Guide

Escorted by a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide Specialist local guides at some sites

Meals

Breakfast daily and 1 dinner

Others

Touring - Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigariya, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Udawalawe NP Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National park Entrance fees to all included sites

Transport

An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 9 All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles

Accommodation

8 nights SUPERIOR hotels. STANDARD and DELUXE hotel options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details

Not included:

Others

International flights and visa Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! You'll be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to hotel. Tonight, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2 Day 2: Sightseeing In Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Sightseeing In Colombo

Today, your guide will take you on a driving tour around colourful Colombo, Sri Lanka's frenetic capital. Just off the north end of Galle Road, the main north-south artery of the city is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings and interesting shops. Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel. Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district – a colourful retail experience. Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city. You will drive through these districts on your tour of the city and visit Gangarama Temple and Independence Square.
Day 3 Day 3: Dambulla And Polonnaruwa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Dambulla And Polonnaruwa

Colombo - Giritale (via Dambulla). We drive to Giritale today, stopping en route to visit the impressive Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters. This afternoon, after checking into our hotel in Giritale, we visit UNESCO Listed Polonnaruwa – an incredible 11th century city. Here, we explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts three enormous and revered Buddha figures.
Day 4 Day 4: Sigiriya And Kandy
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sigiriya And Kandy

Giritale - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning, we drive to Sigiriya and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Discover the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. After exploring the sights of Sigiriya, stop is made at the Spice Garden in Matale, en route to Kandy.
Day 5 Day 5: Kandy Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kandy Sightseeing

Today we take a leisurely walk through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden once reserved for the sole use of the Kandyan elite. Back in the scenic lakeside town of Kandy, we embark upon a sightseeing tour, visiting the bazaar, the arts and crafts centre and a gem workshop. There will also be a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, dedicated to all things tea-related and housed in an attractive old building. Later, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then a cultural show, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing in the evening.
Day 6 Day 6: Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. En route to Nuwara Eliya, a scenic hillside town with a distinctly English flavour. Here we visit a tea plantation and enjoy a tasty cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. In Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort, we take an evening sightseeing tour, including the Hakgala Gardens.
Day 7 Day 7: Udawalawe National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Udawalawe National Park

Nuwara Eliya - Embilipitiya. This morning, we drive to and check into our hotel in Embilipitiya, before going wild on a jeep safari in Sri Lanka's most popular national park! Udawalawe National Park is home to large herds of elephants and deer species such as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal.
Day 8 Day 8: Ratnapura
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Ratnapura

Embilipitiya - Ratnapura - Colombo. En route back to Colombo today, we stop off in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka’s gem capital. Here, we learn about the islands precious stones, visit gem mines, a museum and a lapidary.
Day 9 Day 9: Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Colombo

Out tour ends after breakfast today. Included onward transfer to airport.

9 days tour

Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days

Day 1: Colombo

Day 2: Sightseeing In Colombo

Day 3: Dambulla And Polonnaruwa

Day 4: Sigiriya And Kandy

Day 5: Kandy Sightseeing

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations

Day 7: Udawalawe National Park

Day 8: Ratnapura

Day 9: Colombo

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania