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Private Tour · Tour No. 003

Ancient & Archaeology

6 nights / 7 days Negombo, Habarana, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Colombo

From $820 per person, all inclusive
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A weathered stone Buddha statue seated among the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura
Duration
7 days
Stay
3/4 star hotels · Breakfast
Transport
Private A/C car
Best time
Year-round

Four ancient capitals in seven days

Tour highlights

  • Negombo BeachRelax on the golden shores of Negombo.
  • Dambulla Cave TempleMarvel at Sri Lanka's finest cave sanctuary.
  • Minneriya National Park SafariWitness elephants in their natural habitat.
  • Anuradhapura Ancient Kingdom (UNESCO)Stand beneath the world's oldest recorded tree.
  • Sigiriya Lion Rock Kingdom (UNESCO)Conquer the iconic Lion Rock Fortress.
  • Polonnaruwa Kingdom (UNESCO)Meet the four carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara.
  • Spices and Herbals gardenImmerse yourself in the aromas of Ceylon spices.
  • Kandy KingdomWalk the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings.
  • Kandy Cultural dance showWitness Sri Lanka's vibrant cultural heritage.
  • Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO)Discover the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka.
  • Colombo capital city tourRound off the journey in the island's seaside capital.

Your route, at a glance

  1. Negombo
  2. Habarana
  3. Anuradhapura
  4. Polonnaruwa
  5. Kandy
  6. Colombo

Nothing here is fixed

Day by day

A proven route, written out in full. Tell us what to add, swap or slow down and we'll rebuild it around you.

Day 1

Arrival and relaxation

On arrival
Met at Colombo International Airport by your guide, who assists with luggage and transfers you to Negombo.
Afternoon
Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure on Negombo beach.
Overnight Negombo Hotel Goldi Sands — Negombo Drive time 10–15 km · approx. 15 mins
Sun loungers and an umbrella on quiet golden sand beside the sea

Day 2

Negombo to Habarana, via Dambulla

Morning
Breakfast, then set off for Habarana.
En-route
Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage) — five main caves with over 150 Buddha statues and vibrant murals.
Afternoon
Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for large herds of wild elephants, alongside buffalo, deer and birdlife.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 130 km · approx. 2 hrs 30 mins
The white colonnaded facade of the Dambulla cave temple complex set into the rock face

Day 3

The ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura

Morning
Depart for Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s most important ancient cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All day
Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest recorded tree in the world; the Ruwanwelisaya stupa; Jetavanaramaya, once the world’s tallest; and the Abhayagiri monastery complex.
Evening
Return to Habarana.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 169 km · approx. 3 hrs 45 mins
The white dome of the Ruwanwelisaya stupa at Anuradhapura against a clear sky

Day 4

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Polonnaruwa kingdom

Morning
Sigiriya Lion Rock (UNESCO World Heritage) — climb for the panoramic views and the frescoes on the rock face.
Afternoon
On to Polonnaruwa (UNESCO World Heritage): Gal Vihara’s four carved Buddhas, King Parakramabahu’s palace and audience hall, the Parakrama Samudra reservoir and the Rankoth Vehera stupa.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 106 km · approx. 3 hrs
Sigiriya Lion Rock standing above the surrounding jungle canopy

Day 5

Transfer to the kingdom of Kandy

Morning
Breakfast, then a scenic drive toward Kandy.
En-route
Matale spice garden — a guided walk through cinnamon, cardamom and pepper cultivation.
Afternoon
Arrive in Kandy and check in, then the Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO) and the Kandy cultural dance show.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra — Kandy Drive time 100 km · approx. 2 hrs
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, its white walls reflected in the lake

Day 6

Kandy, then transfer to Colombo

Morning
Kandy kingdom highlights, explored at your own pace.
Afternoon
Travel on to Colombo, the capital.
Overnight Colombo Hotel Cinnamon Red — Colombo
Performers in traditional Kandyan dress on stage at a cultural dance show

Day 7

Departure from Colombo

Morning
Time at leisure, or further Colombo highlights, subject to your flight time.
Afternoon
Transfer to Colombo airport for departure.
Drive time approx. 1 hr
The Lotus Tower rising above the Colombo skyline

Named, not "or similar"

Where you'll stay

The seafront pool terrace at Goldi Sands hotel in Negombo

Goldi Sands — Negombo

4-star · Beachfront · Night 1

The pool and garden terrace at Kassapa Lions Rock hotel near Sigiriya

Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana

4-star · Nights 2–4

The exterior and pool deck of Hotel Cassendra in Kandy

Hotel Cassendra — Kandy

4-star · Night 5

The Cinnamon Red hotel tower in central Colombo

Cinnamon Red — Colombo

4-star · Night 6

These selected hotels may be subject to change based on availability at the time of booking. In that case we will tell you before anything is confirmed, and arrange an equivalent without any harm to your wishes.

Upgrades and downgrades are available throughout, and we're happy to change hotels entirely if you have preferences of your own.

Itemised before you pay anything

What's included, and what isn't

Included

  • Private A/C vehicle throughout
  • Hotels as listed above
  • English speaking chauffeur guide (other languages available)
  • Site entrance and activity tickets
  • Safari jeeps and boats
  • Daily bottled water
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • 24×7 on-call assistance

Entrance and safari tickets are included on the all-inclusive rate. See pricing below.

Not included

  • Lunch and snacks
  • International flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional activities such as diving

Per person, private basis

Two ways to take this trip

Bed & breakfast · 3/4 star

$690 / person

Everything listed above except site entrance and safari tickets, which you pay as you go.

Get a quote
Most booked

All inclusive · BB with all entrance & safari tickets

$820 / person

Nothing left to pay on the road. Every entrance fee and safari ticket on the itinerary is covered.

Get a quote

Prices are per person on a private, guided basis. Tell us your dates and group size and we'll confirm exactly, in writing, before anything is booked.

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We'll tailor this trip around you, free of charge, and reply within 24 hours.

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