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
Amazing 10 days on the Sri Lanka uncovered tour. Special thank you to Hasi for being such a great tour guide throughout and V for the couple of days we spent with him on tour.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
18-40 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Negombo, Unawatuna, Dambulla, Si
Negombo, Unawatuna, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe National Park
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.
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.
Ready for a pulse-raising adventure? On the "Sri Lanka: Hike, Bike & Kayak" tour, you’ll discover the country’s wild side over 10 action-packed days. From cycling through lush tea plantations to kayaking along serene rivers and hiking up ancient fortresses, this trip delivers a perfect mix of exploration and adrenaline. Explore the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Lion Rock, tackle the scenic Knuckles Mountain Range, and race past the Golden Valley of Ceylon by bike—all while soaking up Sri Lanka’s varied landscapes and rich heritage. Designed for travelers with a moderate fitness level, this multi-activity tour is a dream come true for those who love to stay active and immerse themselves in nature. The standout feature: the chance to experience Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights and hidden gems through a variety of adventurous activities, making every day a new discovery.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Minn
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park, Knuckles, Kandy, Hatton, Weligama
We reached out to several operators but chose to work with Lahiru due to his honesty and straightforwardness. We provided him with a list of our desired activities and accommodations for our 15-day trip, and Lahiru responded with an excellent itinerary and fantastic hotel recommendations. The price was reasonable, and the all-inclusive package meant we didn’t have to worry about any additional services.
The hotels we stayed at was great, excellent food and amazing hospitality. The van was in good condition, equipped with air conditioning, and our driver, Asanka, skillfully navigated Sri Lanka's challenging roads. Lahiru, who also served as our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and kind, making our experience even more enjoyable.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best tour operators in Sri Lanka.
Thank you,
Linda and John
Adventure
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Anurad
Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Galle, Ella, Yala National Park, Colombo, Tissamaharama
Discover the wonders of Sri Lanka in style with the "Affordable luxury: Sri Lanka grand tour." This thoughtfully curated journey combines iconic highlights and hidden treasures, all while ensuring comfort and boutique accommodations at an unbeatable value. Perfect for young adults and experienced travelers seeking a blend of adventure and relaxation, this trip begins in the heritage city of Sigiriya, where ancient sites like Anuradhapura await.
Experience the thrill of a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, then soak in the royal ambiance of Kandy—the heart of Sri Lankan tradition. Venture on to Wellawaya for optional adventures, and unwind with three blissful nights in Tangalle, famed for its serene beaches. The itinerary also features a visit to the Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home, plus a range of flexible, optional activities tailored to your interests.
The unique selling point of this tour package is its harmonious mix of luxury and affordability, offering boutique stays and exclusive experiences without compromise. If you crave an authentic Sri Lankan escape that blends culture, wildlife, and relaxation—all with a touch of indulgence—this trip is crafted for you.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-60 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Sigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura, U
Sigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Udawalawe, Colombo, Minneriya National Park, Wellawaya, Tangalle Beach, Galle
Uncover the splendors of Sri Lanka on this captivating 10-day tour, blending cultural discovery, natural beauty, and moments of pure relaxation. Starting in Colombo, journey to Kandy’s sacred temples, then ascend to the tea-clad hills of Nuwara Eliya. Ella’s lush landscapes beckon before you venture into the wilds of Yala National Park. Wind down with sun-soaked days on the beaches of Hiriketiya and Dickwella, then soak up Negombo’s coastal charm before your tour concludes. Designed for experienced travelers and seniors, this trip uniquely balances heritage, wildlife, and leisure, offering a rich tapestry of Sri Lankan experiences.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Private Tour
Age Range
5-80 yrs
Operated in
english, german, spanish
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Ella, Y
Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, Ella, Yala National Park, Nuwara Eliya, Hirketiya, Katunayake
Experience the wonders of Sri Lanka on this 10-day group tour, ideal for seniors who appreciate culture, comfort, and natural beauty. From Colombo’s dynamic streets to the ancient citadels of Sigiriya and Kandy, the route covers lush landscapes, lakeside cities, and fragrant tea plantations. Animal lovers will delight in close encounters with Sri Lanka’s gentle wildlife, while the tour concludes with relaxation on Bentota’s sun-kissed beaches. The unique highlight is the all-encompassing itinerary, offering a seamless blend of historic, cultural, and natural attractions for a truly memorable trip package.
Anu SethTravel Expert in India & Sri Lanka
Evanjalin FernandoTravel Expert in Sri Lanka & Maldives
Oshadhi PereraTravel Expert in Sri Lanka & Maldives
