Best of Sri Lanka


















From AUD $3445
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)

Best of Sri Lanka
15 days
Small Group
Moderate
Average
English
Experience Overview
This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa.
This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa. Have lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home, relax with a cold beer and your feet in the sand in Mirissa and hike between plantations and villages in Haputale. This is the best of Sri Lanka!
Highlights
- Ride around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura on a bike tour, cycling through the jungle to see the dagobas, palaces and pools of a city abandoned over 1000 years ago.
- Climb the rock fortress of UNESCO-listed Sigiriya to the ancient ruins that lie atop the 200-m-high summit and get panoramic views over the surrounding wilderness.
- Explore the divine city of Kandy, mingling with pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, touring a tea factory, and taking in the views of this lush lakefront town.
- Fall in love with Sri Lankan food and get to know locals during experiences like lunching with a Tamil tea worker and a home-cooking demonstration.
- Unwind on the sandy beaches of Mirissa, where the waters are clear and warm, and monkeys play in the swaying palms that line the shores.
Trip Details
15 days
Private vehicle,Public Bus,Train,Bicycle
Small Group
English
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Moderate
Explorer
Average
Itinerary
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
- Anuradhapura - Bike tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Polonnaruwa - Bike Tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Dambulla - Cave Temples
Optional Activities:
- Minneriya National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) (40 USD)
- Minneriya National Park (entrance) (30 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Kandy - Tea factory visit
Optional Activities:
- Kandy - Cultural Dance Performance (7 USD)
- Kandy - Botanical Gardens (10 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Bandarawela - Cooking demonstration & local meal
- Kandy - Scenic train ride from Kandy to Bandarawela
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Pekoe Trail
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Accommodation:
- Permanent tented camp (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Optional Activities:
- Udawalawe National Park - Entrance fee - per person (30 USD)
- Udawalawe National Park - Jeep hire (minimum 6 pax) per jeep (30 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Optional Activities:
- Explore Galle by Bicycle (25 USD)
- Explore Galle by bicycle with market visit and local lunch (35 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Galle - Walking tour
- Galle - Beeralu lace weaving experience
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Colombo - City tour by bus
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Duration: 15 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Average
This 15-day trip immerses you in the must-sees, must-tastes and must-meets of beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll summit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lion Rock in Sigiriya, cycle through sprawling ancient city ruins in Anuradhapura and wander the massive granite Buddha carvings in Polonnaruwa.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 07 Jun 2026
Customer Reviews
04/17/2024
This trip delivered everything it said it would! From fantastic transport and driver/wingman to Shihan, our wonderful knowledgeable tour guide. Scenic train rides, trekking, and cycle rides with breath taking views. A great travelling group and the very friendly Sri Lankan people made a visit to this country a most memorable experience.
04/14/2024
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. A full itinerary travelling round this beautiful country, with so many different activities and experiences. Highlights too many to list but included elephant safari, the climb up Sigriya, the beautiful beaches, the train ride from Kandy, the walk through tea plantations. And stunning scenery. A truly magical experience.
Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
04/17/2024
This trip delivered everything it said it would! From fantastic transport and driver/wingman to Shihan, our wonderful knowledgeable tour guide. Scenic train rides, trekking, and cycle rides with breath taking views. A great travelling group and the very friendly Sri Lankan people made a visit to this country a most memorable experience.
04/14/2024
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. A full itinerary travelling round this beautiful country, with so many different activities and experiences. Highlights too many to list but included elephant safari, the climb up Sigriya, the beautiful beaches, the train ride from Kandy, the walk through tea plantations. And stunning scenery. A truly magical experience.
04/14/2024
Fantastic trip with our brilliant guide, Ranjan! Expect to see the diversity Sri Lanka offers: temples, tea plantations, elephants and monkeys and the beautiful coast!
04/15/2024
This trip truly showcased the beautiful Sri Lanka, including the history, infrastructure, commercial activities, and the picturesque mountains' and beaches. It was on my list for a while and this was was much more that just a tick. Thank you Intrepid, again.
04/16/2024
A most enjoyable, informative, ethically run, well organised and expertly run Tour of the Best of Sri Lanka! An exceptional experience of a country rich in History and Natural Beauty well picked out and highlighted by Intrepids hand picked Itinerary list. A fabulous introduction to see the very best of Sri Lanka.
04/09/2024
Highly recommend trip which provides a wonderful variety of activities to extend my love of and learning about Sri Lanka.
04/09/2024
What a fantastic trip, a fantastic range of activities and options. Sigiriya, the walks in the highlands tea plantations, the safari at the jungle camp, the train over 9 archesbridge in Ella and Mirissa- were highlights. Only downside was the high temperature and humidity. Highly recommend.
04/14/2024
A brilliant way to get a flavour of Sri Lanka
04/14/2024
This Intrepid trip was a fantastic introduction to the country of Sri Lanka. The guide and staff were fantastic and helped to make the holiday one to remember for a very long time. Thank you Intrepid and we will be back for more very soon.
04/14/2024
The best tour ever! This tour fully incorporates everything and more of the highlights of this beautiful country ! The tour allows you to experience the local way of life, the main sights to see as well as experiencing the most beautiful parts of the country. Our tour guide Ranjan was absolutely amazing and we would highly recommend him, our drivers Sampath and Isuru and this tour!! Get booking !
04/11/2024
Gute Reise, dir einen guten Überblick über die Insel gibt. Tolles Essen und tolle Nationalparks. Man sieht Tiere, Nationalparks, Teeplantagen und Strände. Guide und Busfahrer waren sympathisch und hatten immer Tipps und Tricks
04/13/2024
Great trip very well managed and really opens your eyes to the beauty of Sri Lanka
04/09/2024
A brilliant all round trip to Sri Lanka. Such a beautiful country with a bit of everything really well put together by Intrepid.
04/04/2024
Our trip was informative, interesting and above all great fun. Transport was comfortable, accommodation well chosen and our group very congenial and friendly. We visited key historic and cultural locations and learned a great deal about Sri Lanka’s history.
04/06/2024
After considering many different group trips for Sri Lanka I went with the Best of and it was excellent. There are a lot of included activities and it is a great mix. Lots of opportunities for sunrises and sunsets and occasionally other optional extras not mentioned in the itinerary, such as a morning nature walk, ayurveda massage etc. If you really want to do something not on the itinerary ask the guide, ours was very accommodating. One reason I chose the trip was the train and from the start the guide said it was unlikely we would have tickets and apparently this happens a lot recently. However it's still possible to take the train with unreserved seats and hope to get on and get a seat, which was what we did. It would be better if intrepid could get the tickets but I'd def still recommend the trip.
04/02/2024
An incredible trip with brilliant variety covering the best bits of Sri Lanka from tourist spots to local experiences, with great food and company along the way.
04/06/2024
The Intrepid tour of Sri Lanka is a great way to see the country in a small group
03/28/2024
We had a fantastic journey through Sri Lanka. Thanks to our incredible guide, Asanga Bandara Rajapaske, we came away feeling as if we had truly experienced all that Sri Lanka has to offer.
03/28/2024
This is my third trip with Intrepid. If you are lucky enough to have Asanga as your tour guide, you will be very fortunate. Asanga is passionate, knowledgeable, caring, funny and goes completely beyond his call of duty. Asanga it was an absolute privilege to be part of your group and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Intrepid you are very lucky to have Asanga. Thank you Asanga for making my holiday such a memorable one. I will never forget you and thank you to Tharaka our driver and Co pilot, Priyantha.
04/02/2024
I found this trip to be a perfect balance of knowledge base activities and physical base activities. We had the best to a leader we could’ve had for this trip, he was friendly and approachable and down entire group loved him. All of the food and the sites we en Were amazing and I would definitely recommend this trip.

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