It’s time to step away from your everyday, and catch your flight to Colombo.
Most suited for
Families, Couples
Ideal time to visit
November - April
This is Sri Lanka done properly: ambling elephants, ancient sites, and tropical beaches, without the crowds.
We’ve spent years exploring this island, discovering where the magic hides and meeting the people who make it tick. This journey moves through the country’s genuine highlights at a pace that lets you absorb them, staying in small boutique hotels chosen for their peaceful settings.
Explore the Cultural Triangle’s great historic sites from quieter vantage points. Wind through the Hill Country by train, then learn tea-making from masters of the craft. Track leopards and elephants with expert naturalists, who know exactly how to avoid jeep jams, and experience the wilderness just as it should be. End your adventure on the south coast among cinnamon groves.
Balanced, beautifully paced, and full of memorable moments made possible by our deep local relationships, this is a signature ETG trip for good reason.
Classic Sri Lanka with an ETG Twist
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.
Skip
Day 1
Your adventure begins
Day 2
Negombo
Your chauffeur-guide will welcome you to Sri Lanka and whisk you to your first hotel. Settle into the Notary’s House, a graceful colonial home that’ll give you a gentle introduction to the country. Wander the gardens, take a dip in the pool, or simply adjust to ‘island time’ with a drink on the veranda.
Days 3 - 5
Cultural Triangle
You’ll travel north to the Cultural Triangle, stopping en route to explore Dambulla. Here, you’ll visit the ancient caves before veering off the beaten track for a local farm experience. In the afternoon, it’s on to your lovely boutique hotel.
You’ll stay at Roo Mansala, well placed for early starts at Sigiriya Rock Fortress to beat the crowds. You’ll also wander the ruins of Polonnaruwa and explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura. Between these visits, you’ll gain a sense of everyday life in this region, and stop for lunch at a Hela Bojun Hala, where local women prepare traditional dishes using time-honoured recipes.
Days 6 - 7
Kandy Hills
Next, head south towards the hills, with time to explore Kandy along the way. A guided walk introduces the city’s history alongside its lively food culture, from fruit markets to roadside snacks and local bakeries.
Then continue into the surrounding countryside to Ellerton Bungalow, set high above the hills. Dine al fresco and take stock of the cooler air and wide-open views.
Days 8 - 9
Tea Country
Board one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic train routes and travel through the heart of the hill country. Tea estates, waterfalls and small stations slide past as the tracks winds deeper into the highlands.
Arrive at AMBA Estate, a lovely working farmstay known for its artisanal teas. Learn from the experts how tea is grown and produced and have a go at plucking and rolling your own leaves.
You’ll also have the chance to walk a section of the Pekoe Trail, a magical hiking route winding through tea-covered slopes and little villages. Definitely one of the most immersive ways to see Sri Lanka’s striking scenery unfold before you.
Days 10 - 11
Yala National Park
Your chauffeur-guide will drive you to Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, near Yala National Park. The camp-style accommodation keeps you close to the forest and you’ll likely see elephants grazing as you sip your morning cuppa.
Head out along jungle trails with a legendary naturalist guide, keeping watch for wildlife as you walk.
A full-day jeep safari into Yala is also included, where your trackers focus on clear sightings while steering away from the busiest areas and avoiding jeep-jams. Leopards, elephants and a wide range of birdlife all call this national park home.
Day 12 - 15
The South Coast
Your final leg leads to the south coast, where hills drop gently towards the Indian Ocean. Tekanda Lodge sits among cinnamon and coconut groves, offering easy access to the coast while keeping you removed from busy resort strips.
Spend your days as you please: relax by the pool, take yoga classes, or take a short tuk-tuk ride to the vibrant beachside communities of Ahangama and Weligama. Explore Galle Fort with an expert guide, take a river boat through mangroves, or join a local cook to learn the flavours of southern Sri Lanka.
This is your time to unwind, reflect and enjoy the contrast after days spent deeper inland.
Day 16
Fly home
Today, it’s sadly time to wave goodbye to the island. Your chauffeur-guide will drop you off at Colombo airport for your flight home.
You’ll leave Sri Lanka with a layered sense of the country, from ancient cities to the rhythms of everyday life, from lived-in landscapes to untamed wilderness.
It’s a journey that rewards curiosity and leaves space for the moments that tend to linger longest.
Very highly regarded in Sri Lanka
Two-week tour through relatively undiscovered Sri Lanka staying in six bespoke locations from eco lodges to homestays. ETG were attentive to our needs, imaginative and they have a wonderful ethos/brand that we could see whilst we were travelling.
Nigel
13 March 2025Excellent
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 from £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays from £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Sri Lanka Experts
Holly is a true Sri Lanka enthusiast, with a talent for designing holidays that blend the genuine highlights with the hidden corners of the country. Whether it’s a family-friendly wildlife encounter, a romantic retreat in the tea hills, or an off-the-beaten-track adventure, Holly loves curating trips that surprise and delight ETG travellers.
“This is arguably the best way to get a real feel for the island.”
Holly
Sri Lanka Travel Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
We’ve handpicked boutique hotels and unique stays that balance comfort, character, and connection to place. Full details will follow separately.
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.
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.
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.
Experiences in Sri Lanka
Immersive experiences sit at the heart of what we do. Each one is specially designed to confound preconceptions and create moments that are magical and memorable.
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.
