9 Day Highlights of Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka!On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be transferred to your accommodation. Check in and relax after your international flight. As most flights arrive late in the evening, we recommend booking a night prior to your tour commencing to ensure you are well rested.Special InformationArrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-night accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, and meet your tour guide and the rest of your group in the hotel lobby at 11am for a welcome briefing. Your guide will walk you through the journey ahead and introduce your fellow travellers. Afterwards, set off for Sigiriya. En route, stop at Sri Lanka's first green distillery for a guided tour through the history and craft of arrack making, finishing with a tasting of the country's most celebrated spirit. Continue with a walk through a lush coconut estate, where skilled toddy tappers still gather fermented coconut sap by traversing tightropes high above the ground, a tradition passed down through generations. Arrive in Sigiriya and check in to your hotel, with time to settle in before sitting down to dinner at the hotel. Inspiring Highlights Green Distillery tour and arrack tasting Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, head out for a relaxed guided walk through a traditional village. Quiet pathways wind through paddy fields and lush greenery as your guide shares insights into local customs and everyday rural life. You may have the chance to sample fresh seasonal fruits and meet some of the friendly villagers along the way. At lunchtime, enjoy a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking experience where you will learn to prepare a traditional rice and curry spread of five to six dishes. Discover how coconut milk is made, try your hand at cracking and scraping a coconut, then sit down to enjoy your creations for lunch with views over the paddy fields. This afternoon, journey to the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as Sri Lanka's royal capital from 1017 to 1235 AD. Wander among remarkably preserved temples, palaces, and statues that tell the story of one of the country's most significant historical eras. Return to your hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Guided village walk Traditional Sri Lankan cooking experience Polonnaruwa UNESCO World Heritage Site Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Set off early this morning to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka's most remarkable ancient sites. Built between 477 and 498 AD and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this rocky citadel rises dramatically from the surrounding plains and rewards the climb with sweeping views and centuries-old frescoes tucked into its sheer walls. Return to the hotel for breakfast and some time at leisure. This afternoon, board a private jeep for a safari in Minneriya National Park, famous for The Gathering, an extraordinary natural phenomenon during the dry season when hundreds of elephants converge around the Minneriya Tank. It is one of the largest seasonal gatherings of Asian elephants anywhere in the world. Return to the hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress climb Private jeep safari in Minneriya National Park Special Information Since elephants are migratory animals, we may visit Kaudualla or Eco Park on this day instead, pending elephant locations. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours, not including Jeep Safari.

After breakfast, set off for Kandy. En route, stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 1st century BC. Perched high on a rock face, the temple complex houses around 150 Buddha statues alongside intricate murals and figures of Hindu deities, making it one of the most impressive cave temples in Sri Lanka. Arrive in Kandy and settle into your hotel. Later in the afternoon, around 5:00 PM, head into the city for a leisurely stroll around the lake before exploring at your own pace. As evening sets in, you may pick a restaurant that takes your fancy and enjoy a relaxed dinner in Kandy. Inspiring Highlights Dambulla Cave Temple Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast, head to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, just outside Kandy. Spread across 147 acres, the gardens are home to a vast variety of orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and towering palms. Wander the manicured lawns and shaded avenues at a leisurely pace. Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance featuring music, dance, and drumming that reflects centuries of local heritage. Afterwards, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most sacred sites. Brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD, the relic has long been a symbol of sovereignty for the island's rulers and is enshrined within the temple in great splendour. Return to your hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya Traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance Temple of the Tooth Relic

After breakfast, set off for Nuwara Eliya, often known as Little England for its cool climate and colonial-era character. The drive takes you through some of the most scenic stretches of the central highlands, with rolling hills, manicured tea estates, and misty mountain vistas unfolding along the way. En route, visit a tea plantation and factory to see the journey of Sri Lanka's famous Ceylon tea from leaf to cup. You will learn about the picking and processing methods that have defined the industry for well over a century, and there will be the chance to purchase quality tea if you wish. Continue on to Nuwara Eliya and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. While in Nuwara Eliya, you may like to take a stroll through the centre of town to admire the colonial-era post office, Victoria Park, and the racecourse. The local market is a pleasant way to soak up the atmosphere of this charming hill station, and Gregory Lake is an easy walk or short tuk-tuk ride from the town centre for a quiet wander along the water. Inspiring Highlights Tea plantation and factory visit Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast, depart Nuwara Eliya for the journey to Colombo. On arrival, check in to your hotel, with the rest of the day at your leisure to relax after the journey. If you feel like venturing out, Colombo blends colonial heritage with modern energy. A wander along Galle Face Green is a classic way to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean, while the Pettah district is lively and atmospheric with small shops and historic buildings tucked along every street. Independence Square and the surrounding arcade offer pleasant strolling and a quiet spot to relax over a coffee. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, set out to explore Colombo, Sri Lanka's bustling commercial capital. The city's long history as a port on east-west trade routes is still visible today, with colonial architecture sitting side by side with modern high-rises and shopping districts. Visit the imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to the country's history and home to an impressive collection of royal regalia, ancient manuscripts, and cultural artefacts that bring Sri Lanka's heritage to life. Return to the hotel around 2pm where a day room is available for your use until 8pm, before being transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport in time for your onward flight. We hope you have wonderful memories of your time in Sri Lanka, and we look forward to welcoming you on another journey with us soon. Special InformationPlease note that the Colombo National Museum will be closed every Monday for maintenance starting September 1, 2025. As an alternative, Polonnaruwa Museum will be visited instead. Your city tour will finish at around 2:00 PM, and a day-use room is available until 8:00 PM. We recommend booking your flights accordingly to allow time for the tour. Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.