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Ready for Sri Lanka? Lock your seat on our 8 day Sri Lanka backpacking trip from ₹54,999 + 5% GST (double sharing), with weekly departures from October to March. Batches filling fast, so book your date now.
Rock to Reef, Strangers to Family.
This is a 7 night, 8 day Sri Lanka group tour package for Indian travellers who want the whole island in one trip. You climb a 5th century rock fortress at Sigiriya. You ride the blue train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella through tea country. You end the trip on the beaches of Mirissa and the old Dutch ramparts of Galle.
Everything is planned, so you do not have to work out routes, drivers or hotels:
- Hotels for 7 nights, 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- An English speaking guide and a private driver
- Entry tickets to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Pinnawala and the Madu River safari
- A tea factory visit with tasting
- The Nuwara Eliya to Ella train ticket (subject to availability)
You land in Colombo and meet the group at the airport. By Day 8 most people have swapped numbers and are planning the next trip together. Solo travellers are welcome, and this is where most of our batches start as strangers.
Looking at other places first? See all international group trips, and backpacking trips. Read our cancellation policy before you pay.
Next step: Pick your batch and reserve your seat. Questions first? Talk to our team.
Itinerary
Touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport, where our team will actually be waiting for you, not just pinging you on WhatsApp. Once you're checked into your Colombo hotel, head out to Galle Face Green, the city's beloved oceanfront promenade that's been the go to sunset spot since 1859. Watch kites dip against the skyline, grab something fried and spicy from a street stall, and if you're not ready to call it a night, Colombo's rooftop bars and casinos stay open well past dinner. Overnight in Colombo.
Breakfast done, it's time for the big one. Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a fifth century palace that King Kashyapa somehow built nearly 200 metres up a sheer rock face, and climbing it still feels like an achievement today, frescoes, mirror wall and all. It's Sri Lanka's most photographed UNESCO site for good reason. From there, visit Dambulla Cave Temple, the country's largest and oldest cave temple complex, where more than 150 Buddha statues sit carved directly into the rock, some over a thousand years old. Overnight in Sigiriya.
Morning belongs to the elephants. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is home to one of the largest herds of captive elephants anywhere in the world, and watching them wade into the river for their daily bath is the kind of thing photos never quite capture. From there, drive to Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage city built around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist site. Walk the edge of Kandy Lake as evening sets in, then end the day with a Kandyan dance show, drumming, fire walking and centuries of tradition packed into one performance. Overnight in Kandy.
The drive up to Nuwara Eliya is where Sri Lanka starts feeling like a different country altogether. Locals call it Little England, thanks to the cool climate and rows of British era buildings from the 1800s that never really left. On the way, stop at Ramboda Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the country, and walk through a working tea estate to see exactly how your morning cup of Ceylon tea gets made. Later, visit Gregory Lake, built back in 1873, and Seetha Amman Temple, believed by many to be the spot where Ravana held Sita captive in the Ramayana. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya
This is the day everyone's been waiting for. Board the train from Nanu Oya to Ella, regularly ranked among the most scenic rail journeys on the planet, built by the British in the 1800s to move tea through these hills. In Ella, walk out onto Nine Arch Bridge, built in 1921 using nothing but brick and stone because steel was scarce during the war, hike up Little Adam's Peak for a view that makes the climb worth it, and stop by Ravana Falls, another site linked to the Ramayana. The day's travel runs about 3 to 4 hours, woven between the stops. Overnight in Ella.
Say goodbye to the hills, hello to the ocean. Drive down to Mirissa, one of Sri Lanka's most loved beach towns and a well known spot for blue whale sightings. Stop at Coconut Tree Hill first, a viewpoint where a stretch of palm trees lines up perfectly against the open sea, made for exactly the photo you're already picturing. Spend the rest of the day at Mirissa Beach, calm water, easy currents, and beach shacks that stay lively well after sunset. Overnight in Mirissa.
Explore Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site first built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch, its ramparts and cobbled lanes still standing centuries later. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church and Galle Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the country, before heading out on a boat safari through the Madu River, a maze of mangroves and small islands. The day wraps up at a turtle hatchery working to protect Sri Lanka's endangered sea turtles. Back to your hotel in Mirissa for the evening.
One last breakfast before checkout, then it's time to head to Colombo Airport for your flight home. You're leaving with a phone full of photos that don't do it justice, a group chat that's not going anywhere, and a mental list of everything Sri Lanka packed into eight days, rock fortresses, tea hills, sacred temples, golden beaches and centuries old forts.
Other Info
What this trip really costs
- The land package is about ₹57,749 with GST.
- Add flights and your total is roughly ₹83,000 to ₹88,000.
- Our answer to “how much does a Sri Lanka tour cost?”: plan around ₹85,000 to ₹95,000 all in for this route.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip suits you if:
- You are 18 to 35 and want a group, not a solo itinerary.
- You are fine sharing rooms and into backpacking trips.
- You like a mix of history, hills, trains and beaches.
Best time for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so the weather depends on which coast you are on.
- South and west coast (Mirissa, Galle, Colombo): Driest from December to March. The sea is calmer and whale watching season at Mirissa runs from November to April.
- Hill country (Nuwara Eliya, Ella): Cool all year. Evenings can drop to the single digits or low teens in degrees Celsius, so carry a jacket.
- Cultural triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla): Hot and dry, with the best conditions from April to September.
- October and November: Expect short afternoon showers on some days. Plan outdoor climbs like Sigiriya for the morning.
- January to March departures give the best beach days.
Day by day travel times (approximate)
- Colombo to Sigiriya: about 4 to 5 hours
- Sigiriya to Kandy (via Dambulla and Pinnawala): about 3 hours of driving, plus stops
- Kandy to Nuwara Eliya: about 3 to 4 hours
- Nuwara Eliya to Ella: by train from Nanu Oya station, about 3 hours
- Ella to Mirissa: about 4 to 5 hours
- Mirissa to Colombo airport: about 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Traffic and roadworks can add time, so your guide will set the exact start times each morning.
The Ella train ride
- The train between Nanu Oya and Ella is one of the best known rail journeys in Asia. It runs through tea estates, waterfalls and small hill stations.
- The ticket is included, subject to availability. Seats sell out quickly in peak months, so book your date early.
- Keep your bag light and your camera ready. You can stand near the open doors in many carriages.
Climbing Sigiriya Rock
- Sigiriya is a rock fortress built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The climb is steep and has many steps. Start early to avoid heat and crowds, and carry water.
- Dambulla Cave Temple is nearby and has painted cave shrines with large Buddha statues.
Visa and entry
- As per our listing, Indian travellers can apply for a free 30 day ETA online before flying.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- Entry rules change often. Confirm the latest visa rule on the official Sri Lanka government ETA website before you book flights.
- Keep a printed copy of your ETA, hotel details and return ticket.
Flights and timing
- Flights from most Indian cities to Colombo take under 4 hours.
- Arrive by 10 to 11 AM on Day 1 so you join the group on time.
- Book your return for the afternoon or later on Day 8.
- Sri Lanka runs on the same time as India, so there is no jet lag.
Money and SIM cards
- The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee.
- Use money changers in Colombo for better rates, and keep cash for small shops, tuk tuks and tips in smaller towns.
- Dialog, Mobitel and Airtel Lanka counters at the airport arrivals are open 24/7. A tourist SIM is cheap and works well in cities and most hill towns.
- Network can drop in remote hill sections between Kandy and Ella.
What to pack
- Light cotton clothes for the coast
- A warm layer or light jacket for Nuwara Eliya and Ella
- A rain jacket, especially for October and November
- Comfortable shoes for Sigiriya and Little Adam’s Peak
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a reusable bottle
- A Type D or G plug adapter (230V)
- Swimwear and a quick dry towel
Temple etiquette
- Cover your shoulders and knees at temples like Dambulla and Seetha Amman.
- Remove shoes and hats before entering.
- Do not pose with your back to a Buddha statue.
Food and vegetarian options
- Expect rice and curry, kottu roti, hoppers and king coconut water.
- Vegetarian food is easy to find. Tell your trip leader on Day 1.
- Seafood is the main attraction in Mirissa and Galle.
Safety for solo and women travellers
- Sri Lanka is widely visited by solo travellers and women. Normal city precautions apply.
- You travel with a guide, a driver and a group the whole way, and 24x7 travel assistance is included.
- Avoid walking alone on empty beaches late at night.
Languages
- Sinhala, Tamil and English are spoken. English works well in hotels, tourist spots and restaurants.
What is not included
- Flights, extra meals and personal expenses
- Camera or video permits
- Early check in and late check out charges
- Airport transfers outside the group schedule
- Costs from landslides, road closures or similar events, paid on the spot
- 5% GST, added to the package price
Cancellation terms in short
- The initial booking amount is non refundable.
- 30 or more days before the start: 50% of the trip cost is charged.
- 15 to 30 days before the start: 75% is charged.
- 0 to 15 days before the start: 100% is charged.
- Read the full cancellation policy.
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- 7 nights of hotel accommodation on double sharing basis
- 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners, served at your accommodation
- All transportation and city tours exactly as laid out in the itinerary
- 1 bottle of water per person, every day
- A dedicated English speaking guide with you throughout
- Entry tickets for Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Madu River boat safari
- Train ticket from Nuwara Eliya to Ella (subject to seat availability)
- A guided visit and tasting at a working tea factory
- Group airport pickup and drop off, timed around the batch's common flight schedule
- Tips for your local guide and driver, already settled
- Driver allowance, fuel, toll charges, parking and transport permits
- Complimentary travel insurance covering medical assistance, emergency evacuation, baggage loss or delay, trip cancellation and more, a genuine inclusion most Sri Lanka group operators leave out or charge extra for
- 24x7 travel assistance for the full duration of the trip
- Any service not specifically listed under inclusions
- Extra meals outside what's mentioned in the itinerary
- Early check in or late check out charges at hotels
- Camera or video permits at monuments and parks
- Personal expenses of any kind
- Airport pickup or drop off outside the group's scheduled flight timing
- Costs arising from landslides, road closures or other events outside anyone's control, payable directly by the traveller on the spot
- 5% GST, applied additionally on the package price
No Refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,
- If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the start date of the trip, 75% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In the case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases, the operator will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However, no refund will be provided for the same.
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