Premium Sri Lanka
Tour Description
Day 1: Negombo
Encounter a country that radiates warmth – from its glorious sunshine to its spice-laden cuisine and kind local people. This nine-day Premium adventure through Sri Lanka will introduce you to the country’s wealth of cultural riches as you explore the ancient ruins of past civilisations, spot rare and beautiful creatures in their natural habitats and relax among swathes of green tea fields at a hilltop retreat. Receive a warm welcome from the locals as you meet local guides, tuck into homecooked food, stay in an 1891 Feature Stay and uncover the secrets of Sigiriya – Sri Lanka’s famed UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover a shining gem in the Indian ocean – the teardrop isle.
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel in nearby Negombo. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and group members. If you arrive early, maybe relax on the beach or take a walk to get to know your surroundings. After your meeting, get to know your group a little better over a round of complementary cocktails and a welcome dinner of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine – prepare for rich scents, bold spices and deliciously unique flavours.
Day 2: Negombo to Kurunegala to Habarana
Travel inland today towards Habarana. On the way, stop at the Ridi Vihara shrine – a Buddhist cave temple dating back to the second century BC. It is said that there were almost 500 monks living in these hillside caves at its peak. Watch locals demonstrate ancient traditions and craft techniques, such as palm leaf writing and wood and stone carving, and explore the caves filled with Buddha statues and floral offerings. Share lunch at a local restaurant before travelling to Habarana – your home for the next three nights. When you’re settled into your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free.
Day 3: Habarana
Early this morning, before the heat is too intense, head to Sigiriya (Lion Rock). One of Sri Lanka’s premier sights, this dramatic rocky outcrop rising from the surrounding plains is topped by a ruined palace. Your leader will share stories of the ancient civilisation that once lived here as you climb – it’s a steep hike but the far-reaching views from the top are worth it. Return to your hotel for a well-deserved breakfast and a relaxing morning. After lunch at a local house, make your way to the village of Muriya Kadawala, where you’ll learn about traditional Sri Lankan pottery techniques and try your hand at the craft yourself. You’ll also sample a local herbal drink accompanied by a piece of halapa (a sweet treat wrapped in kenda leaves). This afternoon is free for you to rest and recharge.
Day 4: Habarana
After breakfast, make your way to Polonnaruwa. Hop on a bicycle to discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in the ancient Quadrangle complex – it’s not hard to imagine what this place looked like in all its former glory. Visit the remains of a seven-story royal palace, the rock temple of Gal Vihara and the statue of 12th century king Parakrama I. For lunch, you’ll visit a local grandmother’s house, who will show you how to make dhal curry and pol sambol from scratch – you’ll even shred coconut yourself using a traditional scraper tool! This afternoon, head to Minneriya National Park to see Sri Lankan elephants in the wild. You’re likely to spot plenty of these gentle giants around the watering hole, plus macaques, spot-billed pelicans and more.
Day 5: Kandy
Today, you’ll travel to Kandy. Along the way, stop by the city of Matale where you’ll visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. In Kandy, take a guided tour of the city, stopping to admire the Buddhist Sri Dalada Maligawa, otherwise known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (the important shrine houses a relic of Buddha’s tooth, taken from his funeral pyre). Despite being Sri Lanka’s second largest city, Kandy is remarkably laid back. Spend your free evening searching for a taste bud-tingling curry, wandering around the glittering lake or enjoying an optional cultural dance performance.
Day 6: Kandy
After a leisurely morning, drive to Ambagasthenna village, where hotel and tea plantation owner Mr Thilina will guide you around his neighbourhood. For lunch, feast on a delicious home-cooked meal made by Mr Thilina’s mother. You’ll visit the tea plantation, learn about the cultivation process and try a cup or two served the Sri Lankan way. He’ll share inside knowledge about local crops, sustainable farming and ancient landscaping traditions. After a culture-packed day, there’s only one way to end it – by cracking open a beer and watching the sunset from one of the best viewpoints in Sri Lanka.
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
Depart Kandy and board a morning train bound for Nuwara Eliya. Nestled deep in tea plantation country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 m, giving it some of the coolest temperatures in Sri Lanka. When you arrive, take an orientation walk of Nuwara Eliya, wandering the peaceful shores of Gregory Lake. Check into the Grand Hotel – a gorgeous National Heritage Property and your Feature Stay for the night. Your rooms feature classic decor and modern amenities, but the hotel’s real charm is its sustainable approach – the owners have eliminated single-use plastic and are striving for a zero-waste future. Enjoy a high tea featuring pots of Ceylon black, green or spiced tea, plus finger sandwiches and sweet treats when you arrive.
Day 8: Colombo
Say goodbye to the green hills of Nuwara Eliya and make the journey to Sri Lanka’s coastal capital, Colombo. On the way, visit a tea factory and plantations near the town of Labukelle and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After arriving in Colombo, take an orientation walk with your leader, who’ll show you Sri Lanka’s old parliament building, the National Museum and the best spots for fairtrade souvenir shopping. Tonight, share a final farewell dinner with your group at a modern restaurant focused on creating dishes that celebrate Sri Lankan spices, such as peanut-crusted tuna with gotu-kola (pennywort) sambol and fragrant vegetable curry.
Day 9: Colombo
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Colombo, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2025 | Oct 20, 2025 | $4,860.00 | |
| Oct 19, 2025 | Oct 27, 2025 | $4,095.00 | |
| Oct 26, 2025 | Nov 3, 2025 | $4,890.00 | |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Nov 14, 2025 | $5,120.00 | |
| Nov 9, 2025 | Nov 17, 2025 | $5,120.00 | |
| Nov 16, 2025 | Nov 24, 2025 | $5,120.00 | |
| Nov 23, 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 | $5,120.00 | |
| Nov 30, 2025 | Dec 8, 2025 | $5,120.00 | |
| Dec 7, 2025 | Dec 15, 2025 | $4,490.00 | |
| Dec 21, 2025 | Dec 29, 2025 | $5,120.00 | |
| Dec 24, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | $5,120.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2025 | Jan 5, 2026 | $5,120.00 | |
| Dec 30, 2025 | Jan 7, 2026 | $5,090.00 | |
| Jan 4, 2026 | Jan 12, 2026 | $4,890.00 | |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Jan 14, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 16, 2026 | $4,960.00 | |
| Jan 11, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 | $4,895.00 | |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 | $4,890.00 | |
| Jan 18, 2026 | Jan 26, 2026 | $4,760.00 | |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Jan 30, 2026 | $4,645.00 | |
| Jan 25, 2026 | Feb 2, 2026 | $4,610.00 | |
| Feb 1, 2026 | Feb 9, 2026 | $4,690.00 | |
| Feb 5, 2026 | Feb 13, 2026 | $4,895.00 | |
| Feb 8, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | $5,030.00 | |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Feb 20, 2026 | $4,645.00 | |
| Feb 15, 2026 | Feb 23, 2026 | $4,790.00 | |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Feb 27, 2026 | $4,690.00 | |
| Feb 22, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 | $4,580.00 | |
| Feb 26, 2026 | Mar 6, 2026 | $4,590.00 | |
| Mar 1, 2026 | Mar 9, 2026 | $4,545.00 | |
| Mar 8, 2026 | Mar 16, 2026 | $4,445.00 | |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Mar 20, 2026 | $4,545.00 | |
| Mar 15, 2026 | Mar 23, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Mar 27, 2026 | $4,445.00 | |
| Mar 22, 2026 | Mar 30, 2026 | $4,445.00 | |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Apr 3, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Mar 29, 2026 | Apr 6, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Apr 8, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Apr 10, 2026 | $4,395.00 | |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Apr 13, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 | $4,390.00 | |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Apr 20, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Apr 19, 2026 | Apr 27, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Apr 23, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Apr 26, 2026 | May 4, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| May 17, 2026 | May 25, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Jun 14, 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 | $3,775.00 | |
| Jul 5, 2026 | Jul 13, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Jul 12, 2026 | Jul 20, 2026 | $3,775.00 | |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Jul 27, 2026 | $3,775.00 | |
| Jul 26, 2026 | Aug 3, 2026 | $3,775.00 | |
| Aug 2, 2026 | Aug 10, 2026 | $3,775.00 | |
| Aug 9, 2026 | Aug 17, 2026 | $3,890.00 | |
| Aug 16, 2026 | Aug 24, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Aug 23, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 | $3,890.00 | |
| Aug 30, 2026 | Sep 7, 2026 | $3,890.00 | |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Sep 20, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | Oct 19, 2026 | $4,195.00 | |
| Oct 18, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 | $4,320.00 | |
| Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $4,445.00 | |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 8, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Nov 23, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 22, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Dec 4, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Dec 7, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 3, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 6, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 13, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 20, 2026 | Dec 28, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 22, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 27, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 29, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | $4,530.00 | |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | $4,530.00 | |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Jan 11, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Jan 7, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Jan 10, 2027 | Jan 18, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Jan 17, 2027 | Jan 25, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 29, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Jan 24, 2027 | Feb 1, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Jan 31, 2027 | Feb 8, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 4, 2027 | Feb 12, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 7, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 11, 2027 | Feb 19, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 14, 2027 | Feb 22, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 18, 2027 | Feb 26, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 21, 2027 | Mar 1, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 25, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Feb 28, 2027 | Mar 8, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 7, 2027 | Mar 15, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 11, 2027 | Mar 19, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 14, 2027 | Mar 22, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 18, 2027 | Mar 26, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 21, 2027 | Mar 29, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 2, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 28, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Mar 30, 2027 | Apr 7, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 1, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2027 | Apr 12, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 8, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 11, 2027 | Apr 19, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 15, 2027 | Apr 23, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 18, 2027 | Apr 26, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Apr 22, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Apr 25, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| May 16, 2027 | May 24, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Jun 13, 2027 | Jun 21, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Jul 4, 2027 | Jul 12, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Jul 11, 2027 | Jul 19, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Jul 18, 2027 | Jul 26, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Jul 25, 2027 | Aug 2, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Aug 1, 2027 | Aug 9, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Aug 8, 2027 | Aug 16, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Aug 15, 2027 | Aug 23, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Aug 22, 2027 | Aug 30, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Sep 6, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Sep 5, 2027 | Sep 13, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Sep 12, 2027 | Sep 20, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Sep 24, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Sep 19, 2027 | Sep 27, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2027 | Oct 4, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Oct 10, 2027 | Oct 18, 2027 | $4,405.00 | |
| Oct 17, 2027 | Oct 25, 2027 | $4,535.00 | |
| Oct 24, 2027 | Nov 1, 2027 | $4,665.00 | |
| Oct 31, 2027 | Nov 8, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 4, 2027 | Nov 12, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 7, 2027 | Nov 15, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 14, 2027 | Nov 22, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 18, 2027 | Nov 26, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 21, 2027 | Nov 29, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 25, 2027 | Dec 3, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Nov 28, 2027 | Dec 6, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 2, 2027 | Dec 10, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 5, 2027 | Dec 13, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 12, 2027 | Dec 20, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 16, 2027 | Dec 24, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 19, 2027 | Dec 27, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 21, 2027 | Dec 29, 2027 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 26, 2027 | Jan 3, 2028 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2027 | Jan 5, 2028 | $4,755.00 | |
| Dec 30, 2027 | Jan 7, 2028 | $4,755.00 |