From Colombo’s coastline to the highlands of Nuwara Eliya and the wildlife plains of Yala, this journey reveals Sri Lanka’s varied landscapes and traditions. Travel in a Small Group of up to 24 travellers to climb Sigiriya, visit the sacred sites of Kandy and Anuradhapura, and gain exclusive access to the casket at the Temple of the Tooth. Journeying to the south, you’ll watch Asian elephants on safari, explore Galle Fort, and meet Weligama’s stilt fishermen. From an exclusive, hands-on visit to a working tea estate to high tea at the Grand Hotel, this journey is shaped by rich traditions, welcoming communities and striking scenery — a clear window into the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
day 1Arrival Colombo
Arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka's lively capital. You'll drive past colonial buildings, temples, markets and modern streets before settling into the hotel, a calm base within the city's energy. This evening, join your Travel Director and Small Group for a rooftop dinner, sharing locally sourced dishes that reflect the island's culinary traditions while looking out across the Colombo skyline.
Meals
Dinner
Location Visited
Colombo
Accommodation
Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo
day 2See the Sights of Colombo
day 3Village Life in Hiriwadunna
day 4Early Heritage in Anuradhapura
day 5Explore the Ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress
day 6Into the Hills of Kandy
day 7Cultural Kandy
day 8All aboard the train to Nuwara Eliya
day 9Through the Lowlands to Yala National Park
day 10Yala National Park Safari
day 11Along the Coast to Galle
day 12Galle at Leisure
day 13Goodbye Sri Lanka
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White-sand beaches, ancient cities, and wildlife safaris—discover it all with the "Highlights of Sri Lanka + Maldive Dhoni Cruise" tour package. In just 14 days, this easy-paced trip for experienced travelers takes you from the cultural treasures of Sri Lanka to the turquoise waters of the Maldives for an unforgettable escape.
Begin your journey exploring Sri Lanka’s spiritual heritage, wandering among ancient capitals and intricate temples. Safari through Wilpattu National Park, keeping your eyes peeled for leopards, elephants, and sambar deer. Scale the heights of UNESCO-listed Sigiriya, then marvel at the painted cave temples of Dambulla, even sharing a meal with a local family for a taste of genuine hospitality.
The tour’s unique selling point is its relaxing conclusion—a multi-day cruise on a traditional Dhoni in the Maldives. Here, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing become your daily routine as you hop between idyllic islands.
With all transport, accommodation, and meals included, this trip offers a seamless blend of cultural discovery and tropical relaxation. Ideal for those seeking the best of both worlds in one tour package.
From Colombo’s coastline to the highlands of Nuwara Eliya and the wildlife plains of Yala, this journey reveals Sri Lanka’s varied landscapes and traditions. Travel in a Small Group of up to 24 travellers to climb Sigiriya, visit the sacred sites of Kandy and Anuradhapura, and gain exclusive access to the casket at the Temple of the Tooth. Journeying to the south, you’ll watch Asian elephants on safari, explore Galle Fort, and meet Weligama’s stilt fishermen. From an exclusive, hands-on visit to a working tea estate to high tea at the Grand Hotel, this journey is shaped by rich traditions, welcoming communities and striking scenery — a clear window into the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
GROUP TOUR (FOR AGES 18 - 49): Explore the best of Sri Lanka on this 12-day group tour from Negombo to Mirissa. Starting with a tuk-tuk ride through Negombo's local markets, the tour heads inland to take in views of the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress from the neighbouring rock, before a village visit and cooking demonstration with locals. Travelling south to Kandy, a stop at a spice garden leads to the sacred Temple of the Tooth, then it's on through the tea plantations to learn the art of picking and brewing before boarding one of the world's most scenic train rides into Ella. A hike to Little Adam's Peak and a visit to the famous Nine Arches Bridge set up a sunrise jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park, where wild elephants, crocodiles and buffalo roam freely. The final stretch brings a surf lesson at Weligama Beach, sunset views from Coconut Tree Hill, and a cultural exchange with monk students at a Buddhist monastery, before the tour wraps up in the laid-back coastal town of Mirissa.
Sri Lanka calls! Discover vibrant cities, ancient wonders, incredible wildlife, and thrilling watersports. Hike the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, explore the bustle of Colombo, and encounter exotic creatures on safari. Each day brings new adventures and a chance to immerse yourself in Sri Lanka's rich culture. Prepare for the journey of a lifetime!
Your Sri Lankan adventure begins in Colombo, exploring its historical landmarks and vibrant culture. Then, delve into the island's rich heritage with visits to ancient Dambulla Cave Temples and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Experience Sri Lanka's diverse landscapes, from the misty Knuckles Mountain Range to bustling Kandy, home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth. Discover the secrets of tea production on a plantation tour, unwind on the beaches of Unawatuna, and explore the charming colonial town of Galle.
Embrace thrilling outdoor adventures as you hike to stunning viewpoints in Ella and go white-water rafting through the Kitulgala rainforest. Witness the incredible wildlife of Udawalawe National Park on an exciting jeep safari. Learn the art of surfing, explore traditional Sri Lankan crafts, and witness a sacred Buddhist ritual before concluding the tour back in Colombo. From ancient cities to breathtaking scenery, Sri Lanka offers an unforgettable journey filled with diverse experiences, cultural encounters, and thrilling moments.
Our Sri Lanka on a Shoestring tour offers comfortable dorm room and guesthouse accommodation, perfect for social travelers. If you prefer more privacy, you can upgrade to a private single or twin room!
This is an active, backpacking style tour, and there is a lot of walking and physical activity involved. We therefore set a minimum age of 16 and maximum age limit of 55. Children aged 15 or under may be accepted in some circumstances.
Join this 12-day tour of Sri Lanka, exploring vibrant cities and iconic sights. Start in Negombo, then travel to Sigiriya to visit the Dambulla Caves, Pidurangala Monastery, and Sigiriya Rock Fortress. In Kandy, experience a spice garden, cooking class, and the Temple of the Tooth. Continue through Nuwara Eliya’s tea plantations, with a free day in Ella. Hike Little Adam’s Peak, visit the Nine Arch Bridge, and enjoy a safari in Udawalawe National Park. Relax in Mirissa, known for its beaches, and take a bike ride in Galle. Ride the train from Weligama to Galle, visit the Tsunami Memorial and take a Madu River cruise before the tour concludes in Wattala, Colombo
Sri Lanka’s enchanting landscapes and vibrant culture unfold over 14 days on this relaxed adventure, tailored for young adults and experienced travelers. From Negombo’s golden sands to the ancient wonders of Dambulla and the bustling energy of Colombo, the tour weaves together temple visits, local markets, and immersive culinary experiences. With scenic countryside vistas and captivating coastal views, this journey promises both cultural enrichment and natural beauty. The tour’s unique appeal: a thoughtfully curated itinerary that blends Sri Lanka’s hidden gems with authentic encounters, making it an ideal choice for those eager to delve deep into the island’s charms.
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey with the "Sri Lanka & Maldives Discovery 12D/11N" tour package, designed for young adventurers and culture enthusiasts. Starting in Negombo and concluding in Male, this guided small group trip uncovers Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, tea plantations, UNESCO-listed sites, and wildlife-filled national parks. Scenic train rides and hands-on cultural activities add to the experience before the adventure transitions to the Maldives’ idyllic beaches for ultimate relaxation. The unique selling point: a seamless blend of heritage, nature, and tropical paradise in one extraordinary exploration.
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.
13 days
Highlights
Colombo: Discover Colombo’s vibrant heart on a tuk-tuk adventure through its historic streets. See the colonial-era Colombo Fort and explore the lively Pettah Market before visiting the striking Red Mosque. Pass the Old Town Hall, step inside the Dutch-built Wolvendaal Church and admire the eclectic Gangaramaya Temple where Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese influences blend seamlessly across its shrine rooms and courtyards. Conclude at Hotel Nippon with a classic mutton roll and a refreshing drink.
Dambulla: Dating back to around 750–400 BCE, this ancient burial site offers a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s early civilisations. Carefully arranged stone chambers once held cremated remains, accompanied by pottery, beads and iron tools: evidence of advanced social and cultural practices. As you explore the well-preserved tombs, admire the ingenuity of their construction and uncover the beliefs that shaped the lives of the island’s earliest inhabitants.
Anuradhapura: Explore Anuradhapura, visiting key religious and archaeological sites. See the Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba a large stupa recognised for its scale and engineering, and visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree linked to the Buddha’s enlightenment. Continue to Thuparamaya and the remains of the Abhayagiri Monastery. At Isurumuniya Temple, view its noted rock carvings, then meet artisans in a nearby village known for traditional clay pot making.
Polonnaruwa: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site with your Travel Director, uncovering the legacy of Sri Lanka’s medieval capital. Flourishing between the 11th and 13th centuries, the city thrived through an advanced irrigation system that sustained large-scale rice cultivation. Walk among its well-preserved stupas, temple complexes and the Royal Palace, once the centre of a powerful kingdom.
Dambulla: Step inside Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave monastery, a sacred site for over two millennia. Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, this UNESCO-listed temple sits 160 metres above the plains, offering panoramic views over the central highlands. Explore its vast caverns, where more than 150 Buddha statues and intricate murals cover the walls, depicting centuries of Buddhist teachings and Sri Lankan history.
Kandy: Join the daily puja ceremony and step inside the inner chamber as the casket housing the Sri Lanka’s most sacred relic: a tooth believed to have belonged to the Buddha, is briefly revealed. The tooth itself remains enclosed, but this moment offers rare, close access to the focal point of devotion. In a Small Group, it’s easier to enter the chamber during the busy ritual and observe the ceremony with clarity and calm, gaining a direct sense of how the temple functions as a living pilgrimage site.
Kandy: Experience the energy and precision of a Kandyan dance performance, a tradition rooted in royal courts and ritual practice. Dancers move to the pulse of the drums, leaping and turning in layered costumes, while fire-breathers and acrobats add a striking ceremonial edge.
Nuwara Eliya: Travel by train through Sri Lanka’s central highlands, where mist-covered mountains, cascading waterfalls and emerald tea plantations unfold at every turn. This scenic journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya offers a glimpse into the island’s colonial past, passing historic railway stations and landscapes unchanged for generations before arriving at the hotel.
Nuwara Eliya: Discover Nuwara Eliya with your Travel Director, exploring a town once known as Little England for its colonial bungalows, golf courses and rose gardens. Stroll along the shores of Gregory Lake, an artificial reservoir built in 1873 to support British agricultural experiments. Next, visit the Nuwara Eliya Post Office, a striking Tudor-style building dating back to 1894, which remains one of the country’s oldest functioning post offices.
Nuwara Eliya: Visit a tea estate and factory before heading into the fields for an immersive, Small Group Exclusive look at the work behind Ceylon tea. Dressed in traditional attire, you’ll take part in a guided picking session or, outside harvest season, observe how the plants are maintained. The experience highlights the people and skills that shape each stage of production, offering insight that larger groups usually cannot access. Finish with a freshly prepared cup in the landscape where it is grown.
Ella: Gaze out from one of Sri Lanka’s most striking escarpments, where the central highlands drop sharply to the southern plains. Formed by ancient geological shifts, this dramatic gap cuts through the mountains, offering a view that stretches for miles. Tea-covered slopes, winding roads and distant waterfalls create a landscape shaped by both nature and history.
Yala National Park: Embark on morning and evening game drives through Sri Lanka’s most celebrated national park, covering nearly 1,000 square kilometres of dry woodlands, open grasslands and coastal lagoons. Its combined freshwater and saltwater ecosystems support Asianants, crocodiles and abundant birdlife. With luck, glimpse the solitary Sri Lankan leopard, as Yala hosts one of the world’s highest leopard densities.
Yala National Park: Explore the diverse birdlife surrounding your hotel on a guided nature walk, where the calls of kingfishers, herons and bee-eaters fill the air. As you wander through coastal scrub and wetlands, spot colourful species that thrive in this rich ecosystem, gaining insight into Sri Lanka’s remarkable avian biodiversity.
Galle: Walk through the cobbled streets of this UNESCO-listed fort, uncovering its blend of Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. Built in the 16th century, its bastions and ramparts have withstood centuries of monsoon winds. Stop at the Galle Lighthouse, standing since 1939, and take in sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
Kandy: Join the daily puja ceremony and step inside the inner chamber as the casket housing the Sri Lanka’s most sacred relic: a tooth believed to have belonged to the Buddha, is briefly revealed. The tooth itself remains enclosed, but this moment offers rare, close access to the focal point of devotion. In a Small Group, it’s easier to enter the chamber during the busy ritual and observe the ceremony with clarity and calm, gaining a direct sense of how the temple functions as a living pilgrimage site.
Kandy: Experience the energy and precision of a Kandyan dance performance, a tradition rooted in royal courts and ritual practice. Dancers move to the pulse of the drums, leaping and turning in layered costumes, while fire-breathers and acrobats add a striking ceremonial edge.
Nuwara Eliya: Travel by train through Sri Lanka’s central highlands, where mist-covered mountains, cascading waterfalls and emerald tea plantations unfold at every turn. This scenic journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya offers a glimpse into the island’s colonial past, passing historic railway stations and landscapes unchanged for generations before arriving at the hotel.
Nuwara Eliya: Discover Nuwara Eliya with your Travel Director, exploring a town once known as Little England for its colonial bungalows, golf courses and rose gardens. Stroll along the shores of Gregory Lake, an artificial reservoir built in 1873 to support British agricultural experiments. Next, visit the Nuwara Eliya Post Office, a striking Tudor-style building dating back to 1894, which remains one of the country’s oldest functioning post offices.
Nuwara Eliya: Visit a tea estate and factory before heading into the fields for an immersive, Small Group Exclusive look at the work behind Ceylon tea. Dressed in traditional attire, you’ll take part in a guided picking session or, outside harvest season, observe how the plants are maintained. The experience highlights the people and skills that shape each stage of production, offering insight that larger groups usually cannot access. Finish with a freshly prepared cup in the landscape where it is grown.
Ella: Gaze out from one of Sri Lanka’s most striking escarpments, where the central highlands drop sharply to the southern plains. Formed by ancient geological shifts, this dramatic gap cuts through the mountains, offering a view that stretches for miles. Tea-covered slopes, winding roads and distant waterfalls create a landscape shaped by both nature and history.
Yala National Park: Embark on morning and evening game drives through Sri Lanka’s most celebrated national park, covering nearly 1,000 square kilometres of dry woodlands, open grasslands and coastal lagoons. Its combined freshwater and saltwater ecosystems support Asianants, crocodiles and abundant birdlife. With luck, glimpse the solitary Sri Lankan leopard, as Yala hosts one of the world’s highest leopard densities.
Yala National Park: Explore the diverse birdlife surrounding your hotel on a guided nature walk, where the calls of kingfishers, herons and bee-eaters fill the air. As you wander through coastal scrub and wetlands, spot colourful species that thrive in this rich ecosystem, gaining insight into Sri Lanka’s remarkable avian biodiversity.
Galle: Walk through the cobbled streets of this UNESCO-listed fort, uncovering its blend of Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. Built in the 16th century, its bastions and ramparts have withstood centuries of monsoon winds. Stop at the Galle Lighthouse, standing since 1939, and take in sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
What's Included
Accommodation
Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo HotelJetwing Lake, Dambulla HotelCinnamon Citadel Kandy HotelGrand, Nuwara Eliya HotelJetwing Yala HotelJetwing Lighthouse, Galle Hotel
