Classic Sri Lanka

14 days

Indicative cost incl. economy flights:

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£3,880 per person

(Based on two people travelling in February 2025. Prices can be cheaper with 3* properties or during rainy season, and more expensive with 5* hotels or during school holidays.)

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Kandy

Uda Walawe National Park

Galle

Bentota and West Coast

Day 1

Overnight flight to Colombo.

Day 2

Upon arrival you will be met by your private chauffeur guide and vehicle, and then transferred to the fishing town of Negombo to relax after the journey. With its Dutch canals and fish markets, there's plenty to explore and only a 20 minute transfer from the airport Negombo proves to be a great place to start your tour.

Day 3

This morning you will be driven to the ancient city of Sigiriya, in the heart of Sri Lanka's 'Cultural Triangle'. This journey should take around 3.5 hours and when you arrive you will visit a local village for a traditional Sri Lankan curry, which you can help to cook if you wish!

Day 4

Today you will enjoy a guided tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. The ancient remains of Sigiriya sit atop a giant rock; it's a bit of a climb so we recommend getting up nice and early to avoid the heat.

Day 5

You will head south today via The Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sri Lanka's most exquisite cave temple. You will arrive in Kandy mid-afternoon so you can have time to relax this afternoon and check out Kandy’s delicious street food.

Day 6

Today you will take our Tour of Kandy, including a visit to the luminous and beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth and experience a traditional puja ceremony.

Day 7

This morning your guide will take you to the train station where you will board your train, which will take you into the glorious tea country. The train journey normally takes around 4hrs and is a real highlight in Sri Lanka as you pass through villages and soaring hills. On arrival your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in a nearby town or tea estate.

Day 8

Today you will have a tour around Nuwara Eliya or Ella towns and surrounding area to show you some highlights, and visit a local tea factory. There are plenty of walks and hikes to do in the Tea Country that we can recommend if that interests you!

Day 9

You will leave the tea country today and will head south to Udawalawe National Park. This glorious but winding journey is truly beautiful in places. This afternoon you will go on safari in the national park and try to spot wild elephants, sambar deer, sloth bear and beautiful birds!

Day 10

Continue your journey on to the charming city of Galle, with its 17th century Dutch fort and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in itself. Hopefully you will get to see stilt fishermen en route! Later on you will enjoy our short Galle City Tour.

Day 11

Today is completely at leisure. If you are visiting between December and April this area attracts blue and sperm whales, and dolphins so you may like to take a boat trip out from Mirissa. It does get busy but it is an incredible opportunity to see these marvellous creatures. You could do a traditional cooking class, take a rural cycling tour around local villages and through paddy fields, or enjoy a tuk tuk ‘safari’ around the hidden beach gems along the coast.

Day 12

Transfer up the coast for your beach stay in Bentota, Balapitiya, Kosgoda or Hikkaduwa and enjoy the rest of the trip at leisure. There are many things to do in the area, such as visiting a turtle hatchery, Tsunami community museum, a boat safari on the Madu Ganga river, or a traditional mask making experience.

Day 13

Day at leisure to relax by the pool or beach or perhaps venture out with your chauffeur-guide for some independent exploring!

Day 14

Transfer back up to Colombo Airport for your flight home. This journey should take just 2hrs.

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

Designed with the first time visitor in mind, our 14-day Classic Sri Lanka tour explores the island’s highlights without rushing through.

The trip starts by heading from Negombo to Sigiriya, right in the heart of the ‘Cultural Triangle’. This area is famed for the ancient Buddhist civilisations that, over time, ruled Sri Lanka. Many of them, including Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From there the trip continues south to hillier Kandy; surrounded by dense greenery, Kandy is home to The Temple of the Tooth and has become known for its exquisite gem stones. The journey continues south by train into the verdant tea-growing region for a couple of days, where the scenery is seriously stunning, before arriving in Udawalawe National Park. Quieter than its over-crowded neighbour Yala National Park, Udawalawe is known for its high density of wild elephants, and the wonderful Elephant Transit Home for orphaned elephants next door. The trip then heads to the beautiful colonial Galle, with its charming cobbled streets and artisan shops, before ending on the beach for some relaxation. This is a fantastic all-rounder trip!

1 night Negombo – 2 nights Sigiriya – 2 nights Kandy – 2 nights Tea Country – 1 night Udawalawe National Park – 2 nights Galle – 2 nights Southwest Coast Beach