Premium Sri Lanka in Depth

14 Days | Discover the riches of Sri Lanka, the Teardrop of India

4.9 out of 5 based on 168 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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CHF  2,997
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Discover a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine and scorching cuisine to the incredibly kind people, this is Sri Lanka. This 14-day Premium adventure through ‘the Teardrop of India’ will take you straight to the heart of the country. Explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, search for rare and beautiful animals like elephants and leopards, relax on palm-fringed beaches and soak up the hospitable welcome from the locals. From the spicy food scene to the Exclusive cooking class and high tea, this adventure sees all the best bits or Sri Lanka in style.

Trip overview

Map of Premium Sri Lanka In Depth including Sri Lanka
Start
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Finish
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Sri Lanka
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
HPPS
This trip generates 67 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

Premium experiences

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Premium knowledge

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders


Why you'll love this trip
  • Learn about Sri Lanka’s past first-hand during your Feature Stay at the gorgeous Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya – first established in 1891, this historic hotel has a modern outlook on sustainable practices.
  • Discover the breadth of Sri Lanka’s food scene during Exclusive Experiences, including a cooking class in Galle, a tea plantation tour, a high tea in Nuwara Eliya and a barbecue dinner in Dambulla.
  • Search for crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and the ever-elusive leopards under the cover of darkness on an evening safari through the wild grasslands of Yala National Park.
  • Uncover ancient treasures in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle as you explore the temples, ruins and stupas of Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy with the expert guidance of your local leader.
  • Enjoy Exclusive Experiences in Kandy – dine at the Hela Bojun restaurant, which is focused on empowering and employing local women, and enjoy a private cultural dance performance.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The Rock Fortress (or Lion Rock) of Sigiriya is spectacular. However, those with a fear of (or even an aversion to) heights may wish to sit the excursion out. Scaling the rock involves walking up lots of rough, narrow steps and tight walkways.
  • There are a couple of long travel days on this trip. Journeys may take up to five hours, but are a great opportunity to get to know locals, fellow travellers and the diverse scenery.
  • Tourism in Sri Lanka is booming, resulting in a huge increase in visitors to Yala National Park. Overtourism and lack of sustainable management practices are of major concern to Intrepid, so in order to reduce our impact on wildlife and the environment we are trialling visits in a less-touristed section of the park known as Block 5 or Veheragala. If we determine that Block 5 is also too crowded to visit responsibly, we will change our itinerary to visit Udawalawe National Park and Bundala National Park. Udawalawe is home to wild elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards. Bundala is home to crocodiles and birds. This is the same itinerary we follow from September to mid-October when Yala National Park is closed annually for infrastructure development and rejuvenation.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Premium Sri Lanka In Depth including Sri Lanka

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Hotels (11 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Premium Inclusions
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Negombo - Welcome Dinner
  • Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
  • Negombo - Fish market
  • Dambulla - Local BBQ dinner
  • Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
  • Anuradhapura - World Heritage Site of ancient kingdom ruins
  • Anuradhapura - Isurumuniya Temple
  • Anuradhapura - Ruwanweliseya Stupa
  • Anuradhapura - Jetawanaramaya Stupa
  • Polonnaruwa ancient ruins
  • Polonnaruwa - Statue of Parakramabahu I
  • Polonnaruwa - Rankot Vihara
  • Polonnaruwa - Quadrangle
  • Polonnaruwa - Lankatilaka
  • Polonnaruwa - Gal Vihara
  • Matale - Spice Garden
  • Dambulla - Cave Temples
  • Kandy - Botanical Gardens
  • Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
  • Kandy - Hela Bojun social enterprise lunch
  • Kandy - Gem museum & lapidary workshop visit
  • Kandy - Private Cultural Dance Performance
  • Nuwara Eliya - High Tea
  • Kandy - Scenic train ride to Nuwara Eliya
  • Nuwara Eliya - Visit to Tea State & Tea Factory
  • Nuwara Eliya - Single Tree Hill hiking
  • Nuwara Eliya - Lunch at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
  • Ella - Ella Gap view point
  • Yala/Bundala National Park - Wildlife safari
  • Galle - Galle Fort Walking tour
  • Galle - Beeralu lace weaving activity
  • Galle - Farmer's market and home cooking class
  • Colombo - City walking tour

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Tourism in Sri Lanka is booming, and with it has come a huge increase in visitors to Yala National Park. In order to reduce our impact on wildlife and the environment we are trialling visiting a less touristed section of Yala. Should we determine that tourist numbers here also make it difficult to visit responsibly, we will change our itinerary to visit Udawalawe National Park.
4. Yala National Park is closed in September and October for infrastructure development and rejuvenation. During these months we visit Udawalawe National Park.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 168 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Stephanie · Traveled September 2024
Cham was the best tour guide full of passion and kindness made the tour experience outstanding, our driver and assistant where brilliant aswell the best trio. Highly recommend
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024

Victoria (Vikki) · Traveled September 2024
Sri Lanka is the most beautiful country and I couldn’t have asked for more of what the intrepid premium indepth tour covered. Our guide Chammika (Cham) was the perfect host and so knowledgeable. We covered so much of Sri Lanka, its history, culture, food, world heritage sites, national and wildlife parks. The Sri Lankans are lovely people and very welcoming and the scenery is stunning. I thoroughly recommend this trip. A small tip - take an old pair of socks because there are some heritage sites and temples where you need to remove shoes and it can be very hot underfoot.
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024

Cindy · Traveled September 2024
This trip gives a wonderful perspective of Sri Lanka and the environment. Amazing people and very friendly. Leader, Chammika was very knowledgeable, and engaging he is the best tour leader I have encountered on my many Intrepid trips.
Review submitted 20 Sep 2024

Leeanne · Traveled September 2024
Cham was the perfect leader he is so positive knowledgeable. He is proud of Sri Lanka and for us to get to know his country. Best guide
Review submitted 20 Sep 2024

Graham · Traveled September 2024
Great Trip, Chammy Our Guide was A CHAMPION!! Terrific Itinerary, Still lots of Me Time. Sri Lanka and It's People Rock1😎🤠😕😄😁
Review submitted 20 Sep 2024
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