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Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle Tour
Sri Lanka in 8 Days, 7 Nights in Destination
From
$4,439
$3,099
/person
-30%
Travel crafter
Perfect for group travel! Enjoy a private, fully-escorted journey through Sri Lanka. It will take you to the country's major natural and historical landmarks, including the must-sees of the cultural triangle.
Trip Highlights
- Colombo
- Dambulla Caves
- Kandy
- Negombo
- Nuwara Eliya
- Sigiriya
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Breakfast only
Availability
Departures available until October 2025
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + $660
Add up to 4 nights to your stay
- WHAT'S THIS?
Categories available
superior included
luxury from + $300
- WHAT'S THIS?
Itinerary
Land in Colombo to begin your adventure. Head to Dambulla and see the Sigiriya Rock and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Continue to Kandy, once capital of a local empire, and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic before ending with a tea plantation tour and a tuk-tuk ride through Colombo.
1st Day: Australia - Colombo - Negombo
Arrive at your selected Australian departure airport ready to check-in for your flight to Colombo*.
Land in Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka. On passing through customs, you’ll be greeted by an Exoticca representative who will guide you to your private vehicle. Just a short drive away, head straight to the western port city of Negombo. Check in at the hotel** and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Negombo***.
*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
**You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them in advance as they are subject to availability.
***You have the possibility to upgrade in Sri Lanka to half-board by adding 7 dinners or to full-board by adding 7 lunches and 7 dinners in the next step of the booking process.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Goldi Sands or similar
1621 Reviews
See our full selection
2nd Day: Negombo - Matale District
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Dambulla, a picturesque village in the center of the island known for its stunning Cave Temple. Check in to your hotel on arrival before immediately heading to a village walking tour in Hiriwadunna. This typical town offers a slice of Sri Lankan life, with a walk along the Wewa (a man-made reservoir) and views of the wildlife and townspeople who gather at the water’s edge. Cross the water via catamaran to reach a traditional farm, where you’ll learn about local agricultural practices and enjoy fresh vegetables per the farmer’s hospitality. Overnight stay in Matale District.
Estimated transfer distance 130km/80miles.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Tropical Life Resort And ... or similar
189 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Habarana Village trek
Light
See more
3rd Day: Matale District - Sigiriya Rock - Matale District
Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a journey to one of Sri Lanka's most captivating destinations - Sigiriya Rock. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's also known as the “Lion Rock.” The rock is mesmerizing. It rises 200 meters from the scrub jungle around it. It is a regional landmark. It has a raised mesa. A fortress was ingeniously built on it centuries ago.
Upon arrival, prepare to be awe-struck by the sheer grandeur of Sigiriya. Climb up to the fortress. You will marvel at the stunning water gardens below. As you climb higher, you'll see the famous frescoes inside. They offer a glimpse into the ancient art and rich culture of the region. Overnight stay in Matale District.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Tropical Life Resort And ... or similar
189 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Sigiriya Rock Tour
Active
See more
4th Day: Matale District - Polonnaruwa - Matale District
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning at your leisure, perhaps taking time to rest after an active few days! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can join our optional excursion to the Minneriya National Park* for elephant and leopard watching.
In the afternoon, join your guide for a visit to Polonnaruwa, an ancient capital of the eponymous Sri Lankan kingdom. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts enormous man-made reservoirs like the “Sea of Parakrama,” larger in size than the Colombo harbor. Other highlights include the Royal Palace complex (including the King's Palace and Audience Hall), plus the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage, and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex with four massive statues of the Buddha cut from a single slab of granite. Transfer back to the hotel, overnight stay in Matale District.
*Optional excursion to Minneriya National Park: Home to a diverse array of wildlife attracted to its varied topography and the Minneriya Tank, a man-made reservoir built in the 3rd century. The park is known for its permanent population of 150-200 Sri Lankan elephants.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Tropical Life Resort And ... or similar
189 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Polonnaruwa Tour
Light
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Minneriya National Park
Light
See more
5th Day: Matale District - Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. Join your guide to begin the journey towards the historically-significant city of Kandy with two stops along the way. Before leaving the village, see the Dambulla Cave Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of five interconnected caves and features over 150 depictions of the Buddha. Though most of what we see dates to the early 19th century, some inscriptions come from as far back as the 2nd century BCE.
Next, visit the Spice Garden to learn more about the exotic botanicals that motivated centuries of trade and colonization on the island. Get a detailed look at the plants on display and enjoy a head and shoulder massage before you leave!
From there, arrive in Kandy and check in at your hotel. Head out for an included evening tour of the city including the Gem Museum and a Batik factory. Continue with a tour of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a complex with palaces, gardens, and of course a Buddhist temple. Finally, end your evening with an hour-long Kandy cultural show, where you’ll be wowed by dances with swords and fire. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Estimated transfer distance 93km/57miles.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Thilanka or similar
1995 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Kandy Cultural Show
Light
See more
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Light
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Dambulla Cave Temple
Moderate
See more
Spice Garden Tour
Light
See more
6th Day: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by train to the southern city of Nuwara Eliya on a scenic journey. En route, visit a tea plantation to learn about the tea industry's historical impact on Sri Lanka's topography and demography. Introduced in 1867, tea remains a key export.
Arrive in Nuwara Eliya. Check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening walking tour starting at the iconic Golf Club, one of Asia's oldest. Visit the city’s oldest post office, a Tudor-style colonial building, and explore landmarks like the HNB Bank, Police Station, St. Xavier’s Church, and the Grand Hotel. Conclude with a stroll through Victoria Park and the Race Course. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Galway Heights or similar
1025 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Train Ride from Kandy
Light
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Tour of Nuwara Eliya
Moderate
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Tea Plantation Tour
Light
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7th Day: Nuwara Eliya - Colombo - Negombo
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed with your guide to Colombo, where you’ll have the chance to take a tuk-tuk tour of the Sri Lankan capital. This bustling city is alive with color, sound, and rich history. Visit religious monuments like the old Wolfendhal Dutch Church (built in 1749) and the famous Gangarama Temple situated opposite the Beira Lake. Be sure to take note of the city’s manicured gardens and examples of colonial architecture such as the Dutch Hospital. Transfer to your hotel for final check in, overnight stay in Negombo.
Estimated transfer distance 205km/127miles.
Accommodation
ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Goldi Sands or similar
1621 Reviews
See our full selection
Activities
Colombo city tour by Tuk tuk
Light
See more
8th Day: Negombo - Australia
Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicted time, transfer to Colombo International Airport** for your return flight back to Australia***.
*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
**Please note that you need to be at the airport at least three hours prior to departure.
***Depending on your choice of flight, you may arrive in Australia the next day or two days later.
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Categories Available:
superior
From $3,099
Selected
- Accommodation in Superior category hotels.
luxury
From $3,399
- Accommodation in Luxury category hotels.
Accommodation: 7 Nights
Day 1 to 2
Goldi Sands
Location
Negombo
Category
Nights
1
Rating TripAdvisor travelers
The hotels we select comply with our high standards and requirements per category. The allocation is dependent on availability and seasonality, so you can be assigned any of our selection, including the following: Amagi Aria
Included activities
Show more
Available Activities
The price includes
- Departures from main Australian airports.
- International flights: Australia - Colombo - Australia.
- Scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy.
- 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.See hotels included
- 7 breakfasts.*more information
- Transfers in air conditioned vehicle.
- Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.See itinerary
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- Colombo city tour by Tuk Tuk Ride.
- Visit the Rock of Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Tour of Polonnaruwa, Kandy, a Tea Planctation & Nuwara Eliya.
- Head and shoulder massage at the Spice Garden.
- English speaking chauffeur guide.
Not included
Sri Lankan visa (required), meals, drinks, tips, and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
If you are traveling to Sri Lanka with an Australian passport, you will require a Sri Lankan visa. For other passport holders, we recommend that you check with the Sri Lankan Embassy for further details. You can obtain a short stay tourist E-Visa at: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
With regard to the visa, Australians will require one either online (which is currently non-operational) or upon arrival at Colombo airport. The visa fee is USD 50–60 per person, payable in cash at the airport.
Important note: it is mandatory to send copies of all passengers’ valid passports to customerservice@exoticca.com once you have made your reservation, as these copies are necessary for certain services and tour activities in Sri Lanka.
Matale District includes hotels in the Dambulla, Habarana & Sigiriya area, making it the perfect location to explore the region’s sites.
*You have the possibility to upgrade in Sri Lanka to half-board by adding 7 dinners or to full-board by adding 7 lunches and 7 dinners in the next step of the booking process.
This trip is not recommended for people with reduced mobility due to the nature of the excursions and the terrain. If you have a disability or limited mobility and are interested in taking this trip, please contact our Customer Service Team to discuss the possibility of booking a private tour that may better fit your specific circumstances.
Entry requirements
Passport with a minimum of six months validity and a return ticket.
Visa
An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) must be obtained before travelling. Available online here: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. Appox.USD 50/60 per person + additional charge for the E visa. For more information: Sri Lanka Visa (srilankaevisa.lk)
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee.
Language
Sinhalese.
Electricity
220V. Adapter required.
Health
There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from Australia. Check with your doctor for advice.
Time zone
UTC + 05:30.
Other useful information
People drive on the left-hand side of the road. Moving the head from side to side means yes.
Tourist Office website
http://www.srilanka.travel
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.
When booking a triple room, note that these accommodations are not larger than a double room, but will include either one double or two single beds and a sofa bed/rollaway.
Triple room: the third bed will be a rollaway bed.
If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +61 02 8823 5094 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.
While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.
Room allocation: We will do our best to accommodate your family in the same room. If availability doesn't permit this, we guarantee your family will be accommodated as close together as possible. Children will always be accomodated in a room with at least 1 adult.
Car seats: Not available in all destinations. Feel free to take your own if you need one.
Pay in installments
Pay only 60% today to reserve your trip.
Rest is paid in instalments according to your departure date.
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