Sri Lanka Tours
The Best of Sri Lanka Tour
A 13 day tour with a focus on the best that Sri Lanka has to offer. It takes in national parks with leopards and elephants, cultural icons and breathtaking scenery.
The Best of Sri Lanka Escorted Tour
Join us on a 13-day escorted tour with a focus on the best that Sri Lanka has to offer. It takes in national parks with leopards and elephants, cultural icons and breathtaking scenery. Therefore, this makes a great adventure holiday for couples or families.
The smiles and hospitality of Sri Lanka are world famous, as are its spicy food and exotic fruits. On this tour, you will see an authentic side to Sri Lanka. You also meet the local people. Their daily lives are entwined with the culture and wildlife that this Indian Ocean island is so famous for. For example, explore Wilpattu National Park, famous for leopard sightings. Then climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress for stunning views of the whole area.
This is a fantastic way to explore Sri Lanka. It is also available as a private tour, tailored to your exact needs.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome to Sri Lanka
On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, your English-speaking chauffeur guide will meet you. They then drive you to your hotel in Negombo (around 20 minutes). Afterwards, there is time to relax after your flight.
Overnight in Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 2
Wilpattu National Park
First, visit the local fish market in Negombo. Then travel to Marawila for a close-up toddy tapping experience. After that, continue to Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest national park, for a safari. The park is named after its scattering of 'willus' (small lakes). It is also home to leopards, sloth bears, elephants and abundant birdlife. Finally, transfer to Anuradhapura.
Overnight in The Lakeside at Nuwarawewa, Anuradhapura · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3
Anuradhapura
Explore the Anuradhapura UNESCO site, the ancient first capital of Sri Lanka, which reigned for over 1,500 years. It is packed with stupas, temples and monasteries. Then stop at the Aukana Buddha statue. At over 46 feet high, it is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in the country. Afterwards, continue to Dambulla.
Overnight in Ehelagala Lake Resort, Dambulla · Meals included: Dinner, breakfast
DAY 4
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, believed locally to be the 8th wonder of the world. It was built atop a huge rock in the 5th century and has ruins, gardens, frescoes and spellbinding vistas. Then, in the afternoon, walk through the village of Dambulla, visiting small cottage industries. Finally, climb Dahayiyagala for panoramic views.
Overnight in Ehelagala Lake Resort, Dambulla · Meals included: Dinner, breakfast
DAY 5
Dambulla Cave Temple and Kandy
Visit the Dambulla cave temple, an ancient cave complex atop 364 steps, adorned with paintings and statues. Then continue to Kandy via Nalanda Gedige, a stone temple blending Hindu and Buddhist architecture. In the evening, enjoy a dancing experience with the legendary Surasena family. Afterwards, visit the Temple of the Tooth, the holiest site for Sri Lankan Buddhists.
Overnight in Hotel Topaz, Kandy · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6
Explore Kandy
Take a walking tour through the compact city, including the Kandy market. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free at leisure. Finally, a local family hosts you for an evening meal.
Overnight in Hotel Topaz, Kandy · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7
Mahiyanganaya
Drive to Mahiyanganaya (around 3 hours), a quiet town with a rich cultural and historical heritage. On the way, stop at Seethakotuwa, a hidden Ramayana trail site linked to the legend of Princess Seetha. Then, in the evening, meet members of the Vedda people. They are traditionally forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers and also Sri Lanka's earliest inhabitants.
Overnight in Mapakada Village · Meals included: Dinner, breakfast
DAY 8
Mapakada Lake and Area
Enjoy a morning boat ride on Mapakada Lake with breakfast lakeside, followed by free time. Then, in the afternoon, walk to Rathna Falls in the village of Hasalaka. Villagers use this 111-metre waterfall for paddy cultivation.
Overnight in Mapakada Village · Meals included: Dinner, breakfast
DAY 9
Demodara Loop and Nine Arch Bridge
Travel towards Bandarawela, stopping at Dunhinda waterfall. Then reach Ella for a unique rail experience at the Demodara Loop and Nine Arch Bridge. This spiral railway loop is thought to be the only one of its kind in the world.
Overnight in Bandarawela Hotel · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 10
Tea Plantation and Elephant Transit Camp
Experience a tea plantation in the misty morning light, learning from an experienced Sri Lankan tea planter. Then drive to Unawatuna (around 5 hours). Along the way, visit the Elephant Transit Camp in Udawalawe. It rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves for release back into the wild.
Overnight in Joe's Resort, Unawatuna · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 11
Galle
Enjoy a morning at leisure at your beachside hotel. Then take a short evening drive to Galle, the South Coast's major city. It is home to a massive UNESCO World Heritage fort built by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Its cobbled streets are also lined with restaurants, boutiques and galleries.
Overnight in Joe's Resort, Unawatuna · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12
Colombo
Transfer to Colombo, exploring streets once within the Colombo fort under Portuguese, Dutch and British occupation. Above all, a highlight is enjoying street food at a local bazaar.
Overnight in Fairway Colombo · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 13
All Good Things Come to an End
Finally, transfer to the airport for your departure flight, taking home memories of a memorable holiday in Sri Lanka.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
Arrival and departure transfers
All transfers between hotels and sites in a standard air-conditioned car or van with an English-speaking chauffeur guide
All accommodation as shown or of a similar quality
Meals as shown in the itinerary
Entrance tickets to Anuradhapura, Sri Mahabodhiya, Aukana, Sigiriya, Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Also included are Nalanda Gedige, Dunhinda waterfall, Rathna Ella trek, and the Elephant Transit Home.
Dancing experience at Surasena's family dancing class
Village walk in Dambulla and a Kandy walking tour
Toddy tapping in Hunuwila and a local family dinner in Kandy
Boat safari on Mapakada Lake and a meeting with the Vedda people
Tea experience with a tea planter
Jeeps and entrance tickets at national parks
Street food walk in Colombo
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start and end point – contact us for information and flight options
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Drinks and meals other than those mentioned on the program
Expenditure of a personal nature, laundry, telephone bills, drinks, souvenirs, tips etc.
Tips for drivers and guides
Early check-in / late checkout fees if required
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This is a private tour, scheduled to your requirements.
£1,495 per person, based on two people sharing per room
Single Supplement – £425
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For example, it covers safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Sri Lanka.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Sri Lanka. All visitors are advised to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. On-arrival visa facilities are also available. However, applying in advance is recommended to prevent delays. Tourist visas are normally valid for 30 days. Overstaying can therefore result in fines or detention.
If you need emergency medical assistance, dial 011 2691111 and ask for an ambulance, or dial 1990. Emergency medical treatment isn't easily available outside main cities, and you may need to be brought to Colombo. Therefore, make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds. All regions of Sri Lanka experience outbreaks of mosquito-borne dengue fever, so take steps to avoid bites.
Many beaches in Sri Lanka have dangerous surf or rip tides at certain times of year. Therefore, always take local advice before entering the sea. There can also be shortages of basic necessities, including fuel and medicines, from time to time. In addition, there are occasional power cuts. Check ahead if you have specific health needs.
What to Bring
Lightweight clothing that can be layered is advisable. Also bring a warmer jumper for cooler evenings and a light raincoat. Laundry is available in most hotels. Lightweight comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals are the ideal footwear. In addition, waterproof footwear is recommended.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. You're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a water bottle. Finally, bring a solar charger for your phone and other electronics.
While You're There
The Sri Lankan Rupee is the local currency. Most major banks allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. ATMs are also available in major towns and cities, although not all accept international cards. However, money cannot be transferred out of the country without an exchange control permit.
Sri Lanka uses type D and G plugs on a 230V/50Hz supply, and is on GMT+5:30. Wifi is common in hotels, hostels, restaurants and cafes across touristed areas. In addition, tourist SIM cards are widely available.
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