8 Days / 7 Nights. From ₹55,000 per person (twin sharing), plus 5% GST and 2% TCS.
An 8-day private road trip around Sri Lanka's best-known sights, starting and ending at Colombo airport. You climb Sigiriya Rock, see the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, ride the scenic hill-country train through tea estates to Ella, then drive down to the south coast for Galle Fort before a last night in Colombo. Short drives, two-night stops at Sigiriya and Ella, and plenty of vegetarian food along the way make it easy for families.
Highlights
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, with its frescoes and Lion's Paw terrace
Dambulla Cave Temple, five painted caves full of Buddha statues
Evening puja at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy
Tea factory visit and tasting in the hills near Nuwara Eliya
Train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella through tea country
Nine Arch Bridge and the Little Adam's Peak walk in Ella
Walk on the ramparts of Galle Fort at sunset
Colombo city drive: Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square and Galle Face Green
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive Colombo · Drive to Sigiriya — Our chauffeur-guide meets you at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) after immigration. The drive to the Sigiriya/Habarana area is about 160 km and takes 4–4.5 hours, with a tea or lunch stop on the way. Check in and rest. If you arrive early and have the energy, an optional evening jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park (paid locally) is the best chance to see large…
Sigiriya Rock Fortress · Dambulla Cave Temple — Start early to climb Sigiriya Rock before the midday heat. The climb is about 1,200 steps and takes 2–3 hours up and down, past the 5th-century frescoes, the Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw terrace to the palace ruins on top. Those who prefer not to climb can walk the water gardens at the base, or visit Pidurangala Rock nearby. In the afternoon, drive about 30 minutes to the Dambulla Cave Temple;…
Sigiriya to Kandy · Spice garden · Temple of the Tooth — After breakfast, drive about 90 km to Kandy (2.5–3 hours), stopping at a spice garden in Matale to see cinnamon, pepper and cardamom growing; the garden shop is optional and prices are high, so there is no need to buy. In Kandy, drive around Kandy Lake and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the evening puja (around 6:30 pm), when the drums play and the relic chamber is opened. Wear…
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya · Tea factory · Train to Ella — Leave Kandy early and drive about 75 km into the hills (about 3 hours), stopping at a tea factory near Ramboda to see how tea is made and taste a fresh cup, and at Ramboda Falls for photos. Continue to Nanu Oya station near Nuwara Eliya to board the train to Ella, one of the most scenic rail journeys in Asia (about 3–3.5 hours through tea estates, tunnels and mountain villages). Your vehicle…
Ella · Nine Arch Bridge · Little Adam's Peak — A relaxed day in Ella. Walk to the Nine Arch Bridge in the morning; it is about 20–30 minutes on foot from the road, and trains cross it several times a day (your guide will check the timings). Later, climb Little Adam's Peak, an easy-to-moderate walk of about 45 minutes each way through tea bushes, with wide views of Ella Gap. In the afternoon, stop at Ravana Falls and the Ravana Cave, both…
Ella to Galle · Sunset on the Galle Fort walls — After breakfast, drive down from the hills to the south coast and along the Southern Expressway to Galle (about 200 km, 4.5–5 hours with stops). In the late afternoon, walk through Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese and Dutch: the lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, old streets of shops and cafés, and the ramparts, which are the best place to watch the sunset…
Galle to Colombo · Colombo city tour — Drive to Colombo on the expressway (about 125 km, 2–2.5 hours). On the way, you can stop at a sea turtle hatchery near Kosgoda (optional, entry paid locally). In the afternoon, a Colombo city drive covers Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square, the old Fort and Pettah market area, and Galle Face Green by the sea at sunset. For shopping, Odel and the Pettah markets are popular, and there are…
Departure from Colombo airport — Breakfast and check-out. Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, about 35 km north of the city (45 minutes to 1 hour, longer in rush hour). Plan to reach the airport 3 hours before your international flight.
Indian passport holders currently get a free 30-day tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for Sri Lanka. Apply online on the official site eta.gov.lk before travel (approval usually comes by email within 1–2 days); a visa on arrival at Colombo airport is also possible, but the queue is longer. Carry a passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, your return ticket and hotel details. Sri Lanka renews its free-visa scheme from time to time, so we confirm the current rule when you book.
Good to know
Sigiriya has about 1,200 steps, some on steep metal stairways. It is not advised for people with heart or knee problems or a fear of heights; they can enjoy the gardens at the base instead.
Temples (Dambulla, Temple of the Tooth, Gangaramaya) require shoulders and knees to be covered, and shoes and caps removed. Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos; this is taken seriously in Sri Lanka.
Entry tickets for foreign visitors are priced in US dollars at major sites such as Sigiriya and can add up. SAARC nationals get reduced rates at some sites. Carry your passport for the ticket counter.
The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Indian rupees are not accepted in shops. Cards work in hotels and larger shops; carry some LKR cash for tickets, tips and small eateries.
Ella and Nuwara Eliya can be cool in the evenings (15–20°C), so carry a light jacket. The rest of the route is warm and humid.
Reserved seats on the Ella train sell out fast, especially December–April. Tickets open about 30 days before travel, so confirm your dates early.
Questions travellers ask
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Sri Lankan rice and curry comes with several vegetable curries, dal and sambols, and hotel buffets always have vegetarian dishes. Kandy, Ella and Colombo also have Indian restaurants. Tell us if you need Jain or no-onion-no-garlic food, and we will inform the hotels.
Do we need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Indians currently get a free 30-day tourist ETA. Apply online at eta.gov.lk before you fly. It is quick, and we can help you fill it in.
Can elderly parents do this trip?
Yes, most of the trip is by private car with short walks. Sigiriya Rock and Little Adam's Peak involve climbing, and older travellers can skip them and rest at the base. Drives are kept to 2–5 hours a day.
Are flights included in the price?
No. The package starts and ends at Colombo airport. There are direct flights from Hyderabad and Chennai, and we can quote flights from Vijayawada or Hyderabad separately.
Can we use Indian rupees or UPI in Sri Lanka?
Indian rupee notes are not accepted in shops. UPI works at a limited number of outlets, so do not rely on it. Use an international debit or credit card, or a forex card, and carry some Sri Lankan rupees in cash.
శ్రీలంక హెరిటేజ్ టూర్
కొలంబో విమానాశ్రయంలో మొదలై అక్కడే ముగిసే 8 రోజుల ప్రైవేట్ శ్రీలంక రోడ్ ట్రిప్. సిగిరియా రాతి కోట ఎక్కడం, క్యాండీలో బుద్ధుని దంత ధాతు ఆలయ దర్శనం, టీ తోటల మధ్య ఎల్లాకు కొండ రైలు ప్రయాణం, తర్వాత దక్షిణ తీరంలో గాలే కోట, చివరి రాత్రి కొలంబోలో బస ఉంటాయి. తక్కువ దూరం ప్రయాణాలు, సిగిరియా, ఎల్లాలో రెండేసి రాత్రుల బస, దారి పొడవునా శాకాహార భోజనం దొరకడం వల్ల కుటుంబాలకు సౌకర్యంగా ఉంటుంది.
To book or customise this trip, call / WhatsApp +91 97162 22279.