Sri Lanka Tour Packages: Private Tours from 3 to 15 Days

Our team is based in Peradeniya, near Kandy. We plan routes around Sri Lanka’s two monsoons and its slow roads. Colombo to Kandy takes about 3 hours by road, and Kandy to Ella takes about 5 hours by road or 4 hours on the scenic train.

Per person, two sharing, from each tour page. Final prices depend on dates, hotel level and group size.

Day tours (no hotel): Ratnapura gem, tea & spice tour from $110, Colombo city tour from $120, Galle city tour from $130, Ella city tour from $140, Kandy city tour from $150 and Sigiriya day tour with safari from $170.

Sri Lanka tour packages by trip length

3 to 5 days: one region done well

A short trip works best when you stay in one region. The 3 Day Tour starts at Colombo airport and covers Pinnawala, Kandy, Sigiriya and Dambulla. It includes entry tickets for Sigiriya, Dambulla, the Temple of the Tooth and Peradeniya Gardens. The 4-Day Tour adds Polonnaruwa and a Minneriya jeep safari. For a slower pace, the Cultural Triangle Escape uses quiet village stays. For beaches, choose South Coast Escape or Leopard & Ocean.

6 to 8 days: the first-timer’s highlights

This is enough for culture, tea country, a safari and the coast. The 7-Day Tour includes a lot in its from-$690 price. It covers 3-star hotels, the Nanu Oya–Ella train ticket, a Yala safari, a seasonal Mirissa whale-watching ticket and the Madu River boat trip. The 8 Day Tour upgrades to half board and adds Polonnaruwa. The 6-Day Tour skips Sigiriya to fit in Ella, Yala and Galle.

10 to 12 days: the classic island loop

Our site recommends 10 to 14 days for a first visit. The Sri Lanka 10-Day Tour is our main classic circuit. It runs from Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa to Kandy, then takes the tea-country train to Ella. After that comes a Yala safari, then Mirissa and Galle, finishing in Colombo. It includes nine nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast and airport transfers. Choose the 11-Day version if you want safaris, the train ticket and entry fees bundled in. The 12 Day Tour adds Anuradhapura.

14 to 15 days: slower, deeper, fewer hotel changes

The 14 Day Tour spends four nights near Sigiriya, so you visit Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Minneriya without packing every day. The 15-Day Tour adds Mihintale and more beach time at Bentota.

Sri Lanka tour packages by interest

Culture and ancient cities: Cultural Triangle Escape, 3 Day Tour, Sigiriya day tour. Climb Sigiriya when the gates open at 7 AM to avoid the heat. See our Sigiriya guide.

Wildlife and safaris: Leopard & Ocean, Leopards & Oceans (two Yala jeep safaris included) and Highlands & Wildlife. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Tea country and the scenic train: Tea Country to Coast and Ceylon Tea Trails & Southern Shores. Train seats depend on availability.

Beaches: South Coast Escape. The south and west coasts are driest from December to April. The east coast (Arugam Bay) is best from May to September.

Luxury: the 12-Day Luxury Tour uses boutique and luxury hotels. You can request a Prado or comparable SUV, and we send photos before you book.

Budget: the 6-Day Budget Tour uses simple guesthouses with private bathrooms. The 4-Day Tour starts at $450 with budget eco-hotels.

Tour extensions: Arugam Bay and Jaffna

You can add either of these to most multi-day tours. Both are price on request, and we quote them with the rest of your tour. - Arugam Bay extension (east coast, best May–September): surf, Pottuvil Lagoon and Kumana National Park. It fits after Ella, which is 3–4 hours away by road. See the Arugam Bay guide. - Jaffna extension (north, best February–September): 2–3 nights for Nallur Kovil, Jaffna Fort and the islands. It fits after Anuradhapura on the 12-, 14- or 15-day tours. See the Jaffna guide.

Want to plan the route yourself? Hire a car with driver by the day instead, or use the free AI trip planner.

What a Discover Sri Lanka tour package includes

Inclusions vary by tour, and each tour page lists them in full. South Coast Escape, Leopard & Ocean, Tea Country to Coast and Highlands & Wildlife include the driver-guide and vehicle but not hotels. You book or request hotels separately. The other packages, from 3 to 15 days, usually include:

A private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel for the planned route

An English-speaking driver-guide. German, Japanese or Malay support is available on request on many tours, subject to availability

Airport pickup and final drop-off at Bandaranaike International Airport or a Colombo hotel

Hotels in the listed category on a double or twin-share basis, with breakfast (half board on the 8 Day Tour)

Listed entry tickets, safaris or train tickets. These differ by tour, so check the “Inclusions” list on each page

Usually not included: international flights, the visa/ETA, lunches and dinners (unless stated), optional activities, tips and travel insurance.

How booking works

Send a request. Choose a tour (or a custom route) and send your dates, group size and contact details.

We check availability with drivers, guides and hotels.

You get a written quote by email or WhatsApp, with the itinerary, inclusions, exclusions and price.

You approve it in writing. Nothing is booked before this step.

Pay a deposit. It is usually 10% of the quoted total, paid through a secure external payment link.

We confirm suppliers and send next steps. The balance terms are in your confirmation.

Refunds of the advance fee: 100% with 30+ days’ notice, 80% with 14–29 days and 40% with 7–13 days. There is no refund inside 7 days. Date changes are possible. See the booking policy.

Sri Lanka tour packages: FAQ

How much does a Sri Lanka tour package cost? Our hotel-inclusive packages start at $350 per person for 3 days and 2 nights. A 10-day loop with 3-star hotels starts at $990, and a 15-day tour at $1,490. All prices are per person with two sharing. Luxury and budget tiers are priced on request.

How many days do I need for a Sri Lanka tour? We suggest 10 to 14 days for a first visit. Seven days works if you focus on one or two regions, such as the Cultural Triangle and the hill country.

Are the tours private or group tours? All tours are private. You travel only with your own party in your own vehicle with a driver-guide. Most tours take up to 6 guests, and some take up to 8.

Can I customise a tour package? Yes. You can change the days, hotel level, beaches, safari parks or train segments before you approve the quote. You can also start from a blank page with the AI trip planner.

When is the best time for a Sri Lanka tour? The south and west coasts and the hill country are driest from December to April. The east coast is driest from May to September. The Cultural Triangle can be visited all year.

Is the Kandy–Ella train included? It depends on the tour. The 7-, 8- and 11-day tours include a train ticket, subject to seat availability. On the 10-day tour the ticket is extra unless your quote confirms it.

How do I pay, and what if I cancel? After you approve the quote, you pay a deposit (usually 10%) through a secure payment link. Advance-fee refunds are 100% with 30 or more days’ notice, 80% from 14 days and 40% from 7 days. Inside 7 days there is no refund.