Deal negotiated for you
- The 10 days and 9 nights tour, accommodation in the listed hotels or similar
- Half-board from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide (except in Bentota)
- Welcome and assistance on arrival at the airport
- Government taxes included
- Visits and activities as mentioned.
- A visit to Sigiriya's Lion Rock
- Safari in a national park in Sigiriya
- TukTuk ride to Sigiriya
- The tea train from Nanu Oya to Ella
- A visit to the temples of Dambulla and Kandy
- Beach holiday in Bentota
- 25% off at the Spa
- One 50 cl bottle of water per person on arrival
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
The best of Sri Lanka with beach extension 3*
This 10-day private tour allows you to discover Sri Lanka's emblematic culture and heritage by visiting the Lion Rock at Sigiriya, the temples of Kandy and Dambulla or the Dutch Fort at Galle. Explore nature on a safari and trekking tour of Ella. Discover some of the most spectacular views in tea country and on the famous train in the mountains. Finally, finish on the tropical beach of Bentota.
Your itinerary, day by day:
Day 1: Arrival in Sri Lanka, check-in at Sigiriya
Day 2: Sigiriya: Lion's Rock and Elephants
Day 3: Temples of Dambulla, Kandy and the spices of Sri Lanka
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya - Nanu Oya - Ella
Day 5: Ella - Mini Adams Peak - Ella
Day 6: Galle - Bentota
Days 7, 8 and 9: Relaxation at the beach in Bentota
Day 10: Last day in Bentota and departure from Colombo
Your detailed itinerary
DAY 1 | Arrival in the Land of Tea
Arrival at Colombo Airport (BIA), welcome and assistance from an English-speaking representative at the airport.
Transfer to Sigiriya (Approximately 3.5-hour drive).
Check-in and settle into the hotel. Free afternoon at the hotel. Enjoy a 25% discount at the Elephas Hotel Spa.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 2 | Sigiriya: The Lion Rock and the elephants of Sri Lanka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tuk Tuk ride to Sigiriya on the village roads. Discover the famous Lion Rock - Sigiriya. At the centre of the cultural triangle is the Sigiriya Fortress, a remarkable feat of engineering and a fascinating example of artistic craftsmanship.
Upon crossing the moat, you can see the richly landscaped ornamental gardens containing the royal baths and fountains, some of which are still in use during the rainy season.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
Comments: There are around 1,000 steps to climb. People suffering from vertigo may find it difficult to climb to the top.
Jeep safari to the ECO Park to see the elephants. Elephants roam freely in this region and a visit to one of the region's national parks is the perfect way to see these gentle giants, as well as deer, buffalo, birds and much more.
Duration: Approximately 2-3 hours.
Tip: Sunglasses and cap recommended. Avoid bright colours.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3 | Temples of Dambulla and Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Kandy with sightseeing along the way (Approx. 3-hour drive). On the way, visit the temple of Dambulla [...], also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which was founded in the 1st century by King Valagamba. Ancient sculptures and paintings of the Buddha and various Hindu deities are located in five caves.
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours
Tip: Make sure you wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Shoes must be removed for the visit; bring socks.
Practical information: involves climbing approximately 400 steps
Stop off at the Matale Herbal and Spice Garden. Visit a spice garden and sample aromas and flavours such as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, cardamom and more.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
Good to know: The tour is informative and interesting, but some merchants may encourage you to buy products at higher prices. Please bear this in mind when considering purchases. If you enjoy the experience, a small purchase would be appreciated by the Gardens.
Visit to the Kandy Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: The Kandy temple, which houses the famous relic of Buddha's sacred tooth, is the city's star attraction. Puja (Thevava) ceremonies are held every morning and evening to honour the relic, and visitors can see the casket in which the sacred relic is stored. Watching these ritual procedures accompanied by traditional drum music is a must for any traveller to the sacred city of Kandy.
Duration: 2 hours.
Tip: Make sure you wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Shoes must be removed for the visit, bring socks.
Useful information: Please note that there will be a large crowd of devotees at the Puja (Thevava) ceremony during the elephant festival (Perahera).
Continue your visit to Kandy.
Check-in and settle into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 4 | Nuwara Eliya and Ella
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya with sightseeing along the way (approx. 3-hour drive).
On the way, stop off to discover a tea factory. Ceylon tea is recognised as the best tea in the world. The influence of climatic conditions gives the product a variety of flavours and aromas, synonymous with quality. Sri Lanka produces some of the most fragrant teas in the world.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Please note: no production on Sundays and public holidays, but visits are permitted.
On the way, quick visit to the town of Nuwara Eliya: The City of Lights is designed to resemble a typical English village: with the 18-hole golf course and racecourse, you'll instantly be transported to the setting of a P.G. Wodehouse novel; all the charm and comfort of old England.
Duration: 1 hour.
Note: The duration of the visit will depend on the time of the train, the journey time, and the time spent in the tea factory.
Continue to Nanu Oya and take the famous tea train between Nanu Oya and Ella. The train ride to Ella will provide a perfect view of the mountain landscape.
Duration: approx. 3 hours 15 minutes.
Note: Seats not guaranteed / subject to availability.
Check-in and settle into the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5 | Ella - Mini Adams Peak - The 9 Arch Bridge (Ella)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Hike to Mini Adams Peak:
Located in the Ella region, on the Ella/Passera road, Mini Adams Peak or "Punchi Sri Pada" in Sinhalese, is a mountain that stands at a height of 1,141 metres. This hill, in the shape of Adams Peak (the sacred mountain), is covered in beautiful vegetation, and the path leading up to it passes through lovely tea plantations. From the top of the mountain there is a panoramic view spanning a great distance towards the south of the island..
Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
Distance: 1.6 km | Elevation: 70 m
Note: Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Take a stroll to discover the Nine Arch bridge. The walk should take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on where you start.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 6 | Galle - Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Bentota (approx. 4-hour drive).
Along the way, stop to discover Ravana Falls. This is a famous waterfall that is said to have been the home of a mythical demon king of Sri Lanka. Further along, visit Galle and its Dutch fortress. Galle is the main city on the south coast, whose oldest monument is the 17th-century Portuguese and Dutch fort in which the central city is contained. As you walk through the Old Town, a UNESCO-recognised site, you'll see strong Dutch influences in the architecture, along with some old British residences and various mosques with Arab touches. A city with plenty of restaurants, shops, and entertainment - take time out for shopping, a drink, or even an ice cream.
Check-in and settle into the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 7 | First day of relaxation in Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to enjoy the beach.
Bentota is a town in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, around 7-8 kilometres south of Beruwala. Bentota has some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, with shallow and pristine waters.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Please note: Vehicle and driver not available.
DAY 8 | Free day in Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to enjoy the beach.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Vehicle and driver not available.
DAY 9 | Free day in Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to enjoy the beach.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Vehicle and driver not available.
DAY 10 | End of your stay in Sri Lanka
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out by noon
Transfer to Colombo Airport (approx. 2.5-hour drive).
End of your wonderful stay in Sri Lanka.
Your accommodation
During your tour, you will stay in the following three and four-star hotels (according to local standards) or similar:
Nights 1 and 2, Sigiriya : Three-star Elephas Resort
Night 3, Kandy: Three-star Earl's Regent Kandy
Nights 4 and 5, Ella: Three-star Serenity Ella
Nights 6 to 9, Bentota: Four-star EKHO Surf Bentota
NOTE: The hotels listed above are subject to availability. Changes may be made; however, we always strive to accommodate you in hotels of a similar category.
Your board
During your tour, you will be accommodated on a half-board basis from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the final day.
Half-board
Includes breakfast and dinner.
Visa formalities
Sri Lanka has reverted to issuing 30-day single-entry visas, costing US$50 in total.
Important:
The new and exclusive site for all visas for Sri Lanka: https://www.srilankaevisa.lk
Make sure you select "30 Days Single Entry Visa".
Please note that the new system will require a photo and a passport copy in .jpg format smaller than 1 MB.
For the address in Sri Lanka, you can use the first hotel or our address to make things easier for you:
Address Line 1 - Le Cube
Address Line 2 - 130 High Level Road
Post Code - 00600
City - Colombo
State - Western
It is possible to obtain a visa on arrival, but we do not recommend this due to the long queues resulting from the new procedure.
Welcome and transfers
On arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall where a representative will be waiting holding a sign with your name.
During your tour, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking driver/guide for all your transfers, with the exception of days 7, 8, and 9 during your stay in Bentota. On the last day, you will be transferred to Colombo International Airport (CMB).