Splendid Sri Lanka (6 Days)

About this experience

This six-day tour covers Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle before finishing in Colombo, moving between Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya, Sigiriya, Kandy and the capital in a private vehicle with a chauffeur guide handling the driving throughout.

Highlights include the cave temple of Dambulla, the ruined city of Polonnaruwa, a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park for its elephant gatherings, the climb up Sigiriya rock fortress, a village experience near Sigiriya, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and botanical gardens in Kandy, and a stop at Ramboda's waterfall and Hanuman temple on the way to Colombo. The trip ends with an evening tour of Colombo's streets and landmarks.

Because the vehicle and guide are at the traveller's disposal for the duration, the order of visits within each day and the time spent at any one stop can be adjusted to suit the group.

Your service advisor

Sandeepa Tour Executive

Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Sandeepa directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

Email WhatsApp

What’s included

Included

Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
All prevailing taxes and service charges.

Not included

Visa and Related Expenses.
Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
Chauffeur Guide's Accommodation.
Entrance fees.
Expenses of personal nature.

Tour route

Day-by-day waypoints across Sri Lanka. Each marker is where you spend the night; lines trace the daily drive.

Day-by-day itinerary

Download itinerary (PDF)

1 Dambulla

Day 1 — Airport → Dambulla

On arrival at Colombo airport you are met by your chauffeur guide and driven to Dambulla, where the day continues with a cave temple visit.

Dambulla Cave Temple

The Golden Temple of Dambulla dates back to the 1st century BC and holds ancient murals depicting the life of Lord Gautama Buddha, along with hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines across five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King and the Cave of the Great King. A giant golden Buddha statue stands a short distance outside the cave complex.

Lankapic · CC BY 2.5

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

This orphanage in the Sabaragamuwa province cares for young elephants displaced or lost from their natural habitat. It is now home to around 70 elephants, making it the largest captive herd of its kind in the world.

Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

2 Dambulla

Day 2 — Dambulla → Polonnaruwa → Minneriya → Dambulla

The day is spent exploring the ancient city of Polonnaruwa before heading to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari.

Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka's second major capital flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Among its ruins are the Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, the Lankathilaka Temple and a statue of King Parakramabahu, whose reign is remembered as the city's golden age.

Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Minneriya National Park

A jeep safari through the park offers a chance to see the Great Elephant Gathering, when over 150 elephants congregate in one place during the dry season between May and October. The park's scrubland, forest and wetland areas also shelter other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Stuart Pinkney · CC BY 2.0

3 Kandy

Day 3 — Dambulla → Kandy

After breakfast the day takes in the rock fortress of Sigiriya, a village experience nearby, and the spice gardens of Matale, before arriving in Kandy.

Sigiriya

This 5th-century AD rock fortress was the stronghold of King Kasyapa. Visitors pass through an entrance framed by giant lion's paws, view the well-preserved frescoes that made the site famous, and climb a steep staircase to terraced gardens and cisterns that still work, before walking through tunnels that once led to the palace.

Wrobell · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sigiriya Village Experience

A visit to a local village gives a taste of authentic Sri Lankan rural life, including an oxen cart ride, a catamaran ride across a calm lake, and a walk through paddy fields ready for harvest. A traditional cooking demonstration is followed by a home-cooked lunch made over a wood fire and served on lotus leaves.

Matale Spice Gardens

A guided tour of a spice and herbal garden near Matale, Sri Lanka's spice capital, introduces coriander, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and other spices and herbs grown there, along with their uses and links to Ayurveda. The tropical climate of the gardens helps preserve the plants in their natural state.

AI-generated image · not an actual photograph

4 Kandy

Day 4 — Kandy

A full day is spent exploring Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

These gardens hold a long history and a wide range of plant life.

Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Housed within Kandy's royal palace complex, this temple is one of the city's principal historic sites.

A.Savin · FAL

Kandyan Cultural Show

A performance of traditional Kandyan dances and music.

Arian Zwegers · CC BY 2.0

Craft Tours

Visits take in demonstrations of gem crafting, woodcarving and batik work.

5 Colombo

Day 5 — Kandy → Ramboda → Colombo

After checking out of the hotel, the journey continues via Ramboda to Colombo, where the evening is spent exploring the capital.

Ramboda Falls

The 11th tallest waterfall in the country.

A.Savin · FAL

Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple

Built at the site linked to the epic battle between Lord Rama and King Ravana, this temple features an 18-foot statue of Hanuman created in memory of the event, along with stories and legends from the Ramayana connected to the location.

Colombo City Tour

An evening exploration of the capital takes in historic landmarks such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, alongside the shops of Independence Square and the Race Course area, with the city's nightlife on offer into the evening.

Gihanud2001 · CC0

6 Airport

Day 6 — Colombo → Airport

After breakfast and checking out, the tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for departure.

Please note

Public transportation nearby
Infant seats available

Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
Infants must not sit on laps
Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Entrance Tickets to the sites are not included in the price.

Cancellation policy

More than 24 hours notice: full refund
Less than 24 hours notice: no refund

To cancel, reply to your booking confirmation email or message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour is private to your group: your own air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking chauffeur guide for all 6 days, with no other travellers joining.

Where does the tour start and end?

Day 1 starts at Colombo airport (CMB) and day 6 ends at Colombo airport (CMB). Every stop in between is reached by road in the same vehicle, so there is no other transport to arrange.

Are hotels included?

The base price covers the vehicle and chauffeur guide. In the booking box you can add hotels for all 5 nights at Budget (3★), Standard (4★) or Luxury (5★ and boutique) level, on half board. Hotels we hold contracts with for your dates are named in the price; for any other night our team books a hotel of the same class after you pay.

What vehicle will we travel in?

It depends on your group: a car for 1–2 guests, a van for 3–5, a large van for 6–8 and a bus for 9–15. Choose the number of guests in the booking box and the price updates to match.

Are entrance fees included?

Not in the base price. Set Tickets to Included in the booking box to add the entrance fees and safari jeeps for the sights on this itinerary; the booking box lists exactly which ones are covered.

Can we have a national guide?

Yes. A chauffeur guide is always included, and you can add a government-licensed national guide who travels with you for the whole tour. Choose it under Guide in the booking box; the vehicle is sized for the extra seat.

Can we change the itinerary or the dates?

Yes. Every tour is private, so it can start on any date you choose. To change stops, add nights or combine it with another tour, write to us in the booking notes or plan your own trip at lakpura.com/plan-your-trip.