The Essence of the Hill Country

8 days / 7 nights

The Essence of the Hill Country

Private tour

Built around you

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Pickup

Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake

Route

Kandy
Matale
Kandy
Nuwara Eliya
Kitulgala
Negombo

Vehicle

Private car or van (Air conditioned)

Driver

Experienced, friendly, English-speaking driver

Stay

Three, four or five-star hotel

Meals

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 1

Arrive in Kandy (approx. 3 hrs. - 115km)

Kandy was named as Maha Nuwara which refers to ‘great city’ and is still viewed the same in the island. With an elevation of 1,640 feet rests this historical city which is marked as a unique colorful destination to visit. Blessed with the Mahaweli River and an artificial lake constructed in the 1807 by the last Kandyan King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the city of Kandy is yet to date one of the must-witnesses when you visit Sri Lanka. There is a wide array of things to explore in this beautiful city from vibrant religious practices to knowing how the Buddhist culture grew in the nation, lush green tress with their cold breeze to tasting delicious Sri Lankan cuisine. This whole experience comes together with the friendly people who would welcome you with a warm smile

Activities

Arrive at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka
Greetings by your representative & your chauffer at the airport
Proceed to Kandy
En route, visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation
Visit the Three Temple Loop; Embekke, Lankathilaka, and Gadaladeniya
Check into the hotel in Kandy
Hop on A tuk-tuk and explore the streets in Kandy (optional)
Enjoy a dinner buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional) at the hotel

Watching the innocent giants

Tradition of skilled wood carving

Delightful appetizers

Serenity by the lake

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 2

Kandy - Matale - Kandy (approx. 2 hrs. - 50km)

Matale, which is located in its district, is also the capital city. It has yet to be urbanized, yet it is a population tourist destination and, after Kandy, the second largest city in the central province. Closer to Kandy, you may find unique spices and spice gardens, which are the primary attractions in this city. Matale is also blessed with beautiful nature as it is not modernized like Colombo. Cycle around this tranquil city and stop by to have a lovely chat with the humble and friendly locals.

Activities

Wake up to a calm scenic view in sacred Kandy
Enjoy your breakfast buffet at the hotel in Kandy
Visit Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
Walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens with your chauffeur guide
Visit Aluviharaya Rock Cave Temple
Explore a local spice and a fruit farm
Have a traditional Sri Lankan meal at Matale
Visit a gem museum
Watch the Kandy Cultural Show in the evening
Go shopping in Kandy city
Explorer the city by yourself on a tuk-tuk (optional)
Enjoy the hotel buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional)

Beautiful avenues

Sacred temple of tooth

A Kandyan cultural show

Travelling back in time

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 3

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya (approx. 3 hrs. – 77km)

Do not miss the chance to board the train in the early morning and travel through clouds and misty lush landscapes of the central hills of Sri Lanka, with phenomenal views unfolding along the way. For those seeking a truly authentic experience of a different culture and to enjoy the best of nature along this route, we recommend the second and third-class carriages, which do not have pre-booked seats and have open windows with air gushing through. As the train reaches the Central hills, passengers can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery, which includes endless tea plantations, majestic misty mountains, lush greenery, hilly wilderness, small waterfalls, and villages.

Activities

Wake up early morning dreaming of the scenic train ride
Have your delicious breakfast from the hotel
Check out from the hotel in Kandy
Enjoy the scenic train journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya (optional)
Take a car ride to Nuwara Eliya
Check into the hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax
Visit a tea plantation and a Ceylon tea factory
Tour around Nuwara Eliya (Little England)
Enjoy a dinner buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional) at the hotel

Embark on a train ride

Morning tea overlooking lush greenery

Different shades of green

Milky waterfalls beside tea gardens

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 4

Nuwara Eliya

During your train ride at Nuwara Eliya, you will relish a wide vista of the surrounding scenery of boundless tea plantations, majestic misty mountains, lush greenery, hilly wilderness, foamy waterfalls and villages that stretch out along the way as the train climbs up the central hills.

Activities

Wake up to the misty sky with the cold bliss
Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory
Tour around the Nuwara Eliya city
Enjoy a dinner buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional) at the hotel

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 5

Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Negombo (approx. 5 hrs. – 160km)

At first glance, Negombo appears to be all about golden sandy beaches, but a deeper dive reveals a centuries-old fishing industry that is still thriving today. Catholicism is widely practiced and has a large population in Negombo. People are united by their diverse cultures, and Sinhala and Tamil are widely spoken, while English is also a common language. Tourist attractions grew as a result of the proximity of the airport to this chic town. Enjoy this day full of adventures with your loved ones.

Activities

Wake up to the misty sky filled with cold bliss
Enjoy the breakfast buffet at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Check out from the hotel in Nuwara Eliya
En route, experience white water rafting in Kitulgala
Check into the hotel in Negombo
Tour around Negombo with your chauffeur guide (optional)
Enjoy a dinner buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional) at the hotel

Adventurous watersports

Coconut trees by the sea

The Lankan diet

Tap into the lion in you

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 6

Negombo

At a glance, long sandy beaches are what Negombo is all about, but when you dive in deep, you will discover the true essence of this seaside town, including its centuries-old fishing industry thriving to date. Tourist spots are plenty in Negombo, with the town being a quick drive from the airport. The population of Catholics in Negombo, similar to other maritime cities in Sri Lanka, is high and is widely practiced as a result of colonial influence. Different cultures unite the people in this city. You find Sinhala and Tamil languages widely used while English is a common language as Negombo is a tourist magnet.

Activities

Wake up to a beautiful morning in Negombo
Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast buffet at the hotel in Negombo
Tour around Negombo with your chauffeur guide (optional)
Enjoy a dinner buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional) at the hotel

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 7

Negombo - Colombo - Negombo

Visit the popular city spaces in Colombo and in the evening, explore the streets and local hangout spots by foot or by a fun ride of tuk-tuk. Witness the spectacular sunset hiding underneath the horizon and experience the vibrant nightlife of Colombo. After an amazing day full of fun activities, head back to your hotel in Negombo and relax.

Activities

Wake up in Negombo
Have yourself a mouthwatering breakfast at the hotel in Negombo
Proceed to Colombo
Explore the history of the Galle Face Hotel with a High Tea experience (optional)
Culinary Story Cooking Class & lunch (optional)
Return to the hotel in Negombo, relax and refresh yourself
After the sunset, down a Sri Lankan beer and entertain yourself in the city (optional)
Enjoy a dinner buffet with a Sri Lankan beer (optional) at the hotel

Hotels:

Four stars or similar

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

Day 8

Departure (approx. 20 min. – 10km)

Activities

Wake up to the sweet songs of birds
Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel
Check out from the hotel
The chauffer will meet you in the lobby to drop you at the airport and bid farewell before your flight

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner are included. Vegetarian, vegan and halal meals are available on request.

What the price includes

Accommodation
Private air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking chauffeur guide (as mentioned above)
Local government taxes & service charges
1 liter of bottled water a day
Breakfast buffet
Dinner buffet
Entrance fees to the above mentioned sites

What the price does not include

Visas
Insurance
Lunch is excluded unless mentioned
Optional tours and activities
Flights
Airport taxes
Camera & video permits at cultural sites
All expenses of personal nature
Tips and portage
Alcohol
All entrance fees to tourist and other attractions not specified above

Confirmation policy

Confirmation terms differ between peak and off-peak dates. We set them out in writing when you book, so you know exactly where you stand.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation terms vary with the season too. We give you the exact terms in writing at the time of booking.

Child policy

Children aged two to six receive a 60 percent discount on the per-person adult rate for transfers, excursions and package tours, provided they share a room with two adults.
Children aged seven to twelve receive a 50 percent discount on the per-person adult rate for transfers, excursions and package tours, provided they share a room with two adults.
These discounts apply to a maximum of two children per party. A child who needs a separate room is charged as an adult.

Payments

Once you send us your booking details, we start the reservations and issue an invoice for the final tour cost. You can pay using any of the methods below.

Current offer

Save 30%

From USD 857

USD 600 per person

Get a Free Quote

Current offer

Save 30%

From USD 857

USD 600 per person

Get a Free Quote

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The Essence of the Hill Country

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+94 77 221 8800