Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Duration
4 days39 days
Activities
Guide Types
Start & End Location
Price
USD 415USD 6,581
10 Trips in Negombo during October 2026 with 14 Reviews
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This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa. Have lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home, relax with a cold beer and your feet in the sand in Mirissa and hike between plantations and villages in Haputale. This is the best of Sri Lanka!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I will never forget my experience on this tour. I’ve witnessed so many incredible and life changing experiences, from seeing the Taj Mahal to watching the sun set on golden beaches Goa, from cycling through the early morning chaos of Jaipur to hiking up through the peaceful forest on Ella Rock to reach breathtaking views, from stargazing in the desert to picking tea in the mountains, from monkeys to elephants, from samosas to dosas to hoppers, from masala chai to fresh green tea, this tour has been a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and tastes, and I’ve made so many incredible friends along the way, who I’m sure will be friends for life.
Countryside and village visits
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
We booked the Classic Ceylon Sri Lanka Tour for our honeymoon. The tour agent was Aitken Spence Travels. Day 1: Arriving at Colombo airport, we were greeted by our guide/driver named Rane (guide and driver are the same person throughout the tour). Our first stop was the Ramada Hotel in Columbo, where we checked in. You can take advantage of the afternoon to explore the city or relax at the hotel. We have reviewed each hotel separately in this thread if you want to learn more about each hotel review in detail. Our guide agrees on a time for you to be picked up the next morni g, which was ours at 8am. to start on time. Colombo is a busy city so traffic can be very busy. Day 2: Drive from Colombo to Dambulla, which is approximately a 4-hour drive away. Your guide will make a rest stop for a drink if you wish. Once we reach Dambulla we visit the Temple of the Rock. This fascinating temple is built on the side of a rock with some historical monuments of Buddhas and paintings. Once we had visited the temple, we stopped for lunch at one of the various Sri Lankan tourist restaurants. The food is in keeping with the country and there are usually rice, potatoes, various meats and salads on the menu. We were never disappointed. Lunch is not included in the tour price so it is extra, but at approx 600 rupees it is very reasonable in terms of cost. Some days we didn't fancy lunch and you can skip this if you want. Your driver will be very accommodating. We were then taken to our hotel which would be home for the next 3 nights: Amaara Forest Hotel (review available separately). The following days consisted of: Day 3 - Drive from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa to visit the 2nd Heritage of the Capital City. This is an amazing experience that offers a fantastic insight into Sri Lankan history. After this we reached Minneriya to the national park. The opportunity to see elephants in the wild is something not to be missed. There are also wild buffaloes, monkeys, birds, and many more animals to witness. We also visited a silk shop where silk was made, and we were dressed in traditional Sri Lankan clothing, where you can take photos of each other. The ladies at this store were wonderful and we bought a few items. The woodcarving factory is also a good stop, where you can watch how they make traditional Raksha masks and other items. We really wanted to buy a pair of these and the factory store on site had plenty to choose from at reasonable prices. Day 4 - Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock). This spectacular rock of approximately 200 m high has impressive views. The only way to achieve this is through lots of steep steps so you will need to wear some good trainers as flip flops will wreck your feet. It can get quite busy on the stairs for the first part as there are historical paintings to see a third of the way which causes the delay, but it picks up soon after. Don't let this delay put you off, I almost decided not to bother you, but the wife talked me into it and I'm glad I did. When you get to about 2/3 of this way, this is where the Lions entrance is. At one point this one had a huge rock lion face on it which is sadly gone. From this point you can reach the top and the view of Sri Lanka can be seen for miles. Word of advice to all of you, there are people who offer to "show" you the rock, they will expect payment for their services, so you politely say no or agree to a cost up front. Also when on the stairs there will be men offering to help him up (at one point taking my wife's hand and escorting her down the stairs which I soon said no to) in all fairness once I say no they will leave you alone, so don't do it. Don't let this discourage you, but be prepared. This day you also have a tour of a rural town in a carriage and a boat ride. You may be offered lunch here which is a great experience and at 600 rupees well worth it. A local lady prepares dinner in her cabin in the woods, and there is a good choice to have. You won't get a chance to experience this again so totally recommend it. Day 5 - Kandy. The journey from the hotel above to here is around 2.5 hours, but it breaks down to an intermediate stop at Spice Garden, where you can see how various spices grow and are shown how to make curry mixes from scratch. The day also included a visit to a gem museum. Generally these places have a room or two showing the history of the gems etc but then a shop at the end. We found the gem shop too expensive for what we wanted to get out of our souvenir shopping, so we didn't buy anything. Again, you don't have to buy anything if you just want to look around. After you transfer to another hotel, we stopped at Earls Regent in Kandy. Day 6 - We visit the Botanical Garden which is a lovely relaxing day where you can walk slowly and take in the surroundings. After this, you can have lunch or return to the hotel to relax. Day 7: We visit a tea plantation on this day where you can see the process from tea leaf picking to the final product. We were allowed to pick tea leaves in the hills as well as visit the shop on site to pick up some reasonably priced local tea/souvenirs. From this point, you can return to the final hotel of the tour to rest in Nuwara Eliya. You can, if you wish, take a walk in the area near the hotel. Day 8 _ This is the route back to the airport, which takes around 7 hours in total, but is broken down by the different sights offering opportunities for waterfalls and a few breaks at local cafes and restaurants. As a guide, we leave at 8:30 am and arrive at the airport at 3:30 pm. Overall the tour was amazing but very tiring. It's not a relaxing vacation, so if you can get a second week in a row somewhere, you can relax. We went to the Maldives which is a 1 hour flight to Male airport. Some final points:
We were advised to tip the driver between $5-10 per person per day as an example, but you can tip what you feel was worth. Your guide will offer to take you to other places that are not listed on the tour and will be charged. If you don't want to do this, just say no thanks and they won't accept you. We almost fell for this and arrived at a spa which we were told would cost 5,000 rupees each for an hour which works out to a total of �40 so not a huge cost but we really didn't want a spa visit So we politely said we weren't interested. On the last day you will also be asked if you want to go rafting, which we didn't do as the last thing we wanted was to get wet en route to the airport. Overall, a worthwhile trip to an amazing country.
Sri Lanka Time Tour via Aitken Spence. We met our driver and guided Sanka in Negombo for a 10 day tour of Sri Lanka. As soon as we met Sanka we knew we had made a very good decision, he was very friendly and welcoming us to continue our tour with the first events, he was prompt and very knowledgeable, and very proud of his country. Driving in Sri Lanka is crazy but Sanka was very experienced and we never felt unsafe. Safety throughout Sri Lanka is a high priority, but we never feel unsafe anywhere and encourage visitors to carry on while the tourism industry suffers. The hotels we stayed in were excellent and the staff were always friendly and very helpful. The tour is very busy with some long days, but we end with a six day break in the Maldives to recover. A truly memorable holiday with lots of laughs and banter with Sanka who made the tour so enjoyable.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Villa
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Kand
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the enchanting landscapes of Sri Lanka with this tour, showcasing the country's most exquisite treasures! Commence your adventure in the lively capital, Colombo, where you'll encounter iconic sites like the Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park. Explore the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Dambulla Rock Temple en route to Dambullala, leading you to the majestic Sigiriya Fortress perched nearly 200 meters above the rainforest. Traverse the spice and herb gardens of Matale as you head to Kandy, a stunning city and the former royal capital. Discover the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and the Victoria Golf Course. Progress to the tea plantations on your way to Nuwara Eliya, adorned with vibrant green hills and cascading waterfalls. Conclude your Sri Lankan odyssey in Colombo, where you can explore Independence Square and Gangarama Temple before bidding farewell and catching your homeward flight.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Fantastic guide! Nimal Wijeratne, Aitken Spence's Travels. Because of Nimal we have had a great holiday as he showed us his beautiful Sri Lanka in so many different ways. He was helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about Sri Lanka and the trip. We have been to restaurants and places where we would never have been without Nimal. We have had a good connection with Nimal and he became a true friend.
Embark on an unforgettable eight-day journey through the heart of Sri Lanka, beginning in the vibrant capital of Colombo and looping inland to explore the island’s most iconic cultural, historical, and natural wonders. Discover ancient citadels, sacred temples, and picturesque highland towns nestled among misty tea plantations. Wander through UNESCO World Heritage Sites, breathe in the exotic aromas of spice gardens, and witness the island’s rich biodiversity on a thrilling wildlife safari. This well-rounded adventure offers a deep and authentic glimpse into the island’s timeless beauty and cultural soul.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
spanish
Destinations
Colombo, Tissamaharama, Kandy, H
Colombo, Tissamaharama, Kandy, Habarana, Negombo
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Discover Sri Lanka's hidden gems and iconic highlights on this multi-activity adventure tour. Blending off-the-beaten-path experiences with must-see attractions, this well-balanced itinerary ensures you experience the best of both worlds.
Fully guided, the tour takes you to the heart of the island, where local hosts share unique experiences. Explore unseen, stunning villages in Sri Lanka's central mountains and secret wildlife viewing spots, guided by expert naturalists, away from the crowds.
Of course, the tour also includes Sri Lanka's iconic highlights. We've carefully selected locally-owned, small hotels that offer a unique and authentic local experience, ensuring your stay is as memorable as the places you visit.
Ayubowan! Welcome to the paradise island of Sri Lanka. Explore Sri Lanka high and low with this fascinating tour starting in the capital, Colombo, and taking an inland loop that covers all the main historical, cultural, and natural attractions of this magical island. Experience firsthand the love and respect that Sri Lankans have for the Elephants. Explore the medieval city of Polonnaruwa. Visit Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea. Discover Yala National Park, stepping into the most visited national park in the country but also the lands of a civilization that thrived during the reign of Sri Lankan kings. Explore Kaudulla National Park, listed by Lonely Planet, making this elephant tour in Sri Lanka among the Top Ten wildlife spectacles in the world. Visit Galle, the epic Southern capital, the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Nuwara
Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Ahungalla
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Evanjalin FernandoTravel Expert in Maldives & Sri Lanka
Oshadhi PereraTravel Expert in Maldives & Sri Lanka
Anu SethTravel Expert in India & Sri Lanka
