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Private Tour · Tour No. 008

Kandy Esala Perahera

4 nights / 5 days Habarana, Kandy, Negombo

From $650 per person, all inclusive
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Kandyan dancers and drummers in traditional costume performing at the Esala Perahera
Duration
5 days
Stay
3/4 star hotels · Breakfast
Transport
Private A/C car
Best time
July – August, during the Perahera

Built around one night in particular

Tour highlights

  • Kandy Esala PeraheraThe main event: decorated elephants, dancers, drummers and fire performers through the streets of Kandy.
  • Minneriya National Park SafariThe Gathering — hundreds of elephants around the Minneriya tank in the dry season.
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO)King Kashyapa's 5th-century rock fortress, with frescoes and water gardens.
  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth RelicThe shrine the Perahera honours.
  • Matale spice & herbal gardenCinnamon, cardamom, pepper, vanilla and cloves, with herbal treatments.
  • Kandy kingdom highlightsThe last royal kingdom of Sri Lanka, at your own pace.
  • Negombo beach & coastal cityFishing canals, seafood and sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Your route, at a glance

  1. Habarana
  2. Sigiriya
  3. Kandy
  4. Negombo

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, transfer to Habarana and an afternoon safari

On arrival
Met at Colombo International Airport by your guide, who assists with luggage and transfers you onward.
Midday
Transfer to Habarana — the base for Sigiriya, Pidurangala and Minneriya, set in quiet countryside.
Afternoon
Minneriya National Park safari. The park is famous for the Gathering, when hundreds of wild elephants converge on the tank in the dry season; deer, monkeys, crocodiles and abundant birdlife are common too.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock Drive time 150 km · approx. 3 hrs
Wild elephants grazing on open grassland at Minneriya National Park

Day 2

Sigiriya, then Kandy — and the Perahera itself

Early morning
Sigiriya Lion Rock (UNESCO World Heritage), built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century — frescoes, water gardens and panoramic views from the summit.
En-route
Matale spice and herbal garden: cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, vanilla and cloves, with the Ayurvedic herbs used in traditional treatments.
Afternoon
Arrive and check in at the Kandy hotel.
Evening
The Kandy Esala Perahera — the grand Buddhist procession honouring the sacred tooth relic, with decorated elephants, traditional dancers, drummers and fire performers through the streets.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra Drive time 70 km · approx. 1 hr 30 mins
Kandyan dancers and drummers in traditional costume performing at the Esala Perahera

Day 3

Kandy kingdom highlights, then Negombo beach

Morning
Kandy kingdom highlights, explored at your own pace.
Afternoon
Travel to Negombo — a coastal town of golden beaches, fishing canals and long sunsets, close to the airport.
Evening
Check in at the beach hotel and unwind.
Overnight Negombo beach Hotel Goldi Sands — Negombo Drive time 120 km · approx. 3 hrs
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, its white walls reflected in the lake

Day 4

A leisure day at the beach and the Negombo coastal city

Full day
A relaxing day in Negombo: time on the beach, fresh seafood, the local markets and canals, and the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Overnight Negombo beach Hotel Goldi Sands — Negombo
Sun loungers and an umbrella on quiet golden sand beside the sea

Day 5

Leisure around the beach, then the airport

Morning
Time at leisure around the beach, subject to your flight.
Afternoon
Transfer to Colombo airport for departure.
Drive time approx. 20 mins
The sun setting over a calm sea from a Sri Lankan beach

Named, not "or similar"

Where you'll stay

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

Kassapa Lions Rock

4-star · Bed & breakfast · Night 1

The exterior and pool deck of Hotel Cassendra in Kandy

Hotel Cassendra

4-star · Bed & breakfast · Night 2

The seafront pool terrace at Goldi Sands hotel in Negombo

Goldi Sands — Negombo

4-star · Beachfront · Bed & breakfast · Nights 3–4

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

Pricing

Most booked

All inclusive · BB with all entrance & safari tickets

$650 / 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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