Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days

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tourhub | On The Go Tours | Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days | 2389/CSL | Map

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~~$1695~~

$1648

Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days

9 Days Starting and ending in Colombo

Visiting: Colombo, Dambulla, Girithale, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park Safari, Ratnapura

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2389/CSL

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Not recommended for under 5yrs.

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$1695

$1648 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$47

Tour Overview

PRIVATE TOUR: Exotic Sri Lanka, ancient cities steeped in history, elephants, tea plantations, lush countryside, bustling bazaars and wildlife, Sri Lanka has all this and more. Enjoy a wonderful 9 day holiday taking in the highlights of this enchanting island.

Highlights

Polonnaruwa - 11th century city
Sigiriya - Spectacular 5th century fortress ruins
Dambulla - Marvel at the magnificent rock cave temple
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth, Royal Botanical Garden and Ceylon Tea Museum
Matale - Spice gardens
Udawalawe National Park - Home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants
Nuwara Eliya - Tea plantation and Hakgala Gardens
Ratnapura - The gem capital
Colombo - The Fort and Gamgarama Temple

Itinerary

tourhub | On The Go Tours | Classic Sri Lanka - 9 Days | 2389/CSL | Route Map

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Day 1 : Colombo

Location: Colombo

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! You'll be met at Colombo Airport and transferred to hotel. Tonight, enjoy a tasty welcome dinner at your hotel.

Day 2 : Colombo

Location: Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, your guide will take you on a driving tour around colourful Colombo, Sri Lanka's frenetic capital. Just off the north end of Galle Road, the main north-south artery of the city is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings and interesting shops. Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel. Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district – a colourful retail experience. Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city. You will drive through these districts on your tour of the city and visit Gangarama Temple and Independence Square.

Day 3 : Polonnaruwa

Location: Dambulla, Girithale

Meals Included: Breakfast

Colombo - Giritale (via Dambulla). We drive to Giritale today, stopping en route to visit the impressive Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.
This afternoon, after checking into our hotel in Giritale, we visit UNESCO Listed Polonnaruwa – an incredible 11th century city. Here, we explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts three enormous and revered Buddha figures.

Day 4 : Sigiriya

Location: Sigiriya

Meals Included: Breakfast

Giritale - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning, we drive to Sigiriya and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Discover the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. After exploring the sights of Sigiriya, stop is made at the Spice Garden in Matale, en route to Kandy.

Day 5 : Kandy

Location: Kandy

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we take a leisurely walk through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden once reserved for the sole use of the Kandyan elite. Back in the scenic lakeside town of Kandy, we embark upon a sightseeing tour, visiting the bazaar, the arts and crafts centre and a gem workshop. There will also be a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, dedicated to all things tea-related and housed in an attractive old building. Later, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then a cultural show, featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing in the evening.

Day 6 : Nuwara Eliya

Location: Nuwara Eliya

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. En route to Nuwara Eliya, a scenic hillside town with a distinctly English flavour. Here we visit a tea plantation and enjoy a tasty cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. In Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort, we take an evening sightseeing tour, including the Hakgala Gardens.

Day 7 : Udawalawe National Park

Location: Udawalawe National Park Safari

Meals Included: Breakfast

Nuwara Eliya - Embilipitiya. This morning, we drive to and check into our hotel in Embilipitiya, before going wild on a jeep safari in Sri Lanka's most popular national park! Udawalawe National Park is home to large herds of elephants and deer species such as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal.

Day 8 : Ratnapura

Location: Ratnapura

Meals Included: Breakfast

Embilipitiya - Ratnapura - Colombo. En route back to Colombo today, we stop off in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka’s gem capital. Here, we learn about the islands precious stones, visit gem mines, a museum and a lapidary.

Day 9 : Colombo

Location: Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Out tour ends after breakfast today. Included onward transfer to airport.

What's Included

Breakfast daily and 1 dinner
8 nights SUPERIOR hotels. STANDARD and DELUXE hotel options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details
Touring - Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigariya, Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Udawalawe NP
Jeep safari/game drive in Udawalawe National park
Escorted by a licensed English speaking chauffeur guide
All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles
An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 9
Specialist local guides at some sites
Entrance fees to all included sites

What's Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

Check out our Q&As

Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes
What is the tipping policy?

Tipping - An entirely personal gesture
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

Superior
Are airport transfers included in this tour?

An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 9
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

How long has the tour company been trading?

Since 1998
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes

Reviews of this Operator

Calvin

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot

Norma Sullivan

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10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free. Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions. The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too. On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places. I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace. If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Rolly Hay hay (Google Reviewer)

Gallipoli tour. The guide was...

28-Sep-2023

Gallipoli tour. The guide was awesome. Everything went like clockwork.. My complaint is that you expect 4 people to cramp together on the back seat of the van for 4 hours. That is poverty travel. Not really acceptable for the price paid. So uncomfortable. If was to do this trip again I'd just rent a car. Although the guide was amazing, but that's 3 hours of the trip.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

Giovanni Guidi (Google Reviewer)

I booked three tours with...

19-Aug-2023

I booked three tours with this agency. While the first two experiences were very nice, with well-thought-out itineraries and knowledgeable guides, the third tour was an absolute nightmare for us. Due to the unavailability of an hotel from the trip notes, the agency opted to replace it with another they claimed was "similar." To our dismay, this alternative was nothing short of a decrepit, filthy establishment that threatened to ruin our entire safari experience in South Africa. But the fiasco didn't end there. This so-called hotel began proposing and organizing activities starkly different from what we were promised in the trip notes, together with an awful services of their guides and vehicles. And when this disaster struck and we desperately needed their support? The agency ghosted us. It took them an entire day to respond, and when they did, they simply shrugged off our concerns, asserting it was too late to fix anything, even though three nights of our trip were still ahead. The level of unprofessionalism was staggering. Forced to salvage our experience, we took matters into our own hands, leaving that awful place to book another hotel and activities for the remainder of our trip—all at my own expense. Based on my experience, I suggest travelers to think twice before considering this agency. Seek out reputable companies known for their commitment to customer service and integrity.

Dates & Availability

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Apr
2024 May
2024 Jun
2024 Jul
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024

Instant Booking Available

Tuesday - Wednesday

Apr 30, 2024 - May 08, 2024

~~$1695~~ $1648 (USD)