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This private tour includes visits to Sri Lanka’s bucket list spots, as well as some less-visited gems and experiences: savour high tea at Nuwara Eliya’s Grand Hotel, travel on the scenic Kandy-Nuwara Eliya train, experience a game drive at Yala National Park, and enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking class.
Departs May - December 2026 & January - October 2027. Exclusive PHT discount of $50 pp is already reflected in the advertised price.
Advertised price is based on per person, twin share and for May, Jun, Sep, Oct 2026 & 2027 departure dates. Other departure departures available for a surcharge. Pricing correct as of 3 February 2026.
Inclusions
14 nights in 4 to 5-star hotels
Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 7 dinners
Guaranteed late check-out until 8pm on your last day in Colombo
Enjoy the personalised service of a professional, private leader throughout
Ride the iconic train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Dedicated private transportation throughout
Incredible sightseeing including entry fees as per itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Colombo (Negombo) Hotel: Pegasus Reef Hotel or Similar Welcome to Sri Lanka! On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative and escorted to your waiting private transfer to your Negombo hotel. Check in and relax after your international flight. Special Information: Arrival airport transfers are included. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please provide flight details via your Traveller Hub no later than 90 days prior to travel to confirm transfers. If arriving early with independent arrangements, airport transfers are not included (unless pre-nights are booked through Inspiring Vacations). Included mileage applies to scheduled sightseeing only; additional transport can be provided within a 5km radius.
Day 2 - Negombo to Sigiriya Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner After breakfast, meet your private chauffeur guide for a welcome meeting prior to your Negombo city tour. Visit the local fish market, see the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort, and pass Negombo Lagoon and the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal. Then drive to Sigiriya, arriving mid-afternoon. Relax at the resort, enjoy the pool, or take in views of Sigiriya Rock Fortress from the lookout. This evening, enjoy dinner overlooking the gardens. Inspiring Highlights: Negombo Fish Market; Negombo Lagoon Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 3 hours. Complimentary 20-minute Ayurvedic treatment at Sigiriya Jungles Ayurvedic Spa (subject to availability; can be upgraded; unused vouchers are non-refundable).
Day 3 - Sigiriya to Anuradhapura to Sigiriya Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Enjoy breakfast before travelling to the UNESCO site and ruins of Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals. Visit the sacred Bo Tree and explore the well-preserved ruins spread across woodland and park-like settings. Return to Sigiriya for a relaxed afternoon (optional Minneriya National Park safari available). Dinner is included this evening at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights: Anuradhapura Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 2 hours.
Day 4 - Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Polonnaruwa Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner After breakfast, visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and climb the monolith (477–498 AD), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel late morning to relax, then head out in the afternoon to explore Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (1017–1235 AD), also UNESCO listed. Return to Sigiriya for dinner. Inspiring Highlights: Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Polonnaruwa Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 5 - Sigiriya to Dambulla to Matale to Kandy Hotel: Hotel Topaz Kandy or Similar Meals: Breakfast Depart Sigiriya and visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, one of the world’s largest cave sanctuaries with extensive murals and Buddha images. Continue to a spice garden in Matale to learn about Sri Lanka’s spices, harvesting processes, and culinary and herbal uses. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Kandy, the Hill Capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its lake and historic temples. The remainder of the day is at leisure (optional cultural performance and dinner available). Inspiring Highlights: Dambulla Cave Temple; Matale Spice Garden; Kandy Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 6 - Kandy Hotel: Hotel Topaz Kandy or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most venerated Buddhist sites. Then enjoy an Inspiring Taste cooking experience with a local host, learning to make five different curries using traditional methods over an open fire, followed by lunch. Return to your hotel for leisure time, with dinner included this evening. Inspiring Highlights: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Day 7 - Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (by train) Hotel: Mirage King's Cottage or Similar Meals: Breakfast Ascend by rail towards the British hill station of Nuwara Eliya on a scenic journey through tea country and waterfalls. On arrival, freshen up at the hotel, then enjoy an Inspiring Taste with indulgent high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel (included as lunch; available 12pm–6pm). The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Inspiring Highlights: Nuwara Eliya Grand Hotel Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 2.5 hours. Sri Lanka Railway tickets can only be booked 30 days prior; class may vary based on availability and the route may be done by road if trains are fully booked. Your chauffeur guide will transport luggage while you travel by train.
Day 8 - Nuwara Eliya Hotel: Mirage King's Cottage or Similar Meals: Breakfast Enjoy breakfast then tour Nuwara Eliya, often called “Little England”, with its colonial bungalows, gardens and lake. Visit a tea plantation and factory to learn the process from plucked leaf to brewed cup, with the opportunity to purchase high quality tea. The afternoon is at leisure, or join the optional Horton Plains & World’s End hike. Inspiring Highlights: Nuwara Eliya; Tea Plantation & Factory
Day 9 - Nuwara Eliya to Yala National Park Hotel: Chaarya Resorts & Spa - Tissamaharama or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Depart for Yala, travelling through dramatic landscapes and stopping at local waterfalls en route via Ella. Enjoy lunch on arrival, then head into Yala National Park for an afternoon private guided game drive, with opportunities to spot elephants, sloth bears and the elusive leopard. Dinner is included at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights: Yala National Park Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 3 hours. Yala may close for a period in September–October; during closures, the visit may be substituted with Udawalawe National Park (with possible access to Yala blocks 4 or 5 where permitted).
Day 10 - Yala National Park Hotel: Chaarya Resorts & Spa - Tissamaharama or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner This morning, enjoy another private jeep safari in Yala National Park to spot the diverse wildlife. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then enjoy a free day to relax. Lunch and dinner are included at your hotel.
Day 11 - Yala National Park to South Coast Hotel: Mandara Resort or Similar Meals: Breakfast Continue east along Sri Lanka’s picturesque coastline to your South Coast stay. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing by the pool or beach.
Day 12 - South Coast Hotel: Mandara Resort or Similar Meals: Breakfast A full free day to relax by the pool, walk along the beach, or explore local cafes and restaurants. Your private chauffeur guide is available if you’d like extra sightseeing or transfers in the local area.
Day 13 - South Coast to Galle Hotel: The Heritage Galle Fort or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Travel to Galle and take a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, where Portuguese, Dutch and British influences are evident in the architecture and atmosphere. Enjoy lunch at a colonial-style restaurant, then check into your heritage property within the historic Dutch Fort. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the laneways, boutiques, cafes and museums. Inspiring Highlights: Galle Fort Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 1 hour.
Day 14 - Galle to Colombo Hotel: Fairway Colombo or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Head north towards Colombo. In Balapitiya, take a boat trip on the Madu River to visit some of its 64 scattered islands, including Cinnamon Island to learn about cinnamon production (Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer of pure cinnamon). Arrive in Colombo, check in, then enjoy an evening tour of the capital, where colonial heritage meets modern city life. Celebrate your journey with a final dinner. Inspiring Highlights: Madu River; Colombo Special Information: Travel time today is approximately 2 hours.
Day 15 - Colombo to Home Unfortunately, today marks the end of your Sri Lanka adventure. You will have access to your hotel room until 8pm (late check-out included). At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Special Information: Departure transfers are included. If you extend your stay independently beyond the final tour date, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will apply. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided international airfares, please provide flight details via Traveller Hub no later than 90 days prior to travel to confirm transfers.
Itinerary is subject to change.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
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Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
