Sri Lanka Grand TourSri Lanka in 8 nights

Eight unhurried nights: Sigiriya and the Dambulla caves, Kandy, two nights in the tea hills with the Ramayana temples, two on the beach at Bentota, and Colombo.

Day 1

Arrive in Colombo, drive to Dambulla

About 150 km · 4 hours

Your chauffeur guide meets you at Colombo airport. Stop at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage on the way north, then visit the Dambulla cave temple, five caves of painted ceilings and Buddha statues above the plains.

Dinner Overnight: Dambulla

Day 2

Sigiriya Rock

Climb Sigiriya, the 5th-century rock fortress of King Kasyapa, nearly 200 metres high: past the water gardens, the painted maidens on the rock face and the lion's paws to the palace ruins on top. Go early, before the heat.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Dambulla

Day 3

Dambulla to Kandy

About 75 km · 2 hours

Drive south to Kandy, stopping at a spice garden to see cinnamon, pepper and cardamom growing. In Kandy, visit the Temple of the Tooth by the lake. The Kandyan dance show is an easy evening add-on.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Kandy

Day 4

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

About 75 km · 3 hours

Climb into the tea country, stopping at the Sri Bhaktha Hanuman temple and Ramboda Falls, then a tea factory to see how the leaf is withered, rolled and dried, with a tasting at the end.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 5

Nuwara Eliya and Seetha Eliya

Visit the Seetha Amman temple at Seetha Eliya, beside the stream where Sita is said to have bathed. Then explore Nuwara Eliya, the old British hill station: the red-brick post office, Victoria Park and a walk by Lake Gregory.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 6

Nuwara Eliya to Bentota

About 230 km · 5.5 hours

Wind down from the hills through tea estates to the south-west coast at Bentota. The rest of the day is free on the beach.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Bentota

Day 7

Turtles and the Madu river

Visit the Kosgoda turtle hatchery, which protects eggs and releases hatchlings to the sea, then a boat safari on the Madu river past mangrove islets, a cinnamon island and an old island temple. Back to the beach for the afternoon.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Bentota

Day 8

Bentota to Colombo

About 65 km · 1.5 hours

Drive up the coast to Colombo for a city tour: the Fort, the Pettah bazaar, the Wolvendaal Dutch church, Independence Square and Cinnamon Gardens. In the evening, shop at Odel or the Colombo City Centre and walk on Galle Face Green.

Breakfast and dinner Overnight: Colombo

Day 9

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 60 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.
• 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