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Discover our Classic Sri Lanka tours are the best of the diverse regions of the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". Like discovering the ancient cities in the cultural triangle, summiting Lion Rock in Sigiriya, majestic views from Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, and exploring. The historical Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The best is also a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home, a traditional cultural show, elegant high tea, sunrise yoga, and your feet in the sand on the beautiful beaches and hiking through the tea plantations and villages in Nuwara Eliya. Majestic train ride via the tea plantations and misty mountains.  In fact, we think the best is doing all that and more in our Discover the Best of Sri Lanka Itineraries. 

Explore the highlights of Sri Lanka - from ancient cities and scenic landscapes to cultural experiences and relaxing beaches. 

Why Sri Lanka Escapes?

We Include Accommodation:

Hotel options 

• Comfortable 3-star hotels, double share with private ensuite bathroom

• Elegant 4-star hotels are available on request for a touch of extra luxury

• Optional 3 - 4 star hotel mix

• Single supplement available on request

 We Include Transport & Guide:

• Smooth, hassle-free return airport transfers

• Friendly, professional English-speaking chauffeur/guide to make your journey effortless

• Spacious, air-conditioned vehicle for relaxing travel

• Refreshing bottled water daily

 We Include Meals:

• Delicious daily breakfast and dinner (breakfast  -  beach hotels)

• 4-star upgrade: gourmet daily breakfast included

 We Include Experiences:

• Exciting wildlife elephant safari with park entry, 4x4 jeep adventure, and expert tracker

• Scenic, memorable train ride through lush tea country (subject to class availability)

• Relaxing Ayurvedic massage and vibrant cultural dance performance

• Authentic traditional cooking class in a local home

• Charming visits to local farm villages, rice paddies, with a hands-on lunch experience

• Invigorating spice garden walk with wellness talk

We Include Trip Highlights:

• Explore UNESCO sites Sigiriya Lion Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple

• Temple of the Tooth Relic

• Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, Tea plantations & factory to

• Visit Ancient Cities, Negombo Fishing Village

• Royal Botanical Garden, Cultural Show

• Waterfalls viewpoints, Treks & hidden gems

• Gem Museum visit, walk the Local markets & local villages,

• Turtle Hatchery, Historical Galle Fort

• Traditional curd/treacle and exotic fruit tasting on tour

• Tea shops & refreshing King coconut stops

We are an Australian Boutique agency, happy to customise a Dream itinerary for your family and friends.  With our wealth of experience, our local team in Sri Lanka, we are here to offer a personal and unique unforgettable experience in Sri Lanka. 

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​*Itineraries may vary slightly and are subject to availability. Flights are not included.

Optional extras:   

All UNESCO Monument & optional entrance fees will be paid directly by the client on the day, we will visit these during your tour as these are all optional,  you can decide on the day if you wish to enter.

UNESCO Sites/Visits and UNESCO qualified guides

All temples and sights are optional and on the day you decide if you wish to enter.

·       Dambulla Cave Temple

·       Sigiriya Lion Rock

·       Royal Botanical Garden

·       Temple of the Tooth Relic

·       High Tea in Nuwara Eylia

Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport where a representative of Sri Lanka Escapes will welcome you.   Let your adventure and journey begin. 

Acclimatize yourself with Sri Lanka in the city of Colombo.  Historically Colombo was seen as a simple trading port, while today the city of Colombo is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that serves as the commercial capital of the island. Transfer to your hotel.

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, you will be met by your experienced Chauffeur who will be with you for the duration of the trip.  He is a local with exceptional years of experience and knowledge and very excited to show his beautiful country. will  travel through the beautiful country side on our way to Ella, stopping at beautiful viewpoints, waterfalls and little tea and lunch stops on this magical journey winding via the mountains and through local villages on our way to Ella.  Seeing many locals on the way doing daily life. 

We visit Haputale, a small town on the southern edge of the Sri Lankan hill country. On a clear day you can see the coastline from the mountain ridge, but on other days thick mist clings onto the deep green mountains, tea fields

We stop at local Markets and feel the real life of Sri Lankan going about their day giving you a surreal experience of being surrounded by clouds. Explore the stunning surroundings of Haputale during your travels

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We continue to Ella and arrive at your hotel late afternoon and relax.  Time to relax enjoy a drink or you can have the rest of the day to yourself.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Viepoints

Local Stops

Haputale

Ella

After a leisurely breakfast, we walk through a beautiful path to see the Nine Arch Bridge is a connection of two mountains and also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’.  This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width and 80-100 feet in height.  It is an amazing example of colonial era railway in Sri Lanka and this is located in Demodara and happens to be one of the best places to visit in Ella. 

Little Adam's peak is an easy walk to reach the viewpoint. Climbing up the Little Adams Peak in Ella is one of the favourite activities of the tourists on their Sri Lankan holiday with majestic views and photo opportunities – it is only a leisurely 2 hour walk. Enjoy the view over the valley. The whole journey is very pleasing while passing through the local villages and tea plantations. End the day and back to the hotel via a scenic road.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Nine Arch Bridge

Little Adams Peak

After a leisurely breakfast, we depart on the famous scenic train to Nuwara Eliya.  The train ride to Nuwara Eliya powers down through Sri Lanka's southern hill country, crossing the tea plantations before it winds up and disappears into the clouds, weaving in and out of the many mountain tunnels as it finally descends to Nuwara Eliya. Allowing you to soak in the mystic vibes and cherish the beauty of slow travel.

Arrive at Nuwara Eliya and take a city tour and experience a few viewpoints before we go to the majestic Grand Hotel and enjoy the grand style and class of the hotel, dating back in time, enjoy an optional traditional English High Tea followed by an afternoon at leisure.   

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Majestic Train ride

Nuwara Eliya

High Tea

After a leisurely breakfast, we will visit Ramboda known for its marvellous landscapes, consisting of highlands, ridges, plains, streams and hilly mountains and see the scenic Ramboda waterfall.  

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Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon is famous for its quality tea. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s lush tea-growing region, founded by the British explorer Samuel Baker in 1846 continues to give us the experience of the British colonial past with full operational tea plantations. En route we will see local families from generation to generation working in the fields of rolling hills, picking the tea leaves manually by hand. We will visit a real-time Tea processing factory to see how the tea is produced as there are many still in full operation today giving you an opportunity to taste the delights of fresh tea and the opportunity to buy to take home for family and friends.

This afternoon optional visit one of the most stunning gardens, The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya.  In 1821 the park was under British rule and it then became known as the Botanical Garden.  Here exotic crops such as nutmeg, tea, rubber, coffee, cinchona are all unique and important to the country of Sri Lanka.  The garden also includes a beautiful orchid house and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world. 

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Visit the Town of Kandy and walk along the local street to experience local shopping as we make our way to the Gem Factory Museum to see how the gems are cultivated from beginning to end.  Sri Lanka is known as one of the largest gem producers in the world.  

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Early evening we will attend the Sri Lankan traditional cultural show and watch the beautiful locals dancing in a rainbow of colorful cultural costumes as they perform their dances in grace and style. 

We will take a visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It was founded back in the 16th century, it housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre, which is now protected within the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth. Then transfer to your hotel and have time to relax.  Arrive at your hotel and unwind. 

includes Breakfast/Dinner

Ramboda

Tea factory visit

The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya

Town of Kandy

Gem Museum

Cultural Show

Temple of the Tooth

After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Sigiriya we will stop at Matale and visit the unique Spice garden growing a large variety of spices.  Enjoy an informative talk about all the spices by a local qualified educational guide who explains all the natural remedies an opportunity to try and take spices and remedies home to enhance your health and wellness regime. 

We will visit Nalanda Gedige is an ancient complete stone temple near Matale and its original site is considered the geographical centre Sri Lanka. The building was constructed between the 8th and 10th centuries. 

An Optional visit to Muttuariamman Temple in Matale was built in 1874.  This temple is used by both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple was originally a small statue under a tree prayed to by the Hindu people but has been developed by the people in Matale.

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Dambulla, named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. An added bonus is the beautiful panoramic view that you get of the surrounding area. Visit the stunning Cave Temples of  Dambulla, built by King Valagamba back in the 1st century BC.   Dambulla is named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill.  It is worth the climb to see the 5 caves and stunning temples filled with over 150 colourful religious statues and paintings while experiencing the beautiful panoramic views. The monastic ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia.

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Then we can take a stroll through Dambulla Produce Market and discover new fruits and vegetables. Afternoon arrive at your hotel and time to relax.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Matale Spice Garden

Nelanda Gedige

Muttuariamman Temple

Dambulla Cave Temples

Dambulla produce market

After a leisurely breakfast, the adventure begins as we visit a local traditional village and enjoy boat ride via the rice plantation making our way by boat as we enjoy the live lily pads.  We exit the boat and walk a little way to see a local farm and rice fields.  Watch how the local villages to cook delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry, coconut roti over a hot fire.  We also have the opportunity to experience how you can hull the rice as it has been done for generations and enjoy a local traditional lunch curry, roti and fruits.

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After lunch, we will join an adventurous Wildlife Elephant Safari 4 x 4 jeep to see the wild elephants.   This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and an opportunity to take photos up close and personal to send home and share with family and friends.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Traditional Village tour

Wildlife Elephant Safari

Sri Lanka is home to at least 8 UNESCO World Heritage listed sites. Sigiriya is nominated among travel enthusiasts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress with awe-inspiring architecture.

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, is the option to climb Pidurangala rock, at the top you will enjoy the amazing view of Sigiriya Lion Rock with your group and at the top you have candid photo opportunities. Or for those keen about history, Sigiriya is nominated among travel enthusiasts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress with awe inspiring architecture, with an amazing view of Fortress Sigiriya Lion Rock’ built by King Kayapa in the 5th century for all those who are fit. It is a spectacular 200 meters high natural formation of granite some 750 steps up and at the top, preserves the ruins of an ancient fortified palace.

Experience true Sri Lanka hospitality enjoying the tastes and secrets of traditional Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking class in a local Sri Lankan home.   

Time to wind down and enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic massage, commonly known as "Abhyanga", is a full-body massage performed using warm, medicinal oils, aims to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. The idea is to stimulate specific energy points (marmas) on the body, thereby promoting physical healing, improving circulation, and enhancing mental clarity.   Return to your hotel and relax.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Pidurangula Rock

Sigiriya Lion Roack

Cooking Class in a Local Home

Traditional Ayurvedic Massage

This morning after a leisurely breakfast we travel via the villages to Trincomalee town to see Temple, Culture and traditions of East Sri Lanka.  The art and cultural activities in Trincomalee will give you an insight into the city's history, traditions and artwork.

Visit The Koneswaram Temple - a popular place of worship in Sri Lanka and is one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes) of Lord Shiva. The earliest mention of the temple goes way back to the 6th century BC.

Arrive at your hotel and relax by the beach. 

Includes Breakfast

View points

Local stops

The Koneswaram Temple

This morning after a leisurely breakfast is a free day to relax, or enjoy an option boat trip to Pigeon Island. The Pigeon Island National Park comprises two islands. The islands are a breeding and feeding ground for over 300 species of coral reef fish keeping the colourful underwater symphony alive.

Enjoy and experience some snorkelling in the morning and afternoon and you can witness various underwater life ranging from Trumper fish, angel fish, parrot fish, eels, coral gardens, and other colourful fishes, etc. There is also a high chance of seeing huge sea turtles and blacktip sharks. Or enjoy a free day at the beach.  Includes Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast we make our way from East to West coast and we continue to the coastal town of Negombo alongside a picturesque lagoon and impressive infrastructure of canals built by the Dutch colonial times. Negombo was an important outpost for the trade of cinnamon in colonial times.

Arrive at your transit hotel, relax & dinner before transferring to the airport for your flight homeward bound.

Includes Breakfast/Dinner

Negombo City tour