Sri Lanka, Colombo

The best of Sri Lanka 3^*

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Arrival at Colombo Airport (BIA). One of our English-speaking representatives will welcome and assist you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Sigiriya (approx. 3.5-hour journey).

Check-in at the hotel. Free afternoon.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit Lion Rock in Sigiriya.

Take a tuk-tuk ride to the famous Sigiriya rock.

At the heart of the Cultural Triangle lies the remarkable Sigiriya Fortress, a fascinating example of art and an impressive feat of engineering. Carved into the living rock, the fortress was the stronghold of King Kashyapa and comprised a formidable royal palace and city.

Sigiriya, also known as "Lion Rock", is most famous for its frescoes depicting "celestial maidens" (apsaras) painted on the rock face itself. Crossing the moat, you can see the richly landscaped pleasure gardens containing the royal baths and fountains, some of which still function during the rainy season. (Duration: approx. 2 hours).

Notes: There are approximately 1,000 steps to climb. Those who suffer from vertigo may find it difficult to climb to the top.

Return to the hotel.

Jeep safari in a national park to see elephants

The region around Sigiriya, Dambulla and Habarana is rich in both history and wildlife. Elephants roam freely here, and visiting one of the region's national parks is the perfect way to see these gentle giants, as well as deer, buffalo and a variety of birds. Depending on the water level, elephants move between Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park and Hurulu Eco Park. We will choose the best park for you to see elephants (duration: approximately 2-3 hours).

Tip: Sunglasses and a hat recommended. Avoid bright colours.

Then, return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Optional excursion today: Visit the Polonnaruwa UNESCO site (price: USD30 per person; duration: approx. 3 hours).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Kandy (approx. 3-hour drive).

Along the way, visit the Dambulla Temple:

Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, it was founded in the 1st century by King Valagamba. The five caves contain ancient sculptures and paintings of Buddha and various Hindu deities. These original sculptures and paintings have been added to over the centuries, reflecting the evolution of artistic styles. Duration: approximately 1.5 hours.

Tip: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Visitors must be barefoot, so please bring socks. Practical information: The climb involves around 400 steps.

Stop off at the Spice Garden in Matale:

Spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most famous exports for centuries. They are mainly cultivated in family gardens as a domestic industry and used not only to flavour food, but also in medicine and cosmetics. Visit a spice garden and sample the aromas and flavours of cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla and cardamom. Duration: Approximately 1 hour.

Tip: While the tour is informative and interesting, some vendors may try to pressure you into buying products at higher prices. Please bear this in mind when making purchases. If you enjoy the experience, the Gardens would appreciate a small purchase.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy:

This temple houses the famous sacred tooth relic of Buddha and is the city's star attraction. Puja (Thevava) ceremonies are held every morning and evening in its honour, and visitors can see the casket in which the relic is kept. Watching these rituals, accompanied by traditional drum music, is an essential experience for any traveller visiting the sacred city of Kandy. Duration: 2 hours.

Tip: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Visits are done barefoot, so bring socks.

Practical information: Large crowds of devotees attend the Puja (Thevava) ceremony during the Elephant Festival (Perahera).

Continue your tour of Kandy before checking in and settling in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Nuwara Eliya with sightseeing along the way (approx. 3-hour drive).

On the way, stop off to visit a tea factory:

Ceylon tea is recognised as the best in the world. The influence of climatic conditions gives the tea a variety of flavours and aromas that are synonymous with quality. Tea cultivation and production are now scientific and technical processes. Sri Lanka produces some of the world's most fragrant teas. Duration: 1–2 hours.

Please note that there is no production on Sundays or public holidays, but visits are permitted.

En route, there will be a quick tour of the town of Nuwara Eliya. Designed to resemble a typical English village, the City of Lights features an 18-hole golf course and a racecourse. You will feel as if you have stepped into the world of a P. G. Wodehouse novel, complete with all the charm and comfort of old England. Duration: 1 hour.

Please note that the duration of the visit depends on the train schedule and travel times, as well as the time spent at the tea factory.

Continue on to Nanu Oya and take the famous Tea Train to Ella. This scenic journey will treat you to perfect views of the mountainous landscape. As it winds its way around the sloping hills, you will see many of this unique place's wonders: valleys, meadows, mountains and lush greenery, occasionally interrupted by the sight of a distant waterfall. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Please note that seats are not guaranteed and are subject to availability.

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, take a hike to Little Adam's Peak.

Located on the Ella/Passera road in the Ella region, Little Adam's Peak (or "Punchi Sri Pada" in Sinhalese) is a 1,141-metre-high mountain that is shaped like Adam's Peak, the sacred mountain. It is covered in beautiful vegetation, and the trail to the summit passes through stunning tea plantations. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views stretching far to the south of the island. Duration: approx. 2 hours.

Distance covered: 1.6 km. Elevation gain: 70 m. This route is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Then set off on a walk to discover the Nine Arch Bridge. Depending on your starting point, the walk should take between 10 and 20 minutes. The Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the "bridge in the sky", is a viaduct built in a valley in the heart of Sri Lanka's lush green countryside. It is one of the best examples of railway construction from the country's colonial era.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, transfer to Bentota (approx. 4-hour drive).

Along the way, stop to visit Ravana Falls, a famous waterfall said to have been the residence of a mythical Sri Lankan demon king.

Then, visit Galle and its Dutch fortress. Galle is the largest city on the south coast and its oldest monument is the 17th-century Portuguese and Dutch fort. As you walk through the old town, which is recognised by UNESCO, you can see strong Dutch influences in the architecture, as well as a few old British residences and various mosques with Arabic touches. The city also has many restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Take the time to shop, have a drink, or enjoy an ice cream.

Check-in at the hotel in Bentota. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day to enjoy the beach.

Bentota is a town in Sri Lanka located in the Southern Province, about 7-8 kilometres south of Beruwala. It has some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, shallow and unspoilt. It is an ideal place to practise or learn to surf.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Please note: Vehicle and driver not available.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out by noon

Transfer to Colombo Airport (approx. 2.5-hour journey).

This marks the end of your wonderful stay in Sri Lanka.

We hope to see you again soon!

Meals included: breakfast.

Sri Lanka has reverted to the 30-day single-entry visa, costing USD 50 in total.

Important information:

• The new and only website for all Sri Lankan visas: https://www.srilankaevisa.lk
• Make sure you select "30 Days Single Entry Visa".
• Please note that the new system requires a photograph and a copy of the completed form in .jpg format, with a file size of less than 1 MB.
• To make the process easier, you can use the address of your first hotel or our address for the address in Sri Lanka:
• Address Line 1: Le Cube
• Address Line 2: 130 High Level Road
• Postcode: 00600
• City: Colombo
• State: Western

Although it is still possible to obtain a visa on arrival, we do not recommend this due to the long queues caused by the new procedure.

When you arrive, collect your luggage and go to the arrivals hall, where a representative will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name.

You will have an English-speaking driver-guide during your tour, except on day 7 for your stay in Bentota.

Day 2 - Visit to the Polonnaruwa UNESCO site: Established as the capital after the fall of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa is known as the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. It contains the ruins of some of the finest examples of Buddhist sculpture, as well as remarkable engineering feats that were well ahead of their time. The most notable of these are the Gal Vihara temple, which contains famous rock carvings of the Buddha, and the Parakrama Samudra, a vast artificial reservoir covering over 2,500 hectares. Price: 30 USD per person. Approx. duration: 3 hours.