Sri Lanka Cultural Essence & Kandy Perahera 2026 (Budget 8-Day Tour)

Points of Interest : Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! After completing customs formalities at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you meet your Wanderlust-Asia representative and are transferred to your hotel in Colombo. The rest of the day is free to rest or start exploring the city at your own pace.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Fairway Hotel, Colombo (3*)

Points of Interest : Galle

Today you travel south along the coast to Galle. This fortified city is the best-preserved example of a European-built walled town in South and Southeast Asia and perfectly illustrates the blend of European architectural styles with Asian traditions. Located on the southwest coast, its charming old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

On the way you stop to see the famous stilt fishermen, balancing above the waves on their wooden poles, before checking in at your beachside hotel.

• Meals included : Breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation : Coral Rock by Bansei (3*)

Points of Interest : Yala National Park

After breakfast you set off for Yala National Park, in the southeast of the island across the Southern and Uva Provinces. Covering 979 km² and located about 300 km from Colombo, Yala is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest national parks, established in 1938 together with Wilpattu. It is renowned for its remarkable variety of wildlife, including elephants, leopards, crocodiles and numerous bird species.

In the afternoon you embark on a jeep safari inside the park to search for animals in their natural habitat and enjoy the rugged coastal and forest landscapes.

• Meals included : Breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation : Kithala Resort (4*)

Points of Interest : Nuwara Eliya, Ella

This morning you travel up into the hills towards Ella, a well-loved mountain village surrounded by lush green slopes. A relaxed walk through tea plantations, temples, waterfalls and viewpoints reveals the natural beauty that has made Ella so popular with travelers.

In the afternoon you transfer to Ella railway station and board the train to Nanu Oya, a journey of around 3.5 hours. This is one of the most scenic train routes in Sri Lanka, offering sweeping views of tea-covered hills, forests and misty valleys from a different perspective than the road. On arrival in Nanu Oya, your driver meets you and takes you to your hotel in nearby Nuwara Eliya, often called “Little England” for its colonial-era atmosphere.

• Meals included : Breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation : Araliya Red, Nuwara Eliya (4*)

Points of Interest : Kandy

Enjoy a relaxed morning in the cool, misty climate of the highlands before departing for Kandy, driving through tea estates and mountain scenery. In the afternoon you arrive in Kandy and settle in, ready to witness the spectacular Kandy Esala Perahera, specifically the Grand Randoli Procession.

This is one of Sri Lanka’s most captivating cultural events. The illuminated, richly adorned elephants, traditional drummers and dancers, fire performers and vibrant costumes create a unique and unforgettable atmosphere as the procession winds through the streets.

• Meals included : Breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation : Devon Rest, Kandy (3*+)

Points of Interest : Dambulla

Early this morning you join the puja ceremony at Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and explore the complex. The temple, known as Dalada Maligawa, preserves its ancient grandeur, with classic Kandyan architecture and richly decorated interiors.

Afterwards you depart for Dambulla, stopping en route at the spice gardens in Matale, where you learn about the island’s spices and their traditional uses.

In Dambulla you visit the famous cave temples, a complex of five main shrines built inside natural rock caverns in central Sri Lanka. These UNESCO World Heritage caves date back to the 1st century BC and are filled with Buddha statues, frescoes and religious art.

• Meals included : Breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation : Amba Yaalu Hotel, Dambulla (4*)

Points of Interest : Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa

Today you explore Sigiriya, a key site in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. The historic city takes its name from the dramatic rock fortress, which once served as the royal citadel, with a palace built on the flat summit high above the surrounding plains.

In the afternoon you continue to Polonnaruwa for a guided visit. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka’s royal capital from the 11th to the 13th century and is home to some of the island’s most impressive statues, temples and ruins set among leafy gardens and reservoirs.

• Meals included : Breakfast and dinner
• Accommodation : Amba Yaalu Hotel, Dambulla (4*)

Points of Interest : Habarana

Today marks the final day of your tour. You are free to decide how to continue your stay in Sri Lanka, and the local team is available to help you plan and organise the next stage.

Some suggestions include:
– Transfer to a beach hotel on the east coast, such as Nilaveli, Trincomalee or Pasikuda, which enjoy ideal conditions in August, or another seaside destination for a relaxing stay.
– Flight to the Maldives for a few days of pure relaxation at an island resort.
– Direct transfer to the airport for your international departure.

Please note that these additional services are not included in the tour price and will be arranged on request according to your preferences.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer to the airport or onward beach/Maldives extension (on request, not included)