Hills and a Yala SafariSri Lanka in 4 nights

Kandy and the tea country, then down to the dry south-east for an afternoon jeep safari in Yala, home of the leopard, before driving back to Colombo on the expressway.

Day 1

Arrive in Colombo, drive to Kandy

About 115 km · 3.5 hours

Your chauffeur guide meets you at Colombo airport. On the way up to Kandy, stop at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage and a spice garden. In Kandy, visit the Temple of the Tooth, home to the island's most sacred Buddhist relic. The Kandyan dance show is an easy evening add-on.

Dinner Overnight: Kandy

Day 2

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

About 75 km · 3 hours

Climb into the tea country: the Sri Bhaktha Hanuman temple and Ramboda Falls, a tea factory with a tasting, and the Seetha Amman temple, linked by legend to Sita's captivity. End with a walk around Nuwara Eliya, its old post office, Victoria Park and Lake Gregory.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 3

Nuwara Eliya to Yala, with a safari

About 180 km · 5 hours

Drive down through Ella's hills to the dry south-east. In the afternoon, a jeep safari in Yala National Park, which has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, along with elephants, crocodiles and over 200 kinds of bird (jeep and park fees extra).

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Yala

Day 4

Yala to Colombo

About 270 km · 4.5 hours by expressway

Drive back to Colombo by the southern expressway for a city tour: the Fort, the Pettah bazaar, Independence Square and Cinnamon Gardens, with the evening for shopping and Galle Face Green.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Colombo

Day 5

Leave from Colombo

Hotel to airport · about 1 hour

After breakfast, a transfer to Colombo airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose your hotel. The route and sightseeing are the same with every hotel.

Hotels are from the list shown or similar, subject to availability, in the first room category, on half board (breakfast and dinner).

Package cost

Price per person in US dollars on twin sharing, by the number of guests travelling together. Land only; GST 5% and TCS extra.

A private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking chauffeur guide for the whole trip.

Rates in US dollars per person on twin sharing, for travel from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, except the peak dates in Good to know. GST 5% and TCS extra as per Government of India rules. Payable in INR at the prevailing exchange rate.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Prices are per person in US dollars on twin sharing, land only, and are payable in rupees at the day's exchange rate. Valid for travel from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
• Prices depend on how many of you travel together, because the car and guide are yours alone: groups of three or more pay less each.
• From 15 December 2026 to 15 January 2027 a peak supplement applies: USD 30 per person with 3-star hotels, USD 40 with 4-star and USD 50 with 5-star. Hotels also charge compulsory Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners.
• Entry fees are not included; we add them to your quote at the lower rates for Indian passport holders.
• Yala safaris run in open jeeps for about three hours; the jeep and park fees (about USD 65 per person) are added to your quote. Yala usually closes for part of September and October.
• Children under 4 sharing their parents' bed stay free; children aged 4 to 11 have lower rates, quoted on request.
• At temples, cover shoulders and knees and take off shoes and hats; never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.
• Alcohol is not sold on Poya (full-moon) days, including in hotels.
• Apply for your Sri Lanka ETA online before you travel; we confirm the current rules for Indian passports when you book.

When to go

December to April. The west and south coasts, Kandy and the hills are driest from December to April, which is also whale season off Mirissa. The east coast is best from May to September.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday