Tour overview

This 15-day adventure covers the best of Sri Lanka, from the ancient cities of the north to the beaches of the south. A tour leader travels with the group, which numbers between four and sixteen, by private air-conditioned bus and a train journey. You stay fourteen nights in hotels, with breakfast daily, a village lunch and a welcome dinner.

After visiting the Dambulla cave temples, you climb Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, and can join an optional elephant safari. A cycle ride through country villages, with lunch in a traditional home, is followed by the ruins of Polonnaruwa and two full days in and around Kandy.

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In the hill country you tour a tea factory at Nuwara Eliya and walk to World's End on Horton Plains, then take the train to Ella. A game drive in Yala and a visit to the elephant transit home at Udawalawe lead to two nights on the beach at Ahangama, before Galle and Colombo.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits active travellers who want a varied and great-value tour of the island.

Trip highlights

  • The Dambulla cave temples (Day 2)
  • Climbing Sigiriya (Day 3)
  • A village cycle ride (Day 4)
  • World's End on Horton Plains (Day 10)
  • A Yala safari (Day 11)
  • The beach at Ahangama (Days 12–13)

Your route

21 stops from Veyangoda to Colombo

15-day route: Veyangoda – Sigiriya – Giritale – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Kataragama – Ahangama – Colombo
  1. Veyangoda Day 1
  2. Kurunegala Day 2
  3. Dambulla Day 2
  4. Sigiriya Days 2–3
  5. Minneriya National Park Day 3
  6. Giritale Day 4
  7. Polonnaruwa Day 5
  8. Matale Day 5
  9. Kandy Days 5–7
  10. Kitulgala Day 8
  11. Nuwara Eliya Days 8–9
  12. Horton Plains Day 10
  13. Ella Day 10
  14. Kataragama Days 10–11
  15. Tissamaharama Day 11
  16. Yala National Park Day 11
  17. Udawalawe Day 12
  18. Ahangama Days 12–13
  19. Koggala Day 14
  20. Galle Day 14
  21. Colombo Days 14–15

Why choose this tour

The whole island at a good-value price. A cycle ride, a train and a safari.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Sri Lanka
  • Active travellers
  • Solo travellers
  • Culture and wildlife lovers
The Nine Arch Bridge near Ella

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Veyangoda, Sri Lanka to Colombo, Sri Lanka

  1. Day 1 · Veyangoda Veyangoda

    A welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    The Covanro
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Sigiriya

    Cave temples.

    Hotel
    Hotel Sigiriya
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Sigiriya Rock Sigiriya

    Lion Rock.

    Hotel
    Hotel Sigiriya
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Giritale Giritale

    A village cycle ride.

    Hotel
    Giritale Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Polonnaruwa, Spice garden, Kandy Kandy

    An ancient capital.

    Hotel
    Earl's Regent Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Temple of the Tooth Kandy

    A sacred temple.

    Hotel
    Earl's Regent Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Kandy Kandy

    Free time.

    Hotel
    Earl's Regent Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya

    Into the hills.

    Hotel
    Araliya Red
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Nuwara Eliya, Tea factory Nuwara Eliya

    A tea factory.

    Hotel
    Araliya Red
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Horton Plains, Ella, Kataragama Kataragama

    World's End and the train.

    Hotel
    Mandara Rosen
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Tissamaharama, Yala National Park Yala

    A safari.

    Hotel
    Mandara Rosen
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Udawalawe, Ahangama Ahangama

    To the beach.

    Hotel
    Insight Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Ahangama Ahangama

    A free beach day.

    Hotel
    Insight Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Galle, Colombo Colombo

    Galle Fort.

    Hotel
    Ramada by Wyndham Colombo
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Colombo Colombo

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Where you stay

  • Veyangoda (1 night) The Covanro
  • Sigiriya (2 nights) Hotel Sigiriya
  • Giritale (1 night) Giritale Hotel
  • Kandy (3 nights) Earl's Regent Hotel
  • Nuwara Eliya (2 nights) Araliya Red
  • Kataragama (2 nights) Mandara Rosen
  • Ahangama (2 nights) Insight Resort
  • Colombo (1 night) Ramada by Wyndham Colombo

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in hotels
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Private bus and a train to Ella
  • Sigiriya and the Dambulla cave temples
  • Village cycle ride with lunch
  • Horton Plains walk and Yala game drive
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Meals not included 12 lunches and 13 dinners
  • International flights
  • Sri Lanka ETA
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Inside a Sri Lankan tea factory

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You dislike early starts
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Day 4 · Dinner: Day 1
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Sri Lanka
Buddha statues inside the Dambulla cave temples, Sri Lanka

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,931 per person, twin share, tour only. 38 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £2,426 (single supplement from £496).

Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.

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.

Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?

UK citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka, applied for online before travel.

How hard is the cycle ride?

A gentle ride on country lanes, suitable for most people who can ride a bike.

Is the Adam's Peak climb included?

It is an optional night climb, possible from December to April.

Is there beach time?

Yes, a free day at Ahangama on the south coast.

Can I have my own room?

Yes, a single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

Between four and sixteen travellers, with a tour 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

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