Lakpura
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Temples and Wilderness from Colombo (2 Days)

A two-day private tour from Colombo combining Buddhist temple visits — including statues over 100 feet tall — with a wildlife drive through Yala National Park.

Wewrukannala Raja Maha Viharaya Weherahena temple Wewrukannala temple Temples and Wilderness from Colombo (2 Days) Temples and Wilderness from Colombo (2 Days) Temples and Wilderness from Colombo (2 Days)

About this experience

Leave Colombo and spend two days exploring Sri Lanka's cultural heartland and wild south. On day one, your English-speaking chauffeur guide drives you to two distinctive Buddhist temples where Buddha statues rise over 100 feet, and intricately painted passages, religious murals, and figurines fill every corner. On day two, the road leads to Yala National Park — one of Sri Lanka's largest and most celebrated wildlife reserves — where you scan the scrub for leopards, elephants, and wading birds from your private vehicle.

Travel throughout in a private vehicle, with fuel, parking, and highway tolls covered. Two 500 ml water bottles per person are provided each day. Hotel accommodation, meals, park entrance fees, and personal expenses are arranged separately, giving you the flexibility to book lodging that suits your budget. All taxes and service charges are included in your Lakpura booking.

Duration2 days
LanguagesEnglish
Group typePrivate — your party only
ReferenceLKRZKJQT2M
Mahesh
Your tour planner

Mahesh Consultant

Have questions or want to customise this itinerary? Reach Mahesh directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

What’s included

Included

  • Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
  • Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
  • All prevailing taxes and service charges.

Not included

  • Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
  • Entrance fees to the respective sites.
  • Expenses of personal nature.
  • Visa and Related Expenses.
  • Tips & Portages.

Tour route

Day-by-day waypoints across Sri Lanka. Each marker is where you spend the night; lines trace the daily drive.

Day-by-day itinerary

1

Day 1 — Colombo > Yala

Start your journey at 0700 hrs from your hotel in Colombo. You will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura Travels. After the formalities at the hotel, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Yala. En-Route visit Weherahena Temple and Wewurukannala Temple.

Weherahena Poorwarama Raja Maha Viharaya

Weherahena Poorwarama Raja Maha Viharaya is situated in the Matara District of Sri Lanka, about 6 kilometers off the Matara town. This rather unique temple is known as the first tunnel temple in the world. The temple hosts a massive 130-ft Buddha image that was built following the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras and also consists of all main features of a Buddhist temple- the pagoda, a sacred bo-tree and Samadhi Buddha statue. The walls of the temple are adorned with Buddha murals. According to the historical records, the tunnel temple paintings narrate the Jātaka tales (legends) of Ummagga Jathaka and Umandawa.

Wewurukannala Raja Maha Viharaya

Wewurukannala Raja Maha Viharaya, this sacred Buddhist temple is located 1.5 kilometers from Dikwella towards Beliatta. The main attraction of the temple is the 160-ft tall statue of seated Buddha. It is the largest statue in the whole of Sri Lanka and dates back to the late 18th Century. The temple has another section named the Tunnel of Hell. It features life-sized models of devils, demons, and sinners going through the torments and horrors of hell. The temple walls show you the path towards enlightenment by depicting hundreds of comic strip representations of events in the Buddha’s life.

2

Day 2 — Yala > Matara > Colombo

Yala National Park

This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based on the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.

After the safari return to the hotel, relax checkout and proceed to Mandunagala and visit Mandunagala Hot springs.

Thereafter proceed to Matara and visit Snake Farm.

Matara Snake Farm. For three generations, this farm was run by the Bandara family. Mr. Wikman Bandara, 40 years of age is the man in charge. His father, 76-year-old Wijepala Bandara practices Ayurvedic Snake Medicine. The Snake Farm will give you the chance to learn about the cold-blooded reptiles that roam the island and also a first-hand experience with some of the snakes if you are brave enough for the challenge.

On completion start your journey back to your hotel in Colombo.

Please note

  • Public transportation nearby
  • Infant seats available
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not recommended for people with back problems
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • Comfortable clothes and hats recommended
  • We pickup from your Hotel in Colombo area

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