Sri Lanka 12-Day Tour: Explore Heritage, Culture and Beaches with SLTD

Embark on a 12-day tour of Sri Lanka with SLTD and explore the country’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, and stunning beaches. Enjoy the best price and services, and experience the real Sri Lanka through unique and unforgettable travel experiences.

Duration: 12 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Bandaranayke International Airport to Sigiriya

Sigiriya - Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport – Colombo, a driver from Sri Lanka Dream Tour will greet you. You will then be escorted to a luxurious private vehicle that will be at your service throughout your holiday in Sri Lanka. Your first destination on this 12-day Sri Lanka itinerary is Sigiriya, approximately a 4-hour drive from the airport. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing at your leisure. You will stay for the first two nights at a hotel in Sigiriya. (You can book all the hotels online as per your preference)

Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - The next morning, you will depart from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, a 2-hour drive.

Polonnaruwa - After exploring the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and learning about Lankan history, you will return to Sigiriya. On the way back, you will enjoy a typical Sri Lankan lunch and engage in a rock climbing activity at the “Lion’s Rock” (about 1200 steps) – another UNESCO World Heritage site. After a long day, you can opt for a Sri Lankan Ayurveda spa treatment. Overnight stay at the same hotel in Sigiriya. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Sigiriya to Kandy

Dambulla Royal Cave Temple - In the morning, you will visit a local village via a Bullock Cart (Rural village tour-Sigiriya), spend time with the villagers, and understand village life. Then, you will be ready to explore Sri Lanka’s beautiful hill country. Three and a half hours from Sigiriya is the hill capital of Kandy. En route, you will visit the Dambulla Cave Temples (about 300-400 steps to climb), a herbal & spice garden in Matale, and in the evening, you can enjoy the Kandy Lake Club-Cultural Dance show. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Kandy to Nuwaraeliya

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - In the morning, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, after which you will begin a three-hour journey to Nuwara Eliya. En route, you will visit Ramboda Falls, a tea plantation, and a tea factory. In Nuwara Eliya, you will be taken on a city tour and a food tour. In the evening, you will visit Gregary Lake & Park. Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Ramboda Waterfall - En route, you will visit Ramboda Falls, a tea plantation, and a tea factory. In Nuwara Eliya, you will be taken on a city tour and a food tour. In the evening, you will visit Gregary Lake & Park. Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Nuwaraeliya to Horton Plains

Horton Plains National Park - Early in the morning, visit Horton Plains National Park. It’s an ideal place for nature lovers, offering pleasant treks and hikes that are not particularly challenging. This area is rich in biodiversity, with many endemic species of flora and fauna, and the most commonly seen mammal is the sambar deer. The most popular stops on this trek are World’s End, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains, and Baker’s Falls.

Seetha Amman Kovil - Later that day, you can visit the Seetha Amman Temple and Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Overnight stay at the same hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Nuwaraeliya to Ella

Little Adam’s Peak View Point - The following morning, you will enjoy a beautiful train journey from Nanu Oya to the breathtaking town of Ella. Upon arrival, you can visit “Little Adam’s Peak”. In Ella, you also have the unique opportunity to participate in a cookery class that teaches you how to make authentic Sri Lankan Rice and Curry. Ella is a place of natural beauty, with its waterfalls, greenery, and hills. It is the perfect place to refresh your mind. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ella. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Ella to Yalla

Buduruwagala Temple - In the morning, visit the Nine Arch Bridge. Afterward, you will depart for Yalla. En route, you will visit Ravana Waterfall, Ravana Cave, and the Buduruwagala Buddha Statue. Overnight stay at a hotel in Yalla. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Yalla to Mirissa

Yala National Park - Early in the morning, you will leave for a jeep safari in Yala National Park. Yala National Park is the most visited and second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. It combines a strict nature reserve with a national park. Divided into five blocks, the park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares, consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks, and lagoons. Two blocks are currently open to the public. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals and is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, and aquatic birds. Afterward, you will leave for Mirissa. Overnight stay at a hotel in Mirissa. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Mirissa to Hikkaduwa

Galle Fort - Early in the morning, you will leave for a whale and dolphin watching tour off the coast of Mirissa. Afterward, you will depart for Hikkaduwa. En route, you can visit the fish market and observe the traditional practice of stilt fishing, then drive to Galle to explore the Galle Dutch Fort.

Hikkaduwa Beach - In the evening, you will reach Hikkaduwa beach, where you can relax for the rest of the day. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hikkaduwa. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa Beach - Spend the whole day relaxing on the beach. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Hikkaduwa to Colombo

Madu Ganga Biodiversity Area - You will begin your journey to Colombo. On the way, we have arranged a visit to the turtle hatchery and a boat ride on the Madu Lake. Once in Colombo, you can go for a city tour. Overnight stay at a hotel in Colombo. Hotel booking is the customer’s responsibility.

Transfer to Airport

Colombo - This completes the 12-day Sri Lanka itinerary with Sri Lanka Dream Tour. Depending on the time of your flight, you will be transferred to the airport directly from Colombo (1 hour). End of the tour.

What's Included
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • All-inclusive pricing: fuel, driver’s fees, meals, and accommodation
  • Covers all parking, tolls, and government taxes
  • Travel in an air-conditioned comfortable vehicle
  • Professional, English-speaking driver
What's Not Included
  • Anything else not mentioned in inclusions
Additional Information

SLTD is a premier, seasoned small-scale tour operator in Sri Lanka, offering the finest prices paired with exceptional service. Our aim is to provide a distinct and memorable travel experience that truly aligns with the traveler’s personal interests and inclinations, delivered with expertise, innovation, and a deep understanding of the industry. Our focus is on enabling our clients to genuinely connect with the essence of Sri Lanka, rather than just witnessing it.

Throughout the span of this meticulously crafted 12-day excursion, participants will explore an extensive list of sought-after locales, including: Sigiriya, Polonaruwa, Dambulla, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Mirissa, Galle, Hikaduwa, and Colombo. Travelers will enjoy the comfort of superior, air-conditioned transport accompanied by a knowledgeable tourist chauffeur to guide your voyage, alongside the convenience of complimentary internet access for the duration.

  • Importantly, guests are afforded the autonomy to arrange their own lodging to suit their preferences.

  • Exclusions :

  • Lodging expenses for guests
  • Entry fees and guide charges at places of interest
  • Miscellaneous expenses not detailed in the ‘included’ section
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(36 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Chiara
Sep 26, 2024
Excellent good value - Thank you Sri Lanka Dream tour for this beautiful trip. A special mention for our driver Prasad who accompanied us on our tour with his always attentive and safe guide. We appreciated his availability and his suggestions. Ps. Thank you for the gift Chiara & Marco
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A4333yelilir
Sep 17, 2024
If you are looking for a local experience, learn and get to know Sri Lanka... you can trust 100% Sri Lanka Dream Tour - Weeks after returning from a trip one can not stop remembering everything lived, they say that you always come back richer than you leave and with this trip has been like this, from the beginning. Having that feeling coming back is unique, but having it as you make the journey is otherworldly and this could not have happened like this without the humanity and professionalism of our Upul driver. Without a doubt 90% of this trip has been marked by him, even before going he was always on the lookout, helped us to make an itinerary, activities and places to our liking. Once there everything went better, you feel at home in an unknown country, and he goes from being a driver to a friend. The comfort and confidence he made us feel was impressive, he is a wonderful person and very Pro. As for aspects of the trip itself, say that it is easy to create an itinerary when you go online and you can read hundreds of blogs with routes and places to go, say you can mark a closed route if you go on your own, however, this type of trip with a local person enriches you in every way... We went to places that we would never have imagined (by access and by ignorance), such as the birth of a waterfall where we could bathe in the different pools and observe dreamlike views. Know and learn about the culture, go to eat at local places, taste all kinds of food from each of the areas we were in, stop in the middle of the road to see a Hindu ceremony, or buy local products at a good price, you can only get it this way. Before hiring this tour, we considered the different options of moving around the island, by tuk tuk, motorcycle... and today I can say what having Upul with us was a success. Sometimes the roads are narrow and without shoulders, you drive differently, the pace is different, the distances are very long, sometimes you get caught monsoons... so to go in the car quietly and without worrying about all these aspects was a luxury. We made a route all over the island, starting from the north, center, down south and back to Negombo, this in 14 days in which Upul organized everything for us, we saw Hindu temples, Buddhists, traditional and local markets, beaches, hiking... and above all we saw and soaked in the local culture, as our main objective of this trip was to know and learn. We have to go back and obviously it will be with him. Infinite thanks Upul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
706iyann
Sep 11, 2024
100% RECOMMENDED! - We came from a trip and to take a tour of the island of Sri Lanka we considered all the possibilities... rent a tuk tuk or motorbike, move by public transport, however after having the itinerary closed and seeing the distances and the type of roads we decided to hire a driver without knowing what would be in store. Upul has made us feel at home, as if we were on a trip with friends, the closeness, ease and confidence he has shown us (even before arriving) has been something super important for us. Being in an unknown country and having someone welcome you, accompany you, teach you and share undoubtedly makes the trip even more special. He took us to places we could never have reached/discovered by ourselves, had a lot of details with us, made sure we were okay all the time. If you want to take a local trip, really know a country, food, culture and also visit Top-rated places (tourist or not) this is certainly the way. We leave 100% delighted to have chosen this company, this trip has meant a lot to us and it is thanks to Upul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lidiaguri
Aug 22, 2024
Adventure in the green, dreamy🌟 - Unforgettable experience to discover the country, made unique by Sri Lanka Dream Tour, which accompanied us on this journey, showing us such a diverse landscape, and a new culture. The team was helpful , and in particular Thisen organized our trip in detail listening to our requests and with a great desire to let us discover every side of his country. It made our holiday unique and wonderful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Virginiarl6983ly
Aug 19, 2024
Amazing tour - Really nice experience, visited the length and breadth of Sri Lanka, every day we had very engaging and interesting activities to do. Thisen was amazing! The best driver I've ever had! Very helpful, kind and fun! Quite a journey! Which I will always remember! Thanks Thisen, come and visit us in Italy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolinalavizzari3
Aug 19, 2024
Best experience - Thisen was the best! He organized multiple activities every day allowing us to visit the sri lanka at 360 degrees. He was always very courteous and helpful!! Super recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danielle
Aug 4, 2024
They really are a dream company to work with. - Sri Lanka Dream Tours were, as the title suggests, a dream to work with :) From first enquiring Upul helped build out itinerary to our liking and suggesting better locations, things he thought the children would like etc. From the moment we arrived and met Thisen we knew we were in safe hands, throughout our two weeks together Thisen was an absolute godsend, he helped find a doctor for my daughter when poorly, delivered medicine late in the evening when we were ill, always did lots of work behind the scenes ringing in advance to hotels and activities to confirm arrangements and negotiate better prices. When a hotel cancelled with very short notice he worked hard finding us a new place and more importantly it was like having a friend/big brother on our trip with us. The children (and us!) adored him, we shared lots of jokes, he cuddled as many animals as us and we grew very quickly to trust him implicitly. We have been gone less than 24 hours and we all miss him lots, we have made gained a lovely friend. Thank you so much again Thisen 🥰 Ps. From doing hours of research they were not the cheapest quote I had (mid range quote- not high) but the confidence Upul gave me and the advice he offered before I booked with him, I knew it was worth not picking the cheapest in this case. I 100% made the right decision. Absolutely a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ - phenomenal service.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vanessa
May 28, 2024
Wonderful tour - We had a wonderful experience touring Sri Lanka, thanks to our excellent driver. He was always available, providing us with fascinating insights about the places we visited. His driving was both safe and skillful, allowing us to travel with peace of mind. We truly appreciated his dedication and knowledge. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
173blainer
Oct 28, 2023
8 day trip from Doha to Sri Lanka - We had a truly wonderful time in such a beautiful country. The service provided by Prashad and Upul was top class and they made our experience truly unique and enjoyable. I will highly recommend this service to anyone looking to explore Sri Lanka. Thank you very much for one of my best holidays ever.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joancz5832ku
Aug 28, 2023
Unbelievable experience!!! - I am a woman and I have made a 12 day route through Sri Lanka (Negombo, Aukana, Arunadhapura, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala N.P, Tangalle,...). Our taxi driver was Mr. Daminda Gamage, provided by the company manager, Mr. Upul. Daminda has made the point that everything has been perfect in Sri Lanka. He has a lovely and sincere character, and all the patience of the world. If you anticipate all the problems, you will find solutions (traditional dance reservations, train tickets, pharmacy when I don't meet the woman well...) It's discreet and also very fun. Speak English very well. it's light, clean, impenetrable. The car also stopped every month. Conduct super safe. He is a great person who makes us friends, like no other! Sometimes the guide provides data and information, I advise you, and it is discreet. Just accompanied us on the sites where I thought I could help. Among the others, you wait patiently. You help everyone. You have, as he says: Super Powers. He is a great professional. And Mr. Upul, he was always there, through our WhatsApp group, for whatever reason he might be able to accomplish, and as it was, with an incident on the train, to quickly change the train solution, or offer medical attention when my woman met me again. When the tour ends, we'll stay another 10 days on the south beaches, and the two of us will tell you what to expect from them, with their help. Many thanks to the two!! We used this taxi driver formula on other trips: India, Vietnam,... and I didn't think anything would be seen!! Excellent!! Subject: Daminda He can't be better!!! My partner and I did a 12-day tour of Sri Lanka (Negombo, Aukan, Arunadhapura, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala N.P., Tangalle). Our taxi driver was Mr Daminda Gamage, who was sent to us by the manager of the agency, Mr Upul. Daminda made sure that Sri Lanka was the perfect holiday destination for us. He has a wonderful and honest character and is always patient and good If there are any problems, he is always available and always finds a fair solution. He speaks very good English, is friendly, humorous, clean and tidy. The car was available to us every day in perfect condition and Daminda is a excellent driver and you always feel safe with him. And we have become real friends. He is always available as a guide and companion, gives information, orientates you and he is also very discreet and serious. Normally he only accompanied us when it was was necessary, and at other times, when we did not need his help, he always kept a discreet distance. He is always helpful!! He has, as he told us with a smile: SuperPowers!!! And it is really true!Daminda is extremely professional and Mr. Upul was always available to us (Whatsapp). When I was not feeling well, he immediately offered to take us to the doctor and got me some medicine. When we had finished our tour with him and we were still We spent another 10 days without him on various beaches, but he was still available for any other questions or problems. Thank you for everything, Daminda and Upul, but especially to Daminda, who we have taken into our hearts and who we have found a new friend. We have had taxi drivers on our travels before, but Daminda is simply unique and 300 percent recommendable!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 3 guests
1
Traveler
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today