8 Best Sri Lanka Tours

Are you dreaming of exploring the diverse allure of Sri Lanka? From exploring Colombo's blend of old and new, visiting iconic landmarks, stunning coastlines and sprawling National Parks, to trekking the Pekoe Trail - Join us in discovering some Sri Lanka's best tours.

1. Family Adventure Vacation in Sri Lanka

This 12-night family-friendly adventure is a comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka’s best bits. Your stay begins in the capital city of Colombo, where you'll stay at Uga Residence. After you've explored the city, you'll be transported to the Cultural Triangle, exploring some of the country's UNESCO Heritage sites and staying at Uga Ulagalla. The adventure continues as you head to the luxurious Uga Bay Hotel on the East Coast of the island. The hotel offers plenty of water activities including scuba diving and whale & dolphin spotting boat trips. Next, head to Gal Oya National Park for your Sri Lankan safari, where you'll stay at the Gal Oya Lodge, an eco-lodge situated on 20 acres of private jungle paradise. The journey continues to the Tea Country where you'll stay in a colonial-era bungalow, Goatfell. Here you'll learn all there is to know about the thriving tea industry. During your stay, why not experience a Sri Lanka hiking tour and hike a portion of the Pekeo Trail; a trail that winds through the ancient tea terraces. Your journey reaches its final stop at The Wallawwa, a luxurious final stay after a busy family holiday.

Highlights:

• Mixture of beach, safari, scenic, and city
• Private guiding and chauffeuring
• Luxurious accommodation throughout

Insider tip: "Be sure to look out for elephants at Gal Oya Lodge, who can sometimes be spotted swimming in the lake using their trunks like a snorkel."

2. Sri Lanka Honeymoon Tour - Culture, Wildlife and Coast

For couples who want to do and see it all, but are not sure what to do in Sri Lanka, then this Sri Lanka honeymoon itinerary is perfect for you. Begin your trip at Water Garden Sigiriya, and venture to the many nearby cultural activities. Pay a visit to Minneriya National Park, to encounter wild Indian elephants on safari. Next up, Kandy, the Buddhist hill city where you'll stay at Kandy House. Enjoy a traditional cooking class and cultural dance show. Visit the iconic Temple of the Tooth which houses the relic of the Buddha's tooth. Then head to Gal Oya National Park to experience game drives, boat trips and walks in search of leopard, sloth bear and more. Journey to Tea Country, experience rolling mountains, tea plantations and waterfalls. You'll leave Nine Skies and head to Malabar Hill on the south-west coast. End your trip with a massage and some time on the beach.

Highlights

• Hike part of the Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka's first long-distance hiking route that traverses 300 kilometers of tea country
• Order the traditional crispy hoppers and sambals for breakfast at Nine Skies
• Opt for casual dining on the open-air terrace at Malabar Hill. Grazing platters are shared from cushioned benches
• Gal Oya Lodge is the only place in Sri Lanka that offers boat safaris, a great opportunity to spot elephants

Insider tip: "Take a forest walks with the Vedda tribe, one of the last remaining communities of forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka when you're staying at Gal Oya Lodge."

3. Luxury Sri Lanka Family Vacation - Culture and Beach

Embark on this luxury 10-night family holiday in Sri Lanka, filled with culture, beach and family friendly activities. Discover culture, history and fun in the sun as you travel from the Tea Country to the sandy South Coast. Start your trip at The Wallawwa in the capital city of Colombo, after a short 1-night stay you'll be transported to Kandy where you'll reside at the Kings Pavilion. Next, you'll head to the Tea Country, where you will stay at the Ceylon Tea Trails hotel for 3 nights. The hotel has many walking and cycling trails as well as a tennis court, swimming pool and lake for kayaking. Depart from the coast as you head out on the final leg of your journey. Today you'll take a short flight to Cape Weligama, a luxury clifftop resort. The resort offers water sports, diving and a host of other family-fun activities.

Highlights:

• Explore the Temple of the Tooth, home of the sacred Buddha tooth relic
• Take a scenic ride on a vintage train through the century-old tea plantations
• Enjoy afternoon tea, butler service and lawn croquet
• Head to the sea for whale watching, snorkeling and surfing

Insider tip: "Take a pre-dawn hike up one of Sri Lanka's most sacred mountains, Adam's Peak. Watching the sunrise over the mountain range will leave you awe-struck."

4. Luxury Honeymoon to Sri Lanka and Dubai

Perfect for culture-loving honeymooners, this luxury honeymoon to Sri Lanka and Dubai will have you ticking off most of Sri Lanka's heritage spots and countryside and then jetting off to Dubai. Begin your trip with a 1-night stay in Colombo at the Maniumpathy Hotel. Then you'll head to Sigiriya where you'll stay at Water Garden Sigiriya, which is a stone-throw from Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Journey to Kandy, where you'll stay at Kings Pavilion. From here you'll board a vintage train, transporting you through the Tea Country’s forest, villages, waterfalls, and tea estates. You will be staying at Ceylon Tea Trails where you can learn to make tea or relax with a game of croquet while you sip on some Pimm's. Your honeymoon will conclude in Dubai where you can continue your historical pursuits, learning about Emirati culture and heritage. Or if you'd prefer to do some retail therapy, why not spend the day at one of the many shopping malls and then head back to the Ritz-Carlton.

Highlights:

• The Water House has unparalleled views of Sigiriya
• Ask the staff at Water Garden to pack you a cooler box of cold drinks and set off on a tour of the city’s landmarks via tuk-tuk
• The Ritz-Carlton has 6 pools, including a lazy river through the gardens
• Be sure to enjoy the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Afternoon Tea experience
  

Insider tip: "Scramble up Pidurangala Rock if you are after an alternative view of Sigiriya – it will be a much quieter walk than your trek up the fortress itself."

5. Family Holiday to Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Get the best of both worlds with this family holiday to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Begin your journey at Ellerton Bungalow in Kandy, Sri Lanka's second-largest city. Visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Dambulla Cave Temple, two of Sri Lanka's most iconic cultural highlights. Next, you'll head to Taru Villas Maia, located in the Cultural Triangle. From here you can visit and hike up Sigiriya Rock Fortress, spot a herd of elephants in Minnerriya National Park, and visit the monkey city of Polonnaruwa. Your time in Sri Lanka will conclude with a stay at Leopard Trails Camp in Wilpattu National Park. Enjoy jeep safaris and keep your eyes peeled for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, water buffalo, and many bird species. Jet off to the Maldives where you'll stay at LUX* South Ari Atoll. Your children will enjoy treasure hunts, board games, and snorkeling, as well as many activities for the parents too!

Highlights:

• While at Ellerton, ask your chauffeur to take you to the famous botanical gardens.
• Enjoy family-friendly outdoor movie nights at Ellerton
• Snorkeling experiences with the in-house marine biologist
• Visit local markets and sample local cuisine

Insider tip: "Don’t miss the Minneriya elephant safari, one of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants anywhere in the world."

6. Culture, safari and beach Sri Lanka Honeymoon

Experience Sri Lanka's best bits with this culture, safari and beach Sri Lanka Honeymoon. Explore the culture-rich city of Kandy and the Cultural Triangle, travel by vintage train to the tea plantations, go on safari and enjoy the sandy beaches on Sri Lanka’s south coast. Start in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, staying at Ulagalla Resort. Take a unique backroad cycling tour of Anuradhapura with a historian and climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Next, you'll stay in Kandy, where you can explore the busy markets and visit the Temple of the Tooth. Then you'll travel by vintage train to Tea Country to your accommodation at Nine Skies. Marvel at the forests, villages, waterfalls, and tea estates you pass along the way. Head to your safari accommodation at Uga Chen Huts which offers both beach and safari. End your trip with a stay at Last House, a relaxed hotel with direct beach access.

Highlights:

• Explore the tea estates that surround Nine Skies, on your own or with a guide.
• Enjoy a romantic private dining experience in the rice paddies at Ulagalla Resort
• Hop onto a bicycle to explore the surrounds or walk to the nearby Degaldoruwa Cave Temple while staying at Kandy House
  

Insider tip: "Look out for monkeys, mongooses, peacocks, and numerous brightly colored birds and butterflies while at Ulagalla Resort."

7. Family Holiday in Sri Lanka

Your action-packed family holiday in Sri Lanka begins in Kandy where you'll stay at Kings Pavilion, a boutique hotel in the mountains. Visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the relic of the Buddha's tooth. Head on to Uga Jungle Beach, a remote resort on a near-deserted beach. The area offers a plethora of significant historical sites, cultural hotspots and wildlife sanctuaries. Take a boat trip to Pigeon Island, where you might get to see dolphins and whales (in season). Next, you'll travel to the Cultural Triangle and stay at Uga Ulagalla, an eco-boutique hotel that's set amongst the rice paddies. From here you can climb UNESCO heritage site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore the Cave Temple of Dambulla and cycle through the quieter backroads of Anuradhapura. Don't forget to book a game drive at a nearby park for the chance to see Asian elephants. You will spend your final night in Colombo at Uga Residence.

Highlights:

• Look out for monkeys, mongooses, peacocks and many brightly colored birds and butterflies at Ulagalla
• Experience a unique street food walk in Colombo
• Request a romantic destination dining amongst the rice paddies while at Uga Ulagalla
• Enjoy the infinity pool with spectacular jungle views at Kings Pavilion

Insider tip: "When staying at Uga Jungle Beach, enquire about making and flying your own kite, built in the traditional Sri Lankan manner - a fun family activity!"

8. Luxury Sri Lanka and the Maldives Honeymoon

This luxury Sri Lanka and Maldives honeymoon is the perfect combination of culture and beach. Sri Lanka will capture your imagination with its heritage sites and an expansive tea country, whilst the Maldives is pure honeymoon heaven. Whilst in Sri Lanka, you'll stay at Uga Ulagalla, located in the Cultural Triangle. Visit heritage sites such as Sigiriya Lion Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple and cycle through the ancient city of Anuradhapura. You will also have time to visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy home, to the sacred relic of the Buddha's tooth. Head off to Tea Country, where you'll stay at Ceylon Tea Trails, with incredible views and hikes. Then you're off to the Maldives where you'll stay at Gili Lankanfushi Resort. Relax at the spa or take to the seas and experience an ocean safari, kayaking, boating and more!

Highlights:

• Uga Ulagalla offers cookery classes, archery, and horse riding experience
• Enjoy paddy fields and reservoir views from Uga Ulagalla
• Book a treatment at the overwater spa while staying at Gili Lankanfushi Resort
• Head to the Overwater Bar at Gili Lankanfushi Resort to watch a magical sunset of pink and purple.
  

Insider tip: "Enquire about taking your dinner from the observation platform or in the rice paddies while at Gili Lankanfushi Resort."

Our itineraries are meticulously planned and cater to a variety of interests. If you would like to tailor one of our Sri Lanka holiday itineraries, contact our Travel Experts who will gladly assist you in planning your once-in-a-lifetime Sri Lanka holiday.

Not ready to book just yet? Check out our Sri Lanka travel guide to learn more about why you should visit Sri Lanka and suggestions on places to visit, what to do and when to travel.