Upgraded - Discover Sri Lanka

13 days
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Small Group Tour
Discover the natural beauty, fascinating culture and friendly welcome of Sri Lanka - the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. Staying in premium hotels we travel to some of this spiritual island's greatest sights: from the Lion Rock of Sigirya, to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and the idyllic palm-fringed beaches. Hill Country - Discover the dramatic beauty and...
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$4,711
From$3,660
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Discover beautiful Sri Lanka on a journey through fascinating cultural highlights
    • 4WD Yala National Park jeep safari in search of leopard, elephant and birdlife
    • Stay in our Upgraded Range of hand-picked Premium hotels along the way

What's this trip about?

    Discover the natural beauty, fascinating culture and friendly welcome of Sri Lanka - the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. Staying in premium hotels we travel to some of this spiritual island's greatest sights: from the Lion Rock of Sigirya, to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and the idyllic palm-fringed beaches. Hill Country - Discover the dramatic beauty and lush tea plantations of the Central Highlands Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Sigiriya - Wander through the ancient capital, painted cave temples and climb the dramatic 'Sky Fortress' Yala National Park - Jeep safari in search of leopard, elephant, sambar deer and other wildlife Upgraded Range - Immerse yourself in friendly and stunning Sri Lanka with our hand-picked selection of Premium hotels

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityNegombo
End CityColombo

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bentota
  • Colombo
  • Dambulla
  • Horton Plains National Park
  • Kandy
  • Negombo
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Sigiriya
  • Yala
  • Yala National Park

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Wildlife Viewing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Negombo

Our tour starts today in Negombo. Nestled on Sri Lanka's west coast, Negombo is a lively town known for its golden sand beaches, bustling fish markets and vibrant mix of cultures. With its Dutch colonial architecture, flavourful seafood, and proximity to the capital, ...

Day 2 Visit Negombo fish market. Drive to Dambulla

For those interested we recommend rising early to accompany the tour leader for a pre-breakfast walk around the lively fish market to see the wide array of fresh fish and seafood on offer. If you prefer a slower start that's fine as we plan to depart the hotel at 10am...

Day 3 Morning visit Dambulla’s cave temples. Afternoon ancient city of Polonnaruwa

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising five cave temples adorned with many Buddha statues, Hindu Gods and vibrant frescoes dating back over two millennia. It's still an important place of pilgrimage and, perched atop a rocky hill, offers p...

Day 4 Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock at sunrise

We have an early start this morning as we plan to climb Sigiriya ahead of the crowds and while it's still relatively cool. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the UNESCO-protected ruins of this 5th-century 'Sky Fortress' are one of Sri Lanka's major attractio...

Day 5 Drive to Kandy. Discover the Temple of the Tooth

Today we leave the north-central plains behind and journey south to the capital of the highlands. The drive should take around three and a half hours, including a visit to a spice and herb garden en route. Sitting at 500 metres above sea level and 112 kilometres north...

Day 6 Visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.?Scenic highlands drive to Nuwara Eliya

Leaving Kandy this morning, we'll stop just out of town for a guided visit at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, renowned for its stunning collection of orchids, palms and exotic flora from around the world. Established during the British colonial era, the gar...

Day 7 Morning trek in Horton Plains National Park. Afternoon visit to tea plantation and factory

Horton Plains National Park is a unique and beautiful plateau of wild grassland and thick forest, famous for its biodiversity - home to diverse wildlife including sambar deer, purple-faced langurs and a variety of bird species. We rise very early for the best conditio...

Day 8 Hike the Pekoe Trail. Drive to our permanent tented camp. Pooja ceremony at Kataragama Shrine

Bidding farewell to Nuwara Eliya this morning we'll have our last day exploring the highlands. After a two-hour scenic drive we reach the lively town of Ella. It's here that we'll hike along a section of the long-distance footpath - the Pekoe Trail. Our hike will take...

Day 9 Game drive in Yala National Park. Late afternoon walking tour of Galle Fort

Yala National Park, situated in the southeast of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its diverse wildlife and rugged landscapes. It's the country's most-visited national park, known for its population of leopards, which are best spotted during early morning and evening safaris...

Day 10 Late morning drive to tranquil coastal town of Bentota

After a relaxed start to the day, or a return visit to Galle Fort, we'll proceed on our journey in the late morning. We plan to break this drive with a stop for lunch and a visit to the Brief Garden in Beruwala - one of Sri Lanka's finest landscape gardens. The ma...

Day 11 Free time to relax on Bentota’s quiet beaches. Optional afternoon traditional mask painting workshop

Today has been left free to relax and reflect on the journey so far through beautiful Sri Lanka. Our tour leader will be able to assist with any questions about possible activities such as a visit to Beruwala Lighthouse, water sports or a boat excursion on Madu Ganga ...

Day 12 Drive to Colombo. Late afternoon city tour by jeep followed by street food dinner experience

This morning we'll journey to Colombo for our last night. There is some free time after checking in around lunchtime. In the late afternoon we\ ve included a sightseeing tour of the capital with a difference, in open air jeeps that give you great visibility while taki...

Day 13 Trip ends in Colombo

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Colombo. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Colombo at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. A transfer to C...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,660
Price per day$282
Last Updated: 3/12/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
06 Apr 2025
18 Apr 2025
$4,010
$1,370
10 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025
$3,940
$1,310
14 Sep 2025
26 Sep 2025
$3,660
$1,310
12 Oct 2025
24 Oct 2025
$3,940
$1,310
02 Nov 2025
14 Nov 2025
$4,430
$1,370
16 Nov 2025
28 Nov 2025
$4,150
$1,380
21 Dec 2025
02 Jan 2026
$4,840
$1,520
18 Jan 2026
30 Jan 2026
$4,150
$1,380
08 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026
$4,150
$1,380
22 Feb 2026
06 Mar 2026
$4,150
$1,380

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
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T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

Secrets of Sri Lanka

A real insight into Sri Lanka’s culture and heritage together with its diverse landscape. The guides wonderful positivity and knowledge really enhanced the trip exp...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Notes

Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine is excellent, and although it can be very spicy there are many dishes that feature cooling coconut milk or have a spicy sambar on the side to allow you to adjust the meal to your taste. There isn't a culture of eating out in Sri Lanka, most locals will eat at home, and as such there are very few restaurants around, and those that exist tend to be in hotels. As tourism develops a few independent restaurants are beginning to appear, mainly in Colombo but also in Kandy, Galle and in the coastal resorts. During the tour we will endeavour to eat out at local restaurants wherever possible but for many nights, at this point in time, the hotel restaurants are the only option available.

Transportation & Flights

Bus, 4WD,

Transportation & flights

Bus, 4WD
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s), Safari Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Sri Lanka: All foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka for a short stay of up to six months, including transit passengers, must apply for travel authorization online prior to travel to the country. All UK, EU, US, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian nationals can obtain an eVisa for a fee of approx 50 USD. You must apply for this prior to travel. It is strongly recommended that you print and bring a copy of the eVisa approval notice with you. The Sri Lankan authorities require that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Sri Lanka. https://www.srilankaevisa.lk/ In addition to this, Sri Lanka has discontinued the use of paper land cards, and passengers are now required to fill out the following online arrival form, prior to arriving in Sri Lanka: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation/'#/home-page All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A plus Polio and diptheria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. We strongly recommend the wearing long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellents containing DEET as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 12
  • Dinner : 5
  • Lunch : 2
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-DSL

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