Simply Sri Lanka

8 Days | Discover ancient cave temples, tea plantations and idyllic beaches

4.9 out of 5 based on 92 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
EUR €540

Sri Lanka is jam-packed with ancient sites, fascinating cultures, beautiful wilderness and idyllic beaches and this eight-day experience will introduce you to the most memorable. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, climb Lion Rock at Sigiriya, and explore the monkey-filled mangrove forests of Unawatuna. We’ve sorted the nitty gritty so you can focus on soaking up Sri Lanka at your own pace, with plenty of optional activities and the guidance of your local leader to help you out when you’re not sure where to start. Are you an independent traveller who wants to explore Sri Lanka with like-minded people and a local? This is your trip.

Trip overview

Map of Simply Sri Lanka 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
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
HPRS
This trip generates 47 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.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Check out the awe-inspiring Sigiriya (Lion Rock), a 200-metre-high ancient rock fortress that lies smack-bang in the middle of evergreen jungle.
  • Wander through the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy, which houses one of Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relics – a tooth of the Buddha.
  • Get to know the gorgeous beach of Unawatuna, where you can either get active in the surrounding jungle or chill with a cocktail while lying under a palm tree.
  • This tour has the option of a 4WD safari through a park known for its wild elephant population. Seeing these big beauties in the flesh is unforgettable.
  • With these experiences you get local knowledge, decades of on-the-ground operational experience and the freedom and independence to explore at your own pace.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Though its equatorial position means fairly constant year-round temperatures, the summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the south-west of the country. Be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.
  • Beaches in Sri Lanka may be unpatrolled, so please seek local advice on where to swim safely.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Map of Simply Sri Lanka including Sri Lanka

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Private vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Activities
  • Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
  • Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
  • Kandy - Hela Bojun social enterprise lunch
  • Colombo – Guided market visit
  • Galle - Local train to Colombo
Optional activities
  • Dambulla - Cave temples (entrance) - USD7
  • Minneriya National Park (entrance) - USD30
  • Minneriya National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) - USD40
  • Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance - USD7
  • Kandy - Botanical Gardens - USD10
  • Kandy - Cooking Class in a Sinhalese Home - USD12
  • Galle - Dutch Fort - Free
  • Mirissa - Whale Watching (Nov to Mar) - USD70

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1.Some travellers have reported being approached by locals offering excursions before their Intrepid trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Intrepid. These guides are in no way connected to Intrepid and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We advise customers against joining any tour offered by the unauthorised guides.

2. A Single Supplement is available on this trip and is valid for all nights on tour.

3. Please provide your full passport details at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and entrance tickets. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.

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 92 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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Margaret · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 11 Oct 2024

Amy · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 11 Oct 2024

Teresa · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 11 Oct 2024

Max · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 11 Oct 2024

Samantha · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 11 Oct 2024
Simply Sri Lanka
From
EUR €540