06 Nights / 07 Days Sri Lanka Delights
Description and Tour Highlights
Tour Description
- This 7-day Sri Lanka tour offers the perfect mix of culture, nature, and relaxation. Start with the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the world-famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, followed by the historic Dambulla Cave Temple. In Kandy, enjoy a cultural show and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic before heading to Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England,” with its tea plantations, waterfalls, and cool climate. Continue to Bentota for river safaris, turtle conservation, and beach leisure, with optional water sports and white-water rafting in Kitulgala. End the journey in Colombo, exploring colonial landmarks, temples, and modern shopping hubs. This tour blends ancient heritage, scenic hill country, wildlife, and coastal beauty into one unforgettable experience of Sri Lanka.
Day 01 : Arrival – Pinnawala - Kandy
- On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be greeted by our airport representative and introduced to your chauffeur/guide before beginning the journey.
- En route, stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975 to care for abandoned and injured elephants. Today, it is home to over 65 elephants, including calves brought from different regions and 14 born through the orphanage’s successful breeding program. The most memorable times to visit are during feeding and bathing, when the herd is led to the nearby river.
- Continue to Sigiriya and check in at the hotel. In the evening, climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. Known as the “Fortress in the Sky” and also referred to as Lion Rock for the massive lion figure that once guarded its entrance, the citadel rises dramatically 500 feet above the surrounding plains. At the summit lie the ruins of a royal palace with gardens and even a swimming pool. Along the climb, you’ll find the famous frescoes—delicate life-sized maidens painted in vivid colors, considered the only surviving examples of ancient Sinhala secular art.
Day 02 : Sigiriya- Dambulla -Kandy
- After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.
- Dambulla is renowned for its remarkable complex of five cave temples carved into a massive rock. The first three caves are the largest, oldest, and most impressive, dating back to the 1st century B.C. The walls and ceilings of all five caves are richly adorned with intricate Buddhist murals, while inside are over 130 statues of the Buddha, along with figures of kings and deities.
- Continue the journey to Kandy, with a stop at a Spice Garden along the way to discover Sri Lanka’s traditional spices and Ayurvedic herbal plants.
- In the evening, enjoy a vibrant Sri Lankan Cultural Dance Show, showcasing traditional music, drumming, and Kandyan dance.
- Later, visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa), one of the most revered Buddhist sites in the world. Kandy, once the final kingdom of the Sinhala kings before falling to the British in 1815, remains the cultural and spiritual heart of Sri Lanka. Its monasteries and shrines continue to uphold centuries-old Buddhist traditions, while the Temple of the Tooth Relic stands as the city’s most sacred treasure.
- Overnight stay at Oak Ray Regency, Kandy.
Day 03 : Kandy – Nuwaraeliya
- After breakfast, embark on a Kandy city tour, which includes Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, a Gem Lapidary, and a Batik Factory.
- Thereafter, depart for Nuwara Eliya.
- En route, visit the Hanuman Temple and the picturesque Ramboda Waterfalls. Continue to a Tea Plantation and Factory where you can learn about the island’s world-famous Ceylon Tea and enjoy a freshly brewed cup.
- Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with plants brought from China, followed by varieties from Assam in 1839. In 1867, James Taylor, a Scottish planter, cultivated tea seedlings on 8 hectares at the Loolcondura Estate, laying the foundation for Sri Lanka’s tea industry. The first export took place in 1873, with just 23 lbs shipped to London. Today, tea plantations flourish across rolling hills and are categorized by elevation as low-grown, medium-grown, and high-grown. By 1996, Sri Lanka produced 258 million kgs of tea, exporting 244 million kgs and earning Rs. 34,068 million.
- Proceed to Nuwara Eliya and take in the breathtaking scenery of this hill station.
- Often called the “Little England” of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by misty mountains, lush valleys, gushing waterfalls, and endless tea plantations. The climate, cool and refreshing, resembles an English spring, though evenings can get chilly. The town’s Victoria Park, in its center, offers a peaceful setting for a stroll or picnic. Unlike much of the island, Nuwara Eliya experiences seasonal changes, marked by blooming flowers in spring (March–May) and autumn (August–September). During these times, people from the lowlands flock here to escape the coastal heat and humidity.
- Overnight stay at Summer Hill Breeze Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.
Day 04 : Nuwaraeliya - Bentota
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Bentota via Kitulgala.
- Along the way, visit the scenic St. Clare’s Waterfall and Devon Waterfall. Optional: For adventure seekers, experience White Water Rafting in Kitulgala, a thrilling activity set amidst lush greenery and rushing rivers.
- By afternoon, arrive in Bentota, check in to the hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
- Bentota – Located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Bentota is well known for its golden beaches, river landscapes, and birdlife. Along the shores, you can spot sea birds and waders, including the rare Indian Heron, while the lush riverbanks are home to many local and migratory species. From Bentota, several interesting excursions are possible, including visits to a Turtle Hatchery, Mask Factory, Galle Fort, Brief Garden, or enjoying a boat safari on the Bentota River.
- Overnight stay at Hotel Serandib, Bentota.
Day 05 : Bentota
- After breakfast, set out on a Madu River Boat Safari, one of the highlights of Bentota. The river is home to 54 islands, the highest number of islands found in any river in Sri Lanka. Rich in biodiversity, Madu River provides habitat for fish, monkeys, water monitors, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. The lush mangroves add to its beauty, and drifting through natural mangrove tunnels by boat is a truly unique experience. Along the way, visit a Buddhist Temple, stop at Cinnamon Island, and even try a relaxing fish therapy treatment, adding excitement to the journey.
- Later, visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, dedicated to the conservation of endangered sea turtles, particularly the hawksbill turtle. The greatest threat to these creatures lies in their unprotected eggs, often left exposed on beaches. Thanks to the efforts of local fishermen, who donate eggs to the hatchery, over 100,000 baby turtles have been successfully hatched and released into the sea within just two years of its establishment. The project itself was made possible by the endowment of the Hasselblad Estate.
- In the evening, enjoy leisure time at the hotel or choose from a variety of water sports on the Bentota River.
- Overnight stay at Hotel Serandib, Bentota.
Day 07: Bentota - Colombo
- After breakfast, depart for Colombo and begin a city tour followed by shopping.
- A drive through the capital will take you past Fort and Pettah, Colombo’s bustling commercial districts, and through the tree-lined streets of Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 07). The prime residential areas of Colombo (Colombo 3, 4, 5, and 8) also showcase the city’s charm.
- Sightseeing highlights include Sea Street’s Hindu Temple surrounded by goldsmith shops, the historic Dutch Church at Wolfendaal (dating back to 1749), the Davatagaha Mosque, Independence Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), the replica of the Avukana Buddha, and Independence Square.
- Colombo is also a shopper’s paradise. Visit the Mlesna Tea Boutique, cashew nut shops, and browse for ready-made garments at Majestic City and Liberty Plaza. For fine ceramics, stop by the Lanka Ceramics Center, where you can find “Noritake” sets and other items. You will also have time to explore ODEL at Lipton Circus, The Arena at Darley Road, Independence Arcade, and Colombo City Center, all popular for branded goods and lifestyle shopping.
- Overnight stay at Radisson Hotel, Colombo.
Day 07: Colombo-Airport
- After breakfast leave Colombo to connect with the departure flight
06 Nights / 07 Days |
What’s Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private spacious vehicle with air-conditioning and comfortable seating
- Accommodation at the mentioned hotels or similar star-class hotels (subject to availability at the time of booking)
- Services of an experienced English-speaking chauffeur/guide
- Accommodation for the driver/guide
- Expressway tolls
- Parking fees
Non Included
- International or domestic air travel tickets & travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Entrance tickets to attractions and activities mentioned under excursions/activities
- Personal expenses such as tips -shopping-beverages-etc.
- Any other services not specified in the inclusions
Destinations and Schedule
Pinnawala - Kandy
Sigiriya- Dambulla -Kandy
Kandy – Nuwaraeliya
Nuwaraeliya - Bentota
Bentota
Bentota - Colombo