Original
Explorer
Best of Sri Lanka
15 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
476 reviews
15 days
Start
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Finish
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Code
HPSH
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Bicycle
Accommodation
Hotels (12 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 night)
From £1,547(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Ride around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura on a bike tour, cycling through the jungle to see the dagobas, palaces and pools of a city abandoned over 1000 years ago.
Climb the rock fortress of UNESCO-listed Sigiriya to the ancient ruins that lie atop the 200-m-high summit and get panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
Explore the divine city of Kandy, mingling with pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, touring a tea factory, and taking in the views of this lush lakefront town.
Fall in love with Sri Lankan food and get to know locals during experiences like lunching with a Tamil tea worker and a home-cooking demonstration.
Unwind on the sandy beaches of Mirissa, where the waters are clear and warm, and monkeys play in the swaying palms that line the shores.
Is this trip right for you?
The summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest of the country. Please consider your suitability to the time of year you wish to travel and be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.
This trip includes hiking on Days 9 and 10, an awesome way to see the picturesque hill country and interact with the local Tamil people. The hike is over relatively flat ground and covers approximately 10-12 km each day. We recommend a basic level of fitness as some have found the experience physically demanding. Parts of the trails are on rough ground which can be muddy and slippery if it’s been raining. If you feel you are not able to complete these walks, we can arrange vehicle transport for you.
The views from the top of Lion Rock in Sigiriya are spectacular, but getting there involves walking up uneven, narrow steps and navigating tight walkways. If you’re afraid of heights or have conditions that affect mobility, you may wish to skip this activity.
The drive to Mirissa on Day 11 is downhill, windy and slow. Motion sickness has been an issue for some travellers in the past. If you believe you might be affected, speak with your GP before travelling about medication that can help.
Itinerary
Fuelled by curry and cups of tea, travel to the hills, plantations, forests and countryside of Sri Lanka
This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa. Have lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home, relax with a cold beer and your feet in the sand in Mirissa and hike between plantations and villages in Haputale. This is the best of Sri Lanka!
Inclusions
Meals
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Bicycle
Accommodation
Hotels (12 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included activities
Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
Anuradhapura - Bike tour
Polonnaruwa - Bike Tour
Dambulla - Cave Temples
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
Kandy - Tea factory visit
Bandarawela - Cooking demonstration & local meal
Kandy - Scenic train ride from Kandy to Bandarawela
Hill Country trek
Galle - Walking tour
Galle - Beeralu lace weaving experience
Colombo - City tour by bus
Optional activities
Minneriya National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) - USD40
Minneriya National Park (entrance) - USD30
Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance - USD7
Kandy - Botanical Gardens - USD10
Udawalawe National Park - Entrance fee - per person - USD30
Udawalawe National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) per jeep - USD30
Explore Galle by Bicycle - USD25
Explore Galle by bicycle with market visit and local lunch - USD35
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Some travellers have reported being approached by locals offering excursions before their Tuuur trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Intrepid. These guides are in no way connected to Tuuur and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We advise customers against joining any tour offered by the unauthorised guides.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. In the wet season, we occasionally need to alter the length and itinerary of the Hill Country hike due to weather conditions.
4. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
5. Train tickets are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets, but if we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.
Reviews (457)
5 stars
416
4 stars
39
3 stars
2
Deborah
Jun 05, 2025
One of the best guides tours ever. So much knowledge shared and wonderful experiences.
Warren
May 29, 2025
Superb value and excellent value for money . Great mix of activities and free time. This was my first trip with Intrepid, it won't be my last
Elizabeth
May 29, 2025
Sri Lanka has long been on my bucket list and it didn’t disappoint. Our guide, Chami, was fabulous and took great pride in sharing the food, culture, and history of his homeland. Great balance of organised activities and free time. Especially loved our train rides in the highlands and shared meals in local homes.
Megan
May 25, 2025
Probably the best holiday I have ever taken. The itinerary covered a brilliant variety of destinations and activities - I’ve felt genuine awe at nature and culture. Arni, our guide, was knowledgeable, friendly and generous. He made the trip incredibly special. I was hesitant to travel alone but I always felt comfortable, safe or informed. The food was delicious (and not too spicy!) thanks to Arni’s top recommendations. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough.
Ryan
May 18, 2025
Excellent tour, truly showed the best of Sri Lanka.
Andrew
May 17, 2025
What a great place to see a different culture and friendly people.
Michael
May 15, 2025
This trip was very magical. Our guide and his crew are top notch and really take care of everything that you may need . Very knowledgeable and passionate about making sure you get an awesome trip
Iqlimah
May 11, 2025
Suki, charmendeh & Rusika (drivers) went above and beyond for our travel group. Sri Lanka exceeded all my expectations of the island. I highly recommend travelling to the Island. Sri Lanka definitely has changed me, the people, the culture, the nature and the food. To die for ☺️🇱🇰🛺
RHONDA
May 11, 2025
Fantastic way to explore, gain knowledge and see the friendly sights and people of Sri Lanka
Emily
May 09, 2025
Darshana was an excellent tour guide! He was so thoughtful and friendly and made our experience so special. The trip is very varied, showcasing the highlights of Sri Lanka. The first week was very busy, especially as Darshana kindly arranged many additional activities for us on request, such as a leopard safari in Wilpattu, Kandy botanical gardens and cultural dance, as well as a trip to Ella to see the bridge and waterfalls but there was time to rest too. We were lucky to get train tickets and the walks through the tea plantations were beautiful (good trail trainers sufficed, leech socks provided).
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