Sri Lanka tour package from India: 7 nights, 8 days

At a glance

Duration

7 nights, 8 days

Stays

Kandy 2, Nuwara Eliya 2, Bentota 2, Colombo 1

Meals

Daily breakfast and dinner

Transport

Private A/C van with an English-speaking chauffeur

Best time

December to April for the hills and the south-west coast

Visa

Free tourist ETA for Indians, applied online at eta.gov.lk

Price on request: Quoted for your dates, group size and hotel category. GST and TCS extra, as applicable. Visa: Free tourist ETA for Indians.

Sri Lanka itinerary, day by day

Day 1: Colombo airport to Kandy, via Pinnawala

Your chauffeur meets you at Colombo airport. On the drive inland you stop at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and a spice garden, depending on your flight time. Overnight: Kandy.

Day 2: Kandy: temples, gardens and a cultural show

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, a city tour and the Gem Gallery, then the evening Kandyan cultural show. Overnight: Kandy.

Day 3: Into tea country

The road climbs past Ramboda Falls and the Hanuman Temple, through tea plantations, with a stop at a working tea factory. Overnight: Nuwara Eliya.

Day 4: Nuwara Eliya, "Little England"

Seetha Amman Temple, Victoria Park, Gregory Lake and a tour of the town with its colonial bungalows. At about 1,868 m it is the coolest stop, so pack a warm layer. Overnight: Nuwara Eliya.

Day 5: Down to the coast at Bentota

Drive to the south-west coast, check in and spend the evening on the beach at sunset. Overnight: Bentota.

Day 6: Turtles, river and sea

A turtle hatchery, a boat ride on the Madu River, optional water sports and a tour of the town. Overnight: Bentota.

Day 7: Colombo city and shopping

Drive to Colombo for a city tour and some shopping, then check in and relax. Overnight: Colombo.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel, then a transfer to Colombo airport for your flight home.

Hotels

• As quoted: Radisson Hotel Kandy, Araliya Red (Nuwara Eliya), Turyaa Kalutara (beach stay) and Radisson Hotel Colombo, or similar

What is included

• 7 nights at the hotels listed, or similar, base room category
• Daily breakfast and dinner
• Private A/C van with an English-speaking chauffeur (groups of 2 to 8)
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Complimentary Kandy cultural show with the Gem Gallery visit
• Two 500 ml bottles of water per person per day
• Meet and assist at the airport, and Sri Lankan VAT

Not included

• International flights (we can add them to your quote)
• Entrance fees, boat and jeep rides
• Lunch
• Train tickets (book at least a month before arrival)
• Tips, porterage and personal expenses
• GST and TCS, as applicable

Popular add-ons

• First-class scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella
• Water sports at Bentota
• Lotus Tower in Colombo
• Sigiriya, Dambulla, a Yala or Minneriya safari, or whale watching

Good to know before you go

• Cover shoulders and knees at temples; shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed at the Temple of the Tooth.
• Remove hats and shoes before entering temples; most have a shoe counter.
• Carry a warm layer for Nuwara Eliya, which sits at about 1,868 m.
• Apply for your free tourist ETA at eta.gov.lk before you fly.

Sri Lanka trip questions, answered

How many days are enough for Sri Lanka from India?

Seven or eight days covers the classic loop of Kandy, the tea hills and the south-west coast without rushing. Add two or three days for Sigiriya and Dambulla or a wildlife safari at Yala.

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka from India?

December to April is the best time for Kandy, the hill country and the south-west beaches such as Bentota. May to September suits the east coast instead, when the south-west gets the monsoon.

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Indians need a Sri Lanka ETA, but the tourist ETA is free. Apply online at eta.gov.lk before you travel and carry the approval.

Are flights included in the Sri Lanka package?

No, the package covers hotels, meals, the private chauffeur and sightseeing. Travlys can add flights from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai or any Indian city to the same quote.

Is this Sri Lanka package suitable for families and couples?

Yes. It runs with a private chauffeur for groups of 2 to 8, mixes culture, hills and beach, and suits couples, families and small groups of friends. We adjust rooms and pace for children or older travellers.

Can I add the Ella train or Sigiriya?

Yes. The scenic first-class train to Ella, Sigiriya and Dambulla, a safari or whale watching can be added; tell us on WhatsApp and we requote with the extra nights or tickets.