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Essential Sri Lanka Explorer - 13 days

13 daysDuration
Group TourJoin a group of travelers
20 peopleMaximum group size
18 - 55 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
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Best price guaranteed

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

 in travel creditsYou will earn USD 0 in travel credits when you complete this tour. Credits are automatically added to your account on your tour start date and can be used towards any future Bookmundi booking.

Highlights

Colombo - Discover Colombo on an evening walking tour of the old town

Sigiriya - Climb the ancient UNESCO-listed fortress for stunning views and see the famous rock paintings of the “Sigiriya Damsels"

Kitulgala - Embark on an exhilarating white water rafting adventure through the rainforest of Kitulgala for a unique thrill

Hatton to Ella - Ride one of the most beautiful train routes in the world, winding through misty hills, tea plantations, and scenic villages

Ella - Hike to Ella Rock at dawn for a breathtaking sunrise over lush landscapes and enjoy a cooking class

Knuckles Mountain Range - Take in the incredible views and diverse flora and fauna on a hike through the unique "knuckles" peaks of this mountain range

Udawalawe - Camp on the edge of this wildlife-rich national park, with chances to see elephants, deer, and exotic birds

Galle - Walk through the historic, UNESCO-protected fort with its preserved colonial buildings, chic boutiques, and ocean views

Kandy - Opt to visit one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred temples, housing a relic of Buddha’s tooth

Itinerary

Unveil the wonders of Sri Lanka on this 13-day guided tour designed especially for experienced travelers and seniors who desire an enriching yet manageable journey. Starting and ending in Colombo, this trip blends cultural highlights and natural beauty—from the historic heart of Colombo to the bustling fish markets of Negombo and the mystical Dambulla Temple. Take on the iconic climb of Sigiriya Rock, enjoy gentle hikes through the Knuckles Range, and opt for a visit to Kandy’s revered Temple of the Tooth. Thrill-seekers can opt for white-water rafting in Kitulgala, while everyone will delight in the scenic train ride to Ella and the panoramic views at various waterfalls. Wildlife enthusiasts will relish a safari in Udawalawe, and tea lovers can immerse in the craft at Handunugoda. Surfing in Unawatuna and the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort round out the adventure. This tour’s unique selling point is its well-balanced itinerary—offering both relaxation and gentle activity, with authentic local experiences and stunning landscapes tailored for those who appreciate culture and comfort.

day 1Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Arrive at the airport in Colombo and make your way to our hostel for your check-in at 14:00. You will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for a briefing on the trip details at 17:00.
We will then take an included couch and walking tour around the old town of Colombo, which will provide us with a great understanding of the city's history and culture. Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka, beautifully blends its rich history with modern urban life.

OverNight
Colombo

day 2Volunteering & Dambulla Cave Temple

day 3Sigiriya Exploration

day 4Knuckles Mountain Range & Kandy

day 5Kandy to Kitulgala

day 6Scenic Train to Ella

day 7Ella Hiking

day 8Ella Cooking Class

day 9Buduruwagala Temple & Udawalawe Safari

day 10Tea Estate & Beach in Unawatuna

day 11Unawatuna Surfing

day 12Galle Fish Market & Galle Fort

day 13Return to Colombo

Essential Sri Lanka Explorer - 13 days

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What's Included

Accommodation
11 nights hostel dorm rooms & 1 night camping
Meals
11 breakfasts & 2 lunches
Transport
All relevant transportation as per itinerary - mix of private & public transport
Guide
Escorted by a bi-lingual adventure leader
Others
Evening walking tour of the old town of ColomboVisit to the fish market in NegomboDambulla Cave ComplexSigiriya Rock Fortress hikeA glass Sri Lanka’s favourite alcohol, Arrack in DambullaHike along the scenic Manigala Trail in KnucklesCooking class in EllaThe Sputnik Centre in KurunegalaWhite Water rafting in KitulgalaScenic train from Hatton to EllaElla Rock hike at sunriseVisit Rawana Falls in EllaHike to Mini-worlds end at sunrise in EllaVisit to the Buduruvagala Ancient TempleJeep safari into Udawalawe National ParkVisit to Handunugoda Tea EstateSurf lesson in UnawatunaTuk-tuk ride to GalleVisit to a temple to meet a Buddhist priest and take part in a poojaNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go
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.

Good to Know

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Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

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Rasmus Juul Olsen

Why Book with Bookmundi

 in travelcreditsYou will earn USD 0 in travel credits when you complete this tour. Credits are automatically added to your account on your tour start date and can be used towards any future Bookmundi booking.

Best price guaranteed.

No credit card or booking fees.

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.

25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.67/5
Excellent based on 846 customer reviews fromReviews.io

Anonymous

Guillia put a great self-drive tour together for us and Susana looked after us as we travelled. (Even when we got lost) The car and accommodation was good and the guides patient and informative. Only issue we had was parking in small villages, garages, and cities. Apart from the parking we had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, thank you.
1 week ago