Sri Lanka · Religious & Spiritual

12-Day Sri Lanka Temples and Beaches Tour with Arugam Bay

12 Days Round trip from Negombo Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, one of Sri Lanka's most revered sacred sites
02 Climb the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress and see the famed "Heavenly Maidens" frescoes
03 Discover the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple, dating back to the 1st century BC
04 Enjoy water sports and beach time in Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka's southeast coast

Unwind on Sri Lanka's sunlit beaches and smooth sands while discovering some of the island's most iconic cultural and heritage sites. This 12-day tour takes you from Negombo and Kandy to Dambulla, Sigiriya, Arugam Bay, Trincomalee, and Colombo, combining sacred temples, ancient monuments, and coastal relaxation. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, explore the Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and enjoy time by the sea at Arugam Bay and Trincomalee. The journey also includes local markets, cultural experiences, and city sightseeing in Colombo.

Unwind on Sri Lanka's sunlit beaches and smooth sands while discovering some of the island's most iconic cultural and heritage sites.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Negombo, Sigiriya

Languages English, French, Russian, Tamil, Thai

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival and Transfer to Negombo

On arrival, be welcomed by our tour representative and transfer to Negombo.
On your way to Negombo, observe the lifestyle of the Sri Lankan people. It may be a short distance, but you will learn a lot from it.
Once you reach the hotel, head to the beach and enjoy some fresh air.
Relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight stay at Negombo.

Day 02

Leisure Day in Negombo

After a delicious breakfast, enjoy your time in Negombo. The fine sandy beaches of Negombo remain relatively unexplored and less crowded, as most tourists use the town only for the first or last night of their stay in Sri Lanka. The beach stretches are well maintained by the hotels, while some areas are always busy with fishermen and their equipment. Water sports equipment for activities such as diving and windsurfing is available at most hotels and from private vendors.

Overnight stay at Negombo.

Day 03

Kandy City Tour and Cultural Show

In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel.
Travel to Kandy, the former capital of the Sri Lankan kings and a World Heritage Site.
Visit Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum, and a lapidary.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
Thereafter, witness a cultural show.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy.

Day 04

Dambulla Rock Temple and Rose Quartz Mountain

In the morning, after enjoying a tasty breakfast at the hotel in Kandy, proceed to Dambulla.
Explore the Dambulla Rock Temple, which dates back to the 1st century BC.
Explore the Rose Quartz Mountain.

Overnight stay at Dambulla.

Day 05

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Exploration

Have a delicious breakfast at the hotel.
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a World Heritage Site constructed by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) in the 5th century.
Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the "Heavenly Maidens" of Sigiriya, located in a protected pocket of the rock and approached by a curved stairway.

Overnight stay at Dambulla/Sigiriya.

Day 06

Journey to Arugam Bay

Eat breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, travel to Arugam Bay, situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination.

Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.

Day 07

Experience Daily Life in Arugam Bay and Pottuvil

Eat your breakfast at the hotel.
Start early and enjoy the daily activities in Arugam Bay and Pottuvil. Around 4 o'clock, the first fishing boats go out to sea, and it is possible to arrange trips with them.

Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.

Day 08

Water Sports and BBQ Night in Arugam Bay

Have breakfast at the hotel in Arugam Bay.
Enjoy water sports and a BBQ night.

Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.

Day 09

Travel to Trincomalee

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel in Arugam Bay.
Travel from Arugam Bay to Trincomalee, located on the east coast and known for its mesmerizing deserted beaches. The area is also home to the holy Koneswaram Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, and the captivating Swamy Rock, famously called Lover's Leap.
Upon arrival, the rest of the day will be free for leisure.

Overnight stay at Trincomalee.

Day 10

Transfer to Colombo and City Tour

Have a delicious breakfast at the hotel in Trincomalee.
Transfer to Colombo.
Enjoy a city tour of Colombo. Like many capital cities in developing countries, Colombo is rapidly changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers rise where old buildings once stood.

Overnight stay at Colombo.

Day 11

Explore Colombo's Places of Interest

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, visit other places of interest in Colombo.
Stroll through the Pettah bazaar, where you can shop for bargains, and visit a Hindu temple and a Buddhist temple. Continue through residential areas where you will find the stately homes of the wealthy, and see the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China.

Overnight stay at Colombo.

Day 12

Departure from Colombo

Have breakfast at the hotel in Colombo.
Transfer from Colombo to the airport to board your flight for your onward journey.

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Temple of the Tooth Relic, Dambulla Rock Temple, Arugam Bay

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Negombo 7 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation in a standard room in a 3-star hotel on a twin-sharing basis
Meals as per the program - BB
Transportation by air-conditioned car or van as per the program
Services of an English-speaking Sri Lankan tour guide
1 litre bottle of mineral water per person per day

What's Not Included

Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy - USD 10
National Museum, Kandy - USD 12
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya - USD 13
Ancient City of Sigiriya - USD 30
Dambulla Cave Temple - USD 15
Horton Plains - USD 20
Kandy Dance Show (dance show in Kandy) - USD 05
Dehiwala Zoo - USD 20
Hot Air Ballooning (Ballooning) - USD 300
Boat Ride (Bentota) (safari on the boat) - USD 20
White Water Rafting (Rafting Kelaniya) - USD 35
Diving in Hikkaduwa (dive instructor in Hikkaduwa) - USD 65
Sea Fishing in Negombo (sea fishing with a professional) - USD 50
Lunch and dinner throughout the trip
Video and camera permits
Entrance fees for places of interest
Expenses of a personal nature
Seasonal supplements are not included
Any other services not specified in the "What's Included" section

Know before you go

Note:
- Hotel rooms depend on availability at the time of travel.
- Prices are calculated according to the currency exchange rate issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and may change due to government rules and regulations.
- The cost of entrance fees may change due to government regulations.
- Inclusions and exclusions depend on the customer's request.
- Perahera, cricket, seasonal, and peak supplements are not included.
Child Policy:
- A child between 2 and 12 years sharing with 2 adults with an extra bed will be charged 70% of the per-person double-sharing rate.
- A child between 2 and 12 years sharing with 2 adults without an extra bed will be charged 50% of the per-person double-sharing rate.
- A child below 2 years will be complimentary.
- Peak season supplements are not applicable.
Details of Cancellation Charges:
- If the booking is cancelled before:
  - 15 days - 10% of the tour cost.
  - 7 days - 50% of the tour cost.
  - 5 days - 100% of the tour cost.