7 days tour

Best Of Sri Lanka In A Week - Culture & Adventure Tour

Best Of Sri Lanka In A Week - Culture & Adventure Tour

This tour includes:

Accommodation

Boutique 3 or 4 star hotel. Includes air-conditioned room (single, double or triple occupancy available) Breakfast and lunch included on all days (dinner is not included)

Guide

A local guide is included where applicable for the activities described above.

Others

โ€ข Half day game drive at Yala National Park โ€ข Visit to Ravana Waterfalls, Nine Arches Bride and Little Adams Peak in Ella โ€ข Train Ride from Ella to Hatton โ€ข A nightโ€™s stay at a river eco lodge โ€ข Visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (guided tour) โ€ข Balana Village Walk (nature walk โ€“ guided tour) โ€ข Visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock (guided tour) โ€ข Visit to Dambulla Vegetable Market โ€ข Final night relaxing in Negombo beach

Meals

Breakfast and lunch included on all days (dinner is not included)

Transport

Comfortable air-conditioned car/van/coach (depending on the number of participants). Driven by an experienced English-speaking chauffeur

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Optional

Day 2: Ella Rock hike Historical Tea Factory guided tour a Day 3: Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya, Arts & craft centres (e.g., wood carving, gem craft centres, batik manufacturing sites, silk and hand craft shops, etc.) of Kandy * Day 5: Local spice garden and Ayurveda guided tour Golden Cave Temple in Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Best Of Sri Lanka In A Week - Culture & Adventure Tour

  • Day 1 Day 1: Galle
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Galle

      The tour begins in Galle (usually 8 am pick up) with a leisurely 3-4 hour drive across the beautiful southern coast of Sri Lanka towards the wilderness of the Deep South.

      On the way, make an optional stop at a Hela Bojun (traditional food court run by local women, an initiative by the Department of Agriculture) to enjoy affordable traditional Sri Lankan snacks. Arrive at the hotel to check-in. After settling in, enjoy a nice traditional lunch (included) at a nearby restaurant. 

      After lunch, head out on a 4W jeep for a half-day safari at Yala National Park for an opportunity to view elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, wild buffaloes, monkeys, deer, wild boars, peacocks and various other species of birds up close. Each jeep can accommodate up to 6 participants (plus drivers). Our tour driver will accompany the

      safari driver for all groups.

      After the safari, return to the hotel in the evening and get refreshed. Dinner is not included but participants can either eat at the hotel or try our suggestions for local restaurants in the area (transportation will be provided).

  • Day 2 Day 2: Ella
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Ella

      After a leisurely breakfast (included) at the hotel, checkout mid-morning for a 2-3 hour drive to Ella, a laid-back town in the Sri Lankan highlands, surrounded by scenic hills and serene tea plantations.

      Along the way, make a stop at the cascading Rawana Waterfall to take in the scenes. Arrive at the hotel around noon, get settled and take in the views of the sweeping hills surrounding the property.

      Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch (included) in a local restaurant. Then depart to see the majestic Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial-era railway construction marvel. Watch the afternoon train go by from close proximity for an unforgettable memory that will take you back in time.

      Afterwards, climb up (approximately 45-60 minute hike) to Little Adams Peak for spectacular views of the mountain and valleys of the region. Sunset view is truly majestic and not to be missed.


      Optional Activity #1

      One can also hike the Ella Rock, but this would mean skipping any other activity in the afternoon as this is a substantial 3-4 hour hike (up and down). Hotel can arrange a local guide (cost about LKR 3,000 including tips). Leave by 2:30 pm latest.


      Optional Activity #2

      Tea and history lovers can visit a historical Tea Factory for a guided tour about the history of Ceylon Tea, how it is made and even get a taste. Budget an extra LKR 2,000 for entrance fees, local guide tip plus roundtrip tuk-tuk fare.

      After the afternoon activities, enjoy dinner (not included) in Ella town (we highly recommend Cafรฉ Chill). The driver will drop the group to town in the early evening and will pick them up by 9:30 pm latest (those who want to stay beyond 9:30 pm will have to get their own tuk-tuk back. Must return to hotel before midnight). 

  • Day 3 Day 3: Ella To Hatton Train Ride + Kitulgala & Kelani River
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Ella To Hatton Train Ride + Kitulgala & Kelani River

      Wake up to breath-taking views of the Ella sunrise from the hotel through the Ella Gap, followed by a relaxed breakfast (included) at the hotel while soaking in the fresh mountain air.

      Checkout from the hotel by 9 am for a short drive to Ella Railway Station for a memorable and picturesque 4-5 hour train ride from Ella to Hatton through tea carpeted hills and lush green mountain jungles that define these majestic highlands. This is a truly epic journey not to be missed!

      You will be picked up by the driver at Hatton Railway Station and taken straight for lunch (included).

      After lunch, drive 1.5 hours to Kitulgala (a small village) to a river eco-lodge for a late afternoon arrival. A unique living experience in harmony with nature awaits you at the lodge, which is located on the banks of the Kelani River. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the fresh river

      (recommended) or sit on the surrounding rocks and wet your feet while taking in the serene surroundings.

      Afterwards, enjoy a peaceful dinner (not included) in the evening at the lodge or try our suggestions for restaurants in the area (transportation is provided).

  • Day 4 Day 4: Kandy
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Kandy

      Wake up to the sound of tropical birds chirping and freshwater gushing. Enjoy breakfast (included) at the lodge.


      Optional Activity

      Enjoy a 60-90 minute session of white-water rafting in the refreshing waters of the Kelani River at an additional cost of LKR 4,500 per person plus tips (subject to a minimum of 2 PAX on the trip and appropriate weather/water conditions). Leave the lodge at 8 am to return by 9:30/10 am.

      Check out of lodge by 10:30 am to drive towards the historical and cultural city of Kandy, also known as the hill capital of Sri Lanka. Lunch (included) will be provided at a traditional restaurant. Choose between one of two optional activities as per below:


      Optional Activity #1

      Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya, which has 4,000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. Entry fee of LKR 1,500-2,000 per person (not covered).


      Optional Activity #2

      Visit the many arts & craft centres (e.g., wood carving, gem craft centres, batik manufacturing sites, silk and hand craft shops, etc.), which Kandy is famous for. 


      Check in to hotel by late afternoon. Relax and unwind before the evening activities.

      In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a famous Buddhist temple and UNESCO world heritage site located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha. Local guide included. 

      Dinner (not included) at local restaurant or hotel.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Balana Village & Dambulla
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Balana Village & Dambulla

      After an early breakfast (included) in the hotel, check out by 8 am to drive 30 minutes to Balana Village, for a serene village walk (about 3 hours long) to get a taste of Sri Lankan countryside and village life. Local guide included.

      Afterwards, rest up and have lunch (included) at a traditional restaurant sampling the local cuisine of the region. Then pick between one of two optional activities as per below:


      Optional Activity #1

      Visit a local spice garden for a guided tour of Ceylon Spices and Ayurveda (approximately 1-1.5 hours long).


      Optional Activity #2

      Visit the famous Golden Cave Temple in Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site regarded as the largest and best- preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.* Explore the impressive series of caves full of paintings and images of the Buddha in different postures and styles. Entrance fee of LKR 1,500 per person. No local guide needed. 

      Check in to hotel in the evening. Enjoy a nice dinner (not included) in the evening at the hotel or in one of the restaurants in the area (transportation is provided).

  • Day 6 Day 6: Sigiriya & Negombo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Sigiriya & Negombo

      After an early breakfast (included) in the hotel, check out by 7 am to embark on a short drive to Sigiriya, located at the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya or โ€œLion Rockโ€ is an ancient rock fortress located in the Central Province - a site of historical and archaeological significance dominated by a massive column of rock 200 metres high. 

      Visit Sigiriya fortified city complex, walk through its beautiful gardens and climb up to the summit to see the remains of the palace complex and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding plains. The experience should last 2-3 hours approximately. Local guide included.

      Afterwards drive a further 30 minutes to Dambulla Vegetable Market to see the widest array of tropical fruits and vegetables in the country. Driver will guide the group (no local guide needed).

      Then have lunch at a traditional local restaurant (included) - driver will suggest options.

      After lunch, drive 3-4 hours to Negombo, a beachtown near Colombo airport, with a short break in Kurunegala to ease the journey.

      Spend the last night of the tour with a relaxed and comfortable stay by the beach. Enjoy a spectacular sunset from the beach. Opportunity to do some last minute shopping along the street and spend the evening at leisure. 

  • Day 7 Day 7: Colombo International Airport
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Colombo International Airport

      In the morning, after breakfast, check out and be driven to Colombo International Airport to catch your flight back home. 

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 1 / Max: 80

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