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Sri Lanka 9 nightsCultureNature

Temples, Tea and Coastal Days

Visit ancient sites and tea country, then relax on the west coast.

  1. 1Negombo
  2. 2Sigiriya
  3. 3Dambulla
  4. 4Kandy
  5. 5Nuwara Eliya
  6. 6Bentota

From, per person~US$1,480

Designed by @snuck Shaped around your dates No payment to ask

Best Jan to Mar

By @snuckUpdated 11 November 2026

Explore Sigiriya's rock fortress, see Kandy's traditions and visit the cooler gardens of tea country before two nights by the sea. Start with a restful night near the airport, then spend two nights at each main stop so you have time to settle in.

Length
9 nights
Route
Negombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla…
Best time
Jan to Mar
Ideal for
First-time visitors who enjoy culture and comfortable breaks

Why you'll love it

  1. Climb Sigiriya early with a guide
  2. See the paintings in Dambulla's cave temples
  3. Spend two nights in Kandy's green outskirts
  4. Visit a tea estate for a guided tasting
  5. Enjoy a full free day in Bentota

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Rest Near the Airport

    Meet your driver for the short drive to Negombo. Have a meal at the hotel and rest after your flight.

    • Stay: Four- or five-star coastal hotel in Negombo
    • Getting there: Private airport transfer, about 30–45 minutes

  2. Day 2

    Drive Inland to Sigiriya

    Leave after breakfast and drive inland, stopping for lunch along the way. Arrive near Sigiriya and spend the afternoon enjoying your hotel's gardens and pool.

    • Stay: Premium resort surrounded by nature near Sigiriya
    • Getting there: Private car, about 4–5 hours driving; allow extra time for lunch

  3. Day 3

    Explore Sigiriya Before the Heat

    Visit Sigiriya early with a private guide, with time to see the gardens and climb the rock. Return for a late breakfast, then spend the afternoon reading, swimming or resting.

    • Stay: Premium resort surrounded by nature near Sigiriya
    • Getting there: Private car for local journeys, about 30–60 minutes total

  4. Day 4

    Dambulla Temples and Kandy

    Visit Dambulla's cave temples before driving on to Kandy. Check in during the afternoon and spend a quiet evening at your hotel.

    • Stay: Small hillside hotel or five-star resort outside Kandy
    • Getting there: Private car via Dambulla, about 3–3.5 hours driving; allow 5–6 hours with the visit and lunch

  5. Day 5

    Explore Kandy and Its Gardens

    Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic with a guide, then stop for lunch. Walk through Peradeniya's botanical gardens in the afternoon before returning to your hotel.

    • Stay: Small hillside hotel or five-star resort outside Kandy
    • Getting there: Private car for local journeys, about 1–1.5 hours total

  6. Day 6

    Drive Into Tea Country

    Take the winding road into the hills, stopping at a tea estate for a visit and tasting. Reach Nuwara Eliya in the afternoon and settle in before the cool evening.

    • Stay: Hotel with local character or small bungalow near Nuwara Eliya's tea estates
    • Getting there: Private car, about 3–4 hours driving; allow 5–6 hours with the tea visit and lunch

  7. Day 7

    Walk Through the Tea Estate

    Take an easy guided walk along estate paths, with a route that suits your comfort. Return for a free afternoon at your bungalow, with tea and something freshly baked.

    • Stay: Hotel with local character or small bungalow near Nuwara Eliya's tea estates
    • Getting there: Private car for local journeys, about 30–60 minutes total

  8. Day 8

    Drive to the Coast

    Leave after breakfast for Bentota, stopping for lunch and breaks along the way. This is the trip's longest drive, so keep the evening free after checking in.

    • Stay: Four- or five-star beachfront resort in Bentota
    • Getting there: Private car, about 6–7 hours driving; allow 7–8 hours with stops

  9. Day 9

    Enjoy a Seaside Day

    Spend a full day with no planned sightseeing. Enjoy the pool or beach, or book an optional spa treatment.

    • Stay: Four- or five-star beachfront resort in Bentota

  10. Day 10

    Breakfast and Departure

    Have breakfast before meeting your driver for the airport journey. Your pickup time will allow for road conditions and international flight check-in.

    • Getting there: Private transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, about 2–2.5 hours

Where you'll stay

  1. 1 night · day 1Four- or five-star coastal hotel in Negombo
  2. 2 nights · days 2 to 3Premium resort surrounded by nature near Sigiriya
  3. 2 nights · days 4 to 5Small hillside hotel or five-star resort outside Kandy
  4. 2 nights · days 6 to 7Hotel with local character or small bungalow near Nuwara Eliya's tea estates
  5. 2 nights · days 8 to 9Four- or five-star beachfront resort in Bentota

When to go

  1. Jangood time to go
  2. Febgood time to go
  3. Margood time to go
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Best from Jan to Mar. Other months work too; we'll tell you what to expect for your dates.

Included

  • Nine nights in premium hotels, two people sharing a room
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for the planned route
  • English-speaking driver for all planned road journeys
  • Private guides at Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy's temple
  • Entry to Sigiriya, Dambulla, the temple and botanical gardens
  • Tea estate visit and tasting
  • Guided estate walk and one afternoon tea
  • Hotel taxes, driver expenses and road tolls

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa or travel authorisation fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Optional activities and spa treatments
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Indian GST and TCS, where applicable

Good to know

  • Sigiriya and Dambulla have steps to climb. Cover your shoulders and knees at temples, and remove shoes where required.
  • Pack a light jacket for Nuwara Eliya. Hill roads are winding, and the drive to the coast takes most of a day.
  • The starting price estimates a premium trip excluding flights, per person with two sharing a room. Final prices depend on your dates and chosen hotels.

Before you go to Sri Lanka

Capital:
Colombo
Languages:
Sinhala, Tamil
Currency:
LKR

Questions

How many days is the Temples, Tea and Coastal Days trip?

9 nights and 10 days: Negombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota.

How much does it cost?

From ₹1,39,000 per person, twin sharing, without international flights. We confirm the price for your dates.

When is the best time to go?

Jan to Mar.

What is included?

Nine nights in premium hotels, two people sharing a room, Daily breakfast, Private air-conditioned vehicle for the planned route, English-speaking driver for all planned road journeys, Private guides at Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy's temple, Entry to Sigiriya, Dambulla, the temple and botanical gardens, Tea estate visit and tasting, Guided estate walk and one afternoon tea, Hotel taxes, driver expenses and road tolls.

What is not included?

International flights, Visa or travel authorisation fees, Travel insurance, Lunches and dinners, Optional activities and spa treatments, Tips and personal expenses, Indian GST and TCS, where applicable.

Can the trip be changed?

Yes. A trip designer shapes the pace, stays and length with you before you book.

Make it yours.

Change the pace, the stays or the length. A trip designer shapes it with you, and we confirm the price for your dates.

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From ~US$1,480