Sri Lanka · UNESCO Heritage Sites

7-Day Sri Lanka Classic Tour with Sigiriya, Kandy and Tea Country

7 Days Round trip from AIRPORT TO HABARANA Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore ancient wonders at Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, and Polonnaruwa
02 Experience Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, cultural show, and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
03 Discover wildlife and nature at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Nuwara Eliya tea plantations
04 Enjoy city tours of Colombo and Negombo with optional rafting and Ayurvedic treatments

Explore Sri Lanka's cultural, natural, and heritage highlights on this 7-day private tour. Visit ancient landmarks such as Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, and Polonnaruwa, discover Kandy's cultural treasures and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, and see elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Continue through the scenic tea country of Nuwara Eliya before ending with city tours of Colombo and Negombo. Optional safaris, rafting, and Ayurvedic treatments allow you to personalise the journey.

Marvel at the 200-meter rock fortress with its buildings, pathways, trees, and water gardens built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD).

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Negombo, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Pinnawala, Minneriya National Park, Habarana, Kitulgala

Languages English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Tamil

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Colombo and Transfer to Habarana

Upon arrival in Colombo, you will be warmly greeted by your chauffeur-guide and transferred to Habarana, a city known for its lush forests, waterways, and abundant wildlife.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel and its wellness centre, enjoy a forest safari to observe herds of elephants, or opt for a village tour with a tropical lunch.

Dinner and overnight stay in Habarana.

Day 02

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Polonnaruwa

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Sigiriya, known as the best-preserved royal city centre in Asia. Marvel at the 200-meter rock fortress with its buildings, pathways, trees, and water gardens built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD).
After a tropical local lunch, explore Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka on the banks of Parakrama Samudra. Discover ancient royal palaces and monuments preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Optional: Enjoy a safari at Minneriya to witness wild elephants.

Dinner and overnight stay in Habarana.

Day 03

Dambulla Cave Temple and Kandy

After breakfast, travel to Dambulla, famous for its golden rock temple perched on a cliff. Explore the five sanctuaries carved into the rock with intricate cave temples.
En route to Kandy, visit a spice garden to discover a variety of aromatic spices and local herbs.
Upon arrival in Kandy, enjoy a city tour with shopping, visit a batik and semi-precious stone factory, and explore the Temple of the Tooth.
Experience a cultural show in the evening before returning to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

Day 04

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Pinnawala

After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Peradeniya, home to the famous botanical gardens with spices, trees, and plants used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Explore the orchid house featuring over 300 varieties of orchids.
Travel to Pinnawala to visit the elephant orphanage and observe these magnificent creatures up close.
After lunch, return to Kandy for shopping with a visit to a batik and semi-precious stone factory.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

Day 05

Tea Country in Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, travel to Nuwara Eliya, also known as "Little England," renowned for its scenic hills and charming landscapes.
Take a stroll among tea plantations and enjoy the fresh aroma of tea bushes.
Visit Ramboda Falls and a local tea factory before lunch.
Spend the afternoon exploring more of Nuwara Eliya's attractions and natural beauty.

Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 06

Kitulgala, Colombo, and Negombo

After breakfast, travel towards Colombo, stopping en route at Kitulgala, famous for white water rafting (optional).
Arrive in Colombo and enjoy a city tour, including Pettah Bazaar and the Fort area, highlighting the city's colonial history.
Continue to Negombo, a vibrant fishing village, where you can explore the town and enjoy a fresh seafood meal.

Dinner and overnight stay in Negombo.

Day 07

Departure Transfer

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Nuwara Eliya tea plantations

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from AIRPORT TO HABARANA 11 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Meet and greet service, luggage assistance, and hotel transfer
Shared double room accommodation for the duration of the tour
Meal plan on a half-board basis from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day
Transport in an air-conditioned car with an English-speaking chauffeur-guide
Welcome drinks in all hotels
A bottle of mineral water per person per day
Service charges at hotels and applicable government taxes
Departure and check-out assistance at the airport
Food and lodging for the driver
Petrol, tolls, and parking for the vehicle
Vehicle insurance coverage up to LKR 500,000 per person
24/7 customer care service
Airport taxes
All government taxes
Local SIM card to communicate with the guide
Relax Lanka's Complimentary Extras (Value Plus)
Complimentary cultural show entrance tickets
One local SIM card (data/voice) loaded with USD 3

What's Not Included

Air fare
Lunch, beverages, and any other meals not mentioned in the program
Tips to guides and drivers
Visa fees
Optional visits or extensions not mentioned in the tour program
Entrance or excursion fees to the places included in the itinerary
Any extras such as tips or personal expenses, including Ayurveda spa treatments
Services not indicated in the program
Online payment fees

What to bring

Essential Clothing - Modest attire: clothes covering shoulders and knees for religious sites.
Lightweight layers: breathable fabrics for tropical heat.
Warm layers: a sweater or light jacket for the cooler Nuwara Eliya/Ella regions.
Swimwear: for beaches and hotel pools.
Footwear: comfortable sandals or hiking shoes, and flip-flops.
Health & Safety Items - Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Mosquito repellent: crucial for evenings and forested areas.
First-aid kit: a basic kit including anti-diarrhea medication, antiseptic wipes, and personal prescriptions.
Hand sanitizer & wet wipes: highly useful.
Electronics & Useful Gear - Universal travel adapter: Sri Lanka uses sockets D, G, and M (this will be provided free of charge by all hotels).
Power bank: vital for long train rides or safaris.
Small backpack: for daily outings.
Optional/Useful Extras - Reusable water bottle: to reduce plastic waste. (Bottled water will be provided free of charge.)
Unlocked smartphone: to insert a local SIM card (e.g., Dialog/Mobitel) at the airport for data; this will be provided free of charge by us.
What to Leave Behind - Heavy clothing (unless visiting the hills).
Too many pairs of shoes.
Large hairdryers (most hotels provide them).

Know before you go

Programme Schedule - The presented itinerary is a suggested schedule and can be customised according to your preferences.
Trips can be adapted to your budget and requirements; contact us for a personalised estimate.
Share the confirmed program with all travel partners to minimise errors during the tour.
International Flights - International flights to and from Colombo are not included.
Train Tickets - Bookings for train tickets to Nanu Oya and Ella are subject to availability.
Travel Insurance - Travel insurance is not included; obtaining coverage is recommended via Allianz Insurance or other providers.
Public Liability Insurance - Allianz Insurance covers activities including rafting, hot air ballooning, trekking, zip lining, whale watching, safari, biking, hiking, fishing, boating, water sports, and camping.
Obtaining visas for Sri Lanka is the responsibility of each traveller.
Important Information - Standard check-in time: 14:00 Hrs; check-out time: 12:00 Hrs.
Hotel availability is subject to confirmation based on tour and travel dates.

Logistics