Tours for any and everyone.
Skip to content
Need Help? Call Us   1-844-915-3555

Classical Sri Lanka

Classic Group

Everyday Price From

$4,396

$4,995

10 days

No Countries

Overview

Live and breathe the culture of Sri Lanka as you take a walking tour through the picturesque backstreets of Colombo, see the famous fortress of Sigiriya set upon its rocky outcrop and visit Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery in Kandy. For something truly unique, take part in a Nuwara Eliya tea experience—an all-immersive tea leaf picking and fresh tea tasting affair, at one of the world’s most beautiful tea plantations. Voyage into the depths of the jungle on a game drive in Wilpattu National Park and keep your eyes peeled for leopards and elephants. Before the journey home, be sure not to miss the exquisite fragrances of the National Spice Garden in Matale and the architectural wonders of Anuradhapura—the capital city of Sri Lanka’s first kingdom that ruled for a thousand years.

Locations Visited

Colombo, Wilpattu National Park, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

Countries Visited

Sri Lanka

Travel Style

Regional

Accommodations

9 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

map-classical-sri-lanka-guided-tour.jpg

Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Welcome to Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka. A land of historic ruins, sweeping beaches and mouth-watering food, you’ve made it to paradise. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Unwind and rejuvenate before meeting your fellow travelers and Travel Director for dinner.

  • Accommodation

    Hotel Taj Samudra


  • Meals

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Colombo Dinner

Enjoy dinner and drinks with your fellow travelers. 

There’s no better way to get to know a city than to walk through its back streets and experience it like a local. In the morning, head on a leisurely walking tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes, a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, and discover the city's hidden treasures. Journey through a myriad of buildings that date back to 17th century and were erected mostly during Dutch and British rule. Visit Pettah Market, where locals head to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables, garments and jewelery. This market place is older than the buildings around it and is an area best explored with a local. Later, board your customised tuk-tuk and head out to explore the hustle and bustle of an afternoon in Colombo's oldest neighborhoods. Cruise the city streets as the sun descends over the Indian Ocean and the city lights spring to life around a pulse of evening activity.

  • Accommodation

    Hotel Taj Samudra


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

Colombo City Tour with Photographer Mark Forbes

Head on a leisurely walking tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes, a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, and discover the hidden treasures this city has to offer.

highlights.title

Colombo City Tour

Take a panoramic city tour of Colombo including all the main sights and Pettah market.

highlights.title

Colombo Tuk-Tuk City Tour

Explore by Tuk-Tuk old Colombo town and cruise the city streets while watching the sun lower over the Indian ocean. See the city lights come alive for an evening of buzzing activity.

After breakfast, begin your journey to Wilpattu National Park. A unique complex of over fifty wetlands and gravel roads that trace watering holes, the perfect place to observe wildlife. On arrival, check into your luxury safari camp located on the boarder of the park, a quintessential glamping experience and a satisfying blend of comfort and nature. Enjoy relaxing in your spacious living room, with views of the lush, green jungle just steps away. In the evening, venture deep into the thick wilderness. Explore the park by jeep safari, taking the back roads in search for Sri Lanka's big four—leopards, elephants, sloth bears and deer.

  • Accommodation

    Mahoora Safari Camp


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Wilpattu National Park Safari

Ascend deep into the lush, dense jungle on a jeep safari in search for Sri Lanka's big four. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of colorful birds.

Enjoy journeying through the jungle on your morning and afternoon safaris. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, buffalos, mongooses and turtles.

  • Accommodation

    Mahoora Safari Camp


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Wilpattu National Park Safari

Ascend deep into the lush, dense jungle on a jeep safari. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of colorful birds.

In the morning head south, making your way to Sigiriya. Stop on your journey at the Anuradhapura temple complex, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, sprawling and with a rich collection of archaeological wonders. Now a World Heritage site, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its ancient ruins with your Travel Director. Meet a practicing Buddhist and embark on a guided walking tour of the Ritigala jungle’s enveloped paths. Hear the tales and secrets of the forest dwelling monks that once inhabited the reserve. Begin your gradual ascent, making your way through seemingly endless paths and flights of carved stairs. This was once a place of meditation, congregation, teaching and general life for a monastic community who today devote their lives to simple living in the forest.

  • Accommodation

    Hotel Aliya Resort & Spa


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Meet a Practicing Buddhist for a Walk through Ritigala Jungle

Meet a practising Buddhist and embark on a guided walking tour through Ritigala Jungle and hear tales of the forest dwelling monks, a monastic community, who once inhabited the monastic reserve, devoting their lives to living simply in the forest.

highlights.title

Anuradhapura Temple Complex Visit

Explore the temple complex, sprawling with a rich collection of archaeological wonders.

Surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is steeped in history. Explore Sigiriya with Insight Choice. Choose to climb Sigiriya Rock.  Alternatively, visit Sigiriya Botanical Gardens. Later, visit the historic city of Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms. During a tuk-tuk ride, explore the ancient remains of temples and tombs. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site for yourself before heading back to your hotel.

  • Accommodation

    Hotel Aliya Resort & Spa


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

Sigirya Royal Gardens Visit

Visit the beautifully landscaped Sigiryia's Royal Gardens, boasting ancient water features, terraced gardens and natural boulders.

highlights.title

Climb Sigirya Rock

Climb Sigiriya Rock and admire breath-taking views over the lakes and villages below.

highlights.title

Sigiriya Fortress Visit

Visit this famous fortress set upon its prominent rocky outcrop.

highlights.title

Polonnaruwa Archaeological Park Visit

Your visit to the archaeological park will reveal what life in the area was like when the city was thriving, 800-years-ago.

Today you’ll visit the colorful Dambulla Caves. Also known as the Golden Temple caves, this World Heritage Site is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Take in its mighty artwork dedicated to Gautama Buddha as you explore with your group. Later, arrive in Kandy. Surrounded by mountains, rainforest and tea plantations, this sacred city is famous for its Buddhist sites, such as the Temple of the Tooth shrine. Once here, you’ll enjoy a cultural evening of drums and a dance performance. Your accommodation for the evening is Mahaweli Reach. Located next to the mighty Mahaweli River, this traditional hotel is based in the hill capital of Sri Lanka and offers incredible culture, history and authentic dining options.

  • Accommodation

    Mahaweli Reach Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

highlights.title

See the Raja Maha Vihara Cave Temple

See Raja Maha Vihara - the most impressive of Sri Lanka's Cave Temples.

highlights.title

Kandy Traditional Dance Performance

Enjoy a traditional dance performance in the evening.

In the morning head to the Sacred Tooth Relic. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic, a tooth of Buddha, is located here. Later meet Rahju, a local artist, at his contemporary art gallery. Enjoy a private viewing of his magnificent paintings and discuss his unique perspectives on life over a cup of tea. Continue to Nuwara Eliya. A city in Sri Lanka’s tea country hills, this pretty destination is famous for Seetha Amman Temple, a Hindu shrine and Galway’s Land National Park. Stop for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of Drum making, each drum tells a story, connecting the present with the rich history and traditions of Sri Lanka. In the evening, participate in a cooking demonstration. Learn to cook Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine with a local chef, before indulging in the fruits of your hard work.

  • Accommodation

    Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Private Visit to Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery in Kandy

Visit Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery, enjoy a private viewing of his magnificent paintings and discuss his unique perspectives on life over a cup of tea.

highlights.title

Kandy Sacred Tooth Relic Temple Visit

Visit the site of the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple.

highlights.title

Nuwara Eliya Cooking Demonstration and Dinner

highlights.title

Heritage Drum Craft

Drum making in Sri Lanka is a fascinating craft deeply rooted in the country's culture and traditions, this cultural heritage is passed down through generations. The drums are produced by skilled artisans and are not only musical instruments, but they also play a vital role in religious ceremonies, traditional performances, and cultural events throughout the country. Each drum tells a story, connecting the present with the rich history and traditions of Sri Lanka. Your visit supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Cities and Communities.

Rise early this morning for an excursion to Horton Plains for a trek to World's End, where a stunning escarpment plunges 880 meters down to the jungle floor. World’s End is situated in one of the most popular National Parks in Sri Lanka and is the only one where you are able to walk freely as there are no elephants. Stand in awe and capture incredible views of the expansive plateau, before mist and cloud obscure the scene. In the afternoon, learn everything there is to know about Ceylon tea during a visit to a tea plantation and garden. Walk through the plantation during plucking time and spend time with a tea plucker to learn about their life, before enjoying a tasting session hosted by an expert. In the evening, toast to your travels with your new friends over dinner at your hotel.

  • Accommodation

    Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

highlights.title

Tea Plantation Visit in Nuwara Eliya

Join your Local Expert to visit a tea plantation and learn how this crop is produced. You'll even have the opportunity to experience the traditional technique of tea-leaf picking, before sampling some of the freshest tea possible.

highlights.title

Nuwara Eliya Celebration Dinner

Your mouth-watering dinner features the best of Sri Lankan cuisine.

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers, as your journey comes to an end. You’ll be driven back to Colombo airport for your onward flight, please schedule flights after 20:00. A stop will be made in Colombo for those extending their stay.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Versions of this Tour

We have pre-selected the best options based on your search, however please feel free to adjust them to suit your desires. Please note that changes here will affect availabilty, pricing and trip itinerary.


Clear all

Trip

From Price

Classical Sri Lanka - Classic Group

$4,396
$4,995

Classical Sri Lanka - Small Group

$5,258
$5,975

Dates & Prices

Results: 2 / 25

Definite Departures Only

Special Offers

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.
  • Start Date
  • End Date
  • Deals
  • Departure
    Status
  • Your Exclusive Costco
    Member Price
  • Price with
    current deals
  • Get
    Easy Quote
Start Date Sat, Feb 22, 2025
End Date Mon, Mar 03, 2025
Deals
Departure Status
Price with Current Deals
$5,795
Start Date Sat, Aug 23, 2025
End Date Mon, Sep 01, 2025
Deals
Black Friday Deal
Departure Status
Price with Current Deals
$5,364
$6,095

Tour Version Selected

You have successfully selected a different version of this tour

Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes:
  • ​International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
  • ​Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of itinerary.
Terms & Conditions:
 
  • ​Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room) in CAD. Single room supplements are available.
  • ​'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only and only available to travelers departing from the United States; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
  • ​'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login. 
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
  • For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page.