Pilgrimage and faith heritage · SRI LANKA

Buddhist Sacred Cities

7 days · 6 nights • Customisable itinerary • Colombo → Colombo

Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura

Dambulla cave temple exterior

Kandy Lake and surrounding hills

A JOURNEY TO MAKE YOUR OWN

The experience

Buddhist Sacred Cities is a 7-day Sri Lanka itinerary starting in Colombo and finishing in Colombo. Time for worship and interpretation across major Buddhist sites. Use this route as the starting point for a personalised quote, with the pace, accommodation and activities adjusted to your dates.

Duration: 7 days · 6 nights
Starts in: Colombo
Finishes in: Colombo
Travel style: Private, tailor-made proposal

Your route

Colombo > Anuradhapura > Mihintale > Dambulla > Kandy > Colombo

A suggested itinerary. Your operator must confirm the final schedule, stays, activities and price before booking.

THE JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY

Your itinerary

DAY 01AnuradhapuraArrive and settle in

Day 1 activities

Meet at the agreed starting point in Colombo and travel to your Anuradhapura base. Keep arrival-day plans flexible around your actual arrival time.
Explore the ancient city with a guide, allowing separate time for active places of worship.
Leave time for worship and check dress, photography and entry customs with the guide.

Overnight: Anuradhapura
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Colombo to Anuradhapura; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 02AnuradhapuraExplore Anuradhapura

Day 2 activities

Allow dedicated worship time in Anuradhapura, with sacred-site etiquette and opening arrangements explained.
Leave time for worship and check dress, photography and entry customs with the guide.

Overnight: Anuradhapura
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 03AnuradhapuraExplore Anuradhapura

Day 3 activities

Visit Mihintale at an unhurried pace, with a shorter alternative for travellers avoiding steep steps.
Leave time for worship and check dress, photography and entry customs with the guide.

Overnight: Anuradhapura
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 04SigiriyaTravel to Sigiriya

Day 4 activities

Continue from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
Visit Sigiriya Rock early; allow time for the climb, gardens and breaks in the heat.
Leave time for worship and check dress, photography and entry customs with the guide.

Overnight: Sigiriya
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 05KandyTravel to Kandy

Day 5 activities

Continue from Sigiriya to Kandy, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth respectfully and take a gentle walk beside Kandy Lake.
Leave time for worship and check dress, photography and entry customs with the guide.

Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Sigiriya to Kandy; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 06KandyExplore Kandy

Day 6 activities

Explore Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with enough time for shaded breaks.
Leave time for worship and check dress, photography and entry customs with the guide.

Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 07ColomboOnward journey

Day 7 activities

After a relaxed start, finish the itinerary in Colombo. Agree the final drop-off and leave enough time for any onward connection.
Airport transfers are included only if your written quote specifies them.

Overnight: No overnight stay planned
Meals: As agreed in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Kandy to Colombo; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Final transfer or local drop-off, as agreed.

THE PLACES ALONG THE WAY

Your Sri Lanka route

Use the destination cards or open a place in maps below.

Pins show approximate destination centres. Distances between destinations are straight-line estimates, not driving distances.

The route lists destinations and overnight bases. Exact roads, station transfers and activity meeting points are agreed with your operator.

PLAN THE DETAILS

Shape your package

Accommodation & meals

Choose guesthouse, hotel, boutique stay or villa options in your quote; named properties are not yet allocated.

Breakfast, half board, full board, tastings and special meals are included only when listed in the final quote. Share dietary requirements before confirming.

What to include in your quote

Every overnight stay, room type and agreed meal.
Driver, guide, vehicle, fuel, parking and any station or airport transfers.
Entry tickets, safari jeeps, boats, activity equipment and specialist guides.
Taxes, payment schedule and cancellation terms.

These are items to request, not confirmed inclusions.

Costs to budget separately

Unless specifically included in your quote, allow for international flights, entry requirements, travel insurance, personal spending, tips, optional activities and meals outside the agreed plan.

Season, activity level & suitability

Varies by activity; shorter alternatives on request. Suitable pace and access depend on the activities selected. Tell the operator about mobility requirements, child ages and swimming or walking ability.

Confirm the full itinerary, exact pickup and drop-off points, and a realistic daily schedule with the operator.
Request an itemised quote covering accommodation, transport, guide services, admission, meals, taxes and optional activities.
Check current access, weather and local conditions before travel; the final programme may need to change.

Booking & cancellation

This page is an itinerary proposal, not a confirmed departure. Before paying, obtain the named operator’s written quote, availability, payment terms and cancellation policy. Sending an enquiry does not make a reservation.

LET’S SHAPE YOUR JOURNEY

Request your personalised quote

Tell the Travel Picks team your dates, group size, preferred stays and any changes to this route.

7 days · 6 nightsRequest a quoteEnquire ↗