Visions of the Past: Sri Lankan Heritage & History Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
Follow in the footsteps of kings and colonial powers during your custom tailored historical tour of Sri Lanka. Ancient monasteries hide within mountainous boulders, and Dutch colonial architecture overlooks the golden shoreline. Elephants graze on the plains and bathe in the reservoirs and represent the strong connection of current culture to ancient heritage. Pilgrims join a morning procession to reach their favored religious temple and markets abound with enchanting aromas and vibrant colors. Indulge in the power of the past and embrace the splendors of antiquity during your luxurious discovery of Sri Lanka.
Customizable Itinerary
Colombo – Arrive in the Capital of Sri Lanka with an Introductory Tour
The sapphire waters of the Indian Ocean will brush against the historical shores of Colombo. Market vendors line the aisles of Pettah market and fill the district with the aroma of fresh seafood, raw spices, and colorful produce. The marvelous hues of fresh fruits and vegetables accentuate the designs of the clothing that dangles from walls and over the walkways. Your flight will land at Bandaranaike International Airport, and your private transfer will meet you upon arrival and escort you to your gorgeous hotel near the heart of the city. Rickshaws wind around the wide boulevards shaded with trees as high-rises border the historical coastal plain known as Galle Face Green. Colonial history spreads through the city and mingles with the vibrant displays of contemporary culture.
Your guide will greet you in your hotel lobby eager to lead you on an introductory tour of Sri Lanka’s capital, beginning with Old City Hall. The structure was erected in 1865 during the British colonial period, and the green stained-glass windows glint on the upper floors beneath the red-tiled roof. You will enter through the Moorish-style archways to view the historical trucks and municipal equipment on display. The antique mahogany staircase contains a rich history of the city in architectural style, and elegance as a room on the top floor features wax replicas of Colombo’s first councilors adorning the old chambers.
What's Included:
Pottuvil – Visit the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary en route to Pottuvil
Pottuvil – Discover Ancient Deegawapiya and Kudumbigala Sanctuary
Yala – Find for Birdlife and Archeological Sites at Kumana en route to Yala
Kataragama – Relish a Half-Day Game Drive before Transfer to Kataragama
Galle – Traverse the Sacred Temple and Explore the History of Galle
Colombo – Return to the Sri Lankan Capital with a Half-Day Guided Tour
Colombo – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Embrace the historical connection between Sri Lankan culture and elephants as you visit the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary
- Follow the morning pilgrim procession into the Kataragama for a unique experience inside one of the holiest sites in Sri Lanka
- Discover the captivating moon stone inside Magul Maha Viharaya, a temple complex more than 2,000 years old
- Visit the only cylindrical stupa in all of Sri Lanka as you wander along the boulders and rugged peaks of historical Kudumbigala Monastery
- Traverse the preserved Dutch fortress in Galle, which overlooks the Indian Ocean on three sides
- Explore the treasured sanctuary of the Yala Wildlife Reserve to find the largest collection of leopards in the world
- Relish the marvelous colors, sounds, and culture of Sri Lanka’s capital during a tour that will connect the mixture of past and present to the island’s heritage
- Wander through the exhibits of the National Museum in Colombo to follow the evolution of island life and religion, along with viewing the throne of the Kandyan King
Detailed Description
Step into the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s past during your 8-day tour of the heritage and history of the island nation. Your adventure will begin with your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, and your private transfer will meet escort you to your gorgeous hotel in the heart of the city. Settle into the comforts of your accommodation before meeting your guide in the lobby and setting out on a half-day tour of the vibrant colors and captivating sounds of the bustling city. Venture the next morning to the beachside town of Pottuvil, stopping first at the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary. Watch the elephants as they bathe in the waters of the reservoir and follow the trails that lead to the ancient monastery complex that spreads through the jungle.
The next day, your private guide will lead you to the ancient monastery complex of Deegawapiya before discovering the hidden shrines inside the Kudumbigala Wildlife Sanctuary. Continue to Okanda Devalaya Hindu Temple before returning to Pottuvil for the evening. Begin the next day with a visit to the Kumana Bird Sanctuary for a chance to view the exceptional avifauna of the island. Continue to the gorgeous natural landscape of Yala Wildlife Reserve for a luxury camping experience near the shores of the reservoir. Enjoy a morning game drive the next morning to search for elephants and leopards that wander through the sanctuary grounds. In the afternoon, you will continue to the sacred city of Kataragama.
The next day, you will take to the streets of Kataragama to participate in the morning pilgrimage procession. Explore the city’s marvelous connection to the spiritual world and ancient legend before traveling to the stunning seaside city of Galle. Your guide will lead you through a fascinating tour of the colonial history found around the city’s streets and shoreline. The next day, your private transfer will escort you back to Colombo where you can enjoy a visit to the National Museum and relish the remainder of the day at your leisure to experience the energy of the capital. Your private transfer meets you at your hotel the next day and escorts you to the Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 32 reviews
The Zicasso travel company was incredible to work with. My wife and I booked our honeymoon to Sri Lanka through them. The booking experience was incredibly smooth; our travel agent worked with us throughout to ensure we had the trip that we wanted. She was always responsive and attentive, and always available, even to set up phone conversations, despite the 11-hour time difference. Everything about our trip was also truly amazing; all of the experiences were wonderful and all of the local guides they set us up with did a great job. Not only were they very knowledgeable and interesting, but they were very friendly and we had a great rapport with all of them by the end of our tours.
I really can't recommend traveling to Sri Lanka enough and using this company if you're looking for a travel agency. My wife and I were already trying to figure out how we could come back by the end of our trip!
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Overall, I am very pleased with the services from Zicasso’s tour company. The planning process was easy and efficient as we had a short window for planning, and our itinerary was finalized within days of our initial inquiry. They planned the active tour we were looking for and we managed to see a lot in a short time! The hotels and included meals were top-notch and we received a higher level of comfort and service than we expected. The company continued to be engaged, even post-travel, to hear feedback, and we were pleased with their follow-up. My only regret is that we did not have enough time to see more in Sri Lanka! I guess this means we will have to use Zicasso and our travel company to plan our return visit.
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The agent from Zicasso’s travel company created the perfect Sri Lanka itinerary for our family with two young kids (aged three and six). It was a good blend of cultural sights, safari, and beach, and the travel times between places weren't too long. The selected hotels were wonderful. Our agent was very responsive to our requests.
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As first-time travelers to Southeast Asia, we wanted a travel company that would tailor a trip to our wishes, provide seamlessness as we moved among the countries, and be responsive to daily changes that might occur. Zicasso's travel operator was all that and more.
From the extremely helpful pre-trip consult to the back and forth regarding various possibilities, the proactive recommendations based upon deep experience in the areas, the carefully selected guides and drivers, and handling little wrinkles as they occurred, our travel agent and his team were absolutely tops.
We loved each stop and, as a result, have become promoters of visiting such a fascinating and welcoming part of our world.
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Zicasso’s company was a pleasure to work with and delivered a fabulous five-week trip to northern and southern India and Sri Lanka that exceeded our expectations.
We were two adult couples visiting for the first time. Our travel agent worked closely with us during many weeks of planning to craft a trip that matched our interests and budget.
The trip itself was exceptionally well organized and well executed. The guides, drivers, hotels, sites, and activities were all first-rate.
When there was a minor snafu with one of the hotels (it was overtaken by an unannounced wedding), our tour operator and his team reacted quickly to arrange an alternative hotel, which we loved. I give him and his team my highest recommendation.
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Our itinerary was excellent, with wonderful hotels.
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