Tour Summary
Price Starting at USD 2300* onwards
Guaranteed Departures, Seat in Coach
Discover Sri Lanka’s most captivating highlights on this 11-day small group tour, the perfect winter escape for travelers seeking warmth, culture, and adventure. Journey through UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, and Galle Fort. Experience authentic village life, explore local industries such as spice cultivation and batik art, and spot elephants and leopards on jeep safaris at Minneriya and Yala National Parks. From the mist-covered tea hills of Nuwara Eliya to the golden beaches along the south coast, this thoughtfully crafted program combines history, nature, and relaxation, all with 4-star plus accommodation and expert guiding.
| Departure | Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) |
| Departure Time | Please arrive 3 Hours before the departure time for a prompt departure. |
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Scheduled group departures (2025–2026 season):
- 15th February 2026
- March : 15th March 2026
- April : 15th April 2026
- Minimum group size: 6 pax
- Bookings must be made at least 30 days prior to the scheduled departure date.
- Cost of the package – starting at USD 2300* per person sharing double onwards
Terms & Conditions
Minimum Group Size
• The tour will operate with a minimum of 6 confirmed participants.
• In the unlikely event the minimum number is not met, Whittalls Travels reserves the right to reschedule or combine with another group.
Inclusions
• 10 nights’ accommodation in 4-star plus hotels on Half Board (HB) basis (as listed in the itinerary).
• English-speaking tour guide.
• All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
• All excursions and activities specifically listed in the itinerary.
Exclusions
• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Meals not specified in the itinerary.
• Tips, porterage, and expenses of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, minibar, etc.).
• Early check-ins and late check-outs.
• Travel insurance, visa fees, and entry permits.
• USD exchange rate fluctuations impacting published rates.
Hotels
• Hotels listed in the program are subject to availability at the time of booking. In the event of non-availability, similar standard hotels will be provided.
• Standard check-in time: 14:00 hrs | Check-out time: 12:00 hrs.
Transportation
• Air-conditioned coach will be used throughout the program.
• Vehicles will not be at disposal during leisure days/evenings unless specified.
Payments & Cancellations
• Bookings must be made at least 30 days prior to the scheduled departure date, and full payment is required at the time of booking to confirm participation.
• Cancellations are subject to Whittalls Travels’ standard cancellation policy (to be provided separately at time of booking).
General Notes
• The sequence of the itinerary may be adjusted for operational reasons while maintaining the overall inclusions.
• Wildlife sightings (elephants, leopards, birds, etc.) cannot be guaranteed as they occur in their natural habitats.
• All travelers are advised to carry adequate travel insurance covering health, luggage, and trip cancellations.
Itinerary
On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, our Whittalls representative and national guide will greet you and transfer you to Colombo. After check-in, enjoy a short city orientation or time at leisure to unwind from your flight. Colombo is Sri Lanka’s bustling commercial capital, where modern skyscrapers stand alongside colonial-era buildings.
Dinner and overnight at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams or similar.
After breakfast, journey into the Cultural Triangle (approx. 3.5–4.5 hours). This central region is home to many of Sri Lanka’s most iconic UNESCO-listed sites. Arrive in the Habarana area and check in at your resort. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in an authentic village experience, featuring a short agriculture/cultivation demonstration (bookable locally) where you’ll see traditional farming techniques and get an insight into rural Sri Lankan life.
Dinner and overnight at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or similar.
- Included activities
Cultural Triangle Sightseeing
- + Optional activities
Agri demonstration
This morning, explore the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s best-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Rising nearly 200 meters above the plains, Sigiriya is famed for its frescoes, landscaped water gardens, and summit ruins of an ancient royal citadel.
Return to the hotel for relaxation. In the late afternoon, head to Minneriya National Park for a thrilling jeep safari. The park is world-famous for its elephant population and the seasonal “Gathering,” where herds of wild elephants congregate near the reservoir. Keep your eyes open for other wildlife such as sambar deer, monkeys, and birdlife.
Dinner and overnight at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or similar.
- Included activities
Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress (entrance)
Minneriya National Park Wildlife Safari
After breakfast, drive to Polonnaruwa (approx. 1–1.5 hours), Sri Lanka’s medieval capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (bookable locally). This ancient city showcases remarkable ruins of palaces, temples, and monasteries. Highlights include the Sacred Quadrangle, the stunning Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas, and the vast Parakrama Samudra reservoir. A traditional Sri Lankan curry lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant paired with a traditional cookery demonstration that highlights Sri Lankan flavors. Return to Habarana in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or similar.
- Included activities
Traditional Sri Lankan curry lunch & cookery demonstration
- + Optional activities
Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site (entrance)
After breakfast, depart for Kandy. En route, stop at a Matale spice garden to discover the origins and uses of Sri Lankan spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper.
Arrive in Kandy, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka and its last royal capital. Take a guided walk around Kandy Lake and the city centre, giving you an intimate feel for the city’s charm. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) (entrance ticket: bookable locally), one of the most venerated Buddhist shrines in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dinner and overnight at Kandy Myst by Cinnamon or similar.
- Included activities
Spice Garden Visit
- Optional activities
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (entrance)
Enjoy a Sri Lankan traditional breakfast buffet paired with a hands-on cookery experience to discover and enjoy local cuisine. Proceed to explore the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya (bookable locally), renowned for its orchid collection, giant bamboo groves, and palm avenues. Continue with a batik workshop (bookable locally), where you’ll try your hand at the wax-and-dye process and create your own small souvenir. In the evening, enjoy a performance at the Kandy Cultural Dance Centre (bookable locally), where Kandyan drummers and dancers showcase centuries-old traditions. This is combined with a gem-mining demonstration (bookable locally), reflecting Kandy’s long-standing association with Sri Lanka’s precious stone trade.
Dinner and overnight at Kandy Myst by Cinnamon or similar.
- Included activities
Sri Lankan traditional breakfast experience
Optional activities
- Royal Botanical Gardens (entrance)
- Batik Workshop
- Kandy Cultural Dance Performance
- Gem mining experience & museum (entrance)
After breakfast, drive into the cool climes of Sri Lanka’s hill country (approx. 3–4 hours). Known as “Little England,” Nuwara Eliya is famed for its colonial-era charm, lush gardens, and tea estates. Visit a Tea Factory (bookable locally) to learn the art of Ceylon tea production followed by a tasting session. Next, stop at Ambewela Farm (bookable locally), a highland dairy farm producing fresh milk and cheese, offering insight into Sri Lanka’s dairy industry. Later, enjoy afternoon high tea at a colonial hotel and a short city tour of Nuwara Eliya, including Victoria Park and the old Post Office.
Dinner and overnight at The Grand Hotel or similar, Nuwara Eliya.
Included activities
- Nuwara Eliya City Tour
Optional activities
- Tea Factory Visit (entrance)
- Ambewela Farm (entrance)
Depart early to Ella, a picturesque mountain town. Enjoy a scenic walk to the famous Nine-Arch Bridge, an iconic example of British colonial railway engineering set amidst lush tea fields. Continue southward to Yala (approx. 3–4 hours). In the late afternoon, proceed on a jeep safari at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife sanctuary, known worldwide for its high leopard density, as well as elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife.
Dinner and overnight at Jetwing Yala or similar, Tissamaharama.
Included activities
- Nine Arch Bridge Trek
- Yala National Park Wildlife Safari
In the morning, enjoy a nature walk in Tissamaharama, featuring a curd-making demonstration of traditional buffalo milk curd, followed by a bird-watching nature walk in nearby wetlands. After lunch, continue to Sri Lanka’s southern coast (approx. 3–4 hours). Arrive in Galle and check in at your beachside hotel. Evening at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at Le Grand / Fortress Resort & Spa / Radisson Hotel or similar, Galle/ Bentota.
Included activities
- Nature walk in Tissamaharama
- Curd making demonstration
Start the day with a guided tour of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site blending Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial history within its fortified ramparts. Walk the narrow streets lined with cafes, boutiques, and colonial architecture. Visit Lunuganga, the country estate of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, renowned for its serene landscaping and artistry. Later, stop at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery to learn about turtle conservation and the release of hatchlings. Return to Galle for an afternoon of beach relaxation.
Dinner and overnight at Le Grand / Fortress Resort & Spa / Radisson Hotel or similar, Galle/ Bentota.
Included activities
- Galle Walking Tour
Optional activities
- Lunuganga Estate
- Galle Fort Sightseeing
- Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery (entrance)
After breakfast check out and transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) for your departure (allow approx. 3–4 hours transfer time depending on traffic).
***End of tour***
