Explore Sri Lanka - Sigiriya, Dambulla & Udawalawe Safari

Explore Sri Lanka - Sigiriya, Dambulla & Udawalawe SafariSri Lanka
Fully GuidedFully Guided
1313 Nights
Nights
-
B&B (+1)
Transport: Flights & TransfersFlights & Transfers

    Your Guided Adventure Holidays Sri Lanka

    Discover rich history and unique culture of this island nation on our guided group adventure holidays Sri Lanka. With wonders at every turn, we’ll tour a selection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Cave Temple and the spectacular Lion's Rock fortress in Sigiriya. We’ll immerse ourselves in Sri Lankan life on our adventure holiday to Sri Lanka as we visit rural villages and markets, sample local cuisine and enjoy a traditional cultural performance. Experience the adventure Sri Lanka has to offer as we go white water rafting on the Kelani River and marvel at the country’s incredible wildlife on a safari game drive in the Udawalawe National Park. And to top it all off, we’ll enjoy some relaxation time on one of the island’s stunning but lesser known sandy beaches. Join us on this action-packed holiday to Sri Lanka.

    Holidays to Sri Lanka from Ireland

    Our holidays to Sri Lanka from Ireland depart from Dublin airport; outbound and return flights will be via Dubai. Flights and transfers, accommodation and tours with a local guide are all included, so get ready for your next adventure.

    Please Note:

    • Visas are required for travel on this tour. Please visit our visa information page for more information.
    • For departures from Dublin, outbound and return flights will be via Dubai.
    • With a maximum of 20 people and an average group size of 14, this is an intimate small group tour.
    Tour Map
    Tour map for Explore Sri Lanka - Sigiriya, Dambulla & Udawalawe Safari

    Trip Itinerary

    Activity Level 5

    Activity Level: Active

    What does this level mean?

    Day

    Travel to Sri Lanka

    1

    Fly to Colombo

    Begin your adventure by departing home on an overnight flight to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Colombo has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes and was previously ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.

    Colombo

    2

    Arrive Colombo

    Touch down in Sri Lanka and feel the warm tropical air welcome you to paradise. Be greeted by your expert local team before transferring to your hotel in Colombo, where your adventure truly begins. After settling in, enjoy a afternoon tour of Colombo - a vibrant, energetic city where modern life thrives beside centuries of history, bustling markets, and golden coastal sunsets.

    Overnight: Cinnamon Red
    Meals: Dinner

    Dambulla

    3

    Colombo / Dambulla

    After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Dambulla, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka. On the way, explore the extraordinary Dambulla Cave Temple, a treasure trove of 1st-century BC heritage. Step inside vast, echoing caverns filled with exquisitely preserved ancient murals and Buddhas - truly one of Asia’s most breathtaking historic monuments. In the afternoon, enjoy a magical village safari, sampling real rural life with bullock cart and catamaran rides through emerald-green rice fields and tranquil lakes.

    Overnight: Occidental Paradise
    Meals: Breakfast

    Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya

    4

    Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

    Prepare for one of the absolute highlights of the tour - Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Rising dramatically above the jungle, this ancient citadel boasts jaw-dropping views, landscaped water gardens, and the iconic Lion’s Gate. Later, step back in time in Polonnaruwa with a gentle cycling tour among grand ruins ( 10km approx), reservoirs gleaming in the sun, and legendary palaces that brought Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms to life.

    Overnight: Occidental Paradise
    Meals: Breakfast

    Kandy

    5

    Dambulla / Kandy

    Travel to Kandy - (2h approx), the enchanting city tucked among misty hills and tea plantations. En-route, visit a fragrant spice garden and enjoy a culinary demonstration- an aromatic feast for the senses. Later, explore Kandy’s serene lakeside ambience and its crown jewel: the breathtaking Temple of the Tooth, a site of immense spiritual significance and beauty.


    Overnight: Radisson Kandy
    Meals: Breakfast

    Kitulagala & Nuwara Eliya

    6

    Kandy / Nuwara Eliya

    Today delivers thrills and scenery in equal measure. Experience white water rafting on the shimmering Kelani River -safe, exciting, and utterly unforgettable - surrounded by lush jungle and mountain vistas. Then ascend to Nuwara Eliya, the charming “Little England” of Sri Lanka, with cool highland air and rolling green tea fields. Discover its captivating colonial charm in the afternoon.


    Overnight: Galway Heights
    Meals: Breakfast

    Horton Plains National Park

    7

    Nuwara Eliya — Horton Plains

    A spectacular day awaits with a hike in Horton Plains National Park - one of Sri Lanka’s most mystical landscapes. The Horton Plains is a beautiful highland plateau situated at an elevation of 2100 -2300 meters above sea level Traverse cloud forests and sweeping grasslands, with the chance to spot sambar deer and unique wildlife. The scenery here is truly cinematic - ending at the dramatic cliffs of World’s End, a vista that will take your breath away.  
    (Hike 16km approx) 


    Overnight: Galway Heights
    Meals: Breakfast

    Udawalawe National Park

    8

    Nuwara Eliya / Udawalawe

    Time: MorningMorning

    Board one of the world’s most scenic train journeys through emerald tea estates and cascading waterfalls to Ella. Then continue to Udawalawe National Park for a thrilling jeep safari. The Park covers an area of 230,821 hectares and was declared in 1972. Witness elephants, along with buffalo, deer, crocodiles, and an array of exotic birds — a wildlife spectacle that rivals the African savannah.


    Overnight: Big Game Camps & Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    Beruwala & Galle

    9

    Coastal town of Beruwala & Galle Fort

    Time: MorningMorning

    Journey south to the gorgeous coastal town of Beruwala. En route, visit the majestic Galle Fort built first in 1588 by the Portuguese - a UNESCO-listed marvel of colonial ramparts, cobbled laneways, boutique shops, and ocean views. Afterward, settle into your beach resort and relax by the shimmering Indian Ocean.


    Overnight: The Palms Beruwala
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    Beruwala - Market Walk with Cooking Class

    10

    Cooking class

    Time: Full dayFull day

    A day rich with flavour and culture. Join a chef to browse colourful local markets and hand-pick ingredients before a hands-on cooking class. Learn to create authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and savour the delicious results in a memorable lunch overlooking the coast.

    Overnight: The Palms Beruwala
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Beruwala at Leisure

    11

    Enjoy the beach activities

    Enjoy the next two days at leisure in Beruwala to enjoy the beach activities.  

    (no transport services but the guide to remain at your service).

    Optional: Participate in snorkelling session.  

     

    Hotel: The Palms Beruwala  

    Meal: Breakfast 

    Beruwala at Leisure

    12

    Enjoy the beach

    Today is yours to relax and unwind and take in amazing white sandy beaches. 

    Return Home

    13

    Leave Beruwala

    Time: MorningMorning

    Transfer to Colombo international airport (2 hours’ drive) to board your return flight back home. 

    * We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.

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    Know before you go

    What if there is an emergency?

    We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.

    Do I need a Visa?

    Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements

    Will I be met at the airport?

    You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your Travel Department guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.

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