Experience the beauty and diversity of Sri Lanka with the “Insta Sri Lanka” tour, a 12-day adventure across some of the island’s most stunning and culturally significant locations. From the historic streets of Negombo to the majestic heights of Sigiriya and the serene landscapes of Ella, this tour promises an array of unforgettable experiences.
Tour highlights
- Experience the beautiful instagrammable moments around Sri Lanka
- Take time out to relax on the beautiful southwest coast.
- Enjoy a scenic train journey through tea plantations.
- Absorb the atmosphere of quaint colonial Galle.
Itinerary
Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Colombo.
On arrival in Negembo, you're met by your private chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotel just outside of Colombo. Your chauffeur-guide will stay with you for the rest of your trip, acting as your private driver and guide. Depending on your flight time, you may have some time to relax this afternoon — your hotel has a wonderful pool area and a fascinating local temple a short walk away.
Negombo
Stay at Sentido Heritance
When passing Dambulla Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. This historic temple has five caves and 157 statues of the Lord Buddha, paintings on the ceilings and walls that emphasis the artistic talent of ancient days. The history of the caves, rock, and temple dates from the first century BC. The fascination of these caves is not only the statues but also the intricate and delicate paintings that cover the ceiling and walls, created with indigenous traditional paints. Because of the history, archaeological and artistic implications, it was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991.
Continue to Sigiriya, on arrival check in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Negombo
Dambulla
Stay at Hotel Sigiriya
Unforgettable Insta Moment: Sunrise at Pidurangala Rock.
An early start to the day is ideal to climb the Pidurangala rock. It is an enormous rock located north of Sigiriya. Climbing Pidurangala Rock is an adventure, offering breathtaking panoramic views that encompass the surrounding lush green landscapes, serene lakes, and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress rising majestically nearby. The ascent involves traversing a well-marked trail through thickets of trees, over large boulders, and up stone staircases. This journey through nature’s bounty creates a unique connection between the traveller and the environment, a sense of being one with the island’s history and beauty. (Climbing time: approx. 45 mins)
This afternoon, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Called by many names including “The Lion Rock” for its initial name of “Sinhagiri”, Sigiriya is nestled on a 660ft tall rock that will blow your mind at every corner from history, architecture to nature as you climb up the old fortress known as the 8th wonder of the world, the fortress built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa is a piece of art with an amazing view. The architectural and irrigational technologies of Sigiriya, such as the Water Gardens, still baffle engineers. The climb up steep steps of metal with railings passes a wall decorated with frescoes.
Stay at Hotel Sigiriya
Proceed to Kandy and do a city tour, you will be delighted by the grandeur of the Kandy Lake.
Later visit the Bahirawakanda Temple. The temple on the hill of Bahirawakanda, called the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, is most well-known to tourists for its giant Buddha statue, which can be seen from almost any point in the city of Kandy. Built in 1972, the statue shows Lord Buddha seated in the Nirvana pose, which is the position associated with his first Enlightenment. Reaching a height of more than twenty-five metres, it is one of the tallest statues of Buddha in Sri Lanka.
Afterwards, visit the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple was originally built by the Kandyan Kings in 1595, to house and honour the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Attracting crowds of white-clad pilgrims bearing lotus flowers for means of worship, the Maligawa features a myriad of intricate carvings that speak volumes of the architectural values of Kandy. Today the City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in part because of the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
End the day by watching the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colourful traditional dances and delightful music. The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Be mesmerised by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colourful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.
Sigiriya
Kandy
Stay at Kings Ridge Hotel
Unforgettable Insta Moment: Enjoy the most scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella. This journey isn’t just a tourist attraction, it’s life for the people of Sri Lanka. The lush green hills are purely breathtaking. The train takes you high into the mountains, through dense forest and vibrant green tea fields, over bridges, through tunnels, local villages and beside smiling faces.
Kandy
Ella
Stay at O2 Ella Hotel
While in Ella, visit the world-famous Nine Arch Bridge. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
Later, visit the Ravana Cave. It is a historical cave and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. At an altitude of 4,490 feet, the Ravana Cave or Ravana Ella Cave is located at the base of a cliff close to the Ravana Waterfall. It is quite a small cave, measuring about 50 feet wide, 150 feet long and 60 feet high. The cave is a huge cavity in a rock which people say leads to an underground tunnel. There have been reports stating that the tunnel leads to an underground area with a lake and rooms, which are assumed to be parts of Ravana’s palace. It’s believed to have been the cave where Sita was imprisoned. Excavations in the cave have revealed evidence of human habitation dating back to over 25,000 years ago.
Ella
Stay at O2 Ella Hotel
En route, have a quick stop at the Ravana Falls, a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush greenery which is in the misty mountains of Ella, Sri Lanka along the road. It’s associated with the Ramayana legend and is a popular stop for its natural beauty. You can take a short break to enjoy the 3-tier cascading waterfall creating rock pools along its way down and the scenic surroundings. During the wet season, the Ravana Falls takes the form of a drooping areca flower, but its wide size reduces dramatically during the dry season. Although it is always worth it to check this waterfall when you are Ella as it is one of the easiest accessible waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Unforgettable Insta Moment: Nil Diya Pokuna
Later, visit the Nil Diya Pokuna. This hidden gem is an underwater pond situated in a cave or a tunnel complex in Ella which is believed to have been built by king Ravana. The pond lies 80 meters deep inside a mountain cave in Karandagolla.
Ella
Yala
Stay at Kithala Resort
An early start is ideal to enjoy an exciting adventure by embarking in a safari game drive at Yala National Park. Explore the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife of the area while enjoying a jeep ride through the picturesque national park. Witness elephants, birds, peacocks, and deer as well as other fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you might be able to spot a leopard or a sloth bear during this safari too.
Once in Dikwella, enjoy the Dikwella Rope Swing. This swing is located towards the very end of the beach, on a palm tree stretching out towards the vast ocean. Enjoy the beautiful sunset with the sky coloured in a golden hue. One of the swings is located within proximity of the Dickwella Beach Resort and another along the bay near the Mahi Mahi restaurant.
Yala
Dickwella
Ahangama
Stay at Garton's Cape
If in season and if the weather permits, collect a packed breakfast and leave the hotel early morning for the Whale watching excursion. Often spotted blue whales are the biggest animals in the world and Mirissa is the best place for whale watching. Whale watching season in Mirissa is from October to April.
Take time to visit the Secret Beach Mirissa, is a small hidden beach with a bay area just around the corner of the town’s main beach, Mirissa Beach. The best thing about Secret Beach is its surroundings; the beach nestled in a cove and flanked by small hills covered in lush green palm trees on either side which creates several smaller beaches. Secret Beach consists of three smaller beaches: Blue Lagoon, this is right in front of the beach and is a tidal rock pool which is perfect for a lazy swim; Palm Cove, found on the left of Blue Lagoon, it is a wonderful snorkelling location, a place where the jungle meets the sea; Shelly Beach is made of a series of rock pools and even has a blowhole.
Afterwards, visit the iconic Coconut Tree Hill in Mirissa. It is a private coconut estate with a nearby temple set on a high cliff overlooking the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean and the untouched stretch of golden beach.
Ahangama
Stay at Garton's Cape
Drive to Galle and visit the Galle Dutch Fort. Galle is a historical jewel to Sri Lanka and wonderful to explore on foot. Among the endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions, and museums the ancient Dutch fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts the hearts of tourists and reverberates through every traveller’s photo and caption. Stroll around the ancient city where you will find a gourmet of fancy restaurants and coffee shops to chill and relax. The beach side is surely a bliss which will make you want to lock yourself up in this sun kissed island and indulge in the sea breeze and endless blue waters.
Embark in an exciting Cooking Class in Galle. Learn of the intricacies of locally sourced vegetables and the unique spice blends used in Sri Lankan cuisine. Grasp the art of making healthy curries and combining flavours as recipes are stirred in a pot full of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Ahangama
Galle
Stay at Garton's Cape
Enjoy a tuk tuk safari In Colombo. Experience a tour for all your senses in a rustic and realistic safari of Colombo. What’s more real and native to Sri Lanka than a tuk-tuk?! Venture across Colombo, the commercial hub of Sri Lanka enjoying the breeze and the passing sights on your way to various popular destinations. During this tour, you will cover the Independence Gangaramaya Temple, Beira Lake, and other key attractions of Colombo
After completion, you may choose to visit the market for some Shopping.
Colombo
Stay at Mirage Hotel
Today you're met by your chauffeur-guide and transferred to the airport. He will ensure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
FAQs
At ceytravel, a tailor-made holiday is a journey crafted entirely around you. We believe that luxury travel is personal, which is why we work with you to truly understand what you desire from your Sri Lankan tour. From securing a room at an exclusive boutique hotel to matching you with an expert private chauffeur-guide, every aspect of your holiday works towards bringing the magic of Sri Lanka to life in a way that means the most to you.
It begins when you are paired with your personal ceytravel specialist. As dedicated experts in Sri Lankan luxury travel, our team will schedule a discovery call to learn about you: your interests, who is travelling with you, your preferred style of travel, and your budget. From that conversation, we begin to craft your unique, personalised itinerary.
You’ll remain part of the planning journey, choosing between private villas or five-star hotels, or selecting exclusive experiences, but we’ll provide you with options perfectly suited to your party—many of which are exclusive to ceytravel. Once we have the outline, we perfect the tiny details. We will be with you every step of the way, from our pre-departure call to the moment you return home. All that is left for you to do is pack your luggage and relax.
Our deep-rooted relationships with suppliers across the island allow us to provide unparalleled access and ensure our guests receive the highest level of service. Are you an architecture enthusiast? We can arrange a private tour of Geoffrey Bawa’s iconic estates, perhaps with a local design expert. Is spotting a leopard in Yala at the top of your list? We partner with the most experienced local naturalists who know the park intimately, giving you the very best chance at a sighting.
This is all to say, a bespoke luxury tour with ceytravel is truly the only way to experience Sri Lanka.
To make the entire experience as seamless as possible we’ll arrange all transportation, air or ground. Including train, yacht, domestic flights or private ground transfers – we can handle it all.
Our prices do include flights; however, it is based on the average flight cost to that destination. So, it is possible the price will be more, or potentially less, at the time of booking due to flight costs changing almost daily.
Yes, your holiday is protected. To ensure you can travel with complete peace of mind, we provide comprehensive travel insurance as part of your package.
This policy is designed to cover you against unforeseen events, so you can relax and look forward to your luxury Sri Lankan journey. Your travel specialist will be happy to discuss the specific details of the coverage with you during the planning process.
We ask our guests to inform us of any special dietary requirements or accessibility requirements as soon as possible so we can ensure these are considered when planning your trip, as well as passing these on to our local partners who will use these to ensure the smooth running of your trip.
Yes, our global offices and dedicated emergency phone number mean you can speak directly to a member of our team 24/7, no matter where you are in the world.
