Colombo, Caves & Kandy: 7-Nights
$2225 $2175 per person
⭐⭐⭐⭐+
*Prices are CAD per person, based on 2 people sharing. Price shown is the lead in rate for fall 2023 departures.
Discover Sri Lanka’s famous cultural triangle and visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the exquisite Dambulla cave temple and the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Add a scenic train trip through the verdant tea plantations and spot wildlife at Udawalawe NP, all in an exciting one week holiday.
What’s Included:
Breakfast daily and 1 lunch
7 nights 4-5 star hotels and heritage properties
Guided sightseeing – Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe and Colombo
Scenic train trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, canoe ride and tuk tuk trips
Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National Park
Escorted by an English-speaking national guide for groups of 6 or more (professional chauffeur guide for groups of 5 or fewer)
Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 8
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles
Not Included:
International flights and visa
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: USD$120-$140pp, paid in USD
Tipping Kitty: USD$50-$60pp, paid in local currency
*MEMBER BENEFIT: $50 off per person, per tour / $100 per couple when quoting TRIPMERCHANT. Combinable with all other offers. Rate shown includes Trip Merchant member savings based on best priced available dates.
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext. 1
Mention Promo Code for Savings: TRIPMERCHANT
Departure Dates
September 23
October 7, 21
November 4, 11, 25
December 9, 23, 30
January 6, 13, 27
February 10, 24
March 9, 23, 30
April 6, 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 8, 22
July 13, 27
August 3, 17, 31
September 14, 28
October 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16, 23
December 7, 14, 21, 28
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Destination
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Arrival City
Colombo, Sri Lanka -
Departure City
Colombo, Sri Lanka -
Passenger Limit
Group size is typically 18 with a maximum for 24
From Our Gallery
Be our guest and see it for yourself
1
Colombo - your way
Saturday. Welcome to Sri Lanka! Airport arrival transfer and remainder of the day at leisure. Our start hotel located on the seafront is a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.
Accommodation: OZO Colombo, Colombo
Meals Provided: None
Accommodation: OZO Colombo, Colombo
Meals Provided: None
2
Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Colombo - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. Bidding farewell to Colombo this morning we drive inland to Dambulla, stopping en route at a fruit and vegetable market in Naramwela Town. Dambulla Rock Temple is an incredible ancient complex of caves which date back to the 1st Century BC. The five caves contain over 150 images of Buddha including an impressive 14 metre carved statue.
After exploring this ancient site we continue to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Jetwing Lake, Dambulla
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jetwing Lake, Dambulla
Meals Provided: Breakfast
3
Sigiriya & Kandy
Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we explore Sigiriya and the famous ‘Lion Rock’ fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. You’ll be able to view the world famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens which stand in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
From Sigiriya we take a bullock cart ride and short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here, at Kayanwala village we take part in a cookery demonstration in the mud brick home of a local woman and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of curry, dahl, spiced rice, pickle and more. En route to Kandy we stop off a spice garden in Matale, to see the different herbs and spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Accommodation: OZO Kandy Hotel, Kandy
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: OZO Kandy Hotel, Kandy
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch
4
Kandy Temple of the Tooth
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Kandy - the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Our first stop will be the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that one of Buddha's teeth was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was then smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313AD. It now attracts daily pilgrims who come bearing lotus flowers and frangipani. After driving around the Kandy Lake - built by the last Sinhala king, visiting the local bazaar and a gem museum we take a Tuk Tuk ride up into the surrounding hills.
This afternoon we stop at a working tea factory at Geragama. Geragama Tea Factory is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy was established in the year 1903, manufacturing 'Low Grown' and 'Long Leaf' tea. This evening, we watch a cultural performance of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance this evening.
Accommodation: OZO Kandy Hotel, Kandy
Meals Provided: Breakfast
5
Scenic Train trip & Tea Plantations
Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morning offers free time before transferring to the railway station for a scenic train trip. Passing kilometre upon kilometre of verdant tea plantations that hug the winding mountain passes, we'll see waterfalls, suspension bridges and tea pickers on our journey up to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea.
This afternoon we take a beautiful drive through Nuwara Eliya - an area known locally as 'Little England'.
Accommodation: Jetwing St Andrew's, Nuwara Eliya
Meals Provided: Breakfast
6
Udawalawe NP Jeep Safari
Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. This national park is probably one of the best places to spot the famous Sri Lankan Elephant, the biggest of all the Asian Elephants. It is thought that there are around 400 elephants here. The park is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and lots of types of deer. We take an afternoon game drive here before returning to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort, Udawalawe National Park
Meals Provided: Breakfast
7
Colombo City Tour
Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. This morning we visit the Gem Mine and Museum at Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gems in the world.
Arriving to Colombo, we commence a city tour seeing the Fort area in the north of the city, famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. We'll see the stunning Gangarama Temple and take a stroll along Galle Face Green, a popular spot for kite flying and games of cricket.
Accommodation: OZO Colombo, Colombo
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: OZO Colombo, Colombo
Meals Provided: Breakfast
8
Goodbye Sri Lanka
Saturday. Today offers free time for you to independently explore the city, before included departure transfer to the airport.
Accommodation: None (Depart Home)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None (Depart Home)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
9
Tour Location
