Classic Sri Lanka

DAY 1 Colombo
Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel in central Colombo.

Stay at Cinnamon Lakeside (5 star)

DAY 2 Colombo - Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Dambulla
Depart Colombo and travel along the bustling Kandy Road past small villages, chaotic towns and roadside carts selling an array of local produce. On arrival in Dambulla and check in to Amaya Lake, a beautiful lakefront resort with glistening views of the Kandalama Lake. This afternoon travel to nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress, or Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights. Take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its sheer vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient 5th century city. Once on top of the fortress rock, you will be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views.

Stay at Amaya Lake
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla
Explore the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, one of the most beautiful centres in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Discover on foot, or by bicycle (optional - to be paid locally), the wonderful treasures that remain in the archaeological park including the four beautiful rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara Temple. Afterwards you have the opportunity to take an optional wildlife jeep safari to Minneriya National Park* where you might spot some wild elephants.

*Once a year, the Asian elephant herds of Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks congregate for what is know as "The Gathering" which is believed to be the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world. This takes place during the dry season from June/July to September when the rivers dry up and the elephants are forced to travel to large reservoirs in Minneriya and Kaudulla to bathe, find drinking water and graze on fresh grass.

Stay at Amaya Lake
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Dambulla - Kandy
First stop this morning is the UNESCO World Heritage site, Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. This Buddhist place of worship is thought to date back to the 1st century, and houses the country’s most sacred Buddha images.

On arrival in Kandy check in at Amaya Hills, a hillside retreat with sweeping views of the Hanthana mountain range and Kandy city. This afternoon visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a complex said to hold the tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. Then later in the evening enjoy a Kandyan Dance performance; the traditional Sri Lankan dance which flourished in the hill country during ancient times. Experience a colourful spectacle of stunning head-dresses and breastplates, acrobatics, drumming and fire-walkers.

Stay at Amaya Hills (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Kandy - Ramboda - Nuwara Eliya
Today starts with a stroll through the spectacular Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which dates back to 1371 and once reserved exclusively for Kandyan royalty. The gardens display over 4,000 different species of plants, including a fine collection of orchids, a picturesque avenue of palms and an extensive collection of medicinal plants and spices.

After a relaxing morning in the gardens your journey continues through the scenic high country to Nuwara Eliya with a stop en route at the village of Ramboda for lunch (to be purchased locally). On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, begin your exploration of the city where the colourful chaos of Sri Lanka meets colonial bungalows, well-tended lawns and red telephone boxes.

**Optional: Experience High Tea at the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya, one of Sri Lanka's most historic hotels, established in 1891. Enjoy afternoon tea at the Grand Tea Lounge where you will be served the best Ceylon teas, together with a delightful array of cakes, scones and savories.

Stay at Araliya Green Hills Hotel (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Nuwara Eliya - Ella - Yala National Park
Discover the journey from tree to cup of the world-famous high-grown Ceylon Tea. With your expert guide, walk through a local tea plantation, meet with a Tea plucker and visit the factory to see the processing stage followed by a tea-tasting session.

Depart Nuwara Eliya where you continue onto to Yala National Park. On your way to Yala you will stop at one of Sri Lanka's most charming destinations tucked away in the misty high country, Ella. Set amongst idyllic green hills and waterfalls the area is best known for Ella's Gap, the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak. Continue on to Yala and experience the jungle and its curious wild life first hand from the comfort of your Jungle Chalet at Cinnamon Wild Yala.

Stay at Cinnamon Wild Yala (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

**Optional: Experience one of the world's most scenic train rides from Nanu Oya to Ella. The 3 hour train ride winds through the misty high country forests, tea plantations and colourful villages - a truly memorable experience.

DAY 7 Yala National Park
This morning enjoy your private jeep safari in Yala, the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka and home to a great diversity of wildlife, most famous of which is the leopard. Look out for elephants, sloth bears, water buffaloes, wild boars, crocodiles and of course leopards. Yala is known as one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive big cat.

Stay at Cinnamon Wild Yala (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Yala National Park - Galle - Bentota
Travel the scenic route from Sri Lanka’s southeast coast to Galle in the southwest. En route visit beautiful beaches,
the Wevurukannala Buddha Statue (the largest in the island) and stilt fishermen in Koggala. Once in Galle you will enjoy a tour of the Heritage listed fort area with its charming laneways, rich trading history and Dutch-colonial buildings. Your last stop for the day is the stunning beach along the Bentota Peninsula where yoiu can enjoy the next three nights relaxing at the Centara Ceysands Resort which enjoys a superb location with the Bentota River on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other.

Stay at Centara Ceysands Resort (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9/10 Bentota
Sri Lankan beaches are world-class and Bentota is one of the best. Relax, refresh and reflect on your travels with two full days free. With six specialty dinning options, a large pool and spa facilities there is plenty to keep you occupied at the hotel, or head out to experience the beautiful coastline and explore all it has to offer.

Stay at Centara Ceysands Resort (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 11 Bentota - Colombo
En-route to the airport for your departure flight you will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Colombo. It is a diverse mix of people, architecture and religion influenced by ancient kingdoms and European settlers. With your guide the see the highlights of this wonderful capital which include Pettah Bazaar, Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Gotami Vihara and Hindu Kovil at Slave Island, one of Colombo’s most impressive Hindu Temples. Your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast


Taking a late flight out of Colombo?
Many international flights depart Colombo late in the evening. For your comfort and conveniance a late checkout package is available to purchase. The package includes late check-out from your hotel in Bentota with use of hotel facilities, a private chauffeur-guide to Colombo and dinner at the 5-star Airport Garden Hotel, then it is just a short transfer (approx.10 mins) to the airport after your dinner.
Pending your flight times our expert team can make reccomendations on the best options on the last day. Special note: Be careful if you are booking your flights out of Colombo, some leave just after midnight so you need to pay attention to book the correct departure date. For instance direct flights Colombo to Sydney on Sri Lankan Airlines are currently scheduled to depart at 5 mins after midnight (as of January 2023 they are scheduled at 00.05).

You can also extend your tour with great rates on additional nights, stay longer along the way or in Bentota or Colombo available. Please ask us for details.


The more the merrier!
This tour and Sri Lanka are wonderful for groups of family or friends travelling together.
With its mix of cultural sights, wildlife and a beach stay, this is a great group holiday option!
This tour is available for goups of 4 or more travelling together by mini-van or mini-bus.
Please contact us for details.