24 Oct 2026
Twin share
£481pp
Escorted tour
Simply Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, Kandy & the South Coast – 8 Days
Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country, Galle Fort and Unawatuna's beaches in one relaxed week, in a group of up to 16.
8 days
From £480
Tour overview
This 8-day small-group trip is a relaxed introduction to Sri Lanka, combining ancient rock fortresses and sacred temples with tea country and the palm-fringed south coast. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay seven nights in twin-share hotels, not all with air conditioning, in Negombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Unawatuna and Colombo. Breakfast is included daily, along with a lunch at Hela Bojun, a social enterprise run by local women serving traditional Sri Lankan dishes, leaving plenty of freedom to try curries, hoppers and fresh seafood.
Your trip begins in Negombo, a fishing town on the west coast close to the airport. From here you drive inland to Dambulla in the island's Cultural Triangle, known for its cave temples filled with Buddha statues and murals. Early the next morning, before the heat builds, you climb Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, a 200m rock fortress built by a fifth-century king, with frescoes and the remains of palace gardens and views across the jungle.
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In Kandy, the last royal capital, set around a lake among green hills, you visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a sacred relic of the Buddha, and enjoy lunch at Hela Bojun. A free morning lets you explore the city's markets and botanical gardens at your own pace.
On the way to the south coast you visit a tea factory to learn how Ceylon tea is grown and processed, then relax for two nights in Unawatuna, with its sheltered bay and beaches. A guided walking tour of Galle Fort, a UNESCO-listed Dutch colonial town of ramparts, churches and boutiques, leads on to Colombo, the bustling capital, where the trip ends after breakfast.
The physical rating is medium, with one early start and the climb up Sigiriya's steps. This trip suits travellers short on time who want a great-value taste of Sri Lanka's culture, tea country and beaches. Departures run year-round, with the south coast at its best from November to April. Pack modest clothing for the temples, where shoulders and knees should be covered. A light rain jacket is useful in the hills around Kandy.
Trip highlights
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Dambulla's cave temples (Day 2)
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Climbing Sigiriya's Lion Rock (Day 3)
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The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy (Day 4)
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A tea factory visit (Day 5)
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Beach time in Unawatuna (Day 6)
-
Galle Fort walking tour (Day 7)
Your route
7 stops from Negombo to Colombo
- Negombo Day 1
- Dambulla Day 2
- Sigiriya Day 3
- Kandy Days 3–4
- Galle Day 5
- Unawatuna Days 5–6
- Colombo Days 7–8
Why choose this tour
Sri Lanka's highlights in a single week, at a great price. Free time on the beach and a social enterprise lunch.
Best suited to
- Travellers short on time
- First-time visitors to Sri Lanka
- Travellers on a budget
- Solo travellers looking for a group
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Negombo, Sri Lanka to Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Day 1 · Negombo Arrive in Negombo
A welcome meeting by the sea.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Dambulla Dambulla
Drive into the Cultural Triangle.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Sigiriya, Kandy Sigiriya to Kandy
Climb Lion Rock, then to Kandy.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Temple of the Tooth Kandy
A free morning and the sacred temple.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 5 · Tea factory, Unawatuna Unawatuna
A tea factory, then the south coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Unawatuna Unawatuna
A free day on the beach.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Galle Fort, Colombo Galle to Colombo
A walking tour, then the capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Colombo Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Negombo (1 night) Hotel
- Dambulla (1 night) Hotel
- Kandy (2 nights) Hotel
- Unawatuna (2 nights) Hotel
- Colombo (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in twin-share hotels
- Meals 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch
- Private transport
- Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress
- Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
- Hela Bojun social enterprise lunch
- Tea factory visit and Galle Fort walking tour
- Leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Sri Lanka electronic travel authorisation
- Meals not included 5 lunches and 7 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a wildlife safari — this trip has none
- You want air conditioning everywhere
- You want a longer stay in each place
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: Day 4 · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Sri Lanka
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £480 per person, twin share, tour only. 71 upcoming departures.
07 Nov 2026
Twin share
£650pp
21 Nov 2026
Twin share
£489pp
28 Nov 2026
Twin share
£480pp
12 Dec 2026
Twin share
£640pp
19 Dec 2026
Twin share
£640pp
26 Dec 2026
Twin share
£665pp
02 Jan 2027
Twin share
£575pp
16 Jan 2027
Twin share
£555pp
23 Jan 2027
Twin share
£615pp
06 Feb 2027
Twin share
£565pp
20 Feb 2027
Twin share
£545pp
27 Feb 2027
Twin share
£545pp
06 Mar 2027
Twin share
£545pp
20 Mar 2027
Twin share
£530pp
27 Mar 2027
Twin share
£535pp
03 Apr 2027
Twin share
£515pp
10 Apr 2027
Twin share
£515pp
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£515pp
15 May 2027
Twin share
£515pp
19 Jun 2027
Twin share
£515pp
03 Jul 2027
Twin share
£530pp
17 Jul 2027
Twin share
£530pp
31 Jul 2027
Twin share
£515pp
14 Aug 2027
Twin share
£515pp
21 Aug 2027
Twin share
£515pp
04 Sept 2027
Twin share
£515pp
11 Sept 2027
Twin share
£515pp
25 Sept 2027
Twin share
£515pp
09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£515pp
23 Oct 2027
Twin share
£530pp
06 Nov 2027
Twin share
£545pp
13 Nov 2027
Twin share
£545pp
27 Nov 2027
Twin share
£545pp
04 Dec 2027
Twin share
£530pp
18 Dec 2027
Twin share
£555pp
25 Dec 2027
Twin share
£555pp
29 Dec 2027
Twin share
£555pp
01 Jan 2028
Twin share
£580pp
15 Jan 2028
Twin share
£580pp
22 Jan 2028
Twin share
£580pp
05 Feb 2028
Twin share
£580pp
12 Feb 2028
Twin share
£580pp
19 Feb 2028
Twin share
£570pp
26 Feb 2028
Twin share
£570pp
04 Mar 2028
Twin share
£570pp
18 Mar 2028
Twin share
£555pp
25 Mar 2028
Twin share
£555pp
01 Apr 2028
Twin share
£540pp
08 Apr 2028
Twin share
£540pp
15 Apr 2028
Twin share
£540pp
22 Apr 2028
Twin share
£540pp
13 May 2028
Twin share
£540pp
17 Jun 2028
Twin share
£540pp
01 Jul 2028
Twin share
£540pp
15 Jul 2028
Twin share
£555pp
29 Jul 2028
Twin share
£555pp
12 Aug 2028
Twin share
£540pp
19 Aug 2028
Twin share
£540pp
02 Sept 2028
Twin share
£540pp
09 Sept 2028
Twin share
£540pp
23 Sept 2028
Twin share
£540pp
07 Oct 2028
Twin share
£540pp
21 Oct 2028
Twin share
£555pp
04 Nov 2028
Twin share
£570pp
11 Nov 2028
Twin share
£570pp
25 Nov 2028
Twin share
£570pp
02 Dec 2028
Twin share
£555pp
16 Dec 2028
Twin share
£580pp
23 Dec 2028
Twin share
£580pp
27 Dec 2028
Twin share
£580pp
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.
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
About 1,200 steps to the summit, done early to avoid the heat.
Do all hotels have air conditioning?
Not all properties have air conditioning.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors need an electronic travel authorisation for Sri Lanka, applied for online.
Is there a safari?
No, this trip focuses on culture, tea country and the coast.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers, with a leader.
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