Sri Lanka in Seven Days

$990 per person

Ancient Kingdoms, Wild Elephants & Tea Country.  Seven days. Three worlds. One unforgettable island.

Ancient Kingdoms, Wild Elephants & Tea Country.  Seven days. Three worlds. One unforgettable island.

  • Included
    Accommodation
    Airport Transfers
    Breakfast
    Departure Taxis
    Dinner
    Personal Guide
  • Not Included
    Entry Fees
1
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL → HABARANA
First impressions of rural Sri Lanka Airport → Habarana or Sigiriya ( drive time 3.30 hrs) Meet your private chauffeur-guide at the airport and travel towards Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle.Check in to Aliya Resort, Habarana Lodge, Habarana Village, The Other Corner or similar in Habarana/ Sigiriya. Introduce the guests to Sri Lankan rural life.
Private village experience
  • Walk through a traditional village
  • Visit a paddy field
  • Meet a local farmer
  • Traditional Sri Lankan lunch
  • Catamaran ride on a village lake
  • Optional bullock-cart experience
Optional: Private sunset drinks overlooking the lake . Overnight: Habarana/ Sigiriya
2
DAY 2 - SIGIRIYA & POLONNARUWA
The Kingdoms of Ancient Ceylon Early morning - Sigiriya

After an early breakfast, visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, with private specialist guide.

Sigiriya dates to the fifth century and combines a rock-top palace with sophisticated gardens, water systems and frescoes.

Alternative

For guests who don't want the strenuous climb:

Pidurangala Rock +  or Sigiriya gardens

Afternoon — Polonnaruwa

A carefully selected local lunch

Continue to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

Visit:

  • Royal Palace
  • Ancient irrigation works
  • Vatadage
  • Gal Vihara
  • Ancient monasteries

Sri Lanka's ancient cities are particularly strong cultural selling points because they demonstrate not only temples and ruins but also the sophistication of ancient irrigation and urban planning.

Late afternoon

Return to Habarana.

Bonfire Dinner – Habarana

1 hour night walk experience.

Overnight: Habarana

3
DAY 3 - DAMBULLA → KANDY
Buddhism, Spices & the Last Kingdom Morning

Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, one of Sri Lanka's major cultural heritage sites.

Then travel towards Kandy through the spice-growing region.

Private spice experience

Visit to small private local grower  or Matale National Spice Garden.

Guests discover:

Cinnamon • Cardamom • Pepper • Cloves • Nutmeg etc and learn how the spices are cultivated and used in Sri Lankan cuisine.

Afternoon — Kandy

Check into a boutique property.

Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya, W15 Hanthana Estate, Kings Pavillion or similar

Lunch : Optional at the property

Late afternoon

Private visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Then walk around the lake and old Kandy.

Evening

Private Kandyan cultural performance.

Overnight: Kandy

4
DAY 4 - KANDY → TEA COUNTRY
Into the Emerald Hills  Morning

Drive through:

  • Waterfalls
  • Mountain villages
  • Tea plantations
  • Mist-covered hills

Private tea estate experience :  Tea plantation walk → tea factory → tea tasting → afternoon teaThe guide will explain the difference between  tea grades such as OP. BOP, BOPF, Silver Tips, Green tea etc

Evening

Check into a.

The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya, The Bellwood Manor,  The Westbury Palace, Heritance Tea factory  or similar

Overnight: Tea Country/Nuwara Eliya

5
DAY 5 - TEA COUNTRY → UDAWALAWE
From Tea Hills to Elephant Country  Guests leave the cool, misty highlands and descend into the warmer dry zone. En route

Stop at one or two carefully selected viewpoints/waterfalls to experience  the beauty of Sri Lanka.

Afternoon — Udawalawe

Check into a quality  Siyambala Resort, Waaraka Resort, Grand Udawalawe or similar

Then take a private 4×4 for an educational wildlife experience in Udawalawe National Park  for  “Understanding Sri Lanka's Wild Elephant.”  Guided by our knowledgeable guide accompany to explain elephant behaviour, habitat, human-elephant conflict and conservation

The focus should be:

  • Wild elephants
  • Crocodiles
  • Spotted deer
  • Buffalo
  • Raptors
  • Endemic and resident /migratory birds

Evening

Private dinner at the lodge / campfire.

Overnight: Udawalawe

6
DAY 6 - UDAWALAWE → GALLE
Wildlife to Colonial Ceylon

Early morning

Optional upgrade for the second wildlife drive by 6 am for serious wildlife enthusiasts

Late morning

Depart for the southern coast.

Galle. (2-3  hours drive)

Check in at The Postcard,  The Fortress Resort and Spa, Jetwing Lighthouse or similar

Explore the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort with a private guide.

This gives the itinerary another dimension:

Ancient Sri Lanka → Kandyan Kingdom → British Tea Country → Dutch Colonial Sri Lanka

Galle's old town and fortifications are recognised by Sri Lanka Tourism as a major cultural heritage attraction, with its Dutch-era fortifications and historic street plan.

Sunset

Private sunset walk around the ramparts.

Dinner

Dinner at a carefully selected boutique restaurant within or near the Fort.

Overnight: Galle

7
DAY 7 - GALLE → COLOMBO AIRPORT
A Gentle Farewell to Sri Lanka

Morning

Optional:

  • Galle Fort shopping
  • Local art galleries
  • Cinnamon experience
  • Short coastal drive
  • Beach time

Lunch

Final Sri Lankan lunch.

Then travel via the Southern Expressway towards Bandaranaike International Airport.  ( 2.5- 3 hours drive)

Tour ends at Colombo Airport.