Depart your home country and take your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
December - September
This laid-back tour takes you to some of Sri Lanka’s most sensational hotels without the need for rushing, while also allowing you to see a wealth of the country’s scenery and culture.
Sri Lanka is so beautiful inland that it’s worth taking your time to explore and experience what makes it so unique. If you can spare extra time, we think this holiday could also combine well with The Maldives, do call us to discuss.
Relaxed Sri Lanka Holiday
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 3
Rural Gampaha
Arrive at Colombo airport and meet your private chauffeur-guide who’ll whisk you to your hotel for the next two nights, Casa Heliconia: a beautiful two-bedroom house set in the rural countryside. It’s an ideal spot to rest after your flight and settle into the rhythm of Sri Lanka.
Days 4 - 6
Cultural Triangle
You’ll set off with your chauffeur-guide in a modern, air-conditioned car and head toward the Cultural Triangle. On the way, you’ll veer off the typical tourist trail and stop off at Dambadeniya, a rarely visited rock fortress.
Over the next two days, you’ll dive into the region with ETG’s signature experiences. Cycle around Giritale Tank, soaking up the rural scenery; sit down to a traditional local lunch and explore the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa. You’ll also ride by tuk-tuk and tractor through local farms, meeting villagers and learning about daily life, on one of our exclusive immersive experiences. You’ll also have the chance to climb the spectacular Sigiriya rock fortress, arriving early in the morning to attempt to beat the main crowds.
Days 7 - 9
Hills around Kandy
Next, you’ll head into Sri Lanka’s rolling hills and spend three nights at one of the country’s best-kept secrets, a luxurious converted estate house. Perfectly positioned between tea plantations, rural villages, and the town of Kandy, it gives you access to it all. You’ll have lots of time to relax, visit a working tea factory, and roll your sleeves up during an excellent cooking class.
Days 10 - 15
The Galle Coast
Leave the hills behind and head down to Sri Lanka’s south coast for your final stay, a luxurious beachside retreats in a prime but peaceful spot. You’re close enough to reach Galle and local restaurants by taxi or tuk-tuk, yet far enough to enjoy quiet, unspoiled walks along the shore.
During your time here, you can visit the local fish market, take a guided walk through historic Galle Fort, and cruise down the Kapu Ela River with a naturalist to spot local birdlife.
Day 16
Fly home
Bid farewell to Sri Lanka as you catch your flight, taking home memories of an unforgettable family adventure.
We have just returned from a two-week trip to Sri Lanka
Best family holiday ever. A mixture of beach, temples, wildlife, quiet and fun. [ETG] understands us and we won't be using anyone else for our holidays to Asia.
The Reynolds-Maclean Family
Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Sri Lanka Experts
Lynsey’s love for Sri Lanka began during her travels across the island, where she was captivated by its warm people, diverse landscapes, and mouthwatering food. Her expertise lies in creating itineraries that balance relaxation and adventure, with a special focus on ethical travel and supporting local communities.
“The slow pace of this journey allows for unexpected encounters: a rare bird in the trees, a fisherman casting his net at dawn, or a quiet moment with a cup of Ceylon tea and no agenda. This itinerary is designed to help you switch off and truly be in Sri Lanka.”
Lynsey
Sri Lanka Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Sri Lanka. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Why House
A beautiful boutique hotel. Attentive, friendly, relaxed comfort that feels more home away from home, than high life.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Friends
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Ulagalla Resort
Contemporary style amid a huge forest landscape – Ulagalla is one of the few truly boutique hotels in the ‘Cultural Triangle’
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Taru Villas Maia
Explore the Unesco sites and abundant wildlife of the Cultural Triangle from this modern, comfortable resort.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
The Sanctuary at Tissawewa
A simple and charming colonial property set amongst lush gardens in the heart of Anuradhapura Old City.
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Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Kumbukgaha Villa
A collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Solos
Couples
Friends
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Kahanda Kanda
Blissfully relaxing boutique hotel hidden in the hills above Galle. Stylish, peaceful, wonderful food – what’s not to like?
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Highlights
Best for
Couples
Friends
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Galle, Sri Lanka
The Fort Printers
A lovely villa hotel in the centre of the glorious old Dutch Fort in Galle: hired by the room or as a private residence
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
Gallery
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Fort Bazaar
A beautiful boutique hotel right inside the UNESCO listed Galle Fort.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Honeymooners
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Amba Yaalu Kandalama
Fully managed by women, this hotel is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. It’s set within a mango plantation by Kandalama Reservoir.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Solos
Couples
Friends
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The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Sri Lanka
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
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Cultural Triangle, Sigirya
Sigiriya and Village Farm Experience
Travel by tuk tuk and tractor as you explore a few local farms. Learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, who grow a variety of crops including sweet potato, manioc and finger millet. Meet the farmers and their families, and try your hand at some of the agricultural techniques they use each day.
Finally, sit down to a home-cooked lunch made entirely from ingredients grown on the land. As this experience sits well off the beaten tourist trail, you’ll likely attract as much curiosity from the locals as you feel yourself – expect a warm welcome and a truly authentic taste of rural life.
Gallery
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Pidurangala Rock
Located just north of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala Rock is a site of spiritual and historical significance in its own right. The small temple at the base is thought to date back to the 6th century AD, and legend suggests King Kassapa used this forested hillside as both a place of worship and a strategic retreat while under threat from his brothers.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
The Pekoe Trail
The Pekoe Trail is a 300km network of walking routes designed to open up Sri Lanka’s hill country to responsible travellers. Spanning seven valleys and weaving through remote communities, the trail champions sustainable tourism, cultural preservation and local livelihoods.
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Lunuganga & Brief Garden
Set beside tranquil Dedduwa Lake in Bentota, Lunuganga was once a colonial-era plantation. Geoffrey Bawa transformed it into a 15-acre garden estate that fuses tropical beauty with subtle modernist design—reflecting his signature “tropical modernism” philosophy. Pathways wind through symmetrical lawns, dense foliage and carefully framed vistas. Sculptures and hidden pavilions surprise at every turn.
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Hill Country, Sri Lanka
Lunch at a Social Enterprise Restaurant
As part of our “One Meal At A Time” initiative, we’ve partnered with social enterprise restaurants across Asia to bring travellers a deeper connection to their destination. In Sri Lanka’s hill country, near Bandarawela, we support a hospitality school that trains marginalised young people in cooking, service and life skills.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Located just outside Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were once the private grounds of Sri Lankan royalty before becoming one of the most celebrated gardens in the British Empire. Today, they remain the largest botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, covering 60 hectares and bordered by the Mahaweli River on three sides.
Gallery
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Market, Cooking and Galle Fort
Begin your day at a lively local fish market, where the catch of the day arrives fresh and flapping. With the help of your host, you’ll choose fish, vegetables and spices before heading to a nearby home kitchen for a hands-on cooking class.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
Maligawila Standing Buddha
Tucked away in Uva Province’s Moneragala District, this 45-foot statue is the tallest free-standing Buddha in Sri Lanka. Carved from a single limestone boulder in the 6th or 7th century AD, it was commissioned by Prince Aggabodhi of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom. Alongside it stands a 34-foot Bodhisattva figure, both part of a long-abandoned monastic site.
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Haputale, Sri Lanka
Lipton's Seat
This gentle uphill walk begins at the Dambatenne Tea Factory, founded by Sir Thomas Lipton himself. From here, you’ll follow winding estate roads through manicured tea fields, passing pluckers at work as you gradually ascend to Lipton’s Seat—his favourite place to reflect on the vast plantation empire he helped build.
Important FAQs about Sri Lanka
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been curating immersive Sri Lanka holidays since 2006 long before the island became a mainstream destination. Our deep-rooted local knowledge, trusted partnerships, and passion for meaningful travel make us the ideal choice for discovering Sri Lanka beyond the ordinary.
Over nearly two decades, we’ve developed unique experiences that blend cultural depth, comfort, and flexibility. Whether it’s staying in boutique hotels hidden in tea country, meeting local artisans, or exploring UNESCO heritage sites with expert guides, we design every journey to reveal the real heart of Sri Lanka, not just the tourist highlights.
With our thoughtful planning and in-country support, you’ll have peace of mind while enjoying a tailored adventure that suits your interests and travel style. We don’t do off-the-shelf holidays — we create personalised journeys that capture what’s truly special about Sri Lanka.
Let us show you the Sri Lanka we know and love.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on where you’re going. One of the best times to visit is between December and March. The summer month and September is also a great all-round option, with good weather and fewer crowds.
Every ETG holiday to Sri Lanka is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), chauffeur guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Sri Lanka specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka
Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.
