5 days · 4 nights · 5 destinations
Hill Country & Coastal Charm
Mountains, mist and the Indian Ocean.
Overview
Mountains, mist and the Indian Ocean
Five days through Sri Lanka's biggest contrasts: sacred Kandy, the misty tea country around Nuwara Eliya, a morning on the Kitulgala rapids and two easy days between Bentota's beach and Colombo.
A starting point, not a fixed package. Change the pace, hotels or places and we'll re-plan it around you.
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Kitulgala
- Bentota
- Colombo
Day by day
Your 5 days
Day 01Airport → KandySacred Kandy, the hill capital
Your guide meets you at arrivals for the drive into the hills, with a spice garden on the way. A Kandy city tour, then a Kandyan dance show in the evening.
Included: Spice garden · Kandy city tour · Kandyan dance show
✦ Add if you like: Temple of the Tooth Relic · Peradeniya Botanical Gardens · Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Day 02Kandy → Nuwara EliyaLittle England
The road climbs through forest and tea-covered hills, with a stop at Ramboda Falls and a working tea factory for a tasting. In Nuwara Eliya, a town tour takes in the Seetha Amman Temple and the colonial centre.
Included: Ramboda Falls · Tea factory visit and tasting · Nuwara Eliya town tour · Seetha Amman Temple
✦ Add if you like: Gregory Lake · Hakgala Botanical Gardens · Horton Plains and World's End (early start)
Day 03Nuwara Eliya → BentotaKitulgala and the golden shore
On the way down to the coast you pass Kitulgala, where you can raft the Kelani River's Grade 2–3 rapids through the rainforest. Afternoon on Bentota's beach.
Included: Bentota beach
✦ Add if you like: White-water rafting at Kitulgala · Madu River boat ride · Water sports
Day 04Bentota → ColomboThe city that never sits still
Colombo surprises people. Our guide takes you around Independence Square, the Red Mosque and Pettah market, or Fort's boutique lanes if you'd rather shop. Dinner at a local restaurant can be arranged.
Included: Colombo city tour · Independence Square · Red Mosque · Pettah market
✦ Add if you like: Gangaramaya Temple · Lotus Tower
Day 05Colombo → AirportUntil next time
The last morning is yours. Depending on your flight, there's time for one last walk or one last meal before your private transfer to the airport.
Included: Airport drop-off
✦ Optional: entry tickets for these aren't in the tour price. Tell us which you'd like and we'll add them to your quote.
Highlights
Why travellers choose this route
- 01Tea country
Estates, waterfalls and a factory tasting of the island's best teas.
- 02Kitulgala rafting
Grade 2–3 rapids through rainforest on the Kelani River.
- 03Bentota
Golden sand and a calm evening on the Indian Ocean.
What's included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off, with assistance
- 3–5★ hotels, bed and breakfast or half board (you choose when we quote)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Fuel and local vehicle insurance
- City and shopping tours in every destination
- Gem, batik and handcraft workshops, and a spice garden visit
- Kandyan dance show (on routes through Kandy)
- Tea factory visit (on routes through the hill country)
- All government taxes
Not included
- Entry tickets for ✦ optional experiences
- International flights and visa
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Early check-in and late check-out charges
- Camera and video permits
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Guide and driver tips
Cancellation: no charge 30+ days before arrival (bank charges aside), 30% at 14–29 days, 75% at 7–13 days, 100% under 7 days. See Terms.
Make this route yours
Send your dates and we'll reply with a day-by-day plan and an itemised quote within 24 hours.