Sri Lanka Cultural Highlights
New
This 6-day tour starts in Colombo and finishes back in the same vibrant city, offering a fantastic mix of history, culture, and nature. Youll explore ancient wonders like Sigiriyas Lion Rock fortress and the cave temples of Dambulla, plus wander through the medieval ruins of Polonnaruwa. The journey includes a visit to Kandy with its sacred tooth relic and lively cultural show, as well as the lush Royal Botanical Gardens and tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. For a splash of adventure, theres white-water rafting in Kitulgala before returning to Colombo to soak up its buzzing markets and nightlife.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
6 daysHotel Rating
3-5 star hotelsStarts
ColomboEnds
ColomboMinimum age
No minimum ageMaximum age
100Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guide.Country
Sri LankaMeals included
None ProvidedPassengers
$2,040.00
$612.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max 3
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guide.Group Size
Min 1 / Max 3Tranportation
N/ALanguage
EnglishLanguage
EnglishRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Colombo - Habarana
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and assisted by a representative before transferring to the Silver Temple. Nestled in the tranquil countryside of Ridigama village, approximately 15 kilometres west of the KandyDambulla highway and midway between Matale and Kurunagala, the Ridi Vihara temple is a small cave monastery tucked behind a large boulder. This rock is notable for housing local wild bee colonies beneath its overhang. After exploring the temple, we will transfer you to your hotel in Habarana, where you can enjoy dinner. Please note that alcohol will not be served in public areas of hotels and restaurants during religious holidays. Overnight accommodation is in Habarana.
Day 2 - Habarana - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Habarana
After breakfast, we transfer to Sigiriya to explore the iconic rock fortress. Ascend through the massive Lions Paws gateway and take in the symmetrical royal gardens below. The fortress, surrounded by ramparts and moats, is famed for its frescoes reminiscent of the Gupta-style paintings found in Indias Ajanta caves. We walk alongside the renowned Mirror Wall on the western face, adorned with ancient graffiti, before visiting the museum to understand the ingenious hydraulic systems that once supplied water to the summit. In the evening, we visit Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we explore the ruins scattered with stupas, Buddha statues, irrigation canals, and intricately carved Hindu sculptures. Highlights include the Gal Viharayas impressive Buddhist statues and the Nissankamalla Council Chamber with its distinctive swaying pillars, set beside the vast Parakrama Samudraya reservoir. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Habarana.
Day 3 - Habarana - Dambulla - Matale - Kandy
After breakfast, we transfer to Kandy, stopping en route at the Dambulla Cave Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in the 1st century BCE, features five intricately decorated cave temples housing over 150 Buddha statues and vibrant wall paintings. From there, we continue to Matale to visit a spice garden, where you can learn about the therapeutic properties and cultivation of local spices while enjoying a cup of herbal tea. Alternatively, you may explore the lively streets of Matale at your leisure. We then proceed to Kandy, where we visit the citys highlights, including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a significant Buddhist shrine. In the evening, you can enjoy a traditional Kandyan cultural show, showcasing music and dance that reflect the regions rich heritage. Dinner and overnight stay are in Kandy.
Day 4 - Kandy - Peradeniya - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, we transfer to Nuwara Eliya, stopping en route at the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Originally established as a royal pleasure garden and later enhanced by the British, these gardens cover 147 acres just four miles from Kandy. You can enjoy a stroll through well-maintained lawns, pavilions and the octagonal conservatory, and visit highlights such as the orchid house and the giant Javan fig tree. A cafeteria near the entrance offers a convenient spot to refresh before continuing. Next, we visit a tea plantation where you will see the tea production process and savour a freshly brewed cup of pure Ceylon tea. We then continue to Nuwara Eliya for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Colombo
After breakfast, we travel to Colombo via Kitulgala. For those seeking adventure, Kitulgala offers thrilling white-water rafting on wild rapids, exhilarating waterfall jumps, and explorations of caves inhabited by millions of bats. If you prefer a gentler pace, you can enjoy a trek through the pristine wilderness instead. Continuing to Colombo, we take an evening city tour, driving past the Race Courseonce a horse racing venue and World War II airstripnow lined with stylish boutiques and eateries. Visit Pettah to experience the unique Floating Market and glimpse the developing Colombo Port City. We then head along Bauddhaloka Mawatha to the Arcade, near Independence Square, a vibrant area blending colonial heritage with modern shopping and dining. Enjoy a relaxed drink at the Dutch Hospital precinct, soak in the atmosphere of Gangarama temple, or explore Colombos lively nightlife with its clubs and casinos. Dinner is served at the hotel before overnight stay in Colombo.
Day 6 - Colombo
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before we transfer you from Colombo to the airport for your departure.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
Can't find a date that works for you?
Dates for 2027 haven't been released yet.
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