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Sri Lankan Dreams Tour

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Sri Lankan Dreams Tour
From $1,095USDBook Now
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8 days from $1,095USD
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Sri Lankan Dreams Tour
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Sri Lanka is known for its wildlife, landscapes, culture, history, and cuisine–why not discover each on one tour? The Sri Lankan Dreams Tour is an impressive dive into multiple facets of this country.

You’ll take Jeep safaris into its top national parks to look for elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and the slow loris. Boat slowly across Sorabora Lake as the sun illuminates the water with the first light of day, and stand in awe at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. You’ll cook, make pottery, and weave reed mats with the locals. Visit each renowned pagoda and monastery, but then retreat to sights lesser-known, too.

Dreaming of Sri Lanka? Book your spot now.

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Sri Lankan Dreams Tour

See the natural and cultural side of Sri Lanka
4.60
(57 reviews)
8 days from $1,095USD
Easy quote
Duration
8 days
Season
May-Oct
Season
Soft Adventure
Type
Guided, Private
Accommodation
Hotels
Difficulty
Easy (2/5)
From $1,095USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
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National Geographic
Guardian
Sri Lankan Dreams Tour
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Sri Lanka is known for its wildlife, landscapes, culture, history, and cuisine–why not discover each on one tour? The Sri Lankan Dreams Tour is an impressive dive into multiple facets of this country.

You’ll take Jeep safaris into its top national parks to look for elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and the slow loris. Boat slowly across Sorabora Lake as the sun illuminates the water with the first light of day, and stand in awe at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. You’ll cook, make pottery, and weave reed mats with the locals. Visit each renowned pagoda and monastery, but then retreat to sights lesser-known, too.

Dreaming of Sri Lanka? Book your spot now.

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Watch the sunrise from a boat on Sorabora Lake as the fishermen cast their nets.

Search for the elusive slow loris on a Jeep safari through Sam Popham’s Arboretum.

Spot elephants, sloth bears, and maybe even leopards as you explore Sri Lanka’s renowned national parks.

Take a cooking lesson with a local chef to discover the secrets behind Sri Lankan curries.

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Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Anuradhapura
Welcome to Sri Lanka! You’ll be picked up at the airport and driven to the hotel in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Spend the day relaxing after your travels.
Distance Dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Anuradhapura
Included Meals
Day 2
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Wilpattu National Park Jeep Safari
Hop on board a 4x4 safari Jeep and head into a fabulous national park with a packed breakfast. Drive along winding paths through different habitats that make the park unique. Willpattu National Park's name translates into the “land of the Villus (Lakes).” The park contains numerous limestone depressions in the ground that hold fresh and brackish water. Driving along the sandy road of the park, keep an eye out for some of the island’s iconic wildlife. Leopards roam the sandy roads, sloth bears dig up the rain-soaked termite mounds, elephants enjoy the water plants in the villus and buffalo graze on the green grass. Heading deeper into the park towards the western border, you’ll come across a unique stretch of shoreline where the sand is red in colour. In the afternoon you will visit some of the sites of Anuradhapura.
Distance Breakfast, dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Anuradhapura
Included Meals
Day 3
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Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Loris Search
Begin the day with a visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sometimes called the 8th wonder of the world, this complex was used as a fortress and as a monastery. It is a true marvel of architecture, design, and art and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, embark on a loris watching experience. Five decades ago, a British naval officer’s love for trees resulted in an arboretum in this island country. Built across seven acres at that time, it spread to over 34 acres after he gifted it to IFS (Institute of Fundamental Studies). Today, Sam Popham’s Arboretum is home to several species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and mammals, including the rare, nocturnal slender loris, which is native to Sri Lanka and India. Use torches with relatively less obtrusive red lights to search for the loris. These arboreal animals have long slender bodies and big round eyes that shine in the darkness. Besides the loris, you might spot mouse deer, civet cats and rabbits too!
Distance Breakfast, dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Habarana
Included Meals
Day 4
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Waterfall Expedition in Mahiyangana
Mahiyangana is an all in one destination with national parks, waterfalls, cultural sites, and the ocean. The Mahiyangana Stupa is the most prominent cultural attraction where a vast plain with the Mahaweli River running through provides access to several national parks. Thereafter, proceed to Rathna Ella Village. You’ll walk through the lush forests of Mahiyangana to reach the Rathna Ella waterfall. The 101-meter waterfall is the highest in the Kandy region and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan lunch at the Rathna Ella village. Next, meet with makers of “A Pan Padura”, which translates to “reed mat”, is a staple in every household in rural Sri Lanka. Each intricately designed mat is woven by hand for over a month, using reeds harvested from the local fields. Using the practices shared by the local villagers, try your hand at creating a reed mat of your own. There is no better teacher to explain the art of pottery making than the local villagers in Mahiyangana. Join them to learn the secrets of the trade and make your own pottery souvenir to take home. Continue to Rathna Ella village to witness the majestic Kaluwa Wetuna Ella waterfall. This 30-meter waterfall lies deep in the jungle and makes for a great hike that’s loved by all nature enthusiasts!
Distance Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Mahiyangana
Included Meals
Day 5
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Sunrise at Sorabora Lake and Hill Country
Early this morning, witness the sun rise over the horizon of the beautiful Sorabora Lake. This spectacular moment in time takes place around 5:53AM and is a sight not to be missed. When the hunger pangs kick in, it’s time for breakfast with a view. Head over to the top of the Sorabora Rock where a chef will await your arrival to cook up a freshly prepared, delicious breakfast. Return to the hotel and proceed to Nuwara Eliya, situated amidst a beautiful backdrop of mountains, tea plantations, valleys and waterfalls. All around the city you will see the colonial charm with its colonial-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tendered hedgerows and charming gardens. The cozy climate, misty glens and the distinct British character makes Nuwara Eliya a must visit destination. Treat yourself to a freshly brewed warm cup of Ceylon tea, play a round of golf or a few frames of billiards, and soak up the town’s unique bygone heritage.
Distance Breakfast, dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Included Meals
Day 6
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Hortons Plain National Park and Kandy
Rolling grasslands shrouded in mist, mountains towering above the clouds, breathtaking views of the valleys below, herds of Sambar deer dotting the open plains and numerous birds found nowhere else on earth… Welcome to Horton Plain National Park. Situated in the central hills, it was declared as a national park in 1988 and declared a World Heritage Site in 2010. Great herds of sambar roam the plains, while fluffy leopards adapted to the highlands stalk the herds through the long grass, endemic bear monkeys swing among the trees and a variety of lizards and rodents some found only within the boundaries of this park scurry along the tiny paths in the grass. Apart from the fauna and flora, if you’re brave, ignore the vertigo and take a peek down World’s End, a sheer drop that on clear days gives breathtaking views of the green tea fields below. Head to Kandy next. You may want to visit the bustling local market to be dazzled by the local craftsmanship. Prepare to be amazed with a visit to the much-revered Temple of the Tooth Relic, a masterpiece of ancient and traditional Kandyan architecture in which the Royal Palace complex and the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha are juxtaposed. The complex, situated in the heart of the sacred city of Kandy, is the icon of its heritage, today the home of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha that determined the capital of the island for centuries, thus a political symbol of power.
Distance Breakfast, dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Kandy
Included Meals
Day 7
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Cooking Lesson and the West Coast
After breakfast, enjoy a cookery demonstration. Join the host and her team in a traditional village kitchen and assist in the preparation of lunch! Learn to prepare a complete meal with curries and explore the intricacies of Sri Lankan cuisine, from scraping the coconut and extracting the milk, to pounding a sambol, to cooking with firewood using ancient tools and methods. After lunch, proceed to Negombo. Popular for its beach and catamaran trips, Negombo is a famous fishing village in the northern part of the Colombo district. Situated by the shores of a lagoon, Negombo was once the trading port for the Portuguese and Dutch. Take a leisurely walk in the area to explore the many handicrafts and curio shops, gem shops, and restaurants that occupy this fishing village. You may visit the Negombo lagoon and a fish auction and make an unforgettable visit to the Dutch fort and an old Catholic church.
Distance Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight Location Hotel in Negombo
Included Meals
Day 8
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Departure
The tour ends with a transfer to the airport. Safe travels!
Distance Breakfast
Overnight Location None
Included Meals

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Dates and prices

This guided cultural and wildlife tour of Sri Lanka is run as a custom tour for your group and the price depends on the number of participants.

Prices below are per person.

  • Guided Groups of 2-3: from $1,365USD per person
  • Guided Groups of 4-5: from $1,165USD per person
  • Guided Groups of 6-7: from $1,095USD per person
  • Guided Groups of 7+: on request

Please note that high season supplements might apply for the departures during peak season.

What’s included

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 7 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

All personal and luggage transfers required by the itinerary are included. This includes pickup from the airport and departure transfers.

Also Included

  • Guide services
  • All entrance fees as required by program
  • Jeep safaris and other mentioned activities

Not included

  • Visas if required
  • Personal gear
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals not previously mentioned
  • Anything not mentioned as included

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades where available

Accommodation for Sri Lankan Dreams Tour

This tour is based in 3 or 4-star hotels. The rooms are generally deluxe and upgraded.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement. Triple rooms enjoy a reduction (please inquire for more information).

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Sri Lankan Dreams Tour?

We rate this tour as a 2/5. This tour is mostly relaxed, but you will need to be able to complete a short hike.

Do I need a visa to travel to Sri Lanka?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

When is the best time to travel to Sri Lanka for this tour?

The best time to travel to Sri Lanka for this tour is December through March when the weather is drier and pleasantly warm in the southern half of the country.

Are meals included on the Sri Lankan Dreams Tour?

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Colombo to start this tour?

Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You will be met by a guide here and driven to Anuradhapura, your first overnight destination.

When is the best time to travel to Sri Lanka for this tour?

The best time to travel to Sri Lanka for this tour is December through March when the weather is drier and pleasantly warm in the southern half of the country.

Is the Sri Lankan Dreams Tour in English?

Yes, the guides are English-speaking.

Where does the Sri Lankan Dreams Tour end?

The tour ends in Negambo, where you will be dropped off at the airport.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Sri Lanka?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Sri Lanka?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

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Why travellers choose this tour
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