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Highlights of Sri Lanka

16 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

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Highlights of Sri Lanka

From stunning scenery to amazing architecture, Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise. Marvel at magnificent temples, see the Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, see elephants at Yala National Park and explore the ruined cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 14 , Lunches: 13 , Dinners: 14
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    14 nights in 4/5 star accommodation
  • Visas
    Visa fees & processing for NZ passports
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 2
    A reasonable level of fitness is required, as you'll be spending time on your feet and doing a bit of walking to cover short distances during your daily sightseeing. There will also be some climbing of steps and climbing on and off of coaches and boats.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.
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Classic Group Tour
16 DAYS
From $8,030PP
Lion Rock Fortress Udawale Elephant Orphanage Ancient Polonnaruwa
26 Reviews
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Tour Highlights

Our Highlights of Sri Lanka tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Negombo (1N) - Sigiriya (3N) - Kandy (2N) - Nuwara Eliya (2N) - Yala National Park (2N) - Galle (2N) - Colombo (2N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly To Colombo
    Dinner
    Day 1-2: Fly To Colombo

    Fly to Colombo. On arrival you will be met by your expert tour guide and transferred to your hotel in the coastal town of Negombo, a short drive from Colombo. The rest of the day is yours to explore.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress

    Journey to Sigiriya and explore the magnificent Lion Rock Fortress, built by King Kasyapa. Later visit the world-renowned Heavenly Maiden frescoes.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Polonnaruwa
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Polonnaruwa

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa, which was the former capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 12th century and is home to well preserved stupas, frescoes and statues. While here, explore the rock temples at Gal Vihara and the Vatadage, an ancient structure with elaborate stone carvings, before returning to Sigiriya.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Anuradhapura
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Anuradhapura

    Travel to the World Heritage city of Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated ancient cities. Whilst here, visit the Sri Mada Bodhi Bo tree, over 2000 years old; the Ruwanweliseya dagoba and the Samadhi Buddha statue. Visit the Isurumuniya rock temple to visit its rock carvings dating back to the 3rd century BC.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Spice Gardens & Kandy
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Spice Gardens & Kandy

    Travel to the Buddhist city of Kandy visiting the Dambulla Rock Temple, which dates back to the 1st Century BC. Visit a spice garden and witness a cookery demonstration in Matale. Continue to Kandy.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Explore Kandy
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Explore Kandy

    Visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens before continuing to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. We also explore the remains of the Royal Palace which is now the National Museum. Later, witness a cultural dance show with dinner in the evening.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Nuwara Eliya
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: Nuwara Eliya

    Travel to Nuwara Eliya by train, through the world's most picturesque scenery to the city known as Sri Lanka's little England. On arrival you will check-in and relax for the rest of the afternoon.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    City Tour of Nuwara Eliya
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9:  City Tour of Nuwara Eliya

    This morning visit a tea plantation and factory learning all about the manufacturing process. Later this afternoon explore the town centre as you take in the race course, the interesting history of Hill Club Hotel, Gregory Lake and the Hindu Temple of Seetha Amman Kovil.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Yala National park
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Yala National park

    Drive to Yala National Park, home to a large number of elephants, leopards, sambhur, wild buffalo and over 130 bird species. Enroute visit Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, established by the Department of Wildlife Conservation for orphaned elephants.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Explore Yala National Park
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Explore Yala National Park

    Enjoy a morning and evening jeep safari in Yala National Park.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Travel to Galle
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 12: Travel to Galle

    Depart Yala and drive to Galle. On the way, stop and visit the Hummanaya Blow Hole, Mulkirigala Rock Temple and Dikwella Wewurukannala Temple. After lunch stop to view the stilt fisherman at Welligama. Upon arrival in Galle, check into your hotel for a two night stay.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Discover Galle
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Discover Galle

    Today you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Dutch Fort, Galle Lighthouse and Dutch Reformed Church. Also known as Galle Fort, the Dutch Fort is one of the best preserved examples of 17th Century colonial fortifications in the world.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Colombo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Colombo

    Travel to Colombo, stopping at Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery en route. The hatchery is home to Sri Lanka's pioneering sea turtle conservation project.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Explore Colombo
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 15: Explore Colombo

    Embark on a city tour of Colombo this morning. Explore Fort District, the historic centre of the city. Wander through Pettah Market and visit the Dutch Church of Wolvendhall, dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, a major pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees, and Colombo's finest museums.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 16
    Fly Colombo To New Zealand
    Breakfast
    Days 16: Fly Colombo To New Zealand

    Fly to New Zealand arriving home later today or tomorrow.

    Breakfast
Highlights of Sri Lanka map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 22
    31
    27
  • 58
  • Galle
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 102
  • Kandy
  • 18
    27
    22
  • 79
  • Negombo
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 89
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 9
    20
    15
  • 101
  • Sigiriya
  • 21
    28
    24
  • 109
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 73
  • Galle
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 86
  • Kandy
  • 18
    28
    23
  • 74
  • Negombo
  • 22
    31
    26
  • 69
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 9
    21
    15
  • 78
  • Sigiriya
  • 21
    30
    26
  • 87
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 128
  • Galle
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 117
  • Kandy
  • 18
    30
    24
  • 71
  • Negombo
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 147
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 10
    22
    16
  • 72
  • Sigiriya
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 84
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 25
    32
    28
  • 246
  • Galle
  • 24
    31
    28
  • 241
  • Kandy
  • 20
    30
    25
  • 188
  • Negombo
  • 24
    31
    28
  • 231
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 11
    23
    17
  • 158
  • Sigiriya
  • 23
    32
    28
  • 169
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 26
    31
    28
  • 392
  • Galle
  • 25
    30
    28
  • 297
  • Kandy
  • 20
    29
    24
  • 144
  • Negombo
  • 26
    31
    28
  • 371
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 13
    21
    17
  • 176
  • Sigiriya
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 97
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 26
    30
    28
  • 185
  • Galle
  • 24
    29
    26
  • 206
  • Kandy
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 132
  • Negombo
  • 25
    29
    27
  • 224
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 13
    19
    16
  • 172
  • Sigiriya
  • 24
    31
    28
  • 55
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 25
    30
    28
  • 122
  • Galle
  • 24
    29
    26
  • 165
  • Kandy
  • 20
    27
    24
  • 128
  • Negombo
  • 25
    29
    27
  • 135
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 13
    18
    16
  • 165
  • Sigiriya
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 70
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 25
    30
    28
  • 120
  • Galle
  • 24
    29
    26
  • 155
  • Kandy
  • 19
    28
    24
  • 113
  • Negombo
  • 25
    29
    27
  • 109
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 13
    19
    16
  • 161
  • Sigiriya
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 71
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 25
    30
    28
  • 245
  • Galle
  • 24
    29
    26
  • 213
  • Kandy
  • 19
    28
    24
  • 155
  • Negombo
  • 25
    29
    27
  • 160
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 12
    19
    16
  • 179
  • Sigiriya
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 99
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 24
    30
    27
  • 365
  • Galle
  • 23
    29
    26
  • 340
  • Kandy
  • 19
    28
    24
  • 264
  • Negombo
  • 24
    29
    26
  • 348
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 227
  • Sigiriya
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 267
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 23
    30
    27
  • 414
  • Galle
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 302
  • Kandy
  • 19
    27
    23
  • 296
  • Negombo
  • 23
    29
    26
  • 315
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 222
  • Sigiriya
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 298
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Colombo
  • 23
    30
    27
  • 175
  • Galle
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 178
  • Kandy
  • 18
    27
    22
  • 196
  • Negombo
  • 22
    29
    26
  • 147
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • 11
    19
    15
  • 196
  • Sigiriya
  • 21
    28
    24
  • 258

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2024
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart NZStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 October 2024, subject to change.
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately US$150pp is paid locally in India.
    • Based on departures from Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
    • Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request
    • Land only (Colombo – Colombo) 14 days from $7,180 per person, twin share
    • Single supplement from $1,900
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • Meals as stated
    • International flights and current taxes
    • Domestic transportation
    • 4 - 5 star accommodation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • Visa fees for New Zealand passport holders

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

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