Pure Sri Lanka
Overview
Highlights
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
- Sigiriya: See rice fields and jungle landscapes as you ramble around this rural Sri Lankan village. Then refuel with a traditional lunch.
- Sigiriya: A fortress on top of a giant rock. And did we mention it has massive lion’s paws at the front? Amazing!
- Sigiriya: Want peace and tranquillity, or an array of Insta-ops? These cave temples offer both. But hide your wallet from the cheeky monkeys.
- Kandy: Fire-eating. Acrobatics. Epic costumes. All based on the dances of Indian shamans. Why not recreate it on TikTok with your crew?
- Kandy: This pristine-white sanctuary is an ultimate pilgrimage for Buddhists. It holds a relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth.
- Kandy: One of the world’s most scenic train rides. Pass tea plantations and lush greenery, via mountain tunnels and steep valleys.
- Ella: Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa? And now you’ll get to see where the magic happens.
What's this trip about?
Itinerary
Our Sri Lankan adventure begins in Colombo. Find your feet in this diverse & laid-back town with coastal beaches, local fish markets and a working Dutch-style canal system. This evening you'll meet up with your Trip Manager and your team for a full brief of the travels about to unfold, before heading out for the first taste of some local delicacies.
Fairway Hotel (or similar)
This morning we'll drive inland to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress town in the Matale District. Home to palace ruins set on a giant ancient lava rock, and surrounded by ancient relics of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is a hotspot of historical significance here ...
We couldn't visit Sigiriya without exploring the incredible Sigiriya Rock Fortress that's been dominating the skyline ever since we've arrived, and morning is the best time to visit. After our included breakfast we'll take a trip to the fortress to check out the UNESC...
Feel like a morning adventure? You'll have the opportunity to explore the Pidurangala Rock –a rite of passage for Sigiriya first-timers – on a sunrise trek. Otherwise, catch some extra sleep and save your energy for later. Awed by our time brushing with the ancient wo...
Today we head further into the hill country on the train, passing lush green hills & waterfalls en route to Nuwara Eliya. This small town is found in the heart of Sri Lanka's famous Ceylon tea industry, so it'd be rude not to visit a tea plantation (& sample s...
The day is yours to explore the beautiful countryside and laid-back backpacker hub of Ella, nestled among green cloud forests and tea plantations. Spend the day in Ella doing the local walks that show off the incredibly insta-worthy views down through the Ella Gap, in...
Our journey continues south, as we head down from the hill country into the southern plains where a rich abundance of wildlife awaits us.Our first stop is at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for before being released back in...
Say goodbye to the wilderness as we head along the South West coast to Unawatuna, here we'll take a trip to explore the UNESCO-listed fort city of Galle & in the evening you can learn the ways of Sri Lankan cooking with locals. At Mirissa, why not head out whale w...
Today is yours to unwind on the tropical palm-studded beach with clear turquoise waters, or opt in for a surf lesson at nearby Weligama Bay.
Insight Resort Ahangama (or similar)
Breakfast
Today we'll be heading back to where it all began - the bustling capital city of Colombo. En route we'll make a stop to learn about the traditional art of balsa-wood mask painting, followed by a visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation centre. Once we hit Colombo, the...
Your Contiki trip finishes this morning in Colombo. Hold back the happy tears as you say goodbye to your newest life-long friends & plan a meet up somewhere in the world soon.
Breakfast
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Sonny Roberts
Nov 2024
Pure Sri Lanka
Great sampling of the best South Asia has to offer
Hannah
Oct 2024
Pure Sri Lanka
Our Trip Manager Rhi was spectacular, as was the local Guide Viji. They made sure all the thinking and planning was done for us. Rhi gave the best recommendations fo...
Dan Kovacevic
Oct 2024
Pure Sri Lanka
Such an awesome and well paced trip - Sri Lanka really is a gem and we had the perfect balance of city and nature - Ella and Udawalawe were the highlights - group we...
Other Contiki Reviews
Jenifer MacDonald
Dec 2024
Ultimate New Zealand
Was an amazing 3 weeks! Met life long friends and had the adventure...
Trusted Customer
Dec 2024
European Wanderer
The trip was so enjoyed definitely the highlight of my life. Met ...
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
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Logistics
Accommodation
- Fairway Hotel (or similar)
- Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)
- Queen's Hotel (or similar)
- Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
- Athgira River Camping (or similar)
- Insight Resort Ahangama (or similar)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
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- Save up to $700 per person
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