Accommodation

9 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Guide

Expert Trip Manager + Local Guides

Meals

10 Breakfast (B) 1 Lunch (L) 2 Dinner (D) Sigiriya: See rice fields and jungle landscapes as you ramble around this rural Sri Lankan village. Then refuel with a traditional lunch.

Transport

Private Coach and Trains

Others

Sigiriya: A fortress on top of a giant rock. And did we mention it has massive lion’s paws at the front? Amazing! Sigiriya: Want peace and tranquillity, or an array of Insta-ops? These cave temples offer both. But hide your wallet from the cheeky monkeys. Kandy: Fire-eating. Acrobatics. Epic costumes. All based on the dances of Indian shamans. Why not recreate it on TikTok with your crew? Kandy: This pristine-white sanctuary is an ultimate pilgrimage for Buddhists. It holds a relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth. Kandy: One of the world’s most scenic train rides. Pass tea plantations and lush greenery, via mountain tunnels and steep valleys. Ella: Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa? And now you’ll get to see where the magic happens. Udawalawe National Park: This is the one day you won’t mind getting up early for. Hang out with elephants, leopards, crocodiles – the whole jungle crew. Unawatuna: Colonial buildings meet modern life in this UNESCO-listed spot. There are heritage walks, foodie hotspots and fun nightlife, all up for grabs. Unawatuna: Wanna learn more about Sri Lankan village ceremonies? We’ll visit a traditional mask painting centre to see how these masks (that are still used in rural villages today!) are created. Colombo: Explore this bustling melting pot of a city with 20 of your new besties. It’s home to some seriously cool sights. Udawalawe National Park: This rehabilitation centre for orphaned elephants is seriously cute. You won’t ever want to leave. Unawatuna: Meet some baby sea turtles and learn about their release back into the wild.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

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

Day 1: Start Colombo

Our Sri Lankan adventure begins in Colombo. Find your feet in this diverse & laid-back town with coastal beaches, local fish markets and a working Dutch-style canal system. This evening you’ll meet up with your Trip Manager and your team for a full brief of the travels about to unfold, before heading out for the first taste of some local delicacies.
Day 2 Day 2: Colombo To Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Colombo To Sigiriya

This morning we’ll drive inland to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress town in the Matale District. Home to palace ruins set on a giant ancient lava rock, and surrounded by ancient relics of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is a hotspot of historical significance here in Sri Lanka. After checking in to our accommodation, we’ll begin our explorations with a guided visit to Hiriwadunna village, a spiritually important site where Prince Siddhartha was said to have attained Buddhahood. We’ll sit down for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch here at the village, surrounded by greenery and wildlife. After waving goodbye to Hiriwadunna, we’ll head back to our hotel.
Day 3 Day 3: Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Sigiriya

We couldn’t visit Sigiriya without exploring the incredible Sigiriya Rock Fortress that’s been dominating the skyline ever since we’ve arrived, and morning is the best time to visit. After our included breakfast we’ll take a trip to the fortress to check out the UNESCO-listed ’Lion’s Rock’, with it’s 5th-century buildings, painted rock frescoes and massive pair of lion paws at the entrance. We’re back on the road, this time to visit the nearby town of Dambulla where you’ll have the chance to find your own lunch. Here we’ll find another World Heritage Site, the sacred Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka complete with five inner sanctuaries, 150 gilded Buddha statues, and Buddhist murals. We’ll then head back to our hotel where we’ll join together for an included dinner tonight.
Day 4 Day 4: Sigiriya To Kandy
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sigiriya To Kandy

Feel like a morning adventure? You’ll have the opportunity to explore the Pidurangala Rock –a rite of passage for Sigiriya first-timers – on a sunrise trek. Otherwise, catch some extra sleep and save your energy for later. Awed by our time brushing with the ancient world in Sigiriya, it’s time to move on to the vibrant cultural scene in Kandy. Today we’re gathering to watch history and mythology explode into colour & rhythm at a traditional Kandyan Folkdance show. Later tonight, you’re free to do what you want. But we’ve got a hunch that the street food here might catch your eye...
Day 5 Day 5: Kandy To Ella
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kandy To Ella

Today we head further into the hill country on the train, passing lush green hills & waterfalls en route to Nuwara Eliya. This small town is found in the heart of Sri Lanka’s famous Ceylon tea industry, so it’d be rude not to visit a tea plantation (& sample some of the best) before continuing on to our next destination of Ella. We’ve arrived at Ella where new adventures await!
Day 6 Day 6: Ella
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Ella

The day is yours to explore the beautiful countryside and laid-back backpacker hub of Ella, nestled among green cloud forests and tea plantations. Spend the day in Ella doing the local walks that show off the incredibly insta-worthy views down through the Ella Gap, including the cascading waterfalls this small town is famous for. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet one of the locals: the leaf-eating Langur monkey.
Day 7 Day 7: Ella To Udawalawe National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Ella To Udawalawe National Park

As our journey continues south towards lush jungle & rich wildlife, we’ll stop en route at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home before heading to our accommodation for the night: riverside glamping at The Udawalawe National Park. Next morning we’ll jump aboard our Safari Jeep to explore the park’s wildlife. You’re free to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, or hire a bike for your own cycle adventure.
Day 8 Day 8: Udawalawe National Park To Unawatuna Via Galle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Udawalawe National Park To Unawatuna Via Galle

Say goodbye to the wilderness as we head along the South West coast to Unawatuna, here we’ll take a trip to explore the UNESCO-listed fort city of Galle & in the evening you can learn the ways of Sri Lankan cooking with locals. At Mirissa, why not head out whale watching for an unmissable up-close encounter. The afternoon is yours to unwind on the beach or opt in for a surf lesson at nearby Weligama Bay.
Day 9 Day 9: Unawatuna
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Unawatuna

Today is yours to unwind on the tropical palm-studded beach with clear turquoise waters, or opt in for a surf lesson at nearby Weligama Bay.
Day 10 Day 10: Unawatuna To Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Unawatuna To Colombo

Today we’ll be heading back to where it all began - the bustling capital city of Colombo. En route we’ll make a stop to learn about the traditional art of balsa-wood mask painting, followed by a visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation centre. Once we hit Colombo, the best way to continue is with a sightseeing tour of this sprawling, richly multicultural city. Marvel at the atmospheric temples & showstopping mosques, check out the rose-tinted colonial buildings and, if you’re brave enough, pick up some hot cobra chillies or souvenirs from the truly authentic (and famously chaotic) Pettah Bazaar. Tonight you can put on your party pants, because we’ve already sussed out the best rooftop bars and we’re going out in style - the perfect way to cap off the last incredible 10 days with your Sri Lanka crew.
Day 11 Day 11: End Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: End Colombo

Your Contiki trip finishes this morning in Colombo. Hold back the happy tears as you say goodbye to your newest life-long friends & plan a meet up somewhere in the world soon.

11 days tour

Pure Sri Lanka (11 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Pure Sri Lanka (11 Days)

Day 1: Start Colombo

Day 2: Colombo To Sigiriya

Day 3: Sigiriya

Day 4: Sigiriya To Kandy

Day 5: Kandy To Ella

Day 6: Ella

Day 7: Ella To Udawalawe National Park

Day 8: Udawalawe National Park To Unawatuna Via Galle

Day 9: Unawatuna

Day 10: Unawatuna To Colombo

Day 11: End Colombo

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