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Climb to Dambulla’s ancient caves
Step inside a remarkable collection of cave temples filled with centuries-old paintings and Buddha statues.
Designed with families with children in mind, this relaxed trip keeps hotel changes to a minimum while bringing together nature, village life, heritage and hands-on discoveries. Four nights around Sigiriya and four nights in Kandy leave room to explore without trying to fill every hour.
The interests that shape this journey
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Leave Colombo behind and travel inland to Sigiriya, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The surrounding plains, reservoirs and forest are part of a landscape shaped by ancient kingdoms, making this a rewarding base for exploring the island’s history. Enjoy the changing scenery on the drive, with stops along the way, before checking into your accommodation. There is no scheduled sightseeing today, allowing everyone time to settle in, enjoy the pool or simply relax ahead of the discoveries to come.
Walk through Jathika Namal Uyana, known for its ironwood forest and striking pink quartz ridge. The woodland also shelters traces of an old Buddhist monastic settlement, revealing how nature and spiritual life have long shared this landscape. Back in Sigiriya, you can choose an optional visit to the fifth-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built during the reign of King Kashyapa around 1,500 years ago. Its gardens, frescoes and extraordinary summit setting explain why this UNESCO-listed citadel remains one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable ancient sites. The climb is demanding.
Spend time in a rural village to discover the everyday traditions that remain an important part of life beyond Sri Lanka’s towns. Travel by tuk tuk or traditional bullock cart, meet local residents and learn about the produce, cooking and customs that shape village routines. Try traditional attire and enjoy a gentle canoe ride through the surrounding countryside. Rather than viewing village life from a distance, the experience invites you to take part, offering children and adults a more personal understanding of local culture and hospitality.
Climb Pidurangala Rock, passing a cave temple before reaching a viewpoint overlooking Sigiriya and the surrounding countryside. Pidurangala has associations with the Buddhist monastic community of the fifth century, and its summit offers a different perspective on the ancient landscape. After time to rest, you may choose an optional jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. Its reservoir and grasslands attract wild elephants, particularly in the drier months, making this a memorable opportunity to appreciate Sri Lanka’s wildlife in its natural habitat. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
On the journey to Kandy, stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple, where Buddhist worship has a history stretching back more than 2,000 years. Inside five richly decorated caves, over 150 Buddha statues and extensive murals reveal how successive generations expressed their faith through art. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth visiting not only for its age, but also for the remarkable preservation of its sacred interiors. Continue into the hills towards Kandy, settle into your accommodation and enjoy a free afternoon after the drive.
Begin in Udawattakelle Sanctuary, a former royal forest above Kandy where shaded paths provide a peaceful refuge for birds and other wildlife. Later, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, housed within Kandy’s historic royal palace complex and revered for its association with a relic of the Buddha. The temple reflects Kandy’s importance as the island’s last royal capital, which endured until 1815. In the evening, a cultural performance introduces Kandyan dance and drumming traditions that remain a distinctive part of the region’s heritage.
Today is yours to enjoy Kandy without a fixed sightseeing schedule. Once the capital of Sri Lanka’s last kingdom, the city retains a distinctive character shaped by its lake, surrounding hills, markets and religious traditions. You might browse local shops, take a gentle walk or revisit a place that caught your interest earlier in the trip. Alternatively, spend the day relaxing at your accommodation. This unhurried pause is an important part of the itinerary, giving families the freedom to follow their own interests and recharge.
Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, developed as a formal botanical garden in 1821 on land with earlier royal associations. Its avenues of palms, orchid collections and magnificent trees make it a lovely place to explore while learning about the island’s extraordinary plant life. In the afternoon, you may choose an optional home cooking workshop. Preparing rice, curries and accompaniments with a local host offers a hands-on introduction to Sri Lankan ingredients and the role food plays in family life, followed by a meal you have helped create.
Leave Kandy and stop at a working tea plantation and factory to discover how Ceylon tea travels from leaf to cup. Tea cultivation expanded across Sri Lanka in the nineteenth century and became central to the island’s economy and landscape. Seeing the picking and processing stages helps explain the skill behind a drink enjoyed around the world. After a tasting, continue towards Colombo as the hills give way to the lowlands. Your nine-day trip ends with drop-off in the city, bringing your time in Sri Lanka to a close.
Step inside a remarkable collection of cave temples filled with centuries-old paintings and Buddha statues.
Spend time discovering local produce, food and traditions while experiencing some of the rhythms of everyday rural life.
Enjoy the freedom to slow down, wander, browse the markets or simply spend some unhurried time in the city.
Walk through a working tea estate and discover how freshly picked leaves make their way from the field to the finished cup.
No. The trip has been designed with families in mind, but it can equally suit couples or other travellers who prefer a relaxed pace, fewer hotel changes and time between planned experiences.
Yes. Sri Lanka: Two Cities is a thoughtfully planned starting point and can be shaped around your dates, interests and preferred pace.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is optional. It can be added on the evening of Day 2 for travellers who would like to include the climb.
The overall pace is relaxed, although some experiences involve walking and climbing. Pidurangala Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple both involve climbs, while the optional Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb involves approximately 1,200 steps.
The trip includes 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners. Lunches are not included.
The trip begins with pick-up in Colombo and ends with drop-off in Colombo on Day 9.
Yes. Travel insurance is required for all guests travelling on this trip.