Discover Sri Lanka's famous cultural triangle and visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the exquisite Dambulla cave temple and the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Add a scenic train journey through the verdant tea plantations and go in search of Sri Lanka’s abundant wildlife at Udawalawe National Park, all this and more in an exciting one week holiday.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Colombo - your way
Saturday. Welcome to Sri Lanka! Airport arrival transfer and remainder of the day at leisure. Our start hotel located on the seafront is a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.
Overnight: Colombo
Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Colombo - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. Bidding farewell to Colombo this morning we drive inland to Dambulla, stopping en route at a fruit and vegetable market in Naramwela Town. Dambulla Rock Temple is an incredible ancient complex of caves which date back to the 1st Century BC. The five caves contain over 150 images of Buddha including an impressive 14 metre carved statue.
After exploring this ancient site, we continue to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening we return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Dambulla | Breakfast
Sigiriya & Kandy
Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we explore Sigiriya and the famous ‘Lion Rock’ fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. You’ll be able to view the world famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens which stand in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
From Sigiriya we take a local hand tractor ride and short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here, at Kayanwala Village we take part in a cookery demonstration in a mud brick home of a local woman and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of curry, dahl, spiced rice, pickle and more. En route to Kandy we stop off a spice garden in Matale, to see the different herbs and spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Overnight: Kandy | Breakfast, Lunch
Kandy Temple of the Tooth
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Kandy - the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Our first stop will be the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that one of Buddha's teeth was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was then smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313AD. It now attracts daily pilgrims who come bearing lotus flowers and frangipani. After driving around Kandy Lake - built by the last Sinhala king, we visit the local bazaar and a gem museum, we then enjoy a Tuk Tuk ride up into the surrounding hills.
Overnight: Kandy | Breakfast
Scenic train trip & tea plantations
Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morning offers free time before transferring to the railway station for our scenic train trip. Passing kilometre upon kilometre of verdant tea plantations that hug the winding mountain passes, we'll see waterfalls, suspension bridges and tea pickers on our journey up to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea.
This afternoon we take a beautiful drive through Nuwara Eliya - an area known locally as 'Little England'.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya | Breakfast
Udawalawe National Park jeep safari
Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. This national park is probably one of the best places to spot the famous Sri Lankan Elephant, the biggest of all the Asian Elephants. It is thought that there are around 400 elephants here. The park is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan sloth bear and varies types of deer. We take an afternoon game drive here before returning to our hotel for the night.
Overnight: Udawalawe National Park | Breakfast
Colombo city tour
Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. This morning we visit the Gem Mine and Museum at Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gems in the world.
Arrival Colombo and commence a city tour, seeing the Fort area in the north of the city famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. We'll see the stunning Gangarama Temple and take a stroll along Galle Face Green, a popular spot for kite flying and games of cricket.
Overnight: Colombo | Breakfast
Goodbye Sri Lanka
Saturday. Today offers free time for you to independently explore the city, before your included departure transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Buddha & Beach
Extend your stay at the beach! If you want to extend your holiday and enjoy some rest and relaxation on Sri Lanka's beautiful coast, take a look at our 12 day Buddha and Beach itinerary.
For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, take a look through our travel guide.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. '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. Room sharing is not available on this tour.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Radisson Hotel Colombo, Colombo
The Radisson Hotel Colombo (formerly OZO Colombo) is a modern and stylish hotel, with sweeping Indian Ocean views from its rooftop infinity pool and many of its rooms. There's free WIFI access throughout the hotel and the guestrooms are bright and airy with all modern amenities. To top it off, there's also a fantastic fitness centre and a restaurant serving delicious, authentic Sri Lankan cusine. The hotel is centrally located on Marine Drive, near Galle Road and just a 10 minute drive from the city centre.
Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo
Voted one of the best 5 star hotels in Colombo, the Cinnamon Lakeside is the perfect urban getawary with elegant and spacious rooms and excellent facilities. All guestrooms have a spectacular view of either the city's skyline or the tranquil waters of the Beira Lake and feature a pillow menu for the ultimate night's sleep and WiFi. The Azmaara Spa offers a tantalizing range of treatments administered by Balinese therapists. The resort also houses ten different restaurants, considered the best in Colombo, including the specialty lounge bar, 7 Degrees North.
Jetwing Lake, Dambulla
The Jetwing Lake hotel is a brand new property with spacious and comfortable rooms that enjoy a contemporary design blended with splashes of Eastern influenced decor. The ensuite facilities are magnificent and in keeping with the luxurious feel of the property as a whole. Each room also comes with a balcony, from which guests can get some fresh air and enjoy the spectacular views. Within the complex there is a pool, spa and fitness centre, where guests can while away their free time. There is also a restaurant, which serves sumptuous meals.
Radisson Hotel Kandy, Kandy
The stylish Radisson Hotel Kandy (formerly OZO Kandy), prides itself on its smart facilities and stunning mountain surrounds. Its highlight being the rooftop pool where you can soak up panoramic views over Kandy whilst enjoying a cocktail or two. The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant serves a tasty array of Asian and international cuisine using only fresh and handpicked produce. Other amenities include a fitness centre and complimentary WiFi, with guestrooms boasting signature soft beds and rain showers.
Jetwing St Andrew's, Nuwara Eliya
Jetwing St. Andrew's is a unique colonial retreat set in a former country house and surrounded by landscaped gardens. All the spacious rooms are classically furnished with elegant wood and offer free WiFi and flat-screen TVs. The grounds of the hotel give a great feel of colonial splendour and guests can wake up to a typical English breakfast and enjoy a stiff brandy at the bar later in the day. Fine dining is offered at the Old Course Restaurant and the hotel also boasts an antique snooker table, which is the oldest in Sri Lanka.
Araliya Green Hills, Nuwara Eliya
Recently opened, the Araliya Green Hills is a modern property with beautiful mountain views. Rooms are spacious and well appointed with slightly garish carpets. Sumptuous buffets are served in the restaurant - look out for the hoppers - perfect to have your eggs in! Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and there is even a pool table for you to challenge your friends on. Perfectly located close to the centre of Nuwara Eliyah.
Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort, Udawalawe National Park
Situated on 7 acres of land, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort is the only hotel of its class in the area. Rooms are spacious with beautiful hard wood flooring and artwork depicting the wildlife of Udawalawe. Food here is delicious and plentiful with an extensive breakfast menu. The outdoor pool is a great place to relax by and enjoy a refreshing splash in after a good day on safari. Well located just a few minutes drive from Udawalawe National Park.
Impressive tour ... covered the heart of Sri Lanka
Guide was excellent at start of tour but started slacking and changing itinerary fof the last 2 days .... also left abruptly and did not answer his phone on last day of tour ... ”
Overall this was a good tour that delivered what it promised.
The guide was good & adapted the planned program to take account of unscheduled national holiday caused by the general election.
We went to Galle - this should really be on the standard tour as it's such a lovely place to go by the sea, especially if they are playing cricket!
You should consider using the train more for transport as it's cheap, comfy with spectacular views.”
Exceptional. Loved the entire experience and Manoj the guide”
The tour was wonderful. The sights were great.
The tour guide was good but could have been better. He could have used the traveling time to explain the areas we were passing. He should also have explained each day the itinerary. He should have allocated time for each activity so that people did not have to wait around for fellow travelers to get done. Money was given for tips but as far as I know only 2 people were given tips from yhe kitty ”
The tour was well organised and the accommodation was of a high standard. The guide and driver did a good job. ”
The tour was well organised and the accommodation was of a high standard. The guide and driver did a good job. ”
I had a great time on this trip. The accommodation was excellent, with the itinerary varied and interesting. The bus was excellent, as was the driving. The drive to the national park was very windy though so pack travel sickness tablets if you suffer!”
A very good tour with a great group of people from UK, Aus, NZ and S Africa. A few long journeys but these were broken up by our guide’s explanations of the culture, heritage, wild life and the geography of Sri Lanka. Our guide looked after us all well and had excellent communication. We knew what the timings were and what sights we would be seeing. He ensured an ill guest got medical treatment. He was discrete, professional and kind. Our guide also had a great sense of humour too and understood his country well. Manoj was a great ambassador for On The Go Tours. We loved Sri Lanka especially the food and visiting a village to share lunch. Seeing elephants in the wild and climbing Sigiriya Rock were also highlights.”
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Our guide, Thalal, made it a great experience. His knowledge, humour and flexiibility made us feel special and more like friends than just clients.”
I found that the tour had a good variation of sites and experiences. I was happy that the group was not too large and had people from different countries.
Akthar was a fantastic tour guide with a huge amount of knowledge and has a talent of knowing what people need.
On the Go Tours also organised some private tours for us which was very helpful and Clem was also very good tour guide and knowledgeable. ”
At a Glance
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Impressive tour ... covered the heart of Sri Lanka
Guide was excellent at start of tour but started slacking and changing itinerary fof the last 2 days .... also left abruptly and did not answer his phone on last day of tour ... ”
