12 Oct 2026
Twin share
£810pp
Single from £1,035
Escorted tour
Highlights of Sri Lanka: Wilpattu, Sigiriya & Kandy – 7 Days
A Wilpattu jeep safari, Mihintale, Trincomalee's beaches, the Dambulla cave temples, a sunrise climb of Sigiriya and Kandy in one week.
7 days
From £810
Tour overview
This 7-day small-group tour packs many of Sri Lanka's highlights into a week, from leopard country and ancient Buddhist sites to the calm beaches of the east coast and the hill city of Kandy. A tour leader travels with you throughout, and you stay in comfortable, mostly three-star hotels with breakfast. The trip is land-only, starting in Negombo near Colombo airport and finishing at the airport on the last morning.
Negombo, a fishing town with a busy fish market and outrigger boats on its golden sands, is an easy place to arrive. From there you head north along the coast to Wilpattu National Park for an afternoon jeep safari. Wilpattu has nearly 60 lakes and is home to leopards, elephants and sambar deer. It is quieter than better-known Yala, which makes for a more relaxed and responsible visit.
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From Anuradhapura you climb the shallow stone steps of Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have been introduced to Sri Lanka, for views across the plains. You then drive to Trincomalee on the east coast to visit the Koneswaram Temple on its clifftop. A free day follows on the beach, where the water is so shallow you can wade a long way out, or in the old Portuguese and Dutch fort.
Heading inland, you ride a bullock cart through a village near Habarana and cross a lake by canoe to Hiriwaduna for a traditional lunch of curries, sambal and rice. At Dambulla you explore five cave temples filled with Buddha statues and paintings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in use since the 1st century BC.
An early start takes you up Sigiriya, the 5th-century Lion Rock fortress, before the crowds and the heat. You pass between giant carved lion paws and climb steel stairways to the 200-metre summit. After a late breakfast you drive to Kandy, the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings, with free time for the Temple of the Tooth, the botanical gardens or a cultural show.
The tour is graded moderate, with many steps at Mihintale and Sigiriya. It suits first-time visitors who want a short, well-rounded introduction to Sri Lanka.
Trip highlights
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A jeep safari for leopards and elephants in Wilpattu National Park (Day 2)
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The sacred hill of Mihintale and the Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee (Day 3)
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A free day on the calm beaches of the east coast (Day 4)
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A bullock cart, a canoe and a village lunch at Hiriwaduna (Day 5)
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The UNESCO-listed Dambulla cave temples (Day 5)
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A sunrise climb of Sigiriya, the Lion Rock (Day 6)
Your route
9 stops from Negombo to Colombo (airport)
- Negombo Day 1
- Wilpattu National Park Day 2
- Anuradhapura Day 2
- Mihintale Day 3
- Trincomalee Days 3–4
- Dambulla Day 5
- Sigiriya Day 5
- Kandy Day 6
- Colombo (airport) Day 7
Why choose this tour
A short trip that still covers wildlife, ancient sites, the coast and Kandy, with a tour leader to handle the driving and timing. Visiting Wilpattu rather than busier Yala and climbing Sigiriya at dawn means fewer crowds at two of the island's highlights.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to Sri Lanka with limited time
- Travellers interested in Buddhist history and temples
- Wildlife lovers hoping to see leopards and elephants
- Anyone who wants a beach day as part of a busy tour
Day-by-day itinerary
7 days from Negombo, Sri Lanka to Colombo airport, Sri Lanka
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Day 1 · Negombo Arrive in Negombo
The tour starts in Negombo, a coastal fishing town a short drive from Colombo airport, known for its fish market and traditional outrigger boats. Your hotel has a pool, and the welcome meeting is held in the evening.
- Hotel
- Earls Regent Hotel or similar
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Day 2 · Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura Wilpattu National Park
Drive north along the coast, about four hours with stops, to Wilpattu National Park. An afternoon jeep safari explores a park of nearly 60 lakes, home to leopards, elephants and sambar deer. Continue for about an hour to Anuradhapura.
- Hotel
- Lakeside at Nuwarawewa or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Mihintale, Trincomalee, Koneswaram Temple Mihintale to Trincomalee
Climb the shallow stone steps of Mihintale, where the monk Mahinda is said to have introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, for wide views from the top. Drive about two hours to Trincomalee to visit the clifftop Koneswaram Temple, then relax on the beach.
- Hotel
- Pigeon Island Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Trincomalee Free day in Trincomalee
A free day on the east coast, where the sea is calm and so shallow you can wade almost 100 metres out. You could take a tuk-tuk into town to see the fort, built by the Portuguese in 1623 and soon captured by the Dutch.
- Hotel
- Pigeon Island Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Habarana, Hiriwaduna, Dambulla, Sigiriya Village lunch and Dambulla
Ride a bullock cart through a village near Habarana, then cross the lake by canoe to Hiriwaduna for a traditional lunch of curries, sambal and rice. Visit the five cave temples of Dambulla, full of Buddha images and Hindu sculptures, and continue to Sigiriya.
- Hotel
- Acme Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Lunch
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Day 6 · Sigiriya, Kandy Sigiriya at sunrise and Kandy
Climb Sigiriya early, before the crowds and the heat, passing the giant lion paws to the 200-metre summit of the 5th-century fortress. After a late breakfast, drive about 2.5 hours to Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, with free time to visit the Temple of the Tooth.
- Hotel
- Hotel Casamara Kandy or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Colombo Trip ends at Colombo airport
Drive about three hours to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport, arriving around 10am, where the trip ends. Book flights departing after 12:45pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Negombo (1 night) Earls Regent Hotel or similar
- Anuradhapura (1 night) Lakeside at Nuwarawewa or similar
- Trincomalee (2 nights) Pigeon Island Resort or similar
- Sigiriya (1 night) Acme Hotel or similar
- Kandy (1 night) Hotel Casamara Kandy or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 6 nights in hotels
- Meals 5 breakfasts and 2 lunches, including a traditional village lunch at Hiriwaduna
- Transport tour bus between destinations, a jeep safari, a bullock cart and canoe, and a group transfer to Colombo airport on the last day
- Visits Wilpattu National Park, Mihintale, Koneswaram Temple, the Dambulla cave temples and Sigiriya
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights to and from Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka visa
- Dinners and meals not listed
- Optional activities, such as the Temple of the Tooth, the botanical gardens or a cultural show in Kandy
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You want most meals included — 5 breakfasts and 2 lunches
- You have a strong fear of heights — Sigiriya's final stairways are steep and exposed
- You want the south coast and Galle — this route visits the east coast instead
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Sri Lanka
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £810 per person, twin share, tour only. 17 upcoming departures.
09 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,010pp
Single from £1,235
16 Nov 2026
Twin share
£860pp
Single from £1,085
21 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,090pp
Single from £1,340
18 Jan 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
25 Jan 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
01 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
08 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
22 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
29 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
05 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
02 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,330
13 Sep 2027
Twin share
£975pp
Single from £1,210
11 Oct 2027
Twin share
£975pp
Single from £1,210
08 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
15 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,045pp
Single from £1,280
20 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,095pp
Single from £1,360
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are flights included?
No. International flights are not included. The trip ends at Colombo airport around 10am on Day 7, so book flights departing after 12:45pm.
Why Wilpattu rather than Yala?
Wilpattu has the same wildlife, including leopards, elephants and sambar deer, but far fewer vehicles, which makes the safari more enjoyable and more responsible.
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
There are many steps, and the final section is on steep steel stairways with handrails. If you dislike heights you can stop before the last section and come back down the same way.
What meals are included?
5 breakfasts and 2 lunches, including the village lunch at Hiriwaduna. Other meals are at your own expense and good value locally.
What is the accommodation like?
Comfortable, mostly three-star hotels with en-suite rooms, including a beach resort in Trincomalee and a hotel with a pool in Negombo.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors, including UK citizens, need an electronic travel authorisation for Sri Lanka, arranged before travel.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary