The Essential Sri Lanka Itinerary 7 Days - Bespoke Tour

The essential 7-day Sri Lanka Itinerary, from wildlife safaris to hiking in the hill country, to palm-fringed beaches and more!

Duration

7 days, 6 nights

Group Size

Min 3

Min Age

0+

Start/End

Colombo Airport

Get in touch with us to experience Sri Lanka to the fullest!

A fascinating island nation, Sri Lanka has a rich heritage and culture. Visiting this destination is enjoyable year-round, and this 7-day sample Sri Lanka itinerary is just a slice of what you can experience in Sri Lanka. Contact us with your schedule and interests to organize a trip beyond your dreams!

Our passionate team will tailor a unique trip for you and ensure you have the experience of a lifetime (Check out also our flagship tour Kandy Esela Perahera Festival edition in August).

On our epic Sri Lanka Tour you’ll have the privilege of immersing yourself in Sri Lanka’s fascinating history, visit evocative archaeological sites, its magnificent temples and monuments, go on wildlife safaris, nature hikes, and of course enjoy palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs and more.

Sri Lanka Itinerary 7 Days Custom Trip Highlights

  • Get ready to involve in fascinating traditions of Sri Lanka accompanied by a local team of passionate professionals!
  • Hiking in the beautiful Hill Country, tea plantations, waterfalls,  mind-blowing views and more..
  • Delve into UNESCO sites: Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Polonnaruwa Ancient City
  • Encounter elephant herds, leopards and other wildlife on a full/half day safari in Yala/Minneriya National Parks
  • Beach time in Tangalle, optional snorkeling/diving/surfing and a chance to see Blue Whales!
  • Local village visits, delicious food and a lot more…

We would be delighted to make your dreams come true and thank you very much for your trust. You will enjoy every moment of your journey, we promise!

Please note: The given rate is based on a mid-range budget and a minimum of 3 persons (age 8+) in the lowest season for the given duration. The final price may vary depending on the season and your requirements. 

Inclusions/Exclusions

  • 6 nights of accommodation
  • 6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
  • All in country transport according to the itinerary
  • Local English speaking guide and driver throughout the trip
  • Pre-departure information pack
  • German and Turkish language support (on call)
  • Hiking Little Adam's Peak, Tea Plantations
  • Dambulla Cave Temple
  • Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rocks
  • Sigiriya Village visit with lunch
  • Polonnaruwa Ancient City
  • Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex
  • Ella-Nuwara Eliya train ride
  • Minneriya NP half day safari
  • Airfares
  • Sri Lankan visa fee ($50 USD)
  • Medications, vaccinations, personal expenses
  • Travel/health insurance (recommended)
  • Meals other than specified
  • Tips for local guides
  • Optional activities and anything else not specified as included in the itinerary
  • Alcohol and soft drinks
  • All entrance fees other than specified (total ca. $130 USD)

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival - Transfer to Habarana

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

You'll be picked up from Colombo International Airport and transferred to your hotel in the so-called Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, Habarana, where your fantastic Sri Lankan adventure starts.

The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. For those who are in need of action, we can recommend Pidurangala Rock to enjoy the sunset and the best view of Sigiriya Rock. Our guide and driver will be at your service to help you arrange the sunset climb to Pidurangala (entrance fee ca. 3 USD).

  • Included meals: None
  • Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
  • Included activities: Airport pick-up and transfer to Habarana
Day 02 Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Local Village Visit

Today in the early morning, another famous landmark Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress is on agenda. We will leave by 5 am to be able to beat the crowds and heat, and hopefully enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the top.

The 5th century rock fortress, Lion Rock is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. To visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway, one need to climb 1200 stairs.

After admiring the King's exquisite taste, we will return to our accommodation for breakfast and have about 1-2 hours to rest before we set off to visit a local village at around 11 am. We will cook and enjoy a traditional lunch together.

The afternoon will be free at your leisure. If interested, we can arrange a half day safari in Minneriya National Park (ca. $65-75 USD pp), or visit Polonnaruwa Ancient City (entrance fee $30 USD), the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993.

  • Included meals: B, L
  • Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
  • Included activities: Local village visit, Sigiriya Rock Fortress (entrance fee extra ca. 35 USD)
Day 03 Dambulla Cave Temple to Kandy

After the breakfast, we will proceed to Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and Southeastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches to interior layout and decoration.

After the temple visit, we will continue to Kandy, where you will have time to explore the city and surroundings led by our professional guide.

  • Included meals: B
  • Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
  • Included activities: Dambulla Cave Temple (entrance fee ca. $7 USD), Kandy sightseeing
Day 04 Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Nuwara Eliya, also known as “little England”, which offers a classic English environment with its green valleys and Tea Fields on the slopes of the hills, small streams and climate. After taking enough photos, we will visit the tea field and factory to learn about tea picking and processing.

Along the way you will have the option to visit the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex and have lunch at a nearby village restaurant run by one of the most welcoming Sri Lankan family.

After checking in at your lovely hotel and freshening up, we will take a sunset tour around Gregory Lake.

  • Included meals: B
  • Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
  • Included activities: Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex (entrance fee ca. $10 USD), Tea Plantation visit
Day 05 Nuwara Eliya to Ella Train Ride

Today is the day for that famous train journey! If there is no delay, you will arrive in Ella after a 4-hour train ride.

We will not end the day without taking photos at the bridge known as the Nine Arches Bridge.

Ella is a small but touristic town. In the evening, you can either rest at our hotel with a wonderful view or explore the city with the guidance of your guide or on your own.

  • Included meals: B
  • Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
  • Included activities: Train ride, Nine Arches Bridge, Ella town tour
Day 06 Ella to Tangalle

After breakfast this morning, we will enjoy the stunning views of Ella on Little Adam's Peak Hike and later head to Tangalle, a quaint town on the Indian Ocean.

You now deserve a tropical vacation! You can have dinner at an oceanside restaurant to taste yummy seafood.

  • Included meals: B
  • Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
  • Included activities: Little Adam's Peak Hike
Day 07 Beach time - Departure or extension

Breakfast, then sea & sand & sun as long as you wish! The day is yours!

You can spend time in your hotel's pool and garden, go to the beach, and watch birds in the lagoon on a canoe, surf, dive and more.

Depending on your flight departure time, you will be transferred to Colombo today. En route, you can spend some time in Galle or have your last dinner in Colombo in style.

However if you can, why not to linger a few nights longer? Simply chat with us to discuss your options!

  • Included meals: B
  • Accommodation: None
  • Included activities: Airport transfer

Tour Essentials

In the following sections, you'll find the essential information for our Sri Lanka 7-Day Standard Tour:

Accommodation

The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of 3-4* good quality hotels and lovely establishments specially chosen for their location, uniqueness, value for money, or excellent facilities. All rooms have private ensuite bathroom, sometimes a shared pool is also available.

All rooms on all trips are shared with two people in each room. You'll have the option of a double bed or two single beds. Rooms may vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.

Please note that in Sri Lanka, one cannot expect the western standards in the places visited. Especially with respect to service, expect a lovely "laid back, unhurried" environment.

Meals

Breakfasts will be taken at the dining facilities of the accommodation. No further meals are included in the tour price. You'll have the freedom of trying out different restaurant options. Our guides will be happy to recommend good restaurants on the days when lunch or/and dinner are not included. 

Vegetarians can be catered for if you inform us upon booking. For other dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.), please contact us to discuss the best course of action for you.

Transport

We'll use a private vehicle with A/C depending on the group size. Our group size is limited to 20 guests on this trip. Safaris will be done by jeeps, and we will take public train between Ella and Nuwara Eliya.

Passports and Visas

Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka and have at least three blank pages, two facing each other.

Holders of ordinary passports issued by most nations, including EU nationalities, the US, the UK, Turkey, need a visa to enter Sri Lanka, which can be obtained on arrival ($50 USD), or online prior to travel.

Please consult the Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate in your country of origin for further information about visas. Should you have any questions, we will be happy to assist.

You must ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting.

Health/Vaccinations

Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace professional advice. We, at MAHO on Earth, cannot guarantee that the following information is complete, up-to-date, accurate, or error-free. 

As of the publishing date, there are no mandatory vaccinations to enter the country, and Sri Lanka was certified malaria-free by WHO in 2016.

We do highly recommend that you obtain professional travel health advice at your doctor or an institute of tropical medicine with respect to your individual needs and your intended travel, including advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and other medications based on your past vaccination history, your present medical condition, and your intended itinerary. 

Physical Level

To join this trip, you'll need to have a reasonable level of fitness. While not too strenuous, the tour involves somewhat long journeys, a fair amount of walking, early-morning wake-up calls, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, cold nights/mornings, and other similar scenarios. 

Special requests

This trip may not be suitable for people with special needs such as reduced mobility due to local conditions and activities. If in doubt, please contact us. 

Please do not send sensitive information (such as health, accident or other highly personal information) through our contact form. You may want to get in touch with us directly via phone instead.

Insurance

We do strongly recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as you make your deposit to ensure the most coverage. Your travel insurance policy should at least cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, activities you intend to do, and repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. We will reach out and collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details shortly before the departure date. Your trip price with us does not include any travel insurance. Travel insurance policies are generally speaking more economical when taken out locally in your country of origin.

Cash & Co

While your trip with us cover most of the expenses, things such as meals, entrance fees, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, visa fee, and tips are examples of a few additional costs that might arise during your trip. Any optional activity is mentioned clearly so that you don't have to worry about hidden costs.

In Sri Lanka, cash is the king. We recommend carrying some cash and budgeting around $20 – $50 USD/EUR per day for incidental expenses. Entrance fees for touristic places ranges from $3 USD to $65 USD and can increase without prior notice. Our guests spend on average a total of $200-350 USD per person during this trip.

Further details and recommendations on what to pack will be provided prior to departure.

The Experience with us

We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible. We take care of all the hassle of planning, and you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, not least because we support social projects and NGOs, and partner with the best local enterprises.

How to book your trip

To customize your dream trip, please use our inquiry form and provide as many details as you can! We will first ensure we understand your desires and customize the itinerary according to your wishes.

Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 0.(must be accompanied by an adult).

Should you need any support with your pre or post-tour travel arrangements, we are here to help.

Have a question?

Have we missed anything?

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to make your Sri Lanka dream a reality.

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Tour price
1.275,00
Enquiry Form
Deposit 30% per person
Total:

You can't book product in this time

  • 1. 23-12-2024 to 05-01-2025