Sri Lanka 7-Night Classic Itinerary

Day-by-day programme

Reference itinerary — exact programme adapted per brief. Hotels and routing confirmed on booking.

• 1

  Arrival → Cultural Triangle

  Meet and assist at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo). Private transfer to Dambulla or Sigiriya area hotel — approximately 3.5–4 hours, passing through Sri Lanka's lush interior. Evening at leisure. Overnight: Dambulla/Sigiriya area.

  Meals: Dinner (hotel)
• 2

  Sigiriya Rock Fortress + Dambulla Cave Temple

  Morning climb of Sigiriya — the 5th century rock fortress rising 200m above the surrounding plain. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Late morning visit to Dambulla Cave Temple, with five cave shrines and over 150 Buddha statues dating to the 1st century BC. Afternoon at leisure or optional village cycle tour. Overnight: Dambulla/Sigiriya area.

  Meals: Breakfast
• 3

  Polonnaruwa Ancient City → Kandy

  Morning visit to Polonnaruwa — the 11th–13th century capital of Sri Lanka, with remarkably preserved ruins including the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara rock temple and the Lotus Bath. Transfer to Kandy (approximately 2.5 hours via Matale spice garden stop). Evening: Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Optional Kandyan cultural show and fire-walking ceremony in the evening. Overnight: Kandy.

  Meals: Breakfast
• 4

  Kandy — Temple of the Tooth + Scenic Train

  Morning visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) — the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka, housing a relic of the Buddha. Afternoon: board the scenic train from Kandy towards Ella — one of the most celebrated train journeys in Asia, through tea country and cloud forest. Disembark at Nanuoya or continue to Ella. Overnight: Nuwara Eliya or Ella area.

  Meals: Breakfast
• 5

  Hill Country — Tea Estates + Ella

  Morning visit to a working tea estate and factory — see the full production process from plucked leaf to finished tea, with tasting. If staying in Nuwara Eliya, optional transfer to Ella for Nine Arch Bridge viewing and Little Adam's Peak hike (easy, 2 hours, panoramic views). If already in Ella, morning hike to Nine Arch Bridge or Ella Rock. Transfer to south coast in the afternoon. Overnight: Mirissa, Unawatuna or Tangalle.

  Meals: Breakfast
• 6

  South Coast — Galle Fort + Beach

  Morning visit to Galle Fort — a UNESCO-listed 17th century Dutch colonial fort with rampart walks, churches, mosques and a lighthouse. Explore the fort's interior: boutiques, cafés and the Dutch Reformed Church. Afternoon: free time at the beach. Optional whale watching at Mirissa (November to April — confirm season at time of booking). Overnight: south coast.

  Meals: Breakfast
• 7

  Beach Day + Departure Transfer

  Morning at leisure — beach, swimming or optional surfing lesson (Mirissa/Weligama). Late morning or early afternoon transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike Airport for departure flight. Transfer time approximately 2.5–3 hours from Mirissa area. Airport drop-off and departure assistance included.

  Meals: Breakfast

Indicative net pricing

Per person twin share, ground only. Excludes international flights. Prices are indicative — final net rate provided in quotation.

What's included

• 6 nights accommodation in selected category (twin/double share)
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• Dinner on Day 1 at hotel
• All ground transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• English-speaking guide throughout (Days 1–6)
• Entrance fees: Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Temple of the Tooth, Peradeniya
• Kandy to Ella scenic train (2nd class reserved seats; 1st class upgradeable)
• Tea estate factory visit and tasting
• Airport meet and assist (arrival and departure)

What's excluded

• International flights
• Visa fees (ETA available online for most nationalities)
• Travel insurance
• Lunches and dinners (except Day 1 dinner)
• Optional activities: whale watching, cooking class, surfing lesson
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenditure