9 Day Taste Of Sri Lanka
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Accommodation in this trip is at comfortable properties featuring modern facilities and amenities.
Hotel stars are based on local ratings provided and the expected standard may differ depending on the destination. Hotels listed within the itinerary are indicative of the typical hotel we intend to use for that package but is subject to change.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small group tour - 16 people max
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ 7 nights accommodation in 4 and 5-star hotels
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 6 dinners
✓ Game drives in Minneriya National Park and Yala National Park
✓ Ride the famous train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
✓ Professional fully escorted guide throughout
✓ In Depth sightseeing including all entry fees as per the itinerary
✓ Dedicated air-conditioned transportation
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met by your transfer and driven to your accommodation in Colombo.
Check-in: if arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary.
Today enjoy a late start, taking time to relax and prepare for an exciting first day of touring. We’ll leave the hotel around 9.30-10am, bound for Sigiriya, or Lion Rock. En route we'll spend the afternoon on a private jeep safari at either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park to witness the unique phenomenon of elephant 'gathering'. During the dry season – from June to September – hundreds of elephants travel to ancient reservoirs located within the parks for water. Minneriya and Kaudulla are two of the best places in the country to see wild elephants. Outside of the dry season (and depending on the elephant migration patterns) the safari will be conducted in one of the surrounding parks.
This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner nip of arrack (a potent local spirit made from the fermented sap of coconut flowers), or a glass of something else to suit your taste.
This morning we'll climb the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, or Lion Rock – one of the highlights of any visit to Sri Lanka. A dramatic rocky outcrop that rises from the surrounding plains like a mirage, the 200-metre tall rock column is topped by the ruins of a 5th-century citadel. Reaching the top of the rock requires a little leg work, but is well worth the effort. The stunning stone facade has been weathered over many centuries and the panoramic view from the top is awe-inspiring.
On our climb we’ll explore the beautiful water garden, the boulder garden, the colourful frescoes and the so-called 'mirror wall'. Once we pass the lion's paws, hewn from solid rock, it’s a steep climb with plenty of steps and walkways. Those who don't wish to venture to the top can rest at the lion's paws until the rest of the group return.
This evening, enjoy another round of arrack before dinner.
Late morning take part in a Cooking Demonstration of Sri Lankan rice and curry preparation and enjoy a typical Sri Lankan lunch overlooking the paddy fields.
This afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Medieval Capital City of Polonnaruwa. This was declared as an UNESCO heritage site in 1982. After the demise of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the middle historic capital of Sri Lanka (1017 – 1235 AD)
This morning we leave for Kandy. En route, visit the Matale Spice Garden to learn more about Sri Lanka's agricultural heritage. We then continue on to the Sacred City of Kandy, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The second largest city in the country, and the capital of the central hill regions, Kandy remains a very peaceful place that's centred around a lake. It's home to a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), not to mention well-preserved ruins of the royal palaces.
Spend your afternoon in Kandy exploring or relaxing as you wish.
Late afternoon saunter around the Kandy Lake, the atmosphere alone will intrigue you to spend a few moments here. Visit the Temple of Tooth, with its guardian elephants is a deeply significant Buddhist site that contains a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre and this draws thousands of pilgrims from across the world.
After breakfast we bid farewell to Kandy and hop on what is widely recognised as one of the world’s most scenic train rides, winding around mist-shrouded hilltops, through vivid green valleys and past waterfalls, on our way to Nuwara Eliya. Apart from taking in the breathtaking scenery of tea country, this is a great opportunity to mingle with locals.
Often referred to as ‘Little England’, Nuwara Eliya, is a genteel highland community with a British country village feel to it thanks to the resident colonial-era bungalows, which come courtesy of its British roots.
Upon arrival to Hill Country, visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy the absolute tea experience, taking you to the moment the young tea leaves are plucked from the plantation to being processed in the factory to make a steamy cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is the best place to purchase good quality tea.
Please note: it is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation due to the fact that Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd class carriages are basic, but have air-conditioning. On the rare occasion that the train is fully booked we’ll travel by road instead.
This morning we make our way to Yala/Tissamaharama.
After checking in to your hotel spend your afternoon on a guided game drive spotting the abundant flora and fauna of Yala National Park. As one of the largest national parks in the country Yala is the ideal place to spot the rare Sri Lankan leopard.
Please note that Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period (please refer to dates in Fine Print section under Yala National Park Closure), Yala National park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park.
Although smaller in size to Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park is considered one of the world's best places to see wild elephants. Largely comprised of grasslands and bush forest, Udawalawe is also one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for game spotting and being far less crowded than Yala, it makes for a more enjoyable experience for travellers and therefore, we believe is a more than suitable alternative.
This morning we leave for Colombo. En route we explore the Galle Fort and its fortifications. Galle is a carefully preserved colonial city, which features an interesting blend of European architecture (Portuguese, Dutch and English) as well as South-Asian traditions. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
As we continue on to Colombo we'll also visit a turtle hatchery. There are only seven species of marine turtles in the world and five of them are found in the warm, clear waters off Sri Lanka’s coast: the hawksbill, loggerhead, green, leatherback and olive ridley.
At the appropriate time today, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount A reduction of $800 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
Extending Your Stay Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post-tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where the applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “4”:
4 – Active Tour: A very good level of fitness and mobility is required for you to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary, as this is considered a fast-paced tour. While there is some free time scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, there are many full days of sightseeing with minimal rest and some early starts. You will be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. At the commencement of your tour you will be asked to provide tipping to your guide towards a ‘kitty’, which is then used towards the guide tipping for the services of helpers, hotel staff, restaurants and airport porterage. You will be asked for LKR7000 per person. Please note that this tipping is not for the guide or driver, merely for the guide to tip the services of other local workers during your tour. Tipping towards the kitty is compulsory. Your cooperation in this instance is most appreciated.
Further, tipping for your guide and driver will be collected at the conclusion of their services. To remove the uncertainty and stress of not knowing how much is appropriate to tip we recommend LKR1200 per person per day for your guide and LKR600 per person per day for your driver to be paid in local currency. The amount you wish to contribute is dependent on the services received and at the complete discretion of the guest. Thank you for your understanding.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $598 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Triple Share
Available. Please purchase 3 x $2,999. If you wish to purchase triple share please phone 1300 886 688.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
You must arrange a Visa before your arrival into Sri Lanka. The best way to apply for your Visa is The Department of Immigration and Emigration called "Electronic Travel Authorization - ETA" in order to grant prior approval for a visa online for foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka. You can visit http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ to apply for your visa online.
Should you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask. Please note that details within this email are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2-16 people.
Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
Children
Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Train Journey - Day 5
Please note that it is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation due to the fact that Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd class is basic but has air-conditioning. The non-airconditioned 3rd class sometimes is the only option based availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked we’ll conduct the route by road.
Please note that Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period, as defined in the departure dates listed below, Yala National park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park, while still being able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park. Please refer to the itinerary.
Although smaller in size to Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park is considered one of the world's best places to see wild elephants. Largely comprised of grasslands and bush forest, Udawalawe is also one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for game spotting and being far less crowded than Yala, it makes for a more enjoyable experience for travellers and therefore, we believe is a more than suitable alternative for one safari day. You will still be able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park, so you are able to experience both.
Wondering what to expect when you visit the iconic Yala National Park? Click HERE to learn more about Yala
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
Sri Lanka has long captivated travellers with its breathtaking landscapes and remarkable wildlife. From elusive leopards to majestic elephants, the island boasts some of the most exceptional safari experiences in the world—most notably in Yala National Park. With 26 national parks spanning nearly 9% of its total land a...
From temples to stupas, here are the best historical and cultural attractions in Sri Lanka to add to your bucket list Whether you’re a history buff, a culture seeker, or an adventurer wanting to explore a new destination in 2025, Sri Lanka is an island that has it all—from majestic temples and sacred stupas to the r...
Take on the lush bounty of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, including its wealth of wildlife, waterfalls, and scenic hikes Sri Lanka – known for its ancient religious sites, world-famous Ceylon tea, and world heritage destinations – is also home to some truly magnificent nature reserves, teeming with all sorts of wildlife...
Sri Lanka has a bounty of treasures for bargain hunters, especially those looking for unique gems, textiles, and woodcraft If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind collectibles and antiques, look no further than Sri Lanka’s exquisite artisanal arts and crafts, which make up a big part of the local shopping experience. The...
Celebrating independence from the UK is a major national event in Sri Lanka – here’s the political, social, and cultural lowdown on its significance Sri Lankan Independence Day (February 4) is usually marked by a grand military parade in the capital of Colombo; there are significant political speeches and ceremonies,...
Once known as Serendib, Sri Lanka is a cultural microcosm for those seeking a balance of history, adventure, and of course, food Sri Lanka is a South Asian jewel waiting to be explored and having fully opened up to tourism in 2009 – after a decades-long civil war – there’s plenty to be discovered: unspoiled beach des...
Sri Lanka is rapidly gaining popularity, thanks to its beautiful beaches, fascinating culture, mesmerising landscapes and welcoming people. But, when is the best time to go? Sri Lanka might be small, but its weather patterns are complex. This is largely attributed to the island's two separate monsoon seasons, as w...
Sri Lanka, like neighbouring India, offers a feast for all of the senses. Here are several ideas on how to travel this exotic country to suit your passions If you like colonial architecture, you’ll love Galle Galle is one of the most attractive yet underrated gems of Sri Lanka. The seaside town on the country’s west...
New Zealand
United States
Canada
India
