Sri Lanka in Six Days: Two Nights in Kandy, the Tea Country and the Coast
The six-day circuit without the drive north — a full day in Kandy instead of Sigiriya.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Booking
- On request
The alternative six-day routing. Instead of the long run up to Sigiriya, a second night in Kandy and a whole day to spend in it: the Tooth Relic, the Peradeniya botanical gardens and the craft workshops, at a walking pace. Then the tea country, Bentota and Colombo as usual. The better choice if you would rather see one place properly than two quickly.
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 the road up to Kandy
Met at Colombo airport and driven inland, with the elephants 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 viewpointThe hillside terrace above the city, looking down over the lake and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
- Wood-carving workshopA Kandyan carving workshop, where the masks and the lacquer work are still cut by hand.
- Overnight in Kandy · 1 night
- Day 2
A day in Kandy
The whole day in the old royal capital, ending with the drumming.
Kandy
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.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya- 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.
- Second night in Kandy · 1 night
Private car · 3h - Day 3
Into the high country
The climb through the estates to Nuwara Eliya, stopping where the road is worth stopping on.
- 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 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.
- Independence SquareThe 1948 independence memorial hall, modelled on a Kandyan royal audience chamber, in its colonnaded gardens.
- Colombo Port CityA drive through the reclaimed waterfront district being built out beyond the old harbour.
- 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