneriya National Park to Colombo

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with five chambers of murals and Buddha statues from the second and third centuries BC. Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the former palace and pleasure garden of King Kassapa, for panoramic views. An evening safari in Minneriya National Park offers wildlife viewing. Transfer to Colombo follows, approximately four hours.

Where you go

Map: Sri Lanka: Temple, Rock & Safari — 2 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Colombo
2Temple of the Tooth Relic
3Dambulla Cave Temple
4Sigiriya Rock Fortress
5Minneriya National Park

Included

Accommodation in mentioned hotels
Meals as per mentioned meal plans
Air conditioned transfers with an English speaking chauffeur guide
All mentioned activities and park entrance fees
Prices may vary plus/minus depending on the season
Accommodation and meals (For 2 Adults)
1 night in Sorowwa Resort & Spa on Bed and Breakfast basis