Sri Lanka
From the Ramayana trail and the Temple of the Tooth to tea hills and the south-west coast, our Sri Lanka plans run by private vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur-guide. Every plan starts and ends at Colombo.
All Sri Lanka itineraries
Quick Escape into the City
Colombo · Kandy
A short break with Colombo, elephants and the Temple of the Tooth.
- City
- Culture
- Short break
Beaches and Mountains
Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo
Rock fortress, tea hills and a beach finish in six easy days.
- Culture
- Hills
- Beaches
Ramayana Trail Highlights
Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Galle · Colombo
Follow the Ramayana through Ritigala, Hanuman temples and Rumassala.
- Pilgrimage
- Culture
- Hills
South-West Beach Coast
Colombo · Bentota · Galle
Beach days, river safari and the Galle Fort at golden hour.
- Beaches
- Coast
- Relaxation
Shores to Hills Divine Trails
Trincomalee · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Yala · Colombo
Shiva temples by the sea, Ramayana sites in the hills and a Yala safari.
- Pilgrimage
- Coast
- Hills
Hills and Beaches
Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota · Colombo
Two nights each in Kandy and Bentota, with tea country in the middle.
- Hills
- Beaches
- Culture
Kandy, Hills and Coast
Colombo · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · West coast resort
Five days from city to hills to a sea resort, with a Kandyan dance show.
- Culture
- Hills
- Beaches
Trails of Ramayana
Chilaw · Dambulla · Trincomalee · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Colombo
Munneswaram, Koneswaram and Seetha Amman in a tidy six-day pilgrimage.
- Pilgrimage
- Culture
- Hills
Ramayana Yatra
Chilaw · Dambulla · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Colombo
A fuller Ramayana yatra with two nights in Nuwara Eliya and a Vibhishana temple finish.
- Pilgrimage
- Culture
- Hills
Majestic Sri Lanka
Chilaw · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Colombo
Two full days in Nuwara Eliya for Ramayana sites and tea country.
- Pilgrimage
- Hills
- Culture
Good seasons to visit
- South and west coast (Colombo, Bentota, Galle, Mirissa)
- Best December to March. Rough seas and heavy rain from about May to September.
- East and north-east (Trincomalee)
- Best April to September. Rain and rough seas about October to January.
- Hill country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella)
- Best January to April. Nuwara Eliya is busiest in April. Rain is possible year-round.
- Cultural triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla)
- Best January to March and May to September. Showers are common in October and November.
- Yala National Park (wildlife)
- Best February to July, the dry season. Check seasonal park closures before booking.
By itinerary
- Quick Escape into the CityDecember to April
- Beaches and MountainsJanuary to March
- Ramayana Trail HighlightsJanuary to March, May to September
- South-West Beach CoastDecember to March
- Shores to Hills Divine TrailsApril to September (east), February to July (Yala), January to April (hills)
- Hills and BeachesJanuary to March
- Kandy, Hills and CoastJanuary to March
- Trails of RamayanaJanuary to April
- Ramayana YatraJanuary to April
- Majestic Sri LankaJanuary to April
Weather can shift. Ask us for the latest on your travel dates.
What to wear
- Temples: cover shoulders and knees, wear light cotton or linen and shoes that slip off easily. Carry socks for hot stone floors.
- Hill country (Nuwara Eliya, Ella): a sweater or hoodie, a light jacket and long pants for evenings. Nights can be 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
- Beaches and coast: swimwear, quick-dry clothes, sandals and a hat.
- Yala safari: earth tones (khaki, olive, brown) and closed shoes. Sigiriya: sturdy shoes with grip.
What to carry
- Government photo ID
- Passport (for Sri Lanka; keep copies)
- Printed Sri Lanka ETA (for Sri Lanka)
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Power bank
- Universal plug adapter (Sri Lanka)
- Personal medicines
- Motion sickness tablets (hill roads, ferries and cruises)
- A small day bag
- Printed Sri Lanka ETA
- Socks and a scarf or shawl for temples
- A light waterproof jacket and warm socks for the hills
- Comfortable walking shoes
Rainy-season note: October and November: afternoon thunderstorms anywhere in Sri Lanka, so carry a compact umbrella or poncho.
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