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Best of Sri Lanka
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Length
11 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Colombo (Sri Lanka)
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Ends in
Colombo (Sri Lanka)
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Available Tour Start Dates
MAR 20, 2026 to DEC 17, 2027
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$2,560.73
Overview
This Best of Sri Lanka tour takes you through the island’s ancient cities, breathtaking landscapes and deep cultural traditions. Stand before the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, explore the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Travel by train through tea country, search for elephants and leopards on a Yala National Park game drive and walk the historic streets of Galle Fort.
Visited During Tour
Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Galle (Sri Lanka) | Kandy (Sri Lanka) | Nuwara Eliya (Sri Lanka) | Polonnaruwa | Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) | Tissamaharama | Yala National Park
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Best of Sri Lanka tour dates available from Trafalgar. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
Trafalgar Tour Code 770-2210
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Day
1Arrival Colombo
Touch down in Colombo and transfer to your Stays with Stories hotel, the Galle Face Hotel, a landmark with a rich colonial past and a storied guest list that includes royalty and world leaders. After settling in, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring Sri Lankan-style hoppers, a type of bowl-shaped pancakes made from rice flour, an opportunity to toast to the journey ahead.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: Galle Face -
Day
2Colombo Sightseeing
Walk through Colombo’s colonial streets, bustling markets and peaceful temples like Pettah and Gangarama Temple, uncovering the layers of Sri Lanka’s capital. The afternoon is yours, you can relax at the hotel, explore more of the city or join an Optional Experience to sample Sri Lanka’s street food or discover the architectural legacy of Geoffrey Bawa. As evening falls, you could choose to see Colombo illuminated from the top of the Lotus Tower on another Optional Experience.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Galle Face -
Day
3Kurunegala and on to Sigiriya
Leaving Colombo behind, you'll travel towards Sigiriya, watching the landscape shift from city streets to rolling countryside. Stop in Kurunegala to see the hilltop Buddha statue that looks out over the town. You'll have time to slow down and tuck into traditional Sri Lankan flavors at a local restaurant, with views stretching over lush paddy fields. Arriving at your hotel in Sigiriya, unwind or join an Optional Experience on a game drive in Minneriya National Park, home to Sri Lanka’s Asian elephants.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Sigiriya -
Day
4Journey to Polonnaruwa
Sigiriya Rock Fortress rises above the jungle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. You'll have the option to climb past ancient frescoes and through the lion’s paws before reaching the summit, where you're rewarded with panoramic views. The afternoon is yours to relax at the hotel or explore at your own pace. Later, step into Sri Lanka’s past at Polonnaruwa, walking through the Royal Palace complex, the Quadrangle and the Gal Vihara Buddhas, carved from a single granite slab. After a day of ancient cities and lost kingdoms, you’ll be ready to unwind back at the hotel.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Sigiriya -
Day
5Dambulla Cave Temple and Kandy
High above the plains, the Dambulla Cave Temple has been a place of worship for over 2,000 years. Walk through its rock-hewn chambers, where over 150 Buddha statues and centuries-old murals fill the sacred space. From here, visit a mountaintop farm with views of the Aluvihare Mountains, where a guided walk through gardens of pepper, papaya and cocoa ends with a traditional lunch. Arriving in Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, said to house a sacred fragment of the Buddha. Walk through its richly decorated halls, soaking in the spiritual atmosphere. As the evening unfolds, take your seat for a Kandyan Cultural Dance Performance, where drumming, fire acts and acrobatic dancers bring Sri Lanka’s traditions to life.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Earls Regent -
Day
6Tea Country Hills
Journey into Sri Lanka’s hill country aboard the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, where rolling tea plantations and misty peaks showcase the country’s natural beauty. Arriving in the heart of tea country, visit a working tea estate and factory to see the craft behind Ceylon’s finest export and enjoy a freshly brewed cup. Later, explore Nuwara Eliya, a town rich in colonial charm. Walk past the Tudor-style post office, unwind by Gregory Lake and soak in the atmosphere of the Grand Hotel and Hill Club, reminders of a bygone era.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Galway Heights -
Day
7Onward to Tissamaharama
Travel from Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama, winding down from the highlands to Sri Lanka’s southern plains. Along the way, Dive into Culture with a stop at a traditional buffalo curd farm, where you’ll see the process firsthand and enjoy a treacle-topped serving. Arriving in Tissamaharama, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing or exploring at your own pace.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ekho Safari -
Day
8Yala National Park
Wake before dawn for a game drive in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife reserve. As the sun rises, venture through the park’s diverse landscapes, watching for elephants, crocodiles and the elusive leopard. After returning to the hotel, the afternoon is yours to relax by the pool, read a book or simply unwind. For those keen to explore more, an optional afternoon game drive offers another chance to spot Yala’s wildlife as the day cools.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ekho Safari -
Day
9Travel to Galle
Travel south to Galle, stopping along the way to see the stilt fishermen of Weligama, a tradition unique to Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Arriving in Galle, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day as you please to relax by the beach, explore the town, or soak in the colonial charm. For those looking to explore further, an Optional Experience boat trip through the Ahangama backwaters offers a peaceful journey through mangrove-lined waterways.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Radisson Blu -
Day
10Galle Sightseeing
The morning is yours to enjoy, you could relax at the hotel, take a stroll through Galle, or choose from two Optional Experiences. Set out early on a whale watching cruise (seasonal) to spot blue whales and dolphins off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, or join a mask painting workshop in Galle Fort, learning from a renowned artist about this unique tradition. A warm welcome awaits at the home of Mrs Shahira Mahuroof, for a Be My Guest experience of home-cooked Sri Lankan flavors and family stories. Later, explore the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort with a Local Specialist, walking along its ramparts and past the iconic Galle Lighthouse. As your journey comes to an end, gather for a final dinner, sharing memories and toasting to the adventure.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Radisson Blu -
Day
11Farewell Sri Lanka
Enjoy your final morning in Sri Lanka with time to relax or explore as you choose. In the afternoon, visit the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Center for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Learn about the efforts to protect endangered sea turtles and the challenges facing marine life along Sri Lanka’s coast. Afterwards, transfer to the airport where you’ll say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travelers, taking with you lasting memories of Sri Lanka’s landscapes, wildlife and culture. Flights should be booked for departure after 20:00, bringing your journey through Sri Lanka to a close.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Trafalgar is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Best of Sri Lanka tour:
Travelers Notes
* DAY 1: Complimentary arrival transfers depart Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) at 10:00 and 16:30 on the first day of the tour.* DAY 11: The complimentary one-way group transfer from the end hotel in Galle by motorcoach will arrive at Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) at approximately 17:00, depending on traffic conditions, so please be aware when booking flights. For guests departing on the last day of the tour, please do not schedule any flights before 20:00.* TRANSFERS: Chargeable transfers available in Colombo. Guests who have booked their extra hotel nights with Trafalgar, or whose flight times do not coincide with the shuttle coach timings may purchase a chargeable transfer. However, guests booking independent hotel nights should make their own transfer arrangements.* SRI LANKA: USA passport holders require a visa for Sri Lanka. Visa must be obtained prior to departure and it must be used within 6 months. However, ETA is valid for 30 days from initial entry. * IMPORTANT: Please see important visa details sent with your invoice. *DAY TRAIN : The main luggage will be transported separately by road via motorcoach and delivered to the arrival station, where the driver will meet the group on the same day. Guests may bring carry-on bags on the train if they wish, but space is limited and there is no porterage service. Porterage at the train stations is not included. Guests will be required to take their carry-on luggage on/off the train.* IMPORTANT: Minivans or minibuses may also be used depending on the group size. Motorcoaches without toilet facilities are used; the Tour Director will ensure to arrange regular stops on longer journeys to ensure guests' comfort throughout the tour.* GROUNG HANDLER: This trip is operated by Jetwing.* NOTE: This Trip falls under LEVEL 2. Please refer to the Deposit, Payment and Cancellations policies on our website.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Trafalgar. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Trafalgar (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.