Premium Sri Lanka in Depth

14 Days | Discover Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

4.9 out of 5 based on 63 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $3,879
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Encounter a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine to its scorching cuisine and incredibly kind people. This 14-day Premium adventure through Sri Lanka will take you straight to the heart of the country’s wealth of cultural riches. Explore the ancient ruins of past civilizations, search for rare and beautiful animals, relax on palm-fringed beaches and receive a welcoming embrace from the locals. A shining gem in the Indian ocean, the teardrop isle will bring nothing but smiles.

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 30.07 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 the country’s colonial 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 and a sophisticated high tea in Nuwara Eliya, and 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.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Zero Plastic. Donations help them educate Sri Lankan communities about the impact of plastic on the environment and reduce plastic pollution in the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya.

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 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of Premium Sri Lanka In Depth including Sri Lanka

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 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 Airport 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 - Lunch at Hela Bojun
  • Kandy - Gem museum & lapidary workshop visit
  • Nuwara Eliya - High Tea
  • 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 - Farmer's market and home cooking class
  • Galle - Traditional Sri Lankan Wood Carving - demonstration and participation
  • Colombo - City walking tour
Add on activities
  • Kandy - Private Cultural Dance Performance - USD4

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. 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.
2. 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.
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.
5. Train tickets are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets, but on the rare occasion that we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.
6. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
7. Twin bedded rooms at the hotel in Galle will be adjacent. If you prefer more space, you may request a rollaway bed when booking.
8. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

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 63 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

Filter by rating

Julie · Traveled May 2023
Never having been to Sri Lanka, this trip was a great introduction. Our guide was knowledgeable, there was a variety of experiences and the hotels were excllent.
Review submitted 01 Jun 2023

Amy · Traveled April 2023
Sri Lanka is a fabulous country to visit! It is stunningly beautiful, the people are friendly and helpful, travel is relatively easy, or it certainly appeared so with Asa's organisation. It is full of World Heritage listed sites, National Parks, fascinating history, fabulous food, varied flora and fauna and the possibility of seeing the elusive leopards, and elephants in their natural habitat. I would highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 03 May 2023

Serene · Traveled April 2023
This trip was exceptional! I highly recommend the premium for those who want the Intrepid experience but with a little more lux! The hotels (bar one) were absolutely amazing! My favourites were Jetwing Lake in Dambulla, The Grand at Nuwara Eliya and Le Grand in Galle. The activities were all very enjoyable and well planned. Our guide Asanga and driver Tony were so wonderful and went out of their way to make our trip an unforgettable experience!
Review submitted 02 May 2023

Roberta · Traveled April 2023
Excellent! This trip exceeded my expectations. The itinerary was on point and Asa our tour guide was very knowledgable, very enthusiastic, and showed much love for his country. I gained an exceptional wealth of knowledge of Sri Lanka’s culture, people, history, wildlife and more. The tour was well organised and well paced. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and would recommend this trip to fellow travellers.
Review submitted 02 May 2023

Suzanne · Traveled March 2023
Sri Lanka in depth gets you deep into the Culture of this wonderful country . Each hotel was unique in all destinations with some amazing views . Wildlife in abundance , some spectacular hikes , eating in local homes and visiting ancient temples Plus Sam - our guide who went above & beyond for us - there was 5 in our group and 3 different nationalities and were all well travelled and had an amazing experience
Review submitted 17 Apr 2023
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