Colombo Trip Overview
Sri Lanka, an island country in Southern Asia, compromises an exciting mix of cultural sights, wildlife, and lush green mountains covering an area of just 65,000 square kilometers offering an interesting variety of activities and landscapes that are a joy to discover. Discover Sri Lanka in 7 days / 6 nights with our 7 day tour itineraries. Enjoy an amazing holiday experience in Sri Lanka with one of our 7 day tour package. Discover the ancient places and enjoy the wild Elephants in the Minneriya National Park. Get the chance to explore 4 UNESCO World heritage sites in one Tour. Visit the hill country, enjoy a cup of the famous Ceylon tea and take a journey through the beautiful mountains of Sri Lanka.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-offs
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
• Accommodation included
Additional Info
Duration: 7 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, an island country in Southern Asia, compromises an exciting mix of cultural sights, wildlife, and lush green mountains covering an area of just 65,000 square kilometers offering an interesting variety of activities and landscapes that are a joy to discover. Discover Sri Lanka in 7 days / 6 nights with our 7 day tour itineraries. Enjoy an amazing holiday experience in Sri Lanka with one of our 7 day tour package. Discover the ancient places and enjoy the wild Elephants in the Minneriya National Park. Get the chance to explore 4 UNESCO World heritage sites in one Tour. Visit the hill country, enjoy a cup of the famous Ceylon tea and take a journey through the beautiful mountains of Sri Lanka.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-offs
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
• Accommodation included
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo/Colombo – Kandy
Stop At: Temple of the Tooth, Sangamiththa Mawatha, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
A visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a must when you are in Kandy. The most revered site in Sri Lanka, it is locally known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is a place of worship established in the 16th century AD. Situated adjacent to the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, the shrine overlooks the vast expanse of the Kandy Lake.Preserving the Relic of Buddha in this haven of refuge, it was declared that whoever houses and protects it is automatically given the power to rule the country. The artefact serves as a significant symbol of Sinhalese identity and pride. Everyday thousands of white-clad pilgrims make their way to this hallowed space, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani for their offerings and prayers, known as pujas
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka
The Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue is located alongside the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple which is on the top of the Bahirawa Kanda hill. This beautifully sculpted white statue displays Buddha in the seated Nirvana pose and can be seen from the entire city of Kandy that sprawls out before it. It stands at 88 feet in height and is one of the biggest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. There is a Buddhist temple located alongside the Buddha Statue in Bahirawakanda Hill. The hill provides panoramic views of the Kandy City including the mountain range nearby and the Bogambara prison.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Situated in Kandy’s suburb of Peradeniya, the spectacular Peradeniya Botanical Garden dates to 1371. Once enjoyed for pleasure by a Kandyan queen, this spectacular garden is enclosed on three sides by a large bend in the Mahaweli River. A Kandyan prince’s residence during the 18th Century, in the early 1800s the leafy green tangle became one of the greatest Botanical Gardens in the British Empire. The gardens display over 4 000 different species of plants, regarded amongst the most superior in Asia. The highlight is the spectacular Orchid collection and a mighty avenue of palm trees. Encompassing over 60 hectares of sublimely designed lawns, pavilions and plant houses the extra ordinary array of Sri Lankan and international flora is a fragrant and colorful view to the eye.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy Lake, Centre of Kandy City, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Kandy Lake is an artificial waterbody that is considered a sacred relic of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. The lake was made back in 1807 and is one of the best places to visit for a walk or jog along. The shady area next to the temple offers its guests a view of the whole city. There are many temples near the waterbody, but the lake was built to beautify the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and a picturesque mountain stands tall right behind the hydric beauty. There are numerous things that tourists can do in the city. Tourists can go for a calming long walk, a fast-paced jog along the shores or a boat ride on the Kandy Lake in their free time.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kandy Lake Club – Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance Show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage Show that is a must see for any visitor who visits the historic city of Kandy. It is the first Cultural Dance Show of its kind to be established in Sri Lanka. It has since become a tourist attraction for many people visiting the country and keen on a glimpse of its rich cultural heritage. Dance techniques unique to areas of the island are usually passed on from generation to generation. Among the attractions are the Dances depicting the majestic walk of the elephant, colourful performance of the peacock and the mystical movements of the cobra. The highlight of the show is definitely the fire walking show, where the artists walk through a specially prepared fire pit, roughly 8 feet by 3 feet covered with red-hot charcoal, completely barefoot and emerges unharmed at the other end!
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Kandy
Day 2: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Stop At: Pedro Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
To see where your morning cuppa originates, head to the Pedro Tea Estate, about 3.5km east of Nuwara Eliya on the way to Kandapola. Walk through the tea fields and watch closely how the colorfully clad tea pluckers carefully pick the prized “two leaves and bud” that go into making the world finest Pure Ceylon Tea. Try your hand at picking the leaves; chat with the pickers, let them show you how it is correctly done. You can take a 20-minute guided tour of the factory, originally built in 1885 and still packed with 19th-century engineering. The full process involves Tea Plucking, Withering, Rolling, Fermentation, Firing and Sorting/Grading before it is bulk packed to be sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo. At the outdoor Café enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea while enjoying the panoramic view. You canal so buy some Pure Ceylon Tea to take back home.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Lover’s Leap Falls, Hawa Eliya, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Lover’s Leap Waterfall is a must see on your trip to Sri Lanka. This little known gem of a natural beauty spot is tucked away in Nuwara Eliya’s pretty countryside and makes for a perfect visit. Underneath the lovers Leap Waterfall you can relax, enjoy the cool spray from the gushing water or even take a dip. Lover’s Leap Waterfall gets its name from old legend. Once upon a time a royal prince went hunting in the jungle. On his way there he met a beautiful girl from the local village and they fell head over heels in love. The Eliya king and queen opposed the marriage and refused to allow it. In their despair at being forced apart they jumped from the top of the waterfall to their watery deaths below, where in death they could be united forever.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya, A5, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Situated next to Nuwara Eliya Post Office, the lush green Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya is a great place to spend a lovely evening in the city. Victoria Park Nuwara Eliya was officially named so in 1897 as it commemorated Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Once it was used by Hakgala Botanical Garden as its research field, but today it is a well-manicured public lawn. The park has Nanu Oya river running through it which adds on to this well maintained and beautiful public park in Sri Lanka. Open all the year round, the park sprawls over an area of around 27 acres.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Post Office Nuwara Eliya, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nuwara Eliya 22200 Sri Lanka
Located at the centre of the town this 100 year old building is one of the most popular colonial constructions of “Little England’.The red brick exterior is hard to be missed while one is on the streets of Nuwara Eliya. Built in Tudor style, the post office has a distinctive edge and stands as a remnant of the old world Ceylon. A clock tower spirals from one side of the building. Built in the year 1894, the Nuwara Eliya Post Office building displays a Tudor-era design, in keeping with the architectural style of many of the other colonial buildings within the town.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
In the heart of hill country, Gregory Lake is a extremely popular place with both foreign tourists and locals. This is a place to enjoy cool weather. Gregory Lake, is a reservoir in hill city, Nuwara-Eliya, Sri Lanka. Lake Gregory was built by Governor William Gregory between 1872 and 1877. The park near the lake gives you various activities such speed boat, swan boats, dinky boats, Pony ride and many more. There is also a bicycle path around the lake. Bicycle cost from 100 rupees per hour. The park around it has a walkway and its well maintained. So can take a saunter stroll along the area’s 5 km path. Lot of flowers between walking paths given extra attraction to the park and also small restaurants are situated one side of the park.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 3: Nuwara Eliya – Ella
Stop At: Ella Rock, Ella Main Street NECS-Nature Exploration and Conservation Society Sri Lanka, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
Ella Rock is a famous cliff, located high above Ella’s village, around 8km (5 miles) from the center of town – around 4 hours total trekking there and back. It’s the ideal base to explore the surrounding hills and take in pretty breath taking views of the Badulla Valley. When you’re starting from Badulla railway station you could enjoy a railway walk, as soon as you start the hike you will be passing a water fall followed by a rubber tea plantations and tea plantations. The panoramic views it provides with mist and cloud covering the area, especially in the early mornings and the late evenings are something you should witness and that would suffice enough to say that you visited Ella.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Demodara Loop, Demodara, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
The Demodara Railway Loop is a popular tourist attraction situated in Demodara in Ella. The Demodara Railway loop is a spiral rail line which passes under itself, going around the loop and emerging from a tunnel, which runs directly beneath the Demodara railway station. The loop is around 300 ft long and the tunnel is around 1050 ft in length. It is considered as the only railway loop in the world with a railway station situated right above a tunnel at spiral loop. According to local folklore one of the engineers was inspired after seeing a supervisor in a local tea estate undo his turban and re-tie it around his head
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nine Arches Bridge, Ella Sri Lanka
Nine Arches Bridge also known as the Bridge in the Sky, is an iconic bridge situated in Demodara in Ella. Its exact location is between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The bridge and the surrounding area has seen an increase in tourists due to the architecture of the bridge and the lush greenery in the hills nearby. The Nine Arches Bridge stands at a length of 300 ft and a height of 80 ft. The bridge has 9 spans to it and is made of stone, brick and cement as opposed to steel. The bridge is a popular place for capturing photographs, among both locals and foreigners.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Ella
Day 4: Ella
Stop At: Little Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka
Walk along rustic footpaths sandwiched between tall grass and thorny bushes as the wind blow cold gusts in your faces every now and then. Covered in deep green vegetation that surroundings would stun you with the enormity of nature. This is approximately a 2km hike and is not as demanding as conquering Ella Rock. However, the views from the top of Little Adam’s Peak are bound to leave you awestruck. It is also believed to be the place where King Ravana engaged in his daily ritual of Worshipping the Sun God.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Flying Ravana Mega Zipline, 98 Adventures (Pvt) Ltd, Little Adams Peak Uva Greenland Estate, Ella – Passara Rd, Ella 90090, Sri Lanka
Ella Sri Lanka has always been at the forefront of offering visitors to Sri Lanka something different. This charming village visited by travellers on their way to somewhere else has over the past 20 years, gradually became a destination in itself. Now it has something nowhere else in Sri Lanka has, a zipline in Ella named Flying Ravana Zipline. As an acknowledgement to the legendary Ravana, king of Sri Lanka and his association with Ella, the zip line is called “Flying Ravana Zipline Ella.’’ It is Sri Lanka’s first two-laned zip-line in Ella. It stretches half a kilometre and claims to be the second-longest in South East Asia.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ravana’s Cave, Wellawaya road Nature Exploration and conservation Society ,#37/2,kekunahena,opatha,Galle, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
The Ravana Ella Caves is a legendary historical site. Situated on a cliff close to Ella it is 4,950 feet above sea level. This cave consists of a part of the tunnel which is connected to the Ravana Ella Falls. Tales say that King Rama of India had a beautiful wife Queen Sita. King Ravana kidnapped Queen Sita and brought her to Sri Lanka confining her to these caves. These tunnels gave ample access to quick and undisrupted travel and were the perfect gateway for King Ravana. The myth and reality of this epic story revolved around Ella. It is further believed that strong ties existed between Ravana and Ella.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
The Ravana falls (Ravana Fall) with a height of 19 metres is one of the most popular activities in Ella, it is visited by almost all tourists. Although he isn’t very tall, but consists of several levels and pools where you can swim. Very popular as it is one of the few places near Ella, where you can swim. Indeed, to the extent of cool water in the pools is very refreshing, so on weekends and during the holidays there are so many locals and tourists that just is not overcrowded. The Ravana Fall cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The waterfall resembles an areca flower with withering petals during the wet season.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Ella
Day 5: Ella – Dambulla – Sigiriya
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Dambulla Cave Temple is located at an elevation of 1118 feet from the sea level rises a massive rock from the surrounding plains of Dambulla of 600 feet high and over 2000 feet in length. It is home to the Worlds most acclaimed Cave complex of magnificent Buddha Images and Rock Paintings of vivid colours and shapes constructed and painted from around 2nd Century BC (Anuradhapura era ) and continued up to the Kandyan era of the 18th Century. Sinhalese people call it as ‘ Dambulu Gala’ ( Dambulla Rock) and the Temple is called as the ‘ Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya’ (Golden Rock Dambulla Temple).Dambulla rock temple has been named as a UNESCO world heritage site due to its importance in Sri Lanka Culture.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: kandalama Reservoir, Kandalama Sri Lanka
Amongst the craggy regions of the Central province of Sri Lanka is a placid and beautiful man-made lake, which is actually the Kandalama Reservoir. Created by kings of long gone times in order to provide water for farming irrigation; the the Kandelle or Candelay reservoir, as it was also known, is located in the town of Kandalama and was made by damming one of the main tributaries of Kala Wewa. The reservoir has been a famous tourist destination for both local and foreign tourist, even during the British colonial period. This is a popular bathing location among local and foreign travelers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without a visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya, also known as as Lion Rock for the two enormous lion pawns carved in the rock, guarding the staircase leading to the entrance of the fortress. It is a spectacular rocky formation located in the island’s center, not far from Dambulla. What distinguishes Sigiriya from the other ruins sites in Sri Lanka are its impressive and incredibly well-maintained frescoes. What distinguishes Sigiriya from the other ruins sites in Sri Lanka are its impressive and incredibly well-maintained frescoes. It is now one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and the most visited attraction in the country. The view from the top of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress will be one of the most amazing views that you will be able to experience in your lifetime.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Sigiriya
Day 6: Sigiriya – Minneriya – Anuradhapura
Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
Visit Minneriya National Park in view of the famous Gathering of the wild elephant herds. The gathering is documented as the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During the dry season of August to September each year, herds up to 300 elephants are seen within a few square kilometers of the vast Minneriya Reservoir. This Elephant Gathering is a thrilling spectacle that would be remembered for rest of the life of all those who were fortunate enough to witness it. 24 species of mammals and over 170 species of birds have been recorded here and out Of the 25 species of reptiles recorded in the park 8 are endemic.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in a 3 star Hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 7: Anuradhapura – Negombo / Colombo
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the most ancient trees which are living even today standing tall in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. The tree is believed to have sprouted from a cutting brought from Bodh Gaya in India, where Gautama Buddha had attained enlightenment. The tree is an authentic and living link to Gautama Buddha and is often respected as the oldest tree in history which has a recorded date of the plantation.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Abhayawewa Road, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is among the largest stupas (also called dagobas) in Sri Lanka and one of the most prominent places to visit in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Built long ago by King Dutugamunu, this beautiful stupa is nestled right in the heart of the heritage city of Anuradhapura. Also called Maha Stupa, this adorned structure is over 338 feet tall and has large paved courts as well as platforms that all add a unique architectural touch to this magnificent structure. Recent renovations have earned this shrine the privilege of being one of the most revered sanctums of worship in Anuradhapura.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The monastery of Jetavanaramaya is one of the largest monasteries in Anuradhapura. In fact, it was once the third-tallest structure in the whole world. The legend surrounding this ancient sanctum is that it’s the same place where Buddha’s sash or belt was tied and preserved for a long time, and that is what fascinates worshippers and history geeks from around the world and brings them here in large numbers every year. Luring in travelers with its enchanting historical significance, Jetavanaramaya still remains one of the largest holy structures in the world and is home to about 10,000 monks.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Archaeological Museum, Anuradhapuram, 89WV+XCH, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
The Archaeological Museum Anuradhapura holds tremendous historical significance owing to the range of ancient artifacts, intricate carvings, and age-old domestic items extracted after excavations in Anuradhapura and other parts of Sri Lanka it has on display. Established in 1947, this museum is one of the best places to visit in Anuradhapura for history geeks and those who love the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka. Some of the items on display here are as old as the pre-Christian era when Sri Lanka was home to the Sinhalese civilization. Other items to see here are Buddha statues, inscriptions, paintings, drawings, coins, and Lankan antiques.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mihinthale, Sri Lanka
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures. The climb to Mihintale is not strenuous – it takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The best time to climb is in the early morning or the late afternoon. Mihintale is a fabulous place to see the sunset. Mihintale is not touristy at all. Archaeologists and historians say that the ruins of the great 40 foot stupa and the surrounding caves date back to the 1st century BC.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Isurumuniya Rajamaha Viharaya, 89MR+R4J, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
This charming rock temple, dating from the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (r 307–267 BC), is set around a lovely lotus pond, the corner of which is carved with images of elephants playfully splashing water. The central temple has some particularly fine mural paintings. Climb around the back to the rock summit to see the bell-shaped stupa and a pair of Buddha footprints etched into the rock.The small museum features the famous ‘lovers’ sculpture, which dates from around the 5th century AD and is carved in the artistic style of the Indian Gupta dynasty of the 4th and 5th centuries. Photos are tolerated, despite signs to the contrary.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
