Sri Lanka 10-Day Temples, Nature & Beaches Tour

Points of Interest : Negombo

On arrival at Colombo International Airport, you are welcomed and transferred directly to your hotel in Negombo, a charming coastal fishing town. According to your energy and interests, you can explore the fishing village, wander through the lively fish market and harbour, and stroll around the town centre, or simply relax at your beachside hotel on Negombo’s long sandy shore. An optional boat trip can be arranged to explore the nearby mangroves by water.

Journey Airport – Negombo: around 20 minutes.

• Meals included : Dinner
• Accommodation : Arie Lagoon, Negombo (beachfront hotel)

Points of Interest : Dambulla

After breakfast you leave Negombo and set off towards Dambulla. En route you stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to observe elephants being cared for and, depending on timing, bathing by the river. On arrival in Dambulla you discover the bustling local market, famous for its colourful stalls piled high with tropical fruit and vegetables. In the late afternoon you visit the spectacular Dambulla cave temple complex, whose rock caves are richly decorated with Buddhist murals and statues.

Journey Negombo – Pinnawala: around 2 hours.
Pinnawala – Dambulla: around 2 hours 15 minutes.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Rangiri Dambulla Resort, Dambulla (standard hotel)

Points of Interest : Sigiriya, Dambulla, Habarana

In the morning you explore the iconic fortress of Sigiriya, dating back to the 5th century. You climb to the summit via stairways that begin between two gigantic lion’s paws, which give the site its nickname, Lion Rock. Along the way you admire beautiful ancient frescoes painted on the rock face and enjoy sweeping views from the top. Afterwards you continue on foot to the nearby village of Habarana, where you meet local residents and share a cup of tea while learning about their daily life. In the late afternoon you venture into the Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve, a forested area sheltering the atmospheric ruins of a 3rd‑century BC monastery hidden beneath dense jungle.

Journey Dambulla – Sigiriya: around 30 minutes.
Sigiriya – Habarana: around 20 minutes.
Habarana – Dambulla: around 30 minutes.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Rangiri Dambulla Resort, Dambulla (standard hotel)

Points of Interest : Polonnaruwa, Dambulla

After breakfast you depart for Polonnaruwa, the former royal capital of Ceylon between the 10th and 12th centuries. You wander among well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples, stupas and carved Buddha statues that tell the story of this medieval city. Later you enjoy lunch with a local family, an opportunity to taste home‑cooked Sri Lankan dishes and exchange with your hosts. In the afternoon you may opt for a jeep safari in Kaudulla National Park, where herds of wild elephants come to drink at the large reservoir. With luck you may also spot spotted deer, elusive leopards, and numerous birds and butterflies.

Journey Dambulla – Polonnaruwa: around 2 hours.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch (with a local family), Dinner
• Accommodation : Rangiri Dambulla Resort, Dambulla (standard hotel)

Points of Interest : Matale, Kandy Lake

After breakfast you travel towards Kandy, stopping on the way at a spice garden in Matale. Here you discover the aromas and medicinal properties of Sri Lankan spices, enjoy a tasting of spiced tea, watch demonstrations of the therapeutic virtues of each plant and relax with a short massage. From the garden you set off on a hike towards the Sudu Ganga River, walking for about 2.5 hours through lush countryside, passing pepper, cocoa and rubber plantations. You then continue to Kandy and settle in with a local family, where together you learn to prepare a traditional Sri Lankan curry that you share with your hosts for dinner.

Walking time: about 2 hours 30 minutes.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Homestay with local family in Kandy

Points of Interest : Kandy

You begin the day by visiting Kandy’s most revered site, the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a sacred relic of the Buddha and attracts pilgrims from across Sri Lanka. Afterwards you stroll through the city’s lively local market, browsing stalls selling silk, local handicrafts, jewellery, baskets, masks and colourful umbrellas. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Kandy at your own pace, perhaps circling the lake or visiting additional temples. In the early evening you attend a traditional Kandyan dance performance, featuring drumming, elaborate costumes and acrobatics.

Show duration: about 45 minutes.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Kandy (standard hotel or continuation of homestay)

Points of Interest : Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast you leave Kandy and drive towards Nuwara Eliya along the beautiful tea route that winds through misty hills and emerald‑green plantations. Several stops are planned to meet plantation workers and observe daily life in the tea estates. You visit a tea plantation and factory to learn about the process from picking to drying and tasting, sampling different varieties such as black, green and white tea. You then continue to Nuwara Eliya, a cool hill station and former holiday retreat of the British colonials, where you can enjoy the refreshing climate and colonial‑era architecture.

Journey Kandy – Nuwara Eliya: around 3 hours.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Mirage Kings Cottage, Nuwara Eliya (standard hotel)

Points of Interest : Bentota, Hatton

After breakfast you head to the nearby railway station and board a local train to Hatton, travelling through spectacular tea valleys and rural villages – a memorable and authentic Sri Lankan experience. On arrival at Hatton station, your driver meets you and drives you down from the hills to your seaside hotel on the southern coast.

Journey Nuwara Eliya – Hatton: around 1 hour.
Hatton – Bentota: around 4 hours 30 minutes.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Sea Rock Villa, Bentota (beach hotel)

Points of Interest : Bentota

After breakfast you enjoy a full free day in Bentota. You can relax on the golden sand beach, swim in the Indian Ocean, or wander through the streets of this laid‑back coastal town. For the more active, a wide range of optional water sports is available, including diving, water‑skiing, jet ski, towed tubing, banana boat rides and deep‑sea fishing. It is your time to unwind at the end of the tour.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Sea Rock Villa, Bentota (beach hotel)

Points of Interest : Bentota

After breakfast you have free time to enjoy the beach or relax at the hotel before your departure. According to your flight schedule, you leave Bentota and are driven back to Colombo International Airport. Wishing you a pleasant journey home and see you again in Sri Lanka!

Journey Bentota – Airport: around 2 hours.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer from Bentota to Colombo International Airport