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Cultural Triangle holidays
Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle is a treasure trove of ancient monuments, Buddhist temples and royal cities. The points of the triangle are all marked by the country's three ancient and historic capitals: the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, the first Sinhalese capital of Anuradhapura and the hill capital of Kandy. With such a wealth of ancient history, the Cultural Triangle is the best place for visitors to soak up the country's remarkable heritage and history.
- Flight time
- 10h30
- From London
- Currency
- Rs
- Sri Lankan Rupee
- Time zone
- GMT +5h30
Package holidays to Cultural Triangle
Getting to Cultural Triangle
Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Sri Lanka’s gateway to the world. With long haul flights from the UK major airports taking off daily, Sri Lanka should be on your bucket list. Stop-over flights at either Frankfurt or Doha could be an option to break up the flight time if travelling with little ones in tow or to help with the overall cost of travel.
The ideal method of travel from the capital of Colombo to the Cultural Triangle is by bus, this is the most common method of transportation on the Island. Colombo to the hub of Dambulla is a swift 5hr journey, with vast scenery and landscape to soak up on the way. Frequent bus connections from Dambulla to Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are readily available and convenient for all travellers.
Average weather in Cultural Triangle
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Holidays in Cultural Triangle
Top things to do in the Cultural Triangle
Nightlife within a religious province like the Cultural Triangle is not too common, although we do recommend some of the glorious hotels that we have to offer, as bars and restaurants will be more readily accessible within the accommodation. Heritance Kandalama Hotel in Dambulla is a great option offering a charming bar, alongside its panoramic suite rooms and multiple restaurants. Cinnamon Lodge Hotel in Anuradhapura would be another great option for nightlife settings within the hotel walls, with exciting bar and authentic restaurant options in abundance.
Tantalise your tastebuds with the Cultural Triangle’s best restaurant options. Anywhere you choose to dine in this province will be a memorable experience. And with such a wide assortment to choose from, picking somewhere for lunch and dinner could prove difficult. Cuisine within the Cultural Triangle tends to be based on the traditions from the ancient city of Kandy, with Kandyan food hosting distinct flavours, colours and aromas.
Street food vendors operate and inhabit street corners in every royal city, with a plethora of authentic options to choose from daily. For a more sumptuous dining experience, many local hotels welcome non-resident guests. The Uga Ulagalla Resort offers fine dining within its top floor restaurant, with garden views, and is open to the elements. With traditional furniture and a cooling breeze flowing through the space, enjoy traditional Sri Lankan curry or the chef’s signature Wallawa chicken with curry leaf, superb on a sunny day.
For a more novel dining experience, Helgas Folly is a thoroughly individualistic spot. More of a home of rare originality and spirit and less of a hotel, the slice of art nouveau situated above Kandy Lake is brought to life with whimsical murals and colourful couches, chandeliers and ceilings. The mix of Sixties flower power and high-camp appeals to those seeking an alternative to hotel life, with fusion cuisine that many travellers desire.
Shopping is a pastime that is not commonly undertaken within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, however craft, textile and jewellery shops are popular in the area. Sigiriya, home of the famed Lion’s Rock, offers a heap of tourist-friendly keepsake shops, including Vish Wood carvings. With many wooden handicraft statues, masks and ornaments on the Dambulla Main Road, perfect to memorise the ancient fortress in your life forever. Sigiriya’s popular Lanka Silks will also be a perfect stop-over spot whilst on your cultural travels, offering vibrant and colourful garments made from the softest silk, perfect free-flowing wear for the summer days of exploring.
For a more Westernised shopping experience, Kandy is your go-to place. With shopping complexes and super centres on busy street corners, you can be part of the hustle and bustle of the city and get a glimpse of Sri Lanka's more modern way of life in this ancient city.
Activities in Cultural Triangle
Discover mountains, jungles, temples and bustling cities in Sri Lanka's heart. Whether you’re setting off on a romantic escape, fun trip with pals or an adventure-packed family holiday, there’s so much to experience in the Cultural Triangle.
Watersports
Diving in Cultural Triangle
As the Cultural Triangle is a landlocked region, scuba diving is not a widespread activity. But don't worry, as we have excellent diving options within a few hours' drive on both the south and west coasts.
Hikkaduwa, near Colombo on the west coast, is home to Sri Lanka's largest selection of diving schools. Here you will discover a multitude of wrecks and caves filled with colourful and fascinating marine life just waiting to be seen.
Surfing in Cultural Triangle
As previously mentioned, the landlocked province of the Cultural Triangle offers few surfing options. That said, Arugumbay, located on the island's east coast, is considered one of the best surf spots in the world, making it an ideal place for beginners to learn or for the more experienced to show off their skills on the fabulous rolling waves of the sparkling ocean.
Beruwala, on the south coast, is another adrenalin-pumping option. The famous Moragalla caters for beginners and the more experienced alike, with its many surf schools offering cheap board hire and great advice on how to get the most out of Sri Lankan surfing.
Windsurfing & kitesurfing in Cultural Triangle
Situated on a coastal town 3 hours from Sigiriya, Kalpitiya is a windsurfing and kitesurfing paradise on the north-west coast. The sandy peninsula, with the Indian Ocean to the left and Kalpitiyan Lagoon to the right, offers optimum conditions for thrill-seekers. Bring your own equipment or hire it from the local specialist centres for an affordable hourly rate, and feel the wind blow over you as you surf into the sunset.
Sailing in Cultural Triangle
As the Cultural Triangle lies right in the middle of this fabulous country, it's only a short drive to Sri Lanka's perfectly airy shores. The south coast offers swaying palm trees, UNESCO heritage sites galore and sparkling waters for day or multi-day sailing excursions. The port of Mirissa is an excellent departure destination, with many charters located here, then Dondra Head and Galle, perfect for a relaxing moment on the sunny deck, or for a sea trip with all hands on deck.
Fishing in Cultural Triangle
Negombo, a fishing town on Sri Lanka's west coast, offers visitors a captivating blend of British, Dutch and Portuguese heritage. This bustling centre is an ideal destination for both beginner and experienced anglers, and also offers easy access to the famous Cultural Triangle, an area brimming with ancient wonders.
Canoeing & kayaking in Cultural Triangle
The Mahaweli, Sri Lanka's longest river, lies at the heart of the Cultural Triangle, with plenty of kayaking and canoeing on offer along its 50km length. Join an expedition, departing from Wasgamuwa National Park in the province, led by a team of experienced river guides, and let yourself be carried along by the sight og elephants grazing at the water's edge, with food, drink and even camping equipment included if required. A simply epic and unique experience in this magical region.
Land activities
Golf in Cultural Triangle
The cultural city of Kandy is home to the province's one and only golf course, but don't worry, we've made sure it's as well-equipped as possible. The Victoria Golf and Country Resort is a 517-acre property built in the early 1990s on a former coconut plantation in the Kandy mountain range. With swimming pools, tennis courts and an equestrian centre, the Victoria course is laid out on undulating terrain with many elevation changes during a round. The 6th hole is the course's favourite, played from an elevated tee over 100 feet from the fairway - probably the most spectacular par four on the island. With the majestic mountains as a backdrop and views of the reservoir below, the clubhouse terrace is the perfect place to sit and reflect on a perfect day's golf.
Cycling & mountain biking in Cultural Triangle
With so many temples, ruins and ancient cities to see in such a short space of time, getting around by bike is the most practical (and fun!) option for the Cultural Triangle. The temple at Anuradhapura offers bicycles for hire so you can admire the vast ruins in the afternoon or all day. Or why not join Roar adventures' certified, five-star rated Sri Lanka Heritage Bike Tour, an excellent tour that lasts as many days as you like, with fully equipped guides - both in equipment and knowledge - who will help you discover the province's rich culture in a unique way.
Walking & hiking in Cultural Triangle
Put on your walking shoes, because the Cultural Triangle is the place to get in your daily steps. The sheer number of ancient temples and ruins means numerous hiking trails run between or beside them. Whether you choose a provider specialising in guided tours of the monuments of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa or Dambulla, or simply stroll through the sensational Minneriya National Park to watch elephants roaming free, the choices are endless.
