Discover Sri Lanka 2026

Itinerary

Day 1: Friday 7 February 2026
Depart Adelaide- Arrive Colombo via Singapore
Travel from Adelaide to Colombo. Arrive late to Colombo and transfer to your hotel. 
Stay:  Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo – 2 nights

Day 2: Saturday 8 February 2026
Colombo 
Today enjoy a city tour of Colombo. Colombo is a sprawling city which is home to over five million people. It is traditionally centred around Fort, a business district with its roots as a fortified Portuguese trading post, and the green waters of Beira Lake, all facing out to sea. In recent years Colombo has transformed into a fascinating destination. Visit famous attractions like The Independence Square, BMICH and the Aukana Buddha Statue replica, SSC Cricket Club and Sri Lanka Cricket Head office, Cinnamon Gardens and Colombo highly residential area, Beautiful Gangarama Temple and Seemamalaka overlooking the Beira Lake, Galle Face Green & Colombo National Museum. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Sunday 9 February 2026
Colombo - Dambulla
Today travel to Dambulla, on the way stop to visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. On this 25-acre coconut plantation on the Maha Oya River, the elephants are free to roam in a natural habitat. The centre contains the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Learn about the rehabilitation process of the elephants in the Education Centre. Afterwards, continue your drive to Dambulla. (B, L) Stay: Jetwing Lake- 3 nights

Day 4: Monday 10 February 2026
Dambulla
Today, depart on a sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the northcentral part of the Island which was the first capital (5th century BC - 9th century AD), the centre of the island's Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. Here you will see the remains of the Brazen Palace and the Sri Maha Bodhi a Bo Tree, which is over 2000 years old and grew from the branch of the very tree beneath which the Buddha attained enlightenment. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Tuesday 11 February 2026
Dambulla
Today enjoy a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th and 12th centuries. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihare, three splendid statues of the Buddha in upright, sedan and recumbent postures carved out of a large rock. Other interesting sights are the Lotus Bath, Tivanke Image House with the best-known Buddhist frescoes of Sri Lanka. Explore the magnificent rock-top fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through picturesque water and boulder gardens, past the pools and fountains, and climb past the ancient and colossal Lion’s Paws to a steep winding 200-metre-high staircase. Once you reach the summit admire 360-degree breath-taking views of the surrounding jungle and hills. (B, D)
**The climb up Sigiriya Rock involves 1,200 steps, and can take up to 3 hours to climb and is considered strenuous and is not recommended for people with low mobility or physical difficulties**

Day 6: Wednesday 12 February 2026
Dambulla – Kandy
Today travel to Kandy which is nestled in the plateau in central Sri Lanka. On the way stop to visit the Matale spice plantation and try different spices and herbs, helping you gain an insight into the long spice history of the island. Step into the unpolluted, green garden, where you can see how herbs and spices are grown in their natural environment, then learn about its medicinal values and use in Sri Lankan cuisine to enhance the taste of specialty meals. On arrival into Kandy visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Temple of the Tooth. This temple has a burgeoning history spanning several centuries and is the home of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. In the evening enjoy a spectacular Kandy Cultural Show, which will give you the opportunity to watch various traditional Kandyan dances and acts. (B, L, D) Stay: Cinnamon Citadel- 2 nights

Day 7: Thursday 13 February 2026
Kandy
This morning visit the Royal Botanical Garden. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. In the evening take part in a Cooking Class. Learn how to prepare a range of authentic dishes against the backdrop of central Sri Lanka’s lovely scenery, this private cooking demo offers an immersive introduction to the country’s culinary traditions. Following pickup from your hotel, visit an organic vegetable farm, and pick fresh seasonal vegetables that will be used for the cooking class. The class will take you through the spices used in Sri Lankan food and general preparation techniques. The local chef will cook with you a delicious meal which you can then enjoy at leisure afterward. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Friday 14 February 2026
Kandy- Nuwara Eliya
This morning transfer to Kandy railway station to board the train to Nuwara Eliya. Said to be one of the most scenic train rides in the world, the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya rail route runs on the original tracks built by the British in 1864. On arrival into Nuwara Eliya enjoy a tour around the famous tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya, a land of tea estates and waterfalls! You may witness the tea pickers at work, carefully picking the “two leaves and bud” that go into making the Pure Ceylon Tea. Later take a guided tour of the tea factory and learn about the next stage in the production of tea making. After the tour, enjoy a cup of tea that is made here, sitting on the café balcony that overlooks the stunning tea plantations. (B, L, D) Stay: Araliya Green City

Day 9: Saturday 15 February 2026
Nuwara Eliya – Yala
Today travel to Yala. Along the way visit the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) which was established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. The primary objective of this facility is the rehabilitation of orphaned baby elephants to ultimately release them back into their natural habitat. Visitors can watch the elephants being fed, bathed and groomed. Continue your drive to Yala. Stay: Jetwing Yala (B, D)

Day 10: Sunday 16 February 2026
Yala – Bentota
Early this morning embark on a unique safari experience in Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife sanctuary Yala National Park. Enjoy a guided tour by Jeep, tracking the impressive number of elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes and hopefully, a leopard along the way. Despite the elusive nature of the leopard species, Yala boasts one of the densest leopard populations on the globe, increasing the likelihood of an encounter. After travel to Bentota. (B, L) Stay: Sheraton Turtle Beach Resort- 3 nights

Day 11: Monday 17 February 2026
Bentota
Today explore the Galle Fort on a walking tour. Climb up to the ramparts of the fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk through the streets. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Fort Clock Tower, Meera Mosque, and the Galle Fort Lighthouse another UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in 1848 during the British colonial period. Along the way, take a break with a cup of fine Ceylon Tea or a refreshing drink of King Coconut. (B, D)

Day 12: Tuesday 18 February 2026
Bentota
Today is a day at leisure. Relax by the ocean or explore on own. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the popular local restaurants specializing in multicuisine. Inspired by multi-cultural influences, Sri Lanka’s reputation as a food destination is well-deserved, (B, D)

Day 13: Wednesday 19 February 2026
Bentota – Colombo- Departure
Today travel to Colombo and have a day use room at the Colombo hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Late in evening, travel to Colombo international airport to board your onward flight to Adelaide via Singapore. (B,L,D)