Sri Lanka Highlights
Known as the 'Tear of India', not only for its geographical shape but also for its tumultuous history, Sri Lanka has witnessed countless kingdoms since the arrival of the Tamils. Travellers on this journey through 'Royal Sri Lanka' will experience nearly 2000 years of diverse reigns and changes in throne occupancy.
Top offers to match your selection
Sri Lanka Highlights - Standard Hotels
- Stay in standard hotels
- Half board (8x breakfast, 5x dinner)
- All journeys in air-conditioned vehicles
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Train ticket in 2nd class (Day 7)
- Admission fees as per itinerary
- Transfers to/from Colombo Airport
Itinerary subject to change and dependent on arrival and departure from Colombo:
Day 1: Negombo
Welcome and pick-up from the airport, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, tour of the garrison town with its fort. In the evening, opportunity for a sunset drink by the sea. Overnight in Negombo. (no meals provided)
Day 2: Negombo - Minneriya - Sigiriya (approx. 155 km, approx. 3.5 hours)
Drive to Habarana and afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)
Day 3: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya (approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura for a city tour. Then continue to Mihintale. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)
Day 4: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya (approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
Early morning climb of the famous "Sigiriya Rock". Return to your hotel for breakfast, then proceed to Polonnaruwa, the second oldest royal city of Ceylon. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)
Day 5: Sigiriya - Dambulla - Kandy (approx. 90 km, approx. 3 hours)
Visit the rock caves of Dambulla. En route to Kandy, visit the spice garden in Matale. In the afternoon, visit the "Temple of the Tooth" Sri Dalada Maligawa. In the evening, enjoy a performance by the Kandy dancers. Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: breakfast, dinner)
Day 6: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya (approx. 80 km, approx. 4 hours, mountainous route)
Stroll through the markets and merchant halls of the city centre in the morning. Visit the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. Visit a tea factory and plantation. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, "Little England". Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (Meals: breakfast)
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya - Bandarawela/Ella (approx. 130 km, approx. 3 hours excluding train journey)
After breakfast, short drive to Nanu Oya and train journey with the famous "Toy Train" to Ella. Overnight in Bandarawela/Ella. (Meals: breakfast)
Day 8: Bandarawela - Udawalawe (approx. 85 km, approx. 3 hours excluding hike)
Morning light trekking tour to "Little Adam's Peak" (approx. 1.5 hours). Then drive to Yala National Park for a 3-4 hour safari. Overnight near Yala Park. (Meals: breakfast)
Day 9: Udawalawe - West Coast After breakfast, departure to the airport (hotel transfer at additional cost). (Meals: breakfast)
Booking information
Holiday surcharges are already included in the displayed price.
Sri Lanka Highlights - Superior Hotels
- Stay in superior hotels
- Half board (8x breakfast, 5x dinner)
- All journeys in air-conditioned vehicles
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Train ticket in 2nd class (Day 7)
- Admission fees as per itinerary
- Transfers to/from Colombo Airport
Itinerary subject to change and dependent on arrival and departure from Colombo:
Day 1: Negombo
Welcome and pick-up from the airport, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, tour of the garrison town with its fort. Evening opportunity for a sunset drink by the sea. Overnight in Negombo. (no meals)
Day 2: Negombo - Minneriya - Sigiriya (approx. 155 km, approx. 3.5 hours)
Drive to Habarana and afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya (approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura for a city tour. Then continue to Mihintale. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya (approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
Early morning climb of the famous "Sigiriya Rock". Return to your hotel for breakfast, then proceed to Polonnaruwa, the second oldest royal city of Ceylon. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Sigiriya - Dambulla - Kandy (approx. 90 km, approx. 3 hours)
Visit the rock caves of Dambulla. On the way to Kandy, visit the spice garden in Matale. In the afternoon, visit the "Temple of the Tooth" Sri Dalada Maligawa. Evening performance by the Kandy Dancers. Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya (approx. 80 km, approx. 4 hours, mountainous route)
Morning stroll through the markets and merchant halls of the city centre. Visit the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. Visit a tea factory and plantation. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, "Little England". Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya - Bandarawela/Ella (approx. 130 km, approx. 3 hours excluding train journey)
After breakfast, short drive to Nanu Oya and train journey with the famous "Toy Train" to Ella. Overnight in Bandarawela/Ella. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 8: Bandarawela - Udawalawe (approx. 85 km, approx. 3 hours excluding hike)
Morning light trekking tour to "Little Adam's Peak" (approx. 1.5 hours). Then drive to Yala National Park for a 3-4 hour safari. Overnight near Yala Park. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Udawalawe - West Coast
After breakfast, departure to the airport (transfer to the hotel at additional cost). (Meals: Breakfast)
Booking information
Holiday surcharges are already included in the displayed price.
Sri Lanka Highlights - Deluxe Hotels
- Stay in deluxe hotels
- Half board (8x breakfast, 5x dinner)
- All journeys in air-conditioned vehicles
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Train ticket in 2nd class (Day 7)
- Admission fees as per itinerary
- Transfers to/from Colombo Airport
Itinerary subject to change and dependent on arrival and departure from Colombo:
Day 1: Negombo
Welcome and pick-up from the airport, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, tour of the garrison town with its fort. Evening opportunity for a sunset drink by the sea. Overnight in Negombo. (no meals)
Day 2: Negombo - Minneriya - Sigiriya (approx. 155 km, approx. 3.5 hours)
Drive to Habarana and afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya (approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura for a city tour, then continue to Mihintale. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya (approx. 75 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
Early morning climb of the famous "Sigiriya Rock". Return to your hotel for breakfast, then proceed to Polonnaruwa, the second oldest royal city of Ceylon. Overnight in Sigiriya. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Sigiriya - Dambulla - Kandy (approx. 90 km, approx. 3 hours)
Visit the rock caves of Dambulla. On the way to Kandy, visit the spice garden in Matale. In the afternoon, visit the "Temple of the Tooth" Sri Dalada Maligawa. Evening performance by the Kandy Dancers. Overnight in Kandy. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya (approx. 80 km, approx. 4 hours, mountainous route)
Morning stroll through the markets and merchant halls of the city centre. Visit to the Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. Visit to a tea factory and plantation. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, "Little England". Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya - Bandarawela/Ella (approx. 130 km, approx. 3 hours excluding train journey)
After breakfast, short drive to Nanu Oya and train journey with the famous "Toy Train" to Ella. Overnight in Bandarawela/Ella. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 8: Bandarawela - Udawalawe (approx. 85 km, approx. 3 hours excluding hike)
Morning light trekking tour to "Little Adam's Peak" (approx. 1.5 hours). Then drive to Yala National Park for a 3-4 hour safari. Overnight near Yala Park. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Udawalawe - West Coast
After breakfast, departure to the airport (hotel transfer at additional cost). (Meals: Breakfast)
Booking information
Holiday surcharges are already included in the displayed price.
Sri Lanka Highlights in Detail
Tour 8 nights / 9 days
Day 1: NEGOMBO
Pick-up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore the Dutch garrison town founded in 1672, featuring remnants of the famous fort. In the evening, enjoy a drink at one of the numerous beach restaurants while watching the sunset over the sea. Overnight stay in Negombo. (no meals included)
Day 2: NEGOMBO - MINNERIYA - SIGIRIYA
(approx. 155 km, about 3.5 hours)
Drive to Habarana and in the afternoon, embark on a safari in Minneriya National Park. The jeep safari through the park's narrow paths offers a chance to spot birds, deer, and the free-roaming herds of elephants. Overnight stay in Sigiriya. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: SIGIRIYA - ANURADHAPURA - SIGIRIYA
(approx. 75 km, about 1.5 hours)
After breakfast, travel to Anuradhapura. Visit the ruins of ancient palaces, monasteries, monuments, and the famous "Bodhi Tree" in Anuradhapura, the oldest royal city of Ceylon, which was the religious and political centre of the country until 1000 AD. Later, visit one of the island's oldest Buddhist sites, Mihintale, on Mahinda mountain, featuring a Dagoba from the 2nd century AD, marking the origin of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Overnight stay in Sigiriya. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: SIGIRIYA - POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA
(approx. 75 km, about 1.5 hours)
Early morning, climb the famous "Sigiriya Rock". Passing the "Cloud Maidens" - colourful frescoes of female beauties - you ascend to the 200m high plateau, where the remains of King Kassapa's fortress built in the 5th century AD are located. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then proceed to Polonnaruwa, the second oldest royal city of Ceylon. Explore the archaeological park with its myriad remnants of residential buildings, palace and park structures, as well as partially well-preserved stupas, temples, and the four Buddha statues carved into rock at Gal Vihara. Overnight stay in Sigiriya. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA - KANDY
(approx. 90 km, about 3 hours)
Visit the rock caves of Dambulla, accessible by a gentle climb at about 160m altitude, which served as a retreat for King Walagama, featuring countless Buddhist wall paintings and sculptures. En route to Kandy, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until 1815, explore the enchanting spice garden in Matale. A guide will introduce you to the secrets of spice plants, and you can purchase local products if desired. In the afternoon, visit the "Temple of the Tooth" Sri Dalada Maligawa, which houses a tooth of Buddha in a golden shrine, still a pilgrimage site and monastery today. In the evening, enjoy a performance by the Kandy Dancers. Overnight stay in Kandy. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA
(approx. 80 km, about 4 hours, mountainous route)
In the morning, stroll through the markets and merchant halls of the city centre. Discover typical colonial-era buildings and winding alleys. Next, visit the Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, a magnificent park dating back to 1371, home to the world's second-largest tree, a fig covering about 1600 sqm. On the way to Nuwara Eliya, visit a tea factory and plantation. Experience the journey of Ceylon tea from plant to cup. Afterwards, visit the typical English colonial town with the old post office and the Country House Hill Club, which displays numerous hunting pictures and fish trophies. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya. (Breakfast (Standard & Deluxe categories) or Breakfast, Dinner (Superior category))
Day 7: NUWARA ELIYA - BANDARAWELA/ELLA
(approx. 130 km, about 3 hours without train ride)
After breakfast, a short drive to Nanoya and a train ride on the famous "Toy Train" to Ella. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your overnight hotel in Bandarawela/Ella. (Breakfast)
Day 8: BANDARAWELA - UDAWALAWE
(approx. 85 km, about 3 hours without hiking)
This morning, embark on an easy trekking tour to "Little Adam's Peak" (1 - 1.5 hours), named after the sacred Adam's Peak (Sri Pada - where Lord Buddha's footprint is preserved) due to the similarity between the two mountains. Enjoy a beautiful hike through the hilly nature of this area with a magnificent view from the summit (1141 m). Walk through the tea plantations past waterfalls and observe the farmers in the fields. Then, drive to Yala National Park. Here, experience a three to four-hour safari through this magnificent nature reserve. Yala National Park is the most popular wildlife park in Sri Lanka and is known for hosting one of the world's largest leopard populations. It is also home to elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Overnight near Yala Park. (Breakfast (Standard category) or Breakfast, Dinner (Superior & Deluxe categories))
Day 9: UDAWALAWE - WEST COAST
After breakfast, your extension program begins or you will be transferred to your hotel on the West Coast or to the airport. (Breakfast)
Programme subject to change.
Getting There
Nearby Airports
Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB): (aprox. 128 km / 154 minutes)
Transfer included (with prior arrangement)
Please note that a fee may apply for the pickup before the tour from a hotel and for the transfer after the tour to your connecting hotel.
Additional information
Dogs not permitted.
Do you want to travel with your children? We would be happy to check availability and price for you. Simply enter the age of the children at the time of travel in the comment field next to your specific travel request.