An unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich history. From ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites like Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa to the serene beauty of tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya and thrilling safaris in Yala National Park. This curated itinerary offers the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation.
Activity Level 3
Early Booking Discount - Book by 12 Dec, 2025 and save an extra $100 per person
Home pick up and return within the Auckland Metropolitan area (if applicable).
Services of a Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
Return economy class airfares from Auckland.
Quality hotel accommodation throughout.
All locally guided sightseeing tours -
Dambulla - visit the rock-top fortress of Sigiriya & a private cooking demonstration and meal.
Polonnaruwa - visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihare and three statues of the Buddha.
Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park.
Visit Matale spice plantation
A guided tour of Kandy including the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and the Temple of the Tooth.
Kandy Cultural Show
Kandy train service to Nuwara Eliya.
Tour the famous tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya & a guided tour of the tea factory
Visit Ella and view the Nine Arch Bridge
Yala National Park safari experience
Visit Hikkaduwa Tsunami memorial museum
Tour Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, the Galle Fort Clock Tower, Meera Mosque and Galle Fort Lighthouse
Colombo city tour
Meals as indicated.
All airport and hotel transfers throughout.
Travelwise Holidays documentation and travel bag.
SAT 17 OCT – AUCKLAND/SINGAPORE/COLOMBO
Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines at 3.10pm. Connecting flight in Singapore departs at 10.20pm arriving in Colombo at 11.35pm. Transfer to Negombo.
SUN 18 OCT – NEGOMBO
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the town’s many restaurants, small boutiques and historic churches or take a ride in an outrigger sailing canoe on the Lagoon. Alternatively spend the day at the resort. Included: B, D
MON 19 OCT – NEGOMBO/DAMBULLA
Today we travel to Dambulla, home to the largest rose quartz mountain in South Asia, the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the majestic Sigiriya fort and the Minneriya National Park. Included: B, D
TUES 20 OCT – DAMBULLA, SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS
Rise early for your journey to the rock-top fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 8 main areas and stages of the climb you can choose your level. Those who wish to enjoy from the ground can wander through picturesque gardens and visit the museum. Thereafter, a private cooking demo and a delicious meal. Included: B, D
WED 21 OCT – NATIONAL PARKS
This morning we head to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihare and three statues of the Buddha. Then experience a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park which serves as the largest assembling of Asian Elephants at any given time and is also home to deer, sambur sloth bear, and a variety of birds. Included: B, D
THURS 22 OCT – DAMBULLA/KANDY
Today we travel to Kandy Highland, a paradise getaway surrounded by mountains, tea plantations, and a rainforest known for its biodiversity. Enroute we visit Matale spice plantation and try different spices and herbs. Included: B, D
FRI 23 OCT - KANDY CITY TOUR AND CULTURAL SHOW
This morning, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kandy and visit multiple highlights of the UNESCO listed city including the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and the Temple of the Tooth. This evening enjoy a spectacular Kandy Cultural Show, which will give you the opportunity to watch various traditional Kandyan dances and acts. Included: B, D
SAT 24 OCT - KANDY/NUWARA ELIYA
Travel to Kandy railway station to board the train for your 4-hour journey to Nuwara Eliya, which is said to be one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Originally designed to transport tea and coffee from hillside estates, it’s now an important means of connecting major cities and a tourist attraction in its own right. Included: B, D
SUN 25 OCT - NUWARA ELIYA, CEYLON TEA TOUR
Today we have an early start for our tour around the famous tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya, a land of tea estates and waterfalls! Later take a guided tour of the tea factory and learn about the next stage in the production of tea making. After the tour, enjoy a cup of tea that is made here, sitting on the café balcony that overlooks the stunning tea plantations. Included: B, D
MON 26 OCT - NUWARA ELIYA/YALA
Travel to Yala and discover the spectacular wilderness of Yala National Park, home to much of Sri Lanka’s wildlife including leopard, Asian elephant, wild buffalo, sambar deer and magnificent bird species. Enroute visit Ella, home to striking colorful scenery. View the Nine Arch Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. Included: B, D
TUES 27 OCT - YALA NATIONAL PARK
This morning we immerse ourselves in nature and embark on a safari experience in Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife sanctuary. This guided jeep tour will track elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes and hopefully, a leopard along the way. Included: B, D
WED 28 OCT - YALA/GALLE
Today we travel to Galle, a town at the southern edge of Sri Lanka with fascinating colonial history. Its walls and everything inside are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Dutch fusion architecture, a Victorian lighthouse, grand churches and mosques, all in a sultry tropical setting. Included: B, D
THURS 29 OCT - GALLE CITY TOUR
Todays tour of Galle allows us to explore the fort area on foot. Climb up to the ramparts of the fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk through the streets. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, the Galle Fort Clock Tower, Meera Mosque and Galle Fort Lighthouse, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a break with a cup of fine Ceylon Tea or a refreshing King Coconut. Included: B, D
FRI 30 OCT - COLOMBO
This morning we visit the Tsunami memorial museum in Hikkaduwa enroute to Colombo. On arrival in Colombo enjoy a city tour visiting famous attractions including Independence Square, BMICH and the Aukana Buddha Statue replica, SSC Cricket Club, Cinnamon Gardens, Gangarama Temple and Seemamalaka, & Colombo National Museum. Included: B, D
SAT 31 OCT - COLOMBO
Enjoy your last day at leisure and dinner at the hotel before heading to the airport for your journey home. Included: B, D
SUN 01 NOV - SINGAPORE/AUCKLAND
Depart Colombo on Singapore airlines at 12.50am. Connecting flight in Singapore departs at 8.45am, arriving in Auckland at 11.35pm.
Deposit: $2,000pp
