Sri Lanka in Four Days: Kandy, Bentota and Colombo
The short circuit — the hill capital, a night on the south-west coast, and Colombo.
- Duration
- 4 days
- Booking
- On request
Four days is enough to see the three things Sri Lanka is easiest to reach: the Kandyan highlands, the mangrove coast at Bentota, and Colombo. Private car and chauffeur-guide throughout, half board, and a pace that assumes you flew in the morning you started.
Where it goes
7 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 the road up to Kandy
Met at Colombo airport and driven inland through the coconut country to Kandy, stopping at the elephant orphanage and a spice garden on the way.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage- Matale spice gardenA working spice garden: cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves and nutmeg, and the Ayurvedic uses each is grown for.
Kandy- Kandy viewpointThe hillside terrace above the city, looking down over the lake and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
- 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 · 4h 30m - Day 2
Kandy, then down to the coast
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic first thing, then the long descent to Bentota and the Madu Ganga wetland.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic- Gem museumSri Lanka's gem trade explained — where the sapphires come from, how they are mined, cut and graded.
- 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.
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 BeachThe long golden strand between the Bentota river mouth and the sea. Sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Bentota- Overnight in Bentota · 1 night
Private car · 1h 30m - Day 3
Bentota to Colombo
A morning on the river, then an hour up the coast road into the city.
- Bentota water sportsJet ski, banana boat, tube rides and kayaking on the Bentota river. Optional, paid locally, weather permitting.
- Independence SquareThe 1948 independence memorial hall, modelled on a Kandyan royal audience chamber, in its colonnaded gardens.
- Galle Face GreenColombo's ocean-front promenade: kite sellers, isso wade stalls and the city's evening crowd.
- Pettah marketColombo's oldest bazaar quarter — spices, tea, textiles and handicrafts, street by street.
Colombo- Overnight in Colombo · 1 night
- LeavingPrivate car · 1h
Included
- 3 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
- 3 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