850 ReviewsPrivate Island,
House Reef,
Fine Dining
Depart your home country for your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
May- September
Holidays in Sri Lanka from May to September are one of the travel industry’s best-kept secrets, but it can be tricky to know where to go.
In the north, central, and east of the island, the weather can be superb and a well-crafted itinerary will mean you’ll have plenty of sunshine. The timing makes it ideal for a family summer holiday, and the quieter season means it’s perfect for a honeymoon.
This itinerary will show you the main highlights of Sri Lanka as well as something a little different with our unique cultural experiences. You’ll also have the chance to explore the beautiful and mostly undiscovered eastern coast of the country before flying off to the Maldives to relax in style for four nights. For more ideas, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Sri Lanka & The Maldives Holiday - May to September
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
Day 2
Rural Gampaha
Arrive in Colombo and meet your driver for a short transfer to a lovely boutique hotel. This is the perfect place to recover from your flight. You can swim in the pool, enjoy tasty food, and explore the estate by ox cart.
Days 3 - 5
The Cultural Triangle
This morning, depart for the drive to Ulagalla, in the north of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Hidden in acres of forest with 25 villas, it’s a beautiful place to stay and a relaxing base from which to explore the sites at Anuradapura and the island’s largest national park, Wilpattu.
Days 6 - 8
The East Coast
Journey east to a tranquil stretch of Sri Lanka’s lesser-explored coastline, where you’ll settle into a luxury beach property for three nights. This serene spot in Kalkudah Bay offers pristine sands and crystal-clear waters.
Relax by the pool, lounge on the beach, or watch local fishermen at work in the mornings. The calm seas in summer make it an ideal getaway.
Days 9 - 10
Dambulla & Sigirya
Travel for about 1.5 hours back toward the Cultural Triangle region, stopping first to explore Polonnaruwa. Continue for another hour towards your next hotel, a lovely property near Habarana, where you can easily explore Sigiriya and Dambulla. Experiences include marvelling at Sigiriya Rock Fortress at sunrise and embarking on a kayaking trip, where you may be lucky enough to see elephants in their natural habitat. We also include our signature Dambulla experience, where you meet locals and discover their traditions.
Days 11 - 12
Hills around Kandy
Drive from the Cultural Triangle to Kegalle, a town close to Kandy and the lush tea country region. Here, you’ll check in at Rosyth Estate, which is ideally located to enjoy both the city and the rural plantations. Visit a tea factory, take a cookery course, and spend a whole day exploring Kandy, including a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens. Walk through the alleys and the streets around the lake to get a closer look at the lives of the locals and the beauty of Kandy and its famous local crafts.
Days 13 - 16
Maldives luxury resort
Transfer to Colombo airport and take a short flight to Male, the capital city of the Maldives. From here, you will transfer to your speedboat and cruise to Baros, your home for the next four nights. Spend your time relaxing, swimming, snorkelling and taking in the idyllic Maldives.
Day 17
Return home
Transfer to Male airport by speedboat for your flight back.
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
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
Holly is a true Sri Lanka enthusiast, with a talent for designing holidays that blend the must-see 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 itinerary showcases the best of Sri Lanka’s summer season, from wildlife and ancient sites to secret east coast beaches, with the Maldives providing the perfect finale.“
Holly
Regional Expert
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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Central Islands, The Maldives,
Baros
Baros Maldives is an elegant adults-only island retreat with luxury villas, a house reef, and fine dining—ideal for couples and underwater explorers.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples,
Honeymooners
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Colombo, Negombo & around, Sri Lanka
Horathapola Coconut Estate
Beautiful tropical mansion offering unpretentious luxury on a working Coconut Estate.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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Kandy and around, Sri Lanka
Rosyth Estate House
A beautifully converted planter’s bungalow within easy reach of Kandy.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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East Coast, Sri Lanka
Kalkudah Beach House
A secluded villa with direct access to 12km of unspoiled beach, and easy access to many cultural sites.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Family
Couples
Friends
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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
Gallery
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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
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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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka, from the 11th – 13th Century. Unlike in the first capital, Anuradhapura which is mainly composed of Buddhist religious sites, here you’ll find the remains of multi-storey palaces, royal pavilions and bathing ponds complete with changing rooms – all standing testament to the luxurious lifestyle of the royalty – alongside Buddhist and Hindu temples with flawless craftsmanship and artistry.
Half a day cycling through Polonnaruwa will bring the splendours of the city closer to you, transporting you to another time.
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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.
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Kayaking & Elephant Watching in Kalawewa National Park
Set within Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, Kalawewa National Park is centred around a manmade reservoir built in the 5th century by King Dathusena. Now a protected area, this peaceful park remains one of the country’s lesser-known gems, perfect for eco-tourists seeking space and silence.
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Kandy, Sri Lanka
Contrasts of Kandy
Experience the historic city of Kandy with your very own expert guide.
The city is a real cultural gem to explore, it served as the Sinhalese Capital – defying Portuguese and Dutch rule for three centuries before being taken by the British in 1818. Kandy has a very unique character, maintaining its sense of tradition whilst incorporating a distinct colonial footprint.
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Sri Lanka, Cultural Triangle
Climbing Sigiriya and Cycling Tour
Visitors to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle visit or climb Sigiriya Rock. This trip will give you an alternative perspective on the region as you explore the rock itself followed by a cycle ride around the surrounding countryside that lies in its shadow.
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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.
