Wonders of Sri Lanka – Small Group Tour

Discover Sri Lanka’s remarkable variety on a small-group journey through ancient cities, lush tea country and wildlife-rich landscapes. Explore the island’s cultural heart, travel by train into the central highlands and search for elephants, crocodiles and elusive leopards on two included game drives in Yala National Park. Complete your adventure beside the ocean in historic Galle.

Along the way, connect with local life through village visits, a cooking lesson and lunch in a family home, and a hands-on tea experience. With 12 nights’ accommodation, 27 meals and guided sightseeing included, this journey brings together celebrated sights and memorable encounters.

Your Fly & Tour Package Includes:

• $1,700 flight credit per person

• 12-night Wonders of Sri Lanka small-group guided tour with Trafalgar

• 12 nights’ hotel accommodation, including three nights in Dambulla and two nights each in Colombo, Kandy, Yala and Galle

• 27 meals: 12 breakfasts, five lunches and 10 dinners

• Scenic train journey into Sri Lanka’s central highlands

• Morning and evening game drives in Yala National Park with an expert ranger

• Guided sightseeing, on-tour ground transport and services of a Travel Director

• Airport-to-hotel transfer on Day 1 and hotel-to-airport transfer on the final day

Pricing is per person, twin share, based on travel 13–25 March 2027.

Other travel dates available; surcharges may apply.

Included Experiences:

• Explore Colombo by tuk-tuk, visiting Pettah Market, Wolvendaal Church and Gangaramaya Temple

• Experience village life in Hiriwadunna and enjoy a locally prepared lunch

• Meet pottery artisans and visit the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs

• Discover UNESCO-listed Anuradhapura and observe a blessing ceremony at Isurumuniya Temple

• Choose between climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress or visiting a nearby botanical garden

• Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa with a Local Specialist

• Visit Dambulla Cave Temple and learn about herbs and spices in Matale

• Join a traditional cooking lesson and share lunch with a local family

• Visit Kandy’s Royal Botanical Gardens and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

• Enjoy a traditional Kandyan Cultural Show

• Discover Ceylon tea production during a tea estate and factory visit with a hands-on experience

• Savour traditional high tea at the Grand Hotel

• Visit the pilgrimage town of Kataragama

• Search for wildlife on two included Yala National Park game drives

• Meet stilt fishermen in Weligama and explore historic Galle Fort

• Learn about marine conservation at a sea turtle conservation centre

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrive in Colombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Arrive in Colombo, passing colonial buildings, temples and markets before settling into your hotel. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow small-group travellers over a rooftop welcome dinner featuring locally sourced dishes and views across the city.

Day 2 – Discover Colombo
Explore Colombo by tuk-tuk, travelling through the bustling lanes of Pettah Market and pausing at the striking Red Mosque. Visit the Dutch-built Wolvendaal Church and Gangaramaya Temple before stopping at historic Hotel Nippon to sample its well-known mutton roll. Optional experiences include an architectural tour exploring Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy or an evening visit to the Lotus Tower with dinner, at additional cost.

Day 3 – Hiriwadunna Village – Dambulla
Journey inland to Hiriwadunna and walk through fields shaped by traditional farming. Enjoy an open-air lunch prepared with seasonal ingredients before visiting a village where artisans make clay pots by hand. Explore the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs, then continue to your lakeside hotel in Dambulla for a three-night stay.

Day 4 – Anuradhapura
Discover UNESCO-listed Anuradhapura, exploring the stupas, monastic sites and reservoirs of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital. At Isurumuniya Temple, observe a monk leading a blessing ceremony. Later, you may choose an optional game drive in Minneriya National Park to search for elephants and other wildlife, at additional cost.

Day 5 – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa
Choose between climbing the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress or visiting a nearby botanical garden. After time to unwind, explore Polonnaruwa with a Local Specialist, discovering the religious and civic remains of this former capital. Return to your hotel for a dinner featuring flame-grilled flavours.

Day 6 – Dambulla – Matale – Kandy
Visit Dambulla Cave Temple, where rock-cut chambers contain Buddha statues and painted ceilings. Continue to Matale to learn about herbs and spices used in local cooking, indigenous medicine and Ayurveda.

Special Experience: Travel by tuk-tuk to Madakumbura Village, passing paddy fields, schools and temples. Join a traditional cooking lesson in a local home, then share lunch with the family.

Continue to Kandy for a two-night stay.

Day 7 – Cultural Kandy
Enjoy a relaxed start before exploring Kandy’s Royal Botanical Gardens. Afterwards, spend time at leisure or choose an optional local walking tour or Mahaweli River cruise, at additional cost. Later, visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and enjoy a Kandyan Cultural Show featuring traditional drumming, dance and ceremonial performance.

Day 8 – Scenic Train Journey – Nuwara Eliya
Board a train into Sri Lanka’s central highlands, watching tea country, waterfalls and mountain scenery unfold. Visit a tea estate and factory, then head into the fields for a hands-on small-group experience before enjoying a freshly prepared cup. Explore Nuwara Eliya with your Travel Director, including Gregory Lake and the Tudor-style post office.

Special Experience: Savour traditional high tea at the Grand Hotel, surrounded by the atmosphere of Sri Lanka’s historic hill country.

Day 9 – Nuwara Eliya – Kataragama – Yala
Travel from the highlands into the southern lowlands, stopping at a viewpoint overlooking the mountains, tea estates and distant waterfalls. Continue to Kataragama, an important pilgrimage town for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Arrive at your coastal retreat near Yala National Park for a two-night stay.

Day 10 – Yala National Park Safaris
Set out on two included game drives—one in the morning and another in the evening—with an expert ranger. Explore Yala’s woodlands and coastal lagoons, keeping watch for Asian elephants, crocodiles and, with luck, the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Between drives, enjoy time at your hotel; you may also like to take a guided nature walk through its surroundings.

Day 11 – Weligama – Galle
Follow Sri Lanka’s southern coastline past fishing villages and palm-lined shores. Stop in Weligama to meet stilt fishermen before continuing to UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. Explore its historic streets with your Travel Director, discovering museums, temples and a long-standing mosque. Finish at the lighthouse overlooking the Indian Ocean before settling in for two nights in Galle.

Day 12 – Galle at Leisure
Enjoy a free day to relax at your hotel or explore more of Galle’s historic streets and coastal scenery. Optional experiences, at additional cost, include a seasonal whale-watching cruise, a cinnamon estate visit or a boat trip on Koggala Lake. This evening, gather for dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travellers to reflect on your Sri Lankan adventure.

Day 13 – Sea Turtle Conservation – Depart Sri Lanka
Spend your final morning at leisure before visiting a sea turtle conservation centre. During this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about efforts to protect marine life and, if in season, see hatchlings released. Farewell your fellow travellers and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Prices listed are per person in AUD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 06-10-2026 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.