Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through Sri Lanka with the Premium Sri Lanka tour, where history, culture, and nature intertwine. Begin your adventure in Negombo, savoring traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, before exploring the ancient Ridi Vihara shrine. Discover the iconic Lion Rock Fortress in Sigiriya and engage in a hands-on pottery experience in Muriya Kadawala. Cycle through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and witness the majestic elephants of Minneriya National Park. In Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth and explore a spice garden. Experience rural life in Ambagasthenna, and enjoy a scenic train ride to Nuwara Eliya, staying at the sustainable Grand Hotel. Conclude your journey in Colombo, with a farewell dinner celebrating Sri Lankan spices. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and luxurious accommodations. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo
Location: Negombo
Accommodation: Pledge Scape Hotel or Similar
Accommodation Name: Pledge Scape Hotel or Similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel in nearby Negombo. You'll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and group members. If you arrive early, maybe relax on the beach or take a walk to get to know your surroundings. After your meeting, get to know your group a little better over a round of complementary cocktails and a welcome dinner of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine – prepare for rich scents, bold spices and deliciously unique flavours.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Negombo to Kurunegala to Habarana
Location: Ridi Vihara, Habarana
Accommodation: Amaya Lake or similar
Accommodation Name: Amaya Lake or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel inland today towards Habarana. On the way, stop at the Ridi Vihara shrine – a Buddhist cave temple dating back to the second century BC. It is said that there were almost 500 monks living in these hillside caves at its peak. Watch locals demonstrate ancient traditions and craft techniques, such as palm leaf writing and wood and stone carving, and explore the caves filled with Buddha statues and floral offerings. Share lunch at a local restaurant before travelling to Habarana – your home for the next three nights. When you’re settled into your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Habarana
Location: Sigiriya, Muriya Kadawala
Accommodation: Amaya Lake or similar
Accommodation Name: Amaya Lake or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Early this morning, before the heat is too intense, head to Sigiriya (Lion Rock). One of Sri Lanka's premier sights, this dramatic rocky outcrop rising from the surrounding plains is topped by a ruined palace. Your leader will share stories of the ancient civilisation that once lived here as you climb – it's a steep hike but the far-reaching views from the top are worth it. Return to your hotel for a well-deserved breakfast and a relaxing morning. After lunch at a local house, make your way to the village of Muriya Kadawala, where you’ll learn about traditional Sri Lankan pottery techniques and try your hand at the craft yourself. You’ll also sample a local herbal drink accompanied by a piece of halapa (a sweet treat wrapped in kenda leaves). This afternoon is free for you to rest and recharge.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Habarana
Location: Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park
Accommodation: Amaya Lake or similar
Accommodation Name: Amaya Lake or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, make your way to Polonnaruwa. Hop on a bicycle to discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in the ancient Quadrangle complex – it’s not hard to imagine what this place looked like in all its former glory. Visit the remains of a seven-story royal palace, the rock temple of Gal Vihara and the statue of 12th century king Parakrama I. For lunch, you’ll visit a local grandmother’s house, who will show you how to make dhal curry and pol sambol from scratch – you'll even shred coconut yourself using a traditional scraper tool! This afternoon, head to Minneriya National Park to see Sri Lankan elephants in the wild. You're likely to spot plenty of these gentle giants around the watering hole, plus macaques, spot-billed pelicans and more.
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Day 5: Kandy
Location: Matale, Kandy, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy
Accommodation: Amaya Hills or similar
Accommodation Name: Amaya Hills or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you’ll travel to Kandy. Along the way, stop by the city of Matale where you’ll visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. In Kandy, take a guided tour of the city, stopping to admire the Buddhist Sri Dalada Maligawa, otherwise known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (the important shrine houses a relic of Buddha’s tooth, taken from his funeral pyre). Despite being Sri Lanka’s second largest city, Kandy is remarkably laid back. Spend your free evening searching for a taste bud-tingling curry, wandering around the glittering lake or enjoying an optional cultural dance performance.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Kandy
Location: Kandy, Ambagasthenna
Accommodation: Amaya Hills or similar
Accommodation Name: Amaya Hills or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After a leisurely morning, drive to Ambagasthenna village, where hotel and tea plantation owner Mr Thilina will guide you around his neighbourhood. For lunch, feast on a delicious home-cooked meal made by Mr Thilina’s mother. You’ll visit the tea plantation, learn about the cultivation process and try a cup or two served the Sri Lankan way. He’ll share inside knowledge about local crops, sustainable farming and ancient landscaping traditions. After a culture-packed day, there’s only one way to end it – by cracking open a beer and watching the sunset from one of the best viewpoints in Sri Lanka.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
Location: Kandy, Nanu Oya, Nuwara Eliya, Gregory Lake
Accommodation: Grand Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar
Accommodation Name: Grand Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Kandy and board a morning train bound for Nuwara Eliya. Nestled deep in tea plantation country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 m, giving it some of the coolest temperatures in Sri Lanka. When you arrive, take an orientation walk of Nuwara Eliya, wandering the peaceful shores of Gregory Lake. Check into the Grand Hotel – a gorgeous National Heritage Property and your Feature Stay for the night. Your rooms feature classic decor and modern amenities, but the hotel’s real charm is its sustainable approach – the owners have eliminated single-use plastic and are striving for a zero-waste future. Enjoy a high tea featuring pots of Ceylon black, green or spiced tea, plus finger sandwiches and sweet treats when you arrive.
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Day 8: Colombo
Location: Nuwara Eliya, Labukelle, Colombo, Old Parliament Building, Colombo, National Museum, Colombo
Accommodation: The Kingsbury Hotel or similar
Accommodation Name: The Kingsbury Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Say goodbye to the green hills of Nuwara Eliya and make the journey to Sri Lanka’s coastal capital, Colombo. On the way, visit a tea factory and plantations near the town of Labukelle and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After arriving in Colombo, take an orientation walk with your leader, who’ll show you Sri Lanka’s old parliament building, the National Museum and the best spots for fairtrade souvenir shopping. Tonight, share a final farewell dinner with your group at a modern restaurant focused on creating dishes that celebrate Sri Lankan spices, such as peanut-crusted tuna with gotu-kola (pennywort) sambol and fragrant vegetable curry.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Colombo
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Colombo, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
What's Included
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Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Enjoy a complimentary transfer from the airport to your hotel upon arrival.
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Negombo - Welcome Dinner
Experience a welcome dinner featuring traditional Sri Lankan cuisine in Negombo.
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Ridigama - Ridi Viharaya shrine visit and cultural experience
Visit the Ridi Viharaya shrine and engage in a cultural experience in Ridigama.
What's Not Included
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Unauthorized Local Tours
Tours offered by unauthorized local guides are not included and are not recommended for safety and quality reasons.
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Single Supplement
A single supplement is not included and is available upon request for those who prefer not to share a room.
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Train Ticket Availability
Train tickets are subject to availability and may be replaced with private vehicle transport if not secured.
Transport
- Private vehicle , scenic train
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1.Some travellers have reported being approached by locals offering excursions before their Intrepid trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Intrepid. These guides are in no way connected to Intrepid and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We advise customers against joining any tour offered by the unauthorised guides.
- 2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 4. Train tickets are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets, but if we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with private vehicles and enjoy a scenic train ride through Sri Lanka's picturesque landscapes.Accommodation
Accommodation may vary, but expect a similar standard throughout the tour. Early check-in isn't always possible, but luggage storage and shared day rooms are available until rooms are ready.Check out our Q&As
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What kind of experiences can I expect during the tour in Sri Lanka?
During the tour, you can expect a variety of experiences including learning about Sri Lanka's craft traditions such as brass making, pottery, and woodwork. You'll also have the opportunity to explore ancient sites like the Lion Rock Fortress and the temples of Polonnaruwa. Additionally, you'll enjoy a safari in Minneriya National Park to spot elephants and other wildlife, and participate in a cooking demonstration in Polonnaruwa. ...more ...less
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The accommodation during the tour is generally of a high standard, with the style indicated in the itinerary serving as a guideline. There may be occasions where alternative arrangements are made due to availability, but a similar standard of accommodation will be used. The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, a National Heritage Property, is a highlight, offering classic decor and modern amenities with a focus on sustainability. ...more ...less
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Are there any unique cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several unique cultural experiences such as a visit to the Ridi Viharaya shrine, a pottery making experience in Muriya Kadawala Village, and a tour of a spice garden in Matale. You'll also have the chance to learn about sustainable farming and tea cultivation in Ambagasthenna. ...more ...less
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses a combination of private vehicles and scenic train rides for transportation. However, train tickets are in high demand, and if they cannot be secured, the journey will continue by private vehicle.
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Is there a welcome or farewell event included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a welcome dinner in Negombo where you can enjoy traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and a farewell dinner in Colombo at a modern restaurant that celebrates Sri Lankan spices.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Sunday - Monday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Sep 15, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025Sunday - Monday
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Enquire for Extra Savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Premium Sri Lanka
9 Days Starting in Negombo, Sri Lanka and ending in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Visiting: Negombo, Ridi Vihara, Habarana, Sigiriya, Muriya Kadawala, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Matale, Kandy, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy, Ambagasthenna, Nanu Oya, Nuwara Eliya, Gregory Lake, Labukelle, Colombo, Old Parliament Building, Colombo, National Museum Colombo ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HPPC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
