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Classic Sri Lanka

9 days

PRIVATE TOUR: Exotic Sri Lanka, ancient cities steeped in history, elephants, tea plantations, lush countryside, bustling bazaars and wildlife, Sri Lanka has all this and more. Enjoy a wonderful 9 day holiday taking in the highlights of this enchanting island.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Free cancellation
Free amends
Available on all departures booked at least 40 days in advance. Cancel or change your booking for FREE for up to 7 days after booking

Tour Overview

Duration

9 days

Starts

Colombo

Ends

Colombo

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for all included sightseeing

Group Size

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Any day of the year

Hotel Rating

4-5 star & heritage hotels

Countries

Sri Lanka

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 8, Dinner: 1
1
of 3 pages
Per Person From
R 36,495.00
Deposit From
Final payment
R 19,998.00
R 52,992.00

Tour Highlights

Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon
Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens
Dambulla - Marvel at the magnificent rock cave temple
Kandy - Take in the highlights of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth, enjoy a tuk tuk ride and watch a cultural performance
Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale
Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants
Nuwara Eliya - Spend time in this highland community, referred to as 'Little England', surrounded by Central Sri Lanka's picturesque tea country hills
Ratnapura - Visit the heart of the nation's gem mining industry
Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

Included

Breakfast daily and 1 dinner
8 nights 4-5 star hotels and heritage properties
Touring - Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigariya, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Udawalawe NP
Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National park
Escorted by a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide
An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 9
All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles
Specialist local guides at some sites
Entrance fees to all included sites

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

Itinerary

Day 1 - Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! You'll be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to hotel. Tonight, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Colombo
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Sightseeing in Colombo

Today, your guide will take you on a driving tour around colourful Colombo, Sri Lanka's frenetic capital. Just off the north end of Galle Road, the main north-south artery of the city is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings and interesting shops. Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel. Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district – a colourful retail experience. Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city. You will drive through these districts on your tour of the city and visit Gangarama Temple and Independence Square.

Overnight: Colombo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Dambulla and Polonnaruwa

Colombo - Dambulla. We drive to Dambulla Rock Temple today, Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

This afternoon, after checking into our hotel in Dambulla, we visit UNESCO Listed Polonnaruwa – an incredible 11th century city. Here, we explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts three enormous and revered Buddha figures.

Overnight: Dambulla
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Sigiriya and Kandy

Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning, we drive to Sigiriya and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Discover the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. After exploring the sights of Sigiriya, stop is made at the Spice Garden in Matale, en route to Kandy.

Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Kandy sightseeing

Today we take a leisurely walk through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden once reserved for the sole use of the Kandyan elite. Back in the scenic lakeside town of Kandy, we embark upon a sightseeing tour, visiting the bazaar, the arts and crafts centre and a gem workshop. There will also be a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, dedicated to all things tea-related and housed in an attractive old building. Later, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then a cultural show, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing in the evening.

Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Nuwara Eliya tea plantations

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. En route to Nuwara Eliya, a scenic hillside town with a distinctly English flavour. Here we visit a tea plantation and enjoy a tasty cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. In Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort, we take an evening sightseeing tour, including the Hakgala Gardens.

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Udawalawe National Park

Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. This morning, we drive to and check into our hotel in Undawalawe, before going wild on a jeep safari in Sri Lanka's most popular national park! Udawalawe National Park is home to large herds of elephants and deer species such as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal.

Overnight: Udawalawe National Park
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Ratnapura

Udawalawe - Ratnapura - Colombo. En route back to Colombo today, we stop off in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka’s gem capital. Here, we learn about the islands precious stones, visit gem mines, a museum and a lapidary.

Overnight: Colombo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Colombo

Out tour ends after breakfast today. Included onward transfer to airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.

Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel. Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 our more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
10 Dec - 18 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
11 Dec - 19 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
12 Dec - 20 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
13 Dec - 21 Dec
R 38,285
R 49,675
14 Dec - 22 Dec
R 38,285
R 49,675
15 Dec - 23 Dec
R 38,285
R 49,675
16 Dec - 24 Dec
R 38,285
R 49,675
17 Dec - 25 Dec
R 38,285
R 49,675
2025
Twin/Double
Single
1 Jan - 9 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
2 Jan - 10 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
3 Jan - 11 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
4 Jan - 12 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
5 Jan - 13 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
6 Jan - 14 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
7 Jan - 15 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125
8 Jan - 16 Jan
R 43,315
R 55,125

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