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    Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle Tour

    Sri Lanka in 10 Days, 7 Nights in Destination

    Sophia , Travel Expert

    Sophia
    Travel crafter

    Enjoy an exclusive, private and fully-escorted journey through Sri Lanka. It will take you to the country's major natural and historical landmarks, including the must-sees of the cultural triangle.

    Trip Highlights

    1. map-pin-check-icon
      Colombo
    2. map-pin-check-icon
      Dambulla Caves
    3. map-pin-check-icon
      Kandy
    4. map-pin-check-icon
      Negombo
    5. map-pin-check-icon
      Nuwara Eliya
    6. map-pin-check-icon
      Sigiriya

    Included

    1. All flights

    2. Accommodation

    3. All transfers

    4. Activities

    5. Breakfast only

    Availability

    1. Departures available until April 2026

    2. Available Group tours

    3. Solo travelers from + £ 350

    4. Add up to 4 nights to your stay

    5. WHAT'S THIS?

    Categories available

    1. superior included

    2. luxury from + £ 200

    3. WHAT'S THIS?

    From

    £ 4,019

    £ 1,799

    /person

    -55%

    Book with an expert:

    +44 20 76 60 34 10

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    Exoticca is fully ABTA and ATOL protected

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    Best Price Guarantee

    SmartFare has secured the lowest fares on flights & services for this trip

    Itinerary

    Land in Colombo to begin your adventure. Head to Dambulla and see the Sigiriya Rock and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Continue to Kandy, once capital of a local empire, and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic before ending with a tea plantation tour and a tuk-tuk ride through Colombo.

    1st Day: UK/Ireland - Night on board

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    Arrive at your selected UK/Ireland departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Colombo*. Night on board.

    *If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

    2nd Day: Colombo - Negombo

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    Land in Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka. On passing through customs, you’ll be greeted by an Exoticca representative who will guide you to your private vehicle. Just a short drive away, head straight to the western port city of Negombo. Check in at the hotel* and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Negombo**.

    *You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them in advance as they are subject to availability.

    **You have the possibility to upgrade in Sri Lanka to half-board by adding 7 dinners or to full-board by adding 7 lunches and 7 dinners in the next step of the booking process.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Goldi Sands or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    1646 Reviews

    See our full selection

    3rd Day: Negombo - Matale District

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Dambulla, a picturesque village in the center of the island known for its stunning Cave Temple. Check in to your hotel on arrival before immediately heading to a village walking tour in Hiriwadunna. This typical town offers a slice of Sri Lankan life, with a walk along the Wewa (a man-made reservoir) and views of the wildlife and townspeople who gather at the water’s edge. Cross the water via catamaran to reach a traditional farm, where you’ll learn about local agricultural practices and enjoy fresh vegetables per the farmer’s hospitality. Overnight stay in Matale District.

    Estimated transfer distance 130km/80miles.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Tropical Life Resort And ... or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    209 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Habarana Village trek

    Light

    See more

    4th Day: Matale District - Sigiriya Rock - Matale District

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a journey to one of Sri Lanka's most captivating destinations - Sigiriya Rock. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's also known as the “Lion Rock.” The rock is mesmerizing. It rises 200 meters from the scrub jungle around it. It is a regional landmark. It has a raised mesa. A fortress was ingeniously built on it centuries ago.

    Upon arrival, prepare to be awe-struck by the sheer grandeur of Sigiriya. Climb up to the fortress. You will marvel at the stunning water gardens below. As you climb higher, you'll see the famous frescoes inside. They offer a glimpse into the ancient art and rich culture of the region. Overnight stay in Matale District. 

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Tropical Life Resort And ... or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    209 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Sigiriya Rock Tour

    Active

    See more

    5th Day: Matale District - Polonnaruwa - Matale District

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning at your leisure, perhaps taking time to rest after an active few days! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can join our optional excursion to the Minneriya National Park* for elephant and leopard watching.

    In the afternoon, join your guide for a visit to Polonnaruwa, an ancient capital of the eponymous Sri Lankan kingdom. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts enormous man-made reservoirs like the “Sea of Parakrama,” larger in size than the Colombo harbor. Other highlights include the Royal Palace complex (including the King's Palace and Audience Hall), plus the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage, and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex with four massive statues of the Buddha cut from a single slab of granite. Transfer back to the hotel, overnight stay in Matale District.

    *Optional excursion to Minneriya National Park:
    Home to a diverse array of wildlife attracted to its varied topography and the Minneriya Tank, a man-made reservoir built in the 3rd century. The park is known for its permanent population of 150-200 Sri Lankan elephants.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Tropical Life Resort And ... or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    209 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Polonnaruwa Tour

    Light

    See more
    Optional
    Minneriya National Park

    Light

    See more

    6th Day: Matale District - Kandy

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Join your guide to begin the journey towards the historically-significant city of Kandy with two stops along the way. Before leaving the village, see the Dambulla Cave Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of five interconnected caves and features over 150 depictions of the Buddha. Though most of what we see dates to the early 19th century, some inscriptions come from as far back as the 2nd century BCE.

    Next, visit the Spice Garden to learn more about the exotic botanicals that motivated centuries of trade and colonization on the island. Get a detailed look at the plants on display and enjoy a head and shoulder massage before you leave!

    From there, arrive in Kandy and check in at your hotel. Head out for an included evening tour of the city including the Gem Museum and a Batik factory. Continue with a tour of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a complex with palaces, gardens, and of course a Buddhist temple. Finally, end your evening with an hour-long Kandy cultural show, where you’ll be wowed by dances with swords and fire. Overnight stay in Kandy.

    Estimated transfer distance 93km/57miles.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Thilanka or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    2025 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Kandy Cultural Show

    Light

    See more
    included
    Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

    Light

    See more
    included
    Dambulla Cave Temple

    Moderate

    See more
    included
    Spice Garden Tour

    Light

    See more

    7th Day: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by train to the southern city of Nuwara Eliya on a scenic journey. En route, visit a tea plantation to learn about the tea industry's historical impact on Sri Lanka's topography and demography. Introduced in 1867, tea remains a key export.

    Arrive in Nuwara Eliya. Check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening walking tour starting at the iconic Golf Club, one of Asia's oldest. Visit the city’s oldest post office, a Tudor-style colonial building, and explore landmarks like the HNB Bank, Police Station, St. Xavier’s Church, and the Grand Hotel. Conclude with a stroll through Victoria Park and the Race Course. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Galway Heights or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    1267 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Train Ride from Kandy

    Light

    See more
    included
    Tour of Nuwara Eliya

    Moderate

    See more
    included
    Tea Plantation Tour

    Light

    See more

    8th Day: Nuwara Eliya - Colombo - Negombo

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    Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed with your guide to Colombo, where you’ll have the chance to take a tuk-tuk tour of the Sri Lankan capital. This bustling city is alive with color, sound, and rich history. Visit religious monuments like  the old Wolfendhal Dutch Church (built in 1749) and the famous Gangarama Temple situated opposite the Beira Lake. Be sure to take note of the city’s manicured gardens and examples of colonial architecture such as the Dutch Hospital. Transfer to your hotel for final check in, overnight stay in Negombo.

    Estimated transfer distance 205km/127miles.

    Accommodation

    ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
    Goldi Sands or similar
    tripadvisor rating

    1646 Reviews

    See our full selection

    Activities

    included
    Colombo city tour by Tuk tuk

    Light

    See more

    9th Day: Negombo - Night on board

    arrow-icon

    Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicted time, transfer to Colombo International Airport for your return flight back to the UK/Ireland **. Night on board.

    *Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

    **If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

    Please note that you need to be at the airport at least three hours prior to departure.

    10th Day: UK/Ireland

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    Arrive in the UK/Ireland and end your trip.

    Categories

    superior

    From £ 1,799

    Selected
    • Accommodation in Superior category hotels.
    check-icon
    luxury

    From £ 1,999

    • Accommodation in Luxury category hotels.

    Pick a date and start customising your trip

    Learn more

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    May 2025
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    August 2025

    Included activities

    Included

    Habarana Village trek

    Included activity for day 3 in Sigiriya

    Witness daily life in a typical Sri Lankan village, walking along the reservoir to observe local fishermen, farmers, and wildlife.

    Duration 02:30h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

    Physical rating:

    Light

    Travel time from Dambulla to the village: 20 minutes.

    more information
    Included

    Sigiriya Rock Tour

    Included activity for day 4 in Sigiriya

    Ascend this impressive natural landmark to see the ancient citadel built atop it, with spectacular sculptures and views over the landscape.

    Duration 04:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

    Physical rating:

    Active

    Travel time from Dambulla to the village: 25 minutes. May not be suitable for those with a fear of heights.

    more information
    Included

    Polonnaruwa Tour

    Included activity for day 5

    In the medieval era, kings from Polonnaruwa ruled over the surrounding area from a well-planned city whose ruins remain today.

    Duration 02:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

    Physical rating:

    Light

    Travel time from Dambulla to Polonnaruwa: 01h 30 minutes.

    more information
    Included

    Kandy Cultural Show

    Included activity for day 6 in Kandy

    Enjoy a closer look at the artistic traditions of Sri Lanka with this 60-minute show focused on music and dance.

    Duration 02:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

    Physical rating:

    Light

    more information

    Show more

    Available Activities

    Activities are subject to availability. The price for each optional activity will be shown in the next step of the booking process.
    Optional

    Minneriya National Park

    Suggested activity for day 5

    Discover one of the best places to view wildlife in all of Sri Lanka at Minneriya National Park. Get up close and personal with elephants, birds, and other animals!

    Duration 03:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

    Physical rating:

    Light

    Travel time from Dambulla: 30 minutes.

    more information

    The price includes

    • Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
    • International flights: UK/Ireland - Colombo - UK/Ireland.
    • Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy.
    • 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.
      See hotels included
    • 7 breakfasts.*
      more information
    • All transfers
    • Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
      See itinerary
    • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
    • Colombo city tour by Tuk Tuk Ride.
    • Visit the Rock of Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Tour of Polonnaruwa, Kandy, a Tea Planctation & Nuwara Eliya.
    • Head and shoulder massage at the Spice Garden.
    • ATOL Protection.
    • Private English speaking chauffeur guide.
    • Private tour.

    Not included

    Sri Lankan visa (required), meals, drinks, tips, and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

    If you are traveling to Sri Lanka with a UK/Ireland passport, you will require a Sri Lankan visa. For other passport holders, we recommend that you check with the Sri Lankan Embassy for further details. You can obtain a short stay tourist E-Visa at: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ 

    We would like to inform you that the Sri Lanka visa application website is NOT OPERATIVE at this time. However, all travelers planning to travel to Sri Lanka will be able to obtain their visa upon arrival in the country.

    Please note that the standard check-in time for hotels in Negombo is 14:00 hrs. During the booking process, you have the option to request an early check-in. For guests arriving early in the morning, we strongly recommend selecting this option to ensure immediate access to your room. Without it, guests may need to wait until the standard check-in time for their room to be ready.

    It is recommended to carry the amount of 50/60 USD, or its equivalent in euros, in cash in order to facilitate the process. Also, we suggest disembarking from the plane as early as possible to avoid long lines at the airport.

    Important note: it is mandatory to send copies of all passengers’ valid passports to customerservice@exoticca.com once you have made your reservation, as these copies are necessary for certain services and tour activities in Sri Lanka.

    Matale District includes hotels in the Dambulla, Habarana & Sigiriya area, making it the perfect location to explore the region’s sites.

    *You have the possibility to upgrade in Sri Lanka to half-board by adding 7 dinners or to full-board by adding 7 lunches and 7 dinners in the next step of the booking process.

    This trip is not recommended for people with reduced mobility due to the nature of the excursions and the terrain. If you have a disability or limited mobility and are interested in taking this trip, please contact our Customer Service Team to discuss the possibility of booking a private tour that may better fit your specific circumstances.

    • Entry requirements

      Passport with a minimum validity of six months and at least two blank pages

    • Visa

      An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) must be obtained before travelling. Available online here: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. Appox.USD 50/60 per person + additional charge for the E visa. For more information: Sri Lanka Visa (srilankaevisa.lk)

    • Currency

      Sri Lankan Rupee.

    • Language

      Sinhalese.

    • Electricity

      220V. Mostly European and UK plugs

    • Health

      There are no mandatory vaccinations for travelers from the UK/Ireland.

    • Time zone

      UTC + 05:30.

    • Other useful information

      People drive on the left-hand side of the road. Moving the head from side to side means yes.

    • Tourist Office website

      http://www.srilanka.travel

    Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

    Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

    In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

    When booking a triple room, note that these accommodations are not larger than a double room, but will include either one double or two single beds and a sofa bed/rollaway.

    Triple room: the third bed will be a rollaway bed.

    If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +44 20 8068 3176 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

    While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

    The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

    Room allocation: We will do our best to accommodate your family in the same room. If availability doesn't permit this, we guarantee your family will be accommodated as close together as possible. Children will always be accomodated in a room with at least 1 adult.

    Car seats: Not available in all destinations. Feel free to take your own if you need one.

    Pay in installments

    Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.

    Rest is paid in instalments according to your departure date.

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