Tour

Pure Sri Lanka | 2026
from USD 2135

Contiki Holidays

Tour Code: SLCO26
Vacation Type: Small Group
Brochure:
Duration: 11 Days
Country: Sri Lanka

Say Ayubowan to Sri Lanka, South Asia’s ultimate gem! Over 11 days, you’ll safari through national parks, soak up golden beaches, wander ancient fortresses, and explore sacred temples. We’ve packed in all the must-see highlights (and thrown in a few hidden gems too!) to give you the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and chill.



Pure Sri Lanka

Gold Seal Protection

  • Gold Seal Protection

Dining Summary

  • 10 Breakfast (B)
  • 2 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

Included Experience

  • Sigiriya: See rice fields and jungle landscapes as you ramble around this rural Sri Lankan village. Then refuel with a traditional lunch.
  • Sigiriya: A fortress on top of a giant rock. And did we mention it has massive lion’s paws at the front? Amazing! 
  • Sigiriya: Want peace and tranquillity, or an array of Insta-ops? These cave temples offer both. But hide your wallet from the cheeky monkeys.
  • Kandy: Fire-eating. Acrobatics. Epic costumes. All based on the dances of Indian shamans. Local traditions don't get hotter than this!
  • Kandy: This pristine-white sanctuary is an ultimate pilgrimage for Buddhists. It holds a relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth. 
  • Kandy: One of the world’s most scenic train rides. Pass tea plantations and lush greenery, via mountain tunnels and steep valleys. 
  • Ella: Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa? And now you’ll get to see where the magic happens.  
  • Udawalawe National Park: This rehabilitation centre for orphaned elephants is seriously cute. You won’t ever want to leave. 
  • Udawalawe National Park: Hang out with elephants, leopards, crocodiles – the whole jungle crew.   
  • Unawatuna: Colonial buildings meet modern life in this UNESCO-listed spot. There are heritage walks, foodie hotspots and fun nightlife, all up for grabs. 

  • A conveniently located hotel
  • Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)
  • Queen's Hotel (or similar)
  • Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
  • Athgira River Camping (or similar)
  • Insight Resort Ahangama (or similar)
Day 1 Negombo

Our Sri Lankan adventure begins this afternoon in Negombo. Meet up with your Trip Manager and your team for a full brief of the travels about to unfold, before heading out for the first taste of some local delicacies in this beachside town.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: A conveniently located hotel

Day 2 Negombo To Sigiriya

This morning, we’ll leave the coast behind and journey inland to Sigiriya - Sri Lanka’s legendary rock fortress town in the heart of the Matale District.Home to palace ruins set on a giant ancient lava rock, and surrounded by ancient relics of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is a hotspot of historical significance here in Sri Lanka. We'll begin our explorations with a guided visit to Hiriwadunna village. We'll sit down for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch here at the village, surrounded by greenery and wildlife. After waving goodbye to Hiriwadunna, we'll head to our hotel.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)

Day 3 Sigiriya

We couldn't visit Sigiriya without exploring the incredible Sigiriya Rock Fortress that's been dominating the skyline ever since we've arrived, and morning is the best time to visit. After our included breakfast we'll take a trip to the fortress to check out the UNESCO-listed 'Lion's Rock', with it's 5th-century buildings, painted rock frescoes and massive pair of lion paws at the entrance. We're back on the road, this time to visit the nearby town of Dambulla where you'll have the chance to find your own lunch. Here we'll find another World Heritage Site, the sacred Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka complete with five inner sanctuaries, 150 gilded Buddha statues, and Buddhist murals. We'll then head back to our hotel where we'll join together for an included dinner tonight.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)

Day 4 Sigiriya To Kandy

Feel like a morning adventure? You'll have the opportunity to explore the Pidurangala Rock –a rite of passage for Sigiriya first-timers – on a sunrise trek. Otherwise, catch some extra sleep and save your energy for later. Awed by our time brushing with the ancient world in Sigiriya, it's time to move on to the vibrant cultural scene in Kandy. This afternoon, you're free to do what you want-but we've got a hunch that the street food here might catch your eye! This evening we're gathering to watch history and mythology explode into colour & rhythm at a traditional Kandyan Folkdance show.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Queen's Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 Kandy To Ella

Today we head further into the hill country on the train, passing lush green hills & waterfalls en route to Nuwara Eliya. This small town is found in the heart of Sri Lanka's famous Ceylon tea industry, so it'd be rude not to visit a tea plantation (& sample some of the best) before continuing on to our next destination of Ella. We've arrived at Ella where new adventures await!

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Ella

The day is yours to explore the beautiful countryside and laid-back backpacker hub of Ella, nestled among green cloud forests and tea plantations. Spend the day in Ella doing the local walks that show off the incredibly insta-worthy views down through the Ella Gap, including the cascading waterfalls this small town is famous for. If you're lucky, you might even get to meet one of the locals: the leaf-eating Langur monkey.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Ella To Udawalawe National Park

Our journey continues south, as we head down from the hill country into the southern plains where a rich abundance of wildlife awaits us.Our first stop is at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for before being released back into the wild. In this unmissable experience that's sure to pull a few heartstrings, we'll get to watch the babies at feeding time, while you try to restrain yourself from adopting one then and there. But tear yourself away, because next, we'll jump aboard our Safari Jeep to explore the park's wildlife and then we're heading to our Special Stay accommodation for the night. Glamping alongside the Walawe riverbed in full Safari style, surrounded by the vibrant flora and fauna of the Sri Lankan jungle.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Athgira River Camping (or similar)

Day 8 Udawalawe National Park To Ahangama Via Galle

Wave goodbye to the wild side. Today we're swapping the safari vibes for the seaside.This afternoon, we’ll make a stop in the UNESCO-listed fort city of Galle (a must-see for its fascinating blend of European and South Asian architecture). You’ll have time to wander the cobbled streets, shop for local treasures, and grab some lunch before we continue on.Sri Lanka’s southwest coast is all about golden beaches, tangled mangroves, and colonial port towns shaped by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. You’ve got a free evening to unwind at your beachside stay or take a dip in the ocean. Later, you can opt to join a Sri Lankan cooking class and dinner experience in Unawatuna. What better way to end the day than mastering a curry or two?

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Insight Resort Ahangama (or similar)

Day 9 Ahangama

Today is yours to unwind on the tropical palm-studded beaches with clear turquoise waters, or opt in for a surf lesson at nearby Weligama Bay.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Insight Resort Ahangama (or similar)

Day 10 Ahangama

Still obsessed with those beaches? Good news. You’ve got the whole day to enjoy them. Chill by the ocean, pop over to Mirissa, or sip something cool at a beachfront cafe. Your day, your vibe.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Insight Resort Ahangama (or similar)

Day 11 Ahangama To Colombo

Your journey ends by the sea. You're welcome to stick around for more sunsets or catch the ride back to Colombo.And just like that, it's time to say goodbye to your new travel crew but the memories (and probably the tan) are here to stay.

Duration: 1 Day

Departs On Returns On Single OccupancyTwin Room Definite Departure  
Fri, 02 Oct 2026 Mon, 12 Oct 2026 USD 2,880USD 2,135
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