8 to 13 Days Sri Lanka 2025 / 2026 Tours

Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Sri Lanka Tours Things To Do

• 
  Colombo

  Once known as the "Garden City of the East," Colombo is now a capital that sprawls over a large area - one that is experiencing a building boom and continually expanding. This site is often the beginning or ending destination on a Sri Lanka tour. The crowded and traffic-clogged Galle Road, for example, features several new hotels.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Because Colombo is on the southwest coast of the main island, it is better to visit the city from October to February, when the monsoon weather primarily hits the eastern and northern parts of the island.  

   

  You Should Know

  Lake Beira is a 160-acre lake that sits in the capital city's center. During the Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial periods, the lake was used to transport goods inside and outside the city. Completed in 1997, the city's two World Trade Center Towers are the most recognized skyscrapers and landmarks on the city's skyline. Cricket is Sri Lanka's most popular sport and is frequently played at the beaches and in the parks of Colombo. Sri Lanka was the winner of the World Cup for Soccer in 1996.

• 
  The Cultural Triangle - Kandy

  Located in the central and eastern part of Sri Lanka, Kandy is the island nation's second-largest city. It once was one of three great Sihalese capitals. Kandy, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura all form what is known as the Cultural Triangle, an area that is the heart of the Island's ancient history.   

  Best Time To Visit

  Because Kandy is located in the central and east part of Sri Lanka, you will be less likely to be pelted with rain from May to September, when sunnier and drier weather is the norm.  

   

  You Should Know

  One of the highlights of any tour of Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth, known to hold a relic of the tooth of Buddha. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kandy was the last capital of the kings of Sri Lanka. Monks at the temple conduct daily worship at dawn, at noon, and in the evening.

• 
  Anuradhapura

  Another one of the ancient cities of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, Anuradhapura goes back to the fourth century B.C. when it was a secular and spiritual capital for over 1,000 years. During its height, the city was home to a population of 10,000+ monks. Many of its dagobas (shrines for sacred relics) and monasteries can still be seen today.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Anuradhapura is located in a north-central province in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is best to visit the ancient attraction from May to September, or when there is less chance of a rain shower.  

   

  You Should Know

  Private tours of Anuradhapura often take visitors to dozens of religious sites, including the three largest stupas in Sri Lanka. The Sri Maha Bodhi represents the southern branch and sacred fig of a tree under which it is said Buddha received enlightenment. The scenery and sites at Anuradhapura offer people a great opportunity to take pictures.

• 
  Sigiriya

  These palace ruins are located in the heart of Sri Lanka between the towns of Habarane and Dambulla and sit on a sprawling rocky plateau about 1,213 feet (370 meters) above sea level. The rock plateau was formed from the magma of an extinct volcano and rises 200 meters (about 656 feet) above the jungle scenery.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Sigiriya, also known as "Little Rock," when it is drier, or from May to September  

   

  You Should Know

  This attraction is highly popular in Sri Lanka, with some travel experts believing that Sigiriya is visited more than any other site. The destination, which was formerly the site of a city and forest, was built in the fifth century by King Kasayapa. Sitting on a large rock column, the palace was abandoned after the ruler's death and used as a Buddhist monastery. You can explore archaeological remains and gardens at the site. To see an amazing view at the top, you need to scale the landmark's 1,200 steps.

• 
  Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens - Kandy

  This attraction is noted as being the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka. The gardens, which sit at an elevation of 1,509 miles or 460 meters above sea level, are bounded on three sides by the Mahaweli River, which is the longest river in Sri Lanka.   

  Best Time To Visit

  Travel to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens is best when you go during the drier part of the year, or from May to September.  

   

  You Should Know

  The gardens boast an astounding array of trees and plants and features giant fruit bats that fly and hang from the trees at the site. You can also see monkeys up-close. Visit the orchid house with its stunning display of flowers or walk around the garden's shimmering lakes. About 2 million travelers visit the gardens yearly.

• 
  Tea Country - Central and Southern Sri Lanka

  Part of your Sri Lanka tour may include a trip to tea country. Because Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer of tea, you may find a tour of a plantation to be both interesting and informative. During the 1860s, the first tea plantations were established in Kandy. Today, most of the plantations sit in the scenic south and central portions of the country, where contoured rows of tea plants cover the hillsides.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Because Sri Lanka's tea area is located on the southern slopes of the country, you are less likely to get caught in monsoon from October to February.  

   

  You Should Know

  When you visit a tea plantation, you will see skillful workers deftly plucking the best or most flavorful parts of each tea bush. After the tea buds and leaves are picked, they are sent to a nearby factory for processing. If you elect to go on this type of excursion, you will typically get to visit a tea factory to gain further insights into the tea-producing process.

• 
  Yala National Park

  Sitting in the south-east corner of Sri Lanka, the Yala National Park is the most popular national park in the county. The park, which is the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, is separated into five blocks. Two of the blocks, Kumana and Ruhuna, are often explored on guided safaris. The landscape of the park, which highlights wetlands, woodlands, and savannah, is home to a variety of animals including the Sri Lankan elephant, the sloth bear, the rare wild buffalo, crocodiles, and over 200 types of birds.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit the park from October to February, or the area's drier time.  

   

  You Should Know

  An enigmatic animal, the leopard is found in high concentrations in Yala National Park. The cat, which is iconic to the park, makes spotting it a challenge. Due to its secretive nature, the top park predator can evade notice, unless you are accompanied by a skilled and knowledgeable guide and a little bit of luck.  

• 
  Tangalle

  While one part of a Sri Lanka tour involves immersing yourself in culture and history, the other half is for relaxing on the beach or enjoying water sport activities. This is where Tangalle becomes a part of your Sri Lankan journey. Visitors enjoy their days sunning on the beach or exploring the area's verdant interior. Tangalle features some of the island's best beaches and resorts.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Plan your journey to Sri Lankan's southern coast from October to February, so you don't get hit by the monsoon rains, prevalent from May to September.  

   

  You Should Know

  Tangalle is a nesting ground for Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback turtles. Water sports enthusiasts visit Tangalle to surf and dive. You can also whale watch if you like.

• 
  Galle Fort

  The atmosphere of the town of Galle will take you back to another time and place. That is because the town is packed with fascinating sites that give you more insight into the island's colonial past. The city's and fort's walls, and everything within them, have been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site.   

  Best Time To Visit

  Take a trip to Galle Fort from October to February, when you can see the sights with less worry about rain.  

   

  You Should Know

  Galle Fort is home to a Victorian lighthouse which is maintained by the country's Ports Authority. The oldest light station in Sri Lanka, the Galle Lighthouse was first built in 1848. It stands 25.5 meters or 87 feet high and was first illuminated with electricity in 1939. It derives its light source from mains power.

Sri Lanka Tour Packages

• Are You Ready to Tour Sri Lanka?

  Are you ready to embark on a tour of Sri Lanka, an island of endless beauty and cultural richness? From its golden beaches and lush green tea plantations to ancient temples and bustling markets, Sri Lanka offers a diverse array of experiences. The warmth of its people, the richness of its history, and the depth of its culture make every journey here unforgettable. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or culinary tours, Sri Lanka has something to offer every traveler.

Sri Lanka Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Sri Lanka Tours?

  Sri Lanka tours are unique tours that take visitors to diverse historical, religious, and natural sites in Sri Lanka. Many of the tours begin and/or end in the vibrant city of Colombia. You can also experience the country's ancient culture when you travel to one or more of the ancient cities in the area's Golden Triangle. Yala National Park is yet another place of interest, as it features Safari tours. The national park is well known for its high concentration of leopards.

• What Is Included in a Sri Lanka Tour?

  When you take a guided tour of Sri Lanka, you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable, English-speaking tour guide. The tours include the cost of some meals, the price of admission to most attractions, and transport. Hotel and airport transfer fees are normally included in the tour price.

• What is the Best Sri Lanka Tour?

  The best Sri Lanka tour is the tour that meets all your criteria with respect to cost, attractions, and your availability for travel. Make your travel plans through an experienced travel representative to receive the best Sri Lanka tour for what you can afford to spend.

• What Is the Cost of a Sri Lanka Tour

  The price you pay to take a Sri Lanka tour will depend on when you plan to go, the length of the stay, and what you plan to see. If you take an all-inclusive luxury tour of the island, the price begins at $6,050 per person for 13 days.