Sri Lanka in Six Days: Sigiriya, Kandy, the Tea Country and the Coast
North to the Cultural Triangle first, then the classic line south through Kandy to the sea.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Booking
- On request
Six days run the length of the island's tourist spine. A first night at Sigiriya puts the rock and the Dambulla caves within reach before the crowds; after that it is Kandy, the high tea country at Nuwara Eliya, the Madu Ganga mangroves at Bentota, and Colombo.
Where it goes
11 stops on the map. Pick a day to zoom to it; the rest of the route stays drawn. A stop the operator gave no location is not plotted — the Day by day tab is the full route.
- ArrivingPrivate carDay 1
Arrival, and north to Sigiriya
Straight up into the dry zone, with the elephant orphanage and the Dambulla caves before you check in.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple- Overnight in Sigiriya · 1 night
Private car · 3h - Day 2
Sigiriya rock, then south to Kandy
Climb the rock early — 1,200 steps, and it is hot by nine — then the drive down to Kandy.
Sigiriya- Matale spice gardenA working spice garden: cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves and nutmeg, and the Ayurvedic uses each is grown for.
- Gem museumSri Lanka's gem trade explained — where the sapphires come from, how they are mined, cut and graded.
- Kandyan cultural dance performanceAn hour of Kandyan drumming and dance, closing with the fire-walking. Optional, and booked for you if you want it.
- Overnight in Kandy · 1 night
Private car · 3h - Day 3
Kandy into the high country
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then the climb through the estates to Nuwara Eliya.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic- Kandy LakeThe artificial lake at the centre of the old city, built by the last king of Kandy in 1807. A short walk round it.
- Sri Bhakta Hanuman TempleA Ramakrishna Mission temple above the Ramboda valley, with a 16-foot Hanuman and a long view down the tea slopes.
Ramboda Falls- Tea estate and factoryA working Ceylon tea estate in the high country: the plucking, the withering lofts and the grading floor, then a cup of what comes off it.
Lake Gregory- Overnight in Nuwara Eliya · 1 night
Private car · 5h 30m - Day 4
Down to Bentota
Off the plateau and across to the coast, with the mangroves in the afternoon.
Seetha Amman Temple
Madu Ganga Wetland- Kosgoda turtle hatcheryA conservation hatchery for the five sea turtle species that nest on this coast, and the release programme it runs.
Bentota- Overnight in Bentota · 1 night
Private car · 1h 30m - Day 5
Bentota to Colombo
A morning on the river, then the city.
- Bentota water sportsJet ski, banana boat, tube rides and kayaking on the Bentota river. Optional, paid locally, weather permitting.
- Galle Face GreenColombo's ocean-front promenade: kite sellers, isso wade stalls and the city's evening crowd.
- Colombo Port CityA drive through the reclaimed waterfront district being built out beyond the old harbour.
- Independence SquareThe 1948 independence memorial hall, modelled on a Kandyan royal audience chamber, in its colonnaded gardens.
- Lotus Tower — photo stopThe 350 m broadcast tower that now anchors the Colombo skyline. A photo stop, not an ascent.
- Pettah marketColombo's oldest bazaar quarter — spices, tea, textiles and handicrafts, street by street.
Colombo- Overnight in Colombo · 1 night
- LeavingPrivate car · 1h
Included
- 5 nights' accommodation on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner at the hotel)
- Private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking chauffeur-guide throughout
- Airport meet-and-greet on arrival and departure transfer
- Sightseeing as described in the day-by-day itinerary
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
- Complimentary 5 GB local data SIM
- 5 nights, three-star hotels, twin-share
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Private air-conditioned car and chauffeur-guide
- English-speaking chauffeur-guide throughout
Not included
- International flights and the Sri Lanka ETA visa fee (apply at srilankaevisa.lk)
- Entrance tickets to sites and monuments
- Lunch and any meals not listed as included
- Water sports and other optional activities
- Camera and video permits
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Travel insurance, which we require you to hold
- Tips, porterage and anything of a personal nature
- International flights to and from Colombo
- Site and monument entrance fees
- Travel insurance
Per person
Shambala Travels quotes this trip on request rather than by tier.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 21 days before arrival. Between 21 and 7 days we retain 25% of the trip price; inside 7 days, 50%. A cancellation on the day of arrival, or a no-show, is non-refundable. Hotel rooms held on non-refundable rates are excluded from this schedule and are confirmed to you in writing before you pay.
This trip runs on request: Shambala Travels sets the dates with you rather than publishing a departure list.
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Quoted on request