AEI- 13 Regular Departure Sri-Lanka 7N-8D
Asia Escapes Expert Review: “Essence of Ceylon”
“This regular tour is probably the smartest route for a first trip to Sri Lanka . What makes it stand out from other programs is its geographical and thematic focus . It’s not just a tour of monuments; it’s an emotional journey that takes the traveler from the colonial nostalgia of Galle to the ancient mysticism of Sigiriya, passing through the wild exuberance of Yala.
At Asia Escapes , we especially appreciate that the itinerary doesn’t neglect the south. Many tours omit Galle and Yala to save miles, but this program understands that without the leopard and the Dutch Fort, the Ceylon experience is incomplete . This product also allows you to extend your trip to the best beach in Sri Lanka at that time of year or to the Maldives.”
Arrival in Colombo according to the indicated dates
Month | Date | Anus |
March | 24, 31 | 2026 |
April | 07, 14, 28, | 2026 |
May | 05, 19 | 2026 |
June | 2, 16, 23, 30 | 2026 |
July | 07, 14, 21, 28 | 2026 |
Aug | 04, 11, 18, 25 | 2026 |
Sep. | 01, 08, 15, 22 | 2026 |
Oct. | 06, 12, 19, 26 | 2026 |
Day 01. Colombo-Beruwala Airport
Assistance upon arrival at Colombo airport. Direct transfer to Beruwala.
Free time to rest. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 02. Beruwala-Galle-Weligama-Yala
Breakfast. Transfer to Yala. We will visit the city of Galle, one of those charming and endearing places that leaves an indelible mark on visitors. The Portuguese arrived in Galle in 1505 and fortified the port, which, until the construction of Colombo’s port, was the most important on the island. The Dutch took the city in the 17th century, and in the 19th century, it passed into British hands. Traces of these three nationalities remain, and this is one of the city’s charms. The fortress built by the Dutch in 1663 covers 63 hectares.
En route, we will visit the air-fishermen.
In the afternoon, we will go on a safari in Yala National Park. Birds, a wide variety of animals, beautiful landscapes, bungalows in the thick of the forest, and beautiful herds of deer await. The park covers an area of 100,000 hectares. You can see around 100 species of birds. The vegetation in western Yala consists of rainforest, brackish lagoons, and rocky areas. The best time to see leopards in Yala is generally early morning and dusk. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03. Yala-She-Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya with a stop in Ella. En route, we will visit Rawana Falls. The Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the finest examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. Little Adam’s Peak.
We will take an unforgettable walk through the tea plantations and the surrounding mountains. The village is located at approximately 1,900 meters above sea level. Free afternoon to explore the village center and the traditional market or visit a tea factory. The Ceylon Tea designation of origin is certainly indisputable for its quality. Its cultivation in tropical or subtropical areas enhances the result, but the ideal touch of quality comes from the added factor of altitude, as is the case with what is considered the best tea in the world, originating from the plantations of this region of Sri Lanka. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 04. Nuwara Eliya-Kandy
Breakfast. Transfer to Kandy. KANDY – The holiest city in Sri Lanka, home to the precious relic, the Tooth Relic of the Buddha. The Perahera festival, celebrated in July and August, also takes place here in all its splendor. In 1590, the rulers of Kotte made Kandy their capital. For over two centuries, Kandy was an independent kingdom, resisting the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. Only in 1815 did the British finally conquer this beautiful city in the land of mountains.
Temple of the Tooth Relic – Built between 1678 and 1782, during the reigns of several monarchs, this beautiful octagonal building, constructed during the reign of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, houses an impressive library. Every evening, crowds gather in the temple halls, eagerly awaiting their turn to view the precious relic. All this to the intrepid rhythm of instant trumpets and Kandian drums, announcing the longed-for moment of religious contemplation. In the afternoon, see traditional Sri Lankan dances. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05. Kandy-Matale-Dambulla
Breakfast. Transfer to Dambulla.
En route, we will visit a spice garden in Matale. It is very famous for its spices. Even in the early days of Sri Lanka, it was known as a spicy island. Most of the spices are used to enhance the flavor of curries. Sometimes they are also used in herbal medicine. Many spices have a pleasant fragrance that can enhance the taste of food. We will also visit
a cave temple carved into a mola rock face with an extraordinary number of images, statues, carvings, and paintings. The reclining Buddha statue is truly magnificent, measuring 14 meters in length and carved from the rock. These cave temples date back to the 1st century BC, and some of the paintings are very old, while others date from the 19th century. In addition to the numerous Buddha statues, there are also images of Vishnu and Saman. Many of the Buddha statues are in meditative poses. In total, there are five caves, and some of them feature very evocative murals on the walls and ceiling. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 06. Dambulla-Sigirya-Polonnaruwa-Dambulla
Breakfast. We will ascend Lion Rock, known for its frescoes of the Golden Maidens. We will visit the Royal Leisure Gardens, believed to be among the earliest landscaped gardens in Asia. The Mirror Wall, another distinctive feature of Sigiriya, is located right next to the paintings; its surface is polished and covered with the writing known as “Sigiri graffiti” in the form of a poem. We will also see the Lion Staircase, which leads to the summit and is distinguished by the enormous Lion Paw carved at the base of the ascent.
In the afternoon, the town of Polonnaruwa lies southeast of Anuradhapura, in an area of ponds constructed centuries ago by the kings of Sri Lanka. Incredibly, these ponds continue to function today. Also of note is the impressive fortified complex of Parakrama Samudra, which covers approximately 2,400 hectares. It was built in the 11th century before the arrival of Indian invaders. Next, we visit the impressive ruins of Polonnaruwa, the medieval jewel and second capital of Sri Lanka, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Located southeast of Anurdhapura, it sits amidst a network of ponds constructed centuries ago by Sri Lankan kings. Famous for its artistic beauty, we will see, among other treasures, the four colossal rock-carved statues of Parakramabahu, one of Polonnaruwa’s greatest kings. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7. Dambulla-Colombo
Breakfast. Transfer to Colombo. In the afternoon, we will visit the city of Colombo, the country’s commercial capital. Like many capital cities in developing countries, it is changing rapidly. It was an important trading settlement for the Portuguese in the early 17th century, and a century and a half later, it was used by the Dutch, who had to cede it to the British in 1976. However, some parts still retain their old-world charm. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several colonial buildings constructed by the British. Other points of interest include the Pettah Bazaar, where you can haggle, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, and residential areas where you can find the stately homes of the wealthy. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 08. Colombo-Colombo Airport
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight.
The price includes |
- 7 nights accommodation in the hotels mentioned or similar
- Half board accommodation
- Air-conditioned transport, all transfers, excursions and visits
- Spanish-speaking driver-guide service
- Stop to see Rawana waterfall
- Stop to see the 9-arched bridge
- Temple of the tooth
- Temple of the Dambulla Caves
- The fortress of Sigiriya
- City of Polonnaruwa
- Safari in Minneriya National Park
- Everything specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
- The rates applicable at this time.
The price does not include
- Sri Lanka entry visa. Check at: srilankaevisa.lk
- Drinks in hotels and restaurants.
- Visits and excursions not specified in the itinerary.
- Tips and personal extras.
- Supplements
- Lunches
- Camera/video permits at monuments.
Highlights by City
Beruwala/Galle: Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to experience it is to walk along its ramparts at sunset and admire the Dutch colonial architecture blended with the local culture.
Yala: The biodiversity. Not only the leopard, but also the wild elephants, sloth bears, and the enormous variety of birds.
Nuwara Eliya (Little England): The cool climate and endless greenery. A visit to a tea factory is essential to understanding the island’s economy and culture. The Nine Arches Bridge in Ella is the iconic photo of the trip.
Kandy: The Temple of the Tooth Relic . It is the spiritual heart of the Sinhalese. Watching the puja ceremony with drums is a unique sensory experience.
Dambulla: The caves. The preservation of the mural paintings and the peaceful atmosphere within the rock are breathtaking.
Sigiriya: The climb to Lion Rock. The views from the top and the frescoes of the Maidens are the highlight of the trip.
Polonnaruwa: The Gal Vihara. Seeing the four giant Buddhas carved from a single piece of granite rock is breathtaking.
City / Night | Category A Hotels | Category B Hotels |
Beruwala | The Palms | The Palms |
Yala | Chaarya Resorts & Spa | Oakray Wild |
Nuwara Eliya | Araliya Green Hills | Ripon Grand Hill |
Kandy | Radisson Blu | The Swiss Residence |
Dambulla | Occidental Paradise | Sungreen Resorts & Spa |
Colombo | Fairway / Mt. Lavinia | Fairway / Mt. Lavinia / Sofia Colombo |
