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Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka island tour

Sigiriya, Kandy and the hill country by private car.

Duration
6 days, 5 nights
Departures
Daily, year-round. December to March is driest in the hill country.
Good for
Family
  • A blue train crossing the stone Nine Arches Bridge through dense green hill-country forest near Ella
  • Rolling tea plantations in the Sri Lankan hill country, cut by a red-earth path under a cloudy sky

Highlights

  • Climb Sigiriya rock fortress and see its ancient frescoes
  • Explore the cave temples of Dambulla
  • The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
  • Tea estates and cool hill air in Nuwara Eliya
  • The scenic train ride towards Ella

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Colombo, drive to Sigiriya

    Land in Colombo and drive north to Sigiriya, around four hours by private car. Settle into your hotel for the evening.

  2. Day 2

    Sigiriya rock and Dambulla cave temples

    Climb Sigiriya, the fifth-century rock fortress with its frescoes and mirror wall, then visit the cave temples of Dambulla, painted with centuries of Buddhist murals.

  3. Day 3

    Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth

    Drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka's hill capital, and visit the Temple of the Tooth, home to a relic of the Buddha, beside Kandy Lake.

  4. Day 4

    Tea country, Nuwara Eliya

    Continue into the hills to Nuwara Eliya, passing tea estates and waterfalls. Visit a tea factory to see how Ceylon tea is made and sample a fresh cup.

  5. Day 5

    Ella train ride, long transfer to Negombo

    A long travel day: ride the scenic train from Nanu Oya towards Ella, about 3 to 4 hours past tea gardens and the Nine Arches Bridge, then take a private car transfer of around 6 to 7 hours to Negombo, near the airport, for your last night.

  6. Day 6

    Departure

    Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight home.

Where you stay

  • Sigiriya · 2 nights

    Sigiriya Village Hotel or similar

  • Kandy · 1 night

    Earl’s Regency or similar

  • Nuwara Eliya · 1 night

    Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar

  • Negombo · 1 night

    Jetwing Blue or similar

What’s included

Included

  • 5 nights in 4-star hotels with daily breakfast
  • Private air-conditioned car with driver throughout
  • Sigiriya rock and Dambulla cave temple entry tickets
  • Temple of the Tooth and tea factory visits
  • Second-class train tickets from Nanu Oya to Ella

Not included

  • International flights
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Entry fees not listed above
  • Tips and personal expenses

Good to know

  • Prices are per person sharing a double room.
  • This tour departs from Colombo; ask us about add-on flights from Dubai.
  • Train tickets for the Ella route are limited, so we book them as soon as your dates are confirmed.
  • Modest dress, shoulders and knees covered, is expected at the Temple of the Tooth and Dambulla.
  • Day 5 is a long travel day. We can add a night in Ella or on the south coast on request.

Questions about this trip

Do UAE passport holders need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes, an Electronic Travel Authorisation is required before arrival. We can help you apply for it online.

Is the Sigiriya climb difficult?

It is around 1,200 steps with some steep sections near the top. Most reasonably fit travellers manage it in under an hour, with rest stops along the way.

Can we start the tour from our Colombo office instead of the airport?

Yes, we can adjust pickup points for travellers already in Sri Lanka.

Your journey. Our passion.

What travellers say

All reviews
  • “They sorted our Georgia trip and visas in two days. Every question answered on WhatsApp.”
    Ayesha R.Google, August 2026
  • “Swiss trains were easy to follow. Next time we would add a night in Lucerne.”
    Ravi M.Google, July 2026
  • “Good price on our Maldives honeymoon and helpful changes when our flights moved.”
    Priya S.Google, May 2026

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