New to WeRoad? Save with WEROADER100

Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Mirissa between temples, panoramic trains, and breathtaking beaches. Head to the most authentic Sri Lanka, the one that smells of curry and freedom. Warning to WeRoaders: it’s addictive and will make you want to stay forever!

Is this trip for me?

Party and nightlife
Relax
Nature and adventure
City and cultures
Monuments and history
Physical effort
Trip type
Searching best flight prices

Itinerary

This itinerary has 2 versions

A summer and a winter one. If you are looking for the departure dates forSri Lanka 360° Summer, click here!

Embark on an enchanting tour of Sri Lanka to uncover its cultural wonders, breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches, and mesmerizing seas.

Join us on a captivating journey starting from the picturesque fishing village of Negombo, just 8km away from Colombo, the capital city. Our thoughtfully curated itinerary will lead you on a mesmerizing exploration across the entire island, revealing the eighth wonder of the world and the hidden gems that make this place truly enchanting. Often referred to as "the teardrop of India," Sri Lanka promises an unforgettable group tour, immersing you in an extraordinary gastronomic culture and profound religious experiences. This unique adventure will leave you with cherished memories that go beyond just capturing perfect Instagram shots; instead, they will find a special place in your heart, etching an indelible mark on your soul.

A graphical map of Sri Lanka showing a tour itinerary that starts and ends in Negombo.
A WeRoad group trip posing for a photo on a rocky viewpoint overlooking a vast green landscape with a prominent rock formation in the distance.

Check-in: our adventure starts in Negombo

Roundtrip flights or transportation to reach the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs.

We are 30 minutes from the capital of the country. In this fishing village we immediately immerse ourselves in the culture and tradition of this welcoming country. In the evening, we get to know each other with a tasty typical dinner.

A person with a WeRoad backpack sits on brick ruins overlooking a vast, forested valley from a high viewpoint.

The cultural triangle

Today we are waking up super early to head to our first stop: Anuradhapura, one of the cities of the so-called Cultural Triangle. Anuradhapura is not exactly a city, but more of a giant historical park dotted with ancient ruins. Our local guide will tell us the secrets of this magical place: take off your shoes and walk barefoot around these sacred Buddhist sites.

Temple of the Sacred Tree

This incredible temple is where the pilgrims, all dressed in white, gather for their prayers and it features what is considered the oldest tree in the world; to reach the temple we will hike a short distance, surrounded by little monkeys!

Ruwanwelisaya

It’s a huge and majestic white Dagoba (sanctuary), the biggest in the country. Tradition dictates it is repainted white every year. You can only admire the outside structure because the inside is empty, and that is why the building doesn't have any windows.

A WeRoad group trip stands barefoot looking at the camera in front of a giant white seated Buddha statue.

The heart of Buddhism

Good morning, WeRoaders! Are you ready for the day? After breakfast we are heading to Mihintale, a small village with a lot of character considered by many the cradle of Buddhism. We will be climbing a small peak (1800 steps!) to reach two different Stupa as well as a refectory in which the old monks of the monastery used to share their meals and their thoughts. Once we reach the top you won't be disappointed by the amazing view awaiting: the giant statue of the white Buddha, standing tall in the middle of the green jungle.

After such a spiritual journey to the top, we'll be guided through a local village to experience the lives of locals. We'll also witness culinary techniques as we observe the preparations for our lunch.

To walk off the food, we later hike up Pidurangala Rock to end the day with a great view and beautiful sunset.

A WeRoad group trip walks along a path through ancient ruins towards a large rock fortress surrounded by a forest.

The Eighth Wonder of the World

Today we wake up in Sigiriya and head out to admire the famous Lion’s Rock, considered by many the Eighth Wonder of the World. It may sound like another day of hiking and climbing (1200 steps!) but it’ll be totally worth it! Pose in front of the famous Lion’s Claws then head inside to admire the beautiful fresco paintings; finally, once you reach the summit, you will find a breathtaking view of the island. After lunch we are off to Polonnaruwa, an archaeological site dotted with ancient temples and monuments; the best way to enjoy the sights is to hire a bike in order to easily move from one area to the other, without missing out on all there is to see! Must sees are The Royal Palace, the Sacred Quadrangle and Gal Viharaya, a wonderful spot to catch the sunset.
Tonight's dinner will be a real challenge, putting our culinary skills to the test. We put on our aprons - we are ready for a cooking class of traditional Sinhalese cuisine. We will prepare a menu of which, of course, we have to commit: it will be our dinner.

A wide view of vibrant green tea plantations covering terraced hills under a hazy, blue sky.

Temples and markets

The Golden Temple of Dambulla is not very far from our accommodation, so we are heading there first thing in the morning, before setting off to Kandy. Dambulla is made up of five caves, extremely well preserved and finely decorated. The complex boasts multiple Buddhist statues and the path through the caves offers scenic views overlooking the green jungle below. A truly unmissable experience! Watch out for the cheeky little monkeys, though: they’ll try to steal what they can from you, even your sunglasses!

After about an hour's journey, we will make a brief stop in Matale, located on the Spice Gardens’ route. Explore the local shops and the secrets of traditional medicine; relax with a massage and breathe in the scent of the natural essential oils. The food is truly amazing, with dishes including plenty of vegetables, rice and noodles, as well as chicken and fish. Once we arrive in Kandy, we will take part in the extraordinary Ceremony of the Tooth, inside the temple. It happens every night and it is truly a must see! Believers pay their respects to the relic of Buddha's sacred tooth, through music, incense, prayers, lanterns, drums and dancing. Breathe in the spiritual devotion of the crowd and experience the ceremony like the locals do.

A person with a WeRoad backpack sits on a rock looking at a large reclining Buddha statue carved into a cliff face.

On the road

Today we have an adrenaline-pumping activity on the way to Nuwara Eliya that awaits us. Helmet, oars and jacket in hand, we embark on an adventurous descent of the Kelani river waterfalls in the town of Kitulgala: the time has come for rafting!

Adam’s Peak

Get ready, because we are spending the night on Adam’s Peak, a sacred mountain to four different religions. This involves either a wake up call around 2am in the morning, or we just stay up all night! The climb will be challenging with a steep incline an and sweaty faces! However, it's a very special climb for locals and if we're lucky, we'll witness a beautiful sunrise. Don't worry if you're not up for such a hike, non-hikers can stay in bed and meet us for breakfast!

After dinner we are setting off, together with lots of pilgrims, aiming to reach the monastery by sunrise. The journey is long but you’ll be able to find plenty of refreshments, blankets (it may get a little cold on the summit) and even massage studios on the way. Just imagine the spiritual awakening you will experience at sunrise!

Tea plantations

After witnessing an awe-inspiring sunrise and a spiritually powerful experience atop Adam's Peak, you'll probably feel a little tired. This is why this day will be totally dedicated to relaxation. This morning we head towards Nuwara Eliya and, during our journey, we cannot do without a visit to one of the unique tea plantations in the Kandy area. Tasting this drink directly from the artisanal factories - where the leaves are processed - is an unmissable experience. The drive is incredibly scenic.

Deserved relaxation

Finally we arrive in Nuwara Eliya. That is why we have a place booked for us, to rest throughout the day. For the tireless WeRoaders we have a few more adventures to enjoy: a cooking class to embrace the art and flavours of singhalese cuisine. Or why not take a stroll down the streets of Nuwara Eliya, to admire the colonial architecture of the buildings, from the red brick post office to the magnificent hotels, all the way to the central market square, where you will be able to buy some cute souvenirs.

A WeRoad group trip sits in the open doorways of a blue and red train traveling through a lush, green landscape.

Train travel

Have you ever heard of the most beautiful train ride ever? Well, you are about to experience it in all its glory. The train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella takes about two and half hours; this particular type of train rides on a narrow railway, through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views. Can’t contain your enthusiasm and want to do some more? Then get ready to walk the trail to Ella’s Rock, a one-and-a-half-hour hike which will guide you to the summit, where you can take in the wonderful view and breathe in the fresh air. Ella’s town centre is quite small but here you can find everything you need: a restaurant, a guesthouse, a market, tuk-tuk and a tea shop. This little mountain village is perfect for excursions to discover the natural landscapes the place has to offer, from rocky peaks to woodlands dotted with lakes and waterfalls, rivers and streams.

A WeRoad group trip of three people relaxing in an infinity pool, looking out at the ocean during a cloudy sunset.

Yala National Park

Sri Lanka is home to several beautiful National Parks where safaris allow us see incredible wild animals. Today we visit Yala National Park where we hope to see Indian elephants, sloth bears and maybe even some leopards!

Mirissa

After lunch it's time to head to the the coast. Mirissa is Sri Lanka’s most popular beach, famous for its clean, fine sand and surrounded by rocks and tall palm trees. Keep an eye out and try to spot the whales in the distance, as well as turtle eggs hatching in the sand. This is also an ideal spot for water sports like surfing, if the waves are tall enough, or snorkelling.

Unawatuna

A strip of white sand with many wooden huts along the beach, in which you can unwind with an ayurvedic massage: so relaxing! This beach is also the perfect spot to enjoy a dreamlike sunset, with the view of the buddhist temple peeking from the cliffs. We will have dinner in one of the many typical restaurants on the beach and enjoy a memorable night of dancing barefoot on the sand!

A large, red brick stupa stands in a grassy field next to a dirt road where a group of monkeys are gathered by a puddle under a blue sky.

Vitamin Sea

Are you ready for another fun day at the beach? Let's start with a hearty breakfast and a stroll around the streets of Galle, a fascinating colonial town. After that, our first stop of the day is Induruwa, a wild paradise on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Later on, we’ll be heading to Bentota, a huge, deserted stretch of beach where you can bask in the peace and breathe in the tranquillity of this tropical paradise. Here, we will be able to visit a turtle sanctuary, where turtles are monitored and taken care of, especially when the eggs are hatching. As soon as the baby turtles are born, they are transferred to special pools where researchers can observe and protect them; holding one of them in your hands will surely be one of the highlights of your WeRoad experience!

Strings of colorful Buddhist prayer flags hang over a lush mountain valley as the sun rises on the horizon, illuminating the landscape.

Let's enjoy the last day

It’s the last morning in this beautiful paradise, catching the last rays of sunshine and basking in the heat. In the afternoon, we are heading back to Negombo. In the evening we are meeting up all together for our farewell dinner, sharing some delicious food, as well as stories about our last two weeks together and celebrating the end of our wonderful adventure. It's our last night in Sri Lanka so let’s make it one we won’t forget!

Check-out and goodbyes

Time to say goodbye ): Until our next WeRoad Adventure!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and beverages when not specified

  • Tips

  • Sigirya + Polonnaruwa + Anuradhapura - approx. USD95

  • Pidurangala + Dambulla + Mihintale - approx. USD23

  • Guides for the point of interest you will visit - approx. USD1-5 per visit

  • All the extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack

  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Entrance fee and Jeep Safari at Yala National Park - approx. USD 86

  • Hiriwadunna local Village visit and lunch - approx. USD 14

  • Snorkelling in Hikkaduwa Beach - approx. USD 21

  • Jeep Safari at Yala National Park - approx. USD 59

    Entrance fee approx. USD 31

  • Snorkelling in the Hikkaduwa Beach - approx. USD 20

  • Turtle Sanctuary - approx. USD 6

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodation

    Small guest houses and traditional accommodation

    The private room option is not available for all tours. The first hotel will be shared with you at least 2 days before your departure by your Group Leader!

  • Transport

    Private minivan with driver and train (subject to availability)

  • Staff

    Our trips are led by a Group Leader who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Group Leader.

  • Luggage

    Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalColombo (CMB)
ReturnColombo (CMB)
Searching best flight prices
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Sri Lanka Winter

From$ 1,332
-10%
$ 1,193
Book with $ 0
Free trip change
Interest-free installments