Top Sri Lanka Budget Historic Sightseeing Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 9 most popular Sri Lanka Budget Historic Sightseeing Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 7 tour companies. 34 reviews.

9 Trips match your criteria (1 - 9 shown)

Best of Sri Lanka
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Anuradhapura, Colombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Mirissa, Negombo, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Sigiriya

Highlights

  • Ride around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura on a bike tour, cycling through the jungle to see the dagobas, palaces and pools of a city abandoned over 1000 years ago.
  • Climb the rock fortress of UNESCO-listed Sigiriya to the ancient ruins that lie atop the 200-m-high summit and get panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
  • Explore the divine city of Kandy, mingling with pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, touring a tea factory, and taking in the views of this lush lakefront town.
  • Fall in love with Sri Lankan food and get to know locals during experiences like lunching with a Tamil tea worker and a home-cooking demonstration.
  • Unwind on the sandy beaches of Mirissa, where the waters are clear and warm, and monkeys play in the swaying palms that line the shores.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

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Sri Lanka Explorer
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amman, Anuradhapura, Colombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Minneriya National Park, Negombo

Highlights

  • Visit Sigiriya's Lion Rock – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and if you’re game, climb the steps to the top for amazing views over the jungle.
  • Explore an area of Sri Lanka only recently opened to tourism – considered to be off-limits for years due to the civil war, the gates to Jaffna are now open to adventurers once more. Discover Tamil culture and see Point Pedro – Sri Lanka’s northernmost point.
  • Kick back in the sun on Trincomalee Beach’s bright and sandy shoreline. Enjoy the open skies, swaying palm trees and glittering waters, then stop by a local village to join the community in making a traditional Tamil meal.
  • Witness ritual and devotion in the spiritual heart of the country during a visit to Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth.
  • Observe wild elephants from basic tree houses and hopefully catch an outstanding sunset in Wasgamuwa National Park – one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Sri Lanka.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

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Natural Wonders of Sri Lanka
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5/5 Excellent
14 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Search for abundant wildlife on a Yala National Park expedition, which boasts Asia’s largest concentration of leopards, along with Asian elephants, spotted deer, and over 200 species of birds.
  • A hallmark of any Sri Lanka tour, discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sigiriya, an ancient palace and fortress built atop a huge granite monolith; the monumental ruins in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital; and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, a significant site of pilgrimage for Buddhists.
  • Enjoy whale-watching cruises off the southern coast, one of the best places in the world to view blue whales.
  • Explore Sinharaja, a vast tropical rain forest that is home to over half of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of flora and fauna.
  • Stay in a variety of superb accommodations throughout your Sri Lanka adventure travels—from beach-side resorts and colonial-era mansions to world-class game lodges offering splendid vistas of the surrounding wilderness.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Birding, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Zegrahm gets my highest recommendation. I recently returned from a 13-day Seychelles exploration and snorkel/dive adventure beginning in Zanzibar, visiting something like 9 Seychelles Atolls and islands for tons of daily snorkeling and diving, and finishing in Mahe where we departed from. This was absolutely the best cruise/group experience I have ever had on either land or sea. Zegrahm charters the boats and I was lucky enough to be on the Ponant ship, Le Bougainville, which is very posh, with a friendly and polite staff, an amazing french chef, good food, a nice spa, you name it. My bedroom was like a small luxury hotel and each room had a balcony so you could enjoy seaside and ocean views from your bed or balcony whenever you'd like. It was lovely. I especially appreciated coming back to such a haven after long days of sunshine, beach and snorkeling. Not only was the cruise ship and it's staff fantastic, but the Zegrahm staff were all wonderful. I sat and had dinner with many of them every day and they somehow remembered all our names (99 or so of us). They snorkeled and dove with us, pointing out fish and naming species, they went birding, they provided lectures in the mornings and evenings in their areas of expertise, because Zegrahm hires Marine Biologists, Anthropologists, and countless other individuals (with PhDs) to provide insight and lessons into the history and ecology of the places being visited and seen. At the conclusion of the trip - I didn't want it to end. I had made several like-minded friends for travel, was invited on future trips and exchanged information with almost everyone. We were a family by the end, both staff and customers. Hugs all around as we celebrated all we had seen together and promised to keep in touch. Zegrahm fosters that type of environment when you travel with them - and it was welcoming and especially enjoyable for a solo traveler like myself. These trips aren't cheap - but are worthwhile for all you see and do - most things you'd never be able to see on your own and certainly not with trained ecologists and marine science experts. I believe you get what you pay for. I was one of the youngest on board but there was a small group of about ten 30-40 year olds with the vast majority being probably 50-80. This isn't a sit on the boat all day-type thing. You are going to be waking up early, going out 2-3x a day and really seeing and doing things. You almost never have down time and you are always learning, seeing, talking and doing. It's expeditionary, not sedentary. It's fun and really enriching. The best way to know someone is doing a good job at this price point (think around $8-12k per person) is repeat customers and I met countless people who have done 6-12 of these expeditions with Zegrahm and knew the staff already. That's the absolute best recommendation you can get. I'll be booking with them again without any hesitation. Thank you to Brad, Murph, LJ, Merel, Steven, George, George K., Robin, Pepper, Lisa, Shirley, Gemma, Chris, Boli, Marcel, and anyone else who I forgot from this amazing trip. You all did a great job and made me feel like family!"

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Sri Lanka for families
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"Absolutely amazing two week trip to Mexico. Phoebe was very knowledgeable and helped us plan a fabulous itinerary. The hotels she'd recommended were perfect and in excellent locations. Our guides were helpful, friendly and spoke excellent English and when we contacted the Mexico office to squeeze in another excursion, they were responsive and immediately organised everything. All round brilliant customer service and Mexico was the most interesting and beautiful place to visit! Thank you!"

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Holiday Voyage: From Africa to Asia
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • At Nairobi’s Giraffe Center, hear from staff about efforts to restore the population of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.
  • Go island hopping in the Seychelles, from the endemic vegetation of granite-peaked Mahé to Praslin National Park and breathtaking La Digue.
  • Explore the Sri Lankan cities of Galle and Colombo, including the latter’s colorful Pettah Bazaar and Asokaramaya Buddhist temple.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Sailing, Education / Learning, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"When I signed up for the Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace. The hotel listed in the itinerary for day 8&9 was a 4 star hotel on the beach called the Punta Leona. I'm not sure when but Road Scholar changed the Punta Leona hotel for the 3 star Villa Lapis Jungle hotel. I was shocked when we drove up to this dump. Others in the group wanted to leave and find another hotel. I had black bugs under that shower mat and the shower did not drain, Spiders on the wall and roaches coming out of the cracked in the bathroom. The bed was a thin mattress on a board and was hard as a rock. The food they put out was covered with a wrap but 15 minutes after the plastic wrap was removed it was covered with fruit flies. I passed on the open food bowls. The walls were real thin and the neighbors were real noisy until 11:30 pm. Others in the group complained about the late night noise, spiders and toilet seat being broken. I'm not sure where this place gets 3 stars. After I saw the roaches, I give it a 1 star. Road Scholar put us up in beautiful hotels and then they take us here. You can do better than this Road Scholar. The end the story, Road Scholar customer service called me about my concern and said they have never used the Punta Leona, (I sent her my itinerary that said PUNTA LEONA). She also said they haven't had any complaints about this Villa Lapis dump. After her call, I'm not sure if I'll ever travel with Road Scholar again. Enough said...."

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Road Scholar World Academy Semester 2: West from Asia to Europe
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Experience an unforgettable voyage from Singapore to England along the famed Suez Canal route.
  • Explore wonders including the temples of Bali, the rock-cut city of Petra and Pompeii.
  • For the first time, Road Scholar World Academy takes place aboard Holland America Line’s elegant ms Rotterdam.

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise, Around The World

What travelers are saying

"When I signed up for the Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace. The hotel listed in the itinerary for day 8&9 was a 4 star hotel on the beach called the Punta Leona. I'm not sure when but Road Scholar changed the Punta Leona hotel for the 3 star Villa Lapis Jungle hotel. I was shocked when we drove up to this dump. Others in the group wanted to leave and find another hotel. I had black bugs under that shower mat and the shower did not drain, Spiders on the wall and roaches coming out of the cracked in the bathroom. The bed was a thin mattress on a board and was hard as a rock. The food they put out was covered with a wrap but 15 minutes after the plastic wrap was removed it was covered with fruit flies. I passed on the open food bowls. The walls were real thin and the neighbors were real noisy until 11:30 pm. Others in the group complained about the late night noise, spiders and toilet seat being broken. I'm not sure where this place gets 3 stars. After I saw the roaches, I give it a 1 star. Road Scholar put us up in beautiful hotels and then they take us here. You can do better than this Road Scholar. The end the story, Road Scholar customer service called me about my concern and said they have never used the Punta Leona, (I sent her my itinerary that said PUNTA LEONA). She also said they haven't had any complaints about this Villa Lapis dump. After her call, I'm not sure if I'll ever travel with Road Scholar again. Enough said...."

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Best Of India & Srilanka
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Tour the vibrant, historical city of New Delhi
  • Explore the majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise
  • Climb up to the Amber Fort on the back of an elephant
  • See the incredible 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Visit the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings, where many legends and traditions are still lovingly kept alive
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Themes

Cultural, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"BUYER BEWARE!!! This company has a policy that if THEY cancel your trip…THEY get to keep your money and you get a credit the company. They cancelled my first trip..found out the hard way about their policy. Booked a trip…then had left over money so booked another…which they cancelled…again. Surprisingly…this time they offered a refund, but only gave me back the money I had put down…not what was left of “my credit”. So now I am forced to do business with a company I no longer wish to, that picks and chooses when to follow their own policy!! There are plenty of other travel agencies with similar tours…don’t give these guys your hard earned money for them to keep."

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All Inclusive Panoramic Sri Lanka
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4.6/5 Excellent
57 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"Hello , first there is no airport transfer at all as they mentioned in the trip program , no one waited us at the airport as they mentioned that we should provide them with the flight schedule but unfortunately they neglected this service for arrivals and for departures as well , the level of the hotel in Lyon is under expected maybe 2 stars , the hotels are somewhat away from the city center which makes the transportation for the clients cost more and waste of time , the guide was very quick in her steps without even looking at the families and children and not being able to follow her . Rather , she was even quick to finish the designated program , such as presenting a program that was supposed to be for tomorrow and presenting it without justification , making one day crowded with her program and the second day on the contrary i.e there may be only one visit as it happened in changing visiting Eifel tower although it was late afternoon and the line was so crowded that took around 2 hours waited in line in order to gets tickets for the whole group while it was supposed to be on the 2nd day with scène river cruise , the stoppage in some cities as Geneva needs more than only 2 hours time while stoppage in between the cities in the rural area needs less than that time gave it to us .no flexibility in changing the program after booking even for a more advanced and valued trips ( changing not cancelling ) , it must be a meeting prepared for the group in a lobby of the hotel the night before or even if 1 hour before getting into the buses as a type of acquaintance and introduction between the members of the group ."

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Sri Lanka Budget Historic Sightseeing Trips & Packages Reviews

j

john

Oct 2015

Written on

The Tour was great for persons our

The Tour was great for persons our age (60+). Physical commitment, new experiences and a wonderful tour leader and country, Sri Lanka, to visit. The Tour had everyth...

F

Felicity

Oct 2015

Written on

I gace this score because if people

I gace this score because if people are looking for in terms of cultur...

J

Jeanette

Oct 2015

Written on

Our guide was fantastic and very informative

Our guide was fantastic and very informative nothing was a problem, we...

W

Windlin

Oct 2015

Written on

The Tourleader did his best job and

The Tourleader did his best job and tried to make our time in Sri Lanka as beautiful as it was.

R

Robert

Oct 2015

Written on

It was great trip, could not have

It was great trip, could not have asked for more.

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