Take in both the culture and history of Sri Lanka as well as the natural beauty of it's wildlife on this full day tour from Negombo. First visit the world heritage site of Dambulla Cave Temples, before enjoying an afternoon on safari spotting elephants, deer, buffalo and assorted birds.
Head to Dambulla and visit the Cave Temple, which is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long, cut out of the rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they were painted over in the Kandy period. In the second cave, the finest and largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with a few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people.
Have a break to enjoy lunch. Then explore the Kaudulla National Park on a jeep safari. In the Polonnaruwa District, 6,900 hectares include the Kavudulla Wewa and surrounding jungle area, was opened in September 2002. Kavudulla is home to a large herd of elephants, Sambhur, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, a range of reptile species, and a large number of bird species. The elephant population found here far exceeds those found in other parks.