Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days Tour by On The Go Tours

9 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

2 peopleMinimum to book

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Ends

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Highlights

Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon

Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens

Dambulla - Marvel at the magnificent rock cave temple

Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance

Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale

Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants

Nuwara Eliya - Spend time in this highland community, referred to as 'Little England', surrounded by Central Sri Lanka's picturesque tea country hills

Ratnapura - Visit the heart of the nation's gem mining industry

Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants

Nuwara Eliya - Spend time in this highland community, referred to as 'Little England', surrounded by Central Sri Lanka's picturesque tea country hills

Ratnapura - Visit the heart of the nation's gem mining industry

Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

Itinerary

Sri Lanka’s treasures await on this 9-day private tour, "Classic Sri Lanka." Explore ancient cities, spot elephants in the wild, meander through tea plantations, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Designed for experienced travelers and seniors, this easy-paced sightseeing trip balances rich culture, wildlife encounters, and scenic beauty. Its standout feature lies in its expertly curated highlights—delivering the essence of Sri Lanka in a single, immersive journey.

day 1 - Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! You'll be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to hotel. Tonight, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner at your hotel.

Meals:1 Dinner

OverNight:Colombo

day 2 - Sightseeing in Colombo

Today, your guide will take you on a driving tour around colourful Colombo, Sri Lanka's frenetic capital. Just off the north end of Galle Road, the main north-south artery of the city is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings and interesting shops. Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel. Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district – a colourful retail experience. Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city. You will drive through these districts on your tour of the city and visit Gangarama Temple and Independence Square.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Colombo

day 3 - Dambulla and Polonnaruwa

Colombo - Dambulla. We drive to Dambulla Rock Temple today, Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

This afternoon, after checking into our hotel in Dambulla, we visit UNESCO Listed Polonnaruwa – an incredible 11th century city. Here, we explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts three enormous and revered Buddha figures.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Dambulla

day 4 - Sigiriya and Kandy

Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning, we drive to Sigiriya and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Discover the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. After exploring the sights of Sigiriya, stop is made at the Spice Garden in Matale, en route to Kandy.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kandy

day 5 - Kandy sightseeing

Today we take a leisurely walk through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden once reserved for the sole use of the Kandyan elite. Back in the scenic lakeside town of Kandy, we embark upon a sightseeing tour, visiting the bazaar, the arts and crafts centre and a gem workshop. There will also be a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, dedicated to all things tea-related and housed in an attractive old building. Later, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then a cultural show, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing in the evening.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kandy

day 6 - Nuwara Eliya tea plantations

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. En route to Nuwara Eliya, a scenic hillside town with a distinctly English flavour. Here we visit a tea plantation and enjoy a tasty cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. In Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort, we take an evening sightseeing tour, including the Hakgala Gardens.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Nuwara Eliya

day 7 - Udawalawe National Park

Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. This morning, we drive to and check into our hotel in Undawalawe, before going wild on a jeep safari in Sri Lanka's most popular national park! Udawalawe National Park is home to large herds of elephants and deer species such as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Udawalawe National Park

day 8 - Ratnapura

Udawalawe - Ratnapura - Colombo. En route back to Colombo today, we stop off in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka’s gem capital. Here, we learn about the islands precious stones, visit gem mines, a museum and a lapidary.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Colombo

day 9 - Colombo

Out tour ends after breakfast today. Included onward transfer to airport.

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

8 nights 4-5 star hotels and heritage properties

Meals

Breakfast daily and 1 dinner

Transport

An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 9All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles

Guide

Escorted by a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide

Others

Touring - Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigariya, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Udawalawe NPJeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National parkSpecialist local guides at some sites

Entrance

Entrance fees to all included sites

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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