Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the most scenic countries in the world and well worth visiting. It is known for its tropical jungles, tea gardens, elephant orphanage, beaches and many festivals.

  • 10 days
Duration
10 days
Group size
15 people
Country
Sri Lanka

Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour Overview

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the most scenic countries in the world and well worth visiting. It is known for its tropical jungles, tea gardens, elephant orphanage, beaches and many festivals.

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the most scenic countries in the world and well worth visiting. It is known for its tropical jungles, tea gardens, elephant orphanage, beaches and full calendar of colourful festivals. With its many pilgrimage sites, sacred Buddhist temples, busy cities and mountainous jungle landscapes, Sri Lanka is becoming a popular destination for travellers.

Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country with many ancient Buddhist sites, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Panduwasnuwara and Yapahuwa. These places contain the remains of a great civilisation that developed over centuries under the influence of Buddhism, which is still practised in Sri Lanka in a traditional form.

This ten-day guided tour introduces you to the culture of Sri Lanka. You spend nine nights in highly rated accommodation as you travel around the country. A buffet breakfast is served each day, and your days are spent visiting ancient sites and natural landscapes. On arrival in Colombo, an experienced English-speaking guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel. You travel around the country in an air-conditioned luxury van.

You go on a jeep safari in Yala National Park to see wildlife, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to watch the elephants being fed and bathed, and take an elephant ride in Habarana. You see UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Dambulla Cave Temple and Galle Fort, attend a cultural show in Kandy, and see the waterfalls of Nuwara Eliya. All national park and sightseeing entrance fees are included, along with many other visits and experiences on this award-winning tour.

Ten days gives you a good introduction to the culture and nature of Sri Lanka, and many travellers find they would like to stay longer.

Join this tour to discover the island of Sri Lanka.

You can combine a Sri Lanka tour with Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan or India, and visit 2 or 3 countries on one trip. Write to us with what you would like to do and we will be happy to help.

Email us at earthbound@wlink.com.np or earthboundexpd@gmail.com.

Key highlights of the Highlights of Sri Lanka Tour

Itinerary

  1. Our representative will meet you at the airport. You can arrive in the afternoon of day 1. One of our experienced driver-guides then takes you to your hotel in Dambulla. On the way, you visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, arriving in time to see the elephants' morning feeding and bathing. You can have lunch by the river and watch them bathe. In Dambulla, you visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, which has five caves built into the rock. You then check in to your hotel in Dambulla and rest.

    Altitude
    170 m (560 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 1–2 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Dambulla
    Meals
    None

  2. After breakfast, you climb the Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. The climb takes 2 to 3 hours. You then go to Habarana for the Hiriwadunna trek and a boat ride on a lake with fine views. Return to your hotel in Dambulla to relax.

    Altitude
    170 m (560 ft)
    On foot
    3–4 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Dambulla
    Meals
    Breakfast

  3. After breakfast, you check out of the hotel in Dambulla and travel to Kandy. On the way, you visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple and a spice garden in Matale, where you can see most of the spices grown in Sri Lanka. In Kandy, you visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which holds Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic, a tooth of the Buddha. You then check in to your hotel in Kandy and have the afternoon free. In the evening, you are driven to a cultural show featuring various kinds of Sri Lankan dance. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kandy.

    Altitude
    500 m (1,640 ft)+330 m
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Kandy
    Meals
    Breakfast

  4. After breakfast, you set off on a city tour of Kandy, which includes the botanical gardens and the Gem Museum, where you can see a variety of gemstones and a large collection of jewellery. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, are known for their wide range of plants, with large lawns, huge tropical trees and many kinds of bamboo. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Kandy.

    Altitude
    500 m (1,640 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Kandy
    Meals
    Breakfast

  5. After breakfast, your driver meets you in the hotel lobby and explains the sights of Nuwara Eliya. The drive passes tea plantations and waterfalls. On the way, you visit a tea factory to see how tea is made, and you can buy a selection of fresh tea. Later, you stop at Ramboda Falls to enjoy the views. Before checking in, you visit the Hanuman Temple, one of the holy places associated with the Ramayana. You then check in to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya for dinner and a relaxing evening.

    Altitude
    1,868 m (6,130 ft)+1,368 m
    On foot
    None, 3–4 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
    Meals
    Breakfast

  6. After breakfast, you set off on a city tour of Nuwara Eliya. The town lies among the misty hills, with an average temperature of 10°C to 25°C. Places you can visit include Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, the racecourse, Lover's Leap waterfall, the Mackwoods Tea Factory Museum, St Clair's Falls and Galway's Land National Park. Return to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya for dinner and a relaxing evening.

    Altitude
    1,868 m (6,130 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
    Meals
    Breakfast

  7. After breakfast, we drive to Yala, which takes about 6 hours. The park is best known for its elephants and leopards. You check in to the hotel in Yala and rest. In the evening, you go on a jeep safari in Yala National Park. Animals you may see include elephants, peacocks, leopards, sloth bears, wild boar, sambar, buffalo and deer. Return to the hotel in Yala.

    Altitude
    20 m−1,848 m
    On foot
    None, 6 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Yala
    Meals
    Breakfast

  8. After breakfast, you travel to your resort in Bentota, a well-known beach destination on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Bentota is known for its beaches and water sports and is a good base for day trips along the west and south coasts. At the hotel, you can swim, bodysurf, dive, jet-ski, windsurf, parasail and water-ski, and all the equipment you need can be hired. On the way, you visit Galle Fort, an old Dutch fort and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, where you can learn about turtle conservation. The hatcheries are open from 06:00 to 18:00. If you wish, you can release a three-day-old turtle into the ocean. Check in to the hotel in Bentota and enjoy the surroundings.

    Altitude
    5 m−15 m
    On foot
    None, 4–5 hr drive
    Night in
    Resort, Bentota
    Meals
    Breakfast

  9. After breakfast, we go to the Madu River, a protected wildlife sanctuary, for a relaxing boat ride. Next, you visit the moonstone mines, where you see how the stones are extracted, cut and polished ready for sale. Return to the hotel in Bentota.

    Altitude
    5 m
    On foot
    Easy walking, 1–2 hrs
    Night in
    Resort, Bentota
    Meals
    Breakfast

What's included

  • 10-day tour of Sri Lanka
  • Nine nights in highly rated hotels on a twin-share basis
  • Scheduled airport transfers
  • Daily buffet breakfast
  • All transport during the tour in an air-conditioned luxury van
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • All national park and sightseeing entrance fees
  • Concierge service at the airport and at all hotels
  • 2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day
  • Jeep safari in Yala National Park to see leopards and other wildlife
  • Visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see the elephants fed and bathed
  • Visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery to release a baby turtle into the ocean
  • Visit to Sigiriya National Park and Lion's Rock, the most famous historical site in Sri Lanka
  • River boat ride on the Madu River
  • Visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth and the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cultural show in Kandy, and the tea plantations and waterfalls of Nuwara Eliya
  • Time on the beaches of Bentota, a well-known beach destination
  • The Avukana Buddha statue, carved from stone
  • Visit to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and entrance to the Botanical Gardens
  • Award-winning tour company with a 98% TripAdvisor rating

Not included

  • Supplements as mentioned
  • Lunch and dinner (approximately USD 220)
  • Tips and gratuities
  • International airfare
  • Personal expenses and any other costs not listed above

Photos

A look at the trail, the villages and the mountains.

Reviews

Exceptional5.0 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
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Showing 10 reviews from 901 on Tripadvisor

Private Tour of Nepal with Earthbound Expeditions

November 2011, Tripadvisor

We have just returned from a private tour of Nepal organised by Earthbound Expeditions. We chose Earthbound based on the many great reviews from tripadvisor and were not disappointed.From the start Earthbound were very efficient - responding to emails on the same day and sending quotes in a timely manner. Most of the accomodation organised by Earthbound was fantastic. Drivers and guides were punctual and knowledgable. I would have no hesitation recommending Earthbound to anyone travelling to Nepal.

WhereToNextTimeRead on Tripadvisor

Private Tour of Nepal with Earthbound Expeditions

November 2011, Tripadvisor

We have just returned from a private tour of Nepal organised by Earthbound Expeditions. We chose Earthbound based on the many great reviews from tripadvisor and were not disappointed.From the start Earthbound were very efficient - responding to emails on the same day and sending quotes in a timely manner. Most of the accomodation organised by Earthbound was fantastic. Drivers and guides were punctual and knowledgable. I would have no hesitation recommending Earthbound to anyone travelling to Nepal.

WhereToNextTimeRead on Tripadvisor

Earthbound was excellent-Helambu Trek

October 2011, Tripadvisor

Our Nepal Trip was perfect from our arrival to departure. Thakur was a superb guide and really looked after our group through sickness and in health. He adapted our programme to accommodate everyone’s needs. We were able to have lunch in a local home twice and he always tried to create opportunities for us to meet local people. Our group wanted to get to know the people and the culture of Nepal....not just clock up miles! Besides leading Thakur walks, made sure that our accommodation was good as well as the hygiene standards. We loved dahl bhaat and Thakur told us where and when it would be good. The Helambu Trail was the perfect trek for us as we didn’t waste time at airports and because it was fairly unspoilt and close to Kathmandu. We will use Earthbound again. Apart from the trek, the tour of KTM and the cultural meal at the end were fantastic and wonderful opening and closure to our trip. Buy a steripen-not all those plastic water bottles!

Suzanne SGodalming, United KingdomRead on Tripadvisor

Earthbound was excellent-Helambu Trek

October 2011, Tripadvisor

Our Nepal Trip was perfect from our arrival to departure. Thakur was a superb guide and really looked after our group through sickness and in health. He adapted our programme to accommodate everyone’s needs. We were able to have lunch in a local home twice and he always tried to create opportunities for us to meet local people. Our group wanted to get to know the people and the culture of Nepal....not just clock up miles! Besides leading Thakur walks, made sure that our accommodation was good as well as the hygiene standards. We loved dahl bhaat and Thakur told us where and when it would be good. The Helambu Trail was the perfect trek for us as we didn’t waste time at airports and because it was fairly unspoilt and close to Kathmandu. We will use Earthbound again. Apart from the trek, the tour of KTM and the cultural meal at the end were fantastic and wonderful opening and closure to our trip. Buy a steripen-not all those plastic water bottles!

Suzanne SGodalming, United KingdomRead on Tripadvisor

Spectacular trekking with Earthbound Expeditions

October 2011, Tripadvisor

Just returned from a spectacular trekking trip with Earthbound Expeditions. I've always wanted to trek on "top of the world." So after a couple month's search on various websites, reviews, several questions and quick responses especially from Earthbound Expeditions, we settled on Earthbound Expeditions, a local company in the Thamel district of Kathmandu. Choosing Earthbound Expeditions was one of the best decisions we made about our trip for several reasons. It is a local company run by its president Rajan Simkhada, who wants people to see Nepal as he does. Compared to large trekking groups, we had exceptional value. We were led by Apar Datta Pant, Guide and Gopal Neupane, Porter were two of the most exceptional, experienced and English speaking Nepalis we met on the Annapurna trek. Also, Apar was always in the teahouse kitchen watching food preparation so neither of us were sick with the "tourista." Huge plus! Since there were only two of us on the trek our guide was able to make a few modifications which really enhanced the trek. One of the best changes were to trekked out via a another route. A real plus during the busy trekking season. Least favorite part of the trek for me was the body-to-body head lamp hike before sunrise. But suffice to say as the tourism slogan goes "Naturally Nepal once is not enough" and I'd do it again and again with Earthbound Expeditions.

Harumi GEast Stroudsburg, PennsylvaniaRead on Tripadvisor

Spectacular trekking with Earthbound Expeditions

October 2011, Tripadvisor

Just returned from a spectacular trekking trip with Earthbound Expeditions. I've always wanted to trek on "top of the world." So after a couple month's search on various websites, reviews, several questions and quick responses especially from Earthbound Expeditions, we settled on Earthbound Expeditions, a local company in the Thamel district of Kathmandu. Choosing Earthbound Expeditions was one of the best decisions we made about our trip for several reasons. It is a local company run by its president Rajan Simkhada, who wants people to see Nepal as he does. Compared to large trekking groups, we had exceptional value. We were led by Apar Datta Pant, Guide and Gopal Neupane, Porter were two of the most exceptional, experienced and English speaking Nepalis we met on the Annapurna trek. Also, Apar was always in the teahouse kitchen watching food preparation so neither of us were sick with the "tourista." Huge plus! Since there were only two of us on the trek our guide was able to make a few modifications which really enhanced the trek. One of the best changes were to trekked out via a another route. A real plus during the busy trekking season. Least favorite part of the trek for me was the body-to-body head lamp hike before sunrise. But suffice to say as the tourism slogan goes "Naturally Nepal once is not enough" and I'd do it again and again with Earthbound Expeditions.

Harumi GEast Stroudsburg, PennsylvaniaRead on Tripadvisor

Wonderful Nepal/Tibet Tour!

October 2011, Tripadvisor

"Naturally Nepal: Once is not enough!" I went to Nepal/Tibet with 2 women friends and we couldn't have been treated and cared for any better. Earthbound Expeditions is an amazing travel company and I would recommend them to everyone and anyone. Beginning with emails months before our trip to the day we came home, we were cared for. And I feel like we are STILL being cared for! Nepal is a gorgeous country. The Himalayas make the Rocky Mountains I live in look like foothills. Our guide Hari and our driver Deepok in Nepal were fantatstic. The catered to us all the way including "Cheeseballs"!!! Inside joke. As well as "this is Nepal". :) Tibet, as the Rooftop of the World is unbelievable. We were there during Holy Week and got to experience all the pilgrims coming from all over Tibet to visit them monasteries and temples. It was an extremely enlightening experience for me. The devotion, commitment to Budda is eye opening and perfectly awesome. If you have any desires to go to Tibet I will make that trip sooner rather than later. The Chinese are making a huge impact. Some of it positive (good infrasture as far as roads etc.) but much of it very sad and the Chinese are changing the face of Tibet. The people in both Nepal and Tibet are just lovely, generous and very special. If you are looking for a trip of a lifetime (and I don't mean Europe) than these are the countries for you and Earthbound Expeditions is the company for you. Graciously, Kim Kim Kirmmse Toth

kimkirmmsetothRead on Tripadvisor

Wonderful Nepal/Tibet Tour!

October 2011, Tripadvisor

"Naturally Nepal: Once is not enough!" I went to Nepal/Tibet with 2 women friends and we couldn't have been treated and cared for any better. Earthbound Expeditions is an amazing travel company and I would recommend them to everyone and anyone. Beginning with emails months before our trip to the day we came home, we were cared for. And I feel like we are STILL being cared for! Nepal is a gorgeous country. The Himalayas make the Rocky Mountains I live in look like foothills. Our guide Hari and our driver Deepok in Nepal were fantatstic. The catered to us all the way including "Cheeseballs"!!! Inside joke. As well as "this is Nepal". :) Tibet, as the Rooftop of the World is unbelievable. We were there during Holy Week and got to experience all the pilgrims coming from all over Tibet to visit them monasteries and temples. It was an extremely enlightening experience for me. The devotion, commitment to Budda is eye opening and perfectly awesome. If you have any desires to go to Tibet I will make that trip sooner rather than later. The Chinese are making a huge impact. Some of it positive (good infrasture as far as roads etc.) but much of it very sad and the Chinese are changing the face of Tibet. The people in both Nepal and Tibet are just lovely, generous and very special. If you are looking for a trip of a lifetime (and I don't mean Europe) than these are the countries for you and Earthbound Expeditions is the company for you. Graciously, Kim Kim Kirmmse Toth

kimkirmmsetothRead on Tripadvisor

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