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Private Tour · 4★ hotels 12 Days Sri Lanka: Kandalama, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Bentota – 4-Star Hotels4-star hotel version: Twelve calm days from a quiet lake base at Kandalama through Kandy and the tea hills to Bentota, with easy first and last nights near the airport. Private Tour · 4★ hotelsModerate intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 1,316per person A 12 day Sri Lanka tour from Kandalama to Bentota suits travellers who want the island's cultural heartland and its tea country in one trip, but do not want to change hotel every night. You land near Negombo, settle in beside a forested reservoir in the north, move on to the hill capital of Kandy and the cool highlands around Nuwara Eliya, and finish on the palm-lined beaches of the south-west coast. A private driver-guide and an air-conditioned vehicle stay with you from the airport to the airport. Stay in 4-star hotelsThis version of the tour is booked in 4-star hotels for all 11 nights: Regenta Arie Lagoon in Negombo, Amaya Lake in Kandalama, Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy, Araliya Green Hills in Nuwara Eliya, Temple Tree Resort & Spa in Bentota, Regenta Arie Lagoon in Katunayake and Regenta Arie Lagoon in Negombo, or similar hotels of the same standard. Rooms are double or twin, or single if you travel alone, with breakfast included each morning. The route, the sightseeing and your private driver-guide are the same as on the 3-star and 2-star version of this tour, so the difference is a more comfortable room, a better restaurant and pool, and in most places a quieter setting. Lunch, dinner, entrance fees, activity fees and train tickets are not included in the price. Who the 12 day Sri Lanka tour from Kandalama to Bentota suitsTwelve days gives you room to breathe. Most regions get two nights, so you unpack once, see the sights at an easy pace and still have a free half-day here and there. It works well for couples, for families with teenagers and for small groups of friends who enjoy history, nature and good food in equal measure. The effort is moderate: the Sigiriya staircase is long, temples mean steps and bare feet, and the hill towns are cold after dark. Nothing asks for special fitness, and you can skip the stiffer parts without losing the thread of the trip. The route and where you sleepThe first night is in Negombo, a few minutes from the airport, so the long flight is behind you before the driving begins. Two nights follow at Kandalama, close to Dambulla and Sigiriya. From there you drive to Kandy for two nights, with a spice garden in Matale on the way, then take the scenic train up to Nuwara Eliya for two more. A long descent through waterfall country brings you to Bentota for two nights on the coast. The last two nights are kept deliberately light, one near the airport after a Colombo city tour and one back in Negombo. Hotels are on a bed-and-breakfast plan, so breakfast is included each morning and you choose where to have lunch and dinner; your driver-guide is happy to suggest good local restaurants, which suits the longer driving days. Highlights of the Kandalama and Sigiriya daysDay two is the busiest of the first week. The drive from Negombo to the Dambulla area takes roughly three and a half to four hours, broken by the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala, where the herd is led down to the Maha Oya river to bathe. You then climb the steps to the Dambulla cave temple, with its painted ceilings and more than a hundred and fifty Buddha statues, and carry on to the great rock of Sigiriya. The next day is gentler: a village outing with an ox-cart, an outrigger boat and a wood-fire lunch, then a late-afternoon jeep safari at Minneriya, where wild elephants often gather on the reservoir shore in the dry season. The scenic train from Kandy to Nuwara EliyaKandy fills two days. You visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a spice garden, a tea factory, a gem workshop and the Peradeniya botanical gardens, and you watch a Kandyan dance performance in the evening. On day six your driver leaves you at Kandy station and you board the hill-country train. For about four to five hours it climbs through tea estates, tunnels and past waterfalls to Nanu Oya, where your driver is waiting. Many travellers say this ride is the part of the trip they talk about afterwards. Nuwara Eliya, at about 1,900 m, then gives you a full free day for the market, Hakgala gardens and the Seetha Amman temple. Bentota, the coast and the final nightsThe road down from the hills passes St Clair's and Devon Falls before the landscape flattens into rubber and coconut country. Bentota is a river-and-beach resort with calm water for kayaking, a long Ayurveda tradition and wide sand, and it gives you a full day to do as much or as little as you like. In the afternoon you can glide through the Madu River mangroves and visit the turtle hatchery at Kosgoda. Day ten is a Colombo city tour on the way to the airport hotel, and the last full day is kept open in Negombo for the lagoon, the fish market or simply the beach. Best time for this routeSri Lanka has two monsoons, so no month is perfect everywhere. The hill country and the south-west coast are driest from about December to March and often good into April, while the Cultural Triangle is driest from roughly April to September. This loop crosses all of them, which means the shoulder months, around March to April and again around September to October, are a sensible compromise. Wildlife sightings can never be promised, but the elephants at Minneriya are most reliable in the drier months. Nuwara Eliya is cool all year, so pack a warm layer. Make it your ownEvery Volata Travels itinerary can be adjusted. You can add a night in Kandalama, swap the village outing for an extra Sigiriya morning, replace the train with a drive, or turn the Bentota day into a whale-watching trip from Mirissa in the right season. Tell us your dates, your interests and anyone travelling with limited mobility, and we will shape the plan around you. Send an enquiry and we will reply with a tailored version of this route. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itinerary Your Volata Travels driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall of Bandaranaike airport, holding a name board, whatever time your flight lands. The drive to Negombo takes about twenty minutes, so you are at your hotel quickly, even after a long journey. There is nothing planned for this evening beyond check-in. Negombo is a fishing town on the coast with a lagoon behind it, and if you feel like moving your legs after the flight, a short stroll along the beach road is pleasant once the heat drops. Otherwise, shower, have a simple dinner at the restaurant in your hotel, or somewhere nearby if you prefer, and go to bed early. Tomorrow starts with a full day of sightseeing and a long drive north. Your driver will confirm the pick-up time for the morning when you check in. Accommodation Regenta Arie Lagoon or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you leave Negombo and head inland towards the Dambulla area, a drive of roughly three and a half to four hours in total. The journey is broken up by three stops, so the day feels like sightseeing rather than a transfer. The first is the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala, set up in 1975 by the wildlife department on a coconut estate beside the Maha Oya river. It cares for elephants that were orphaned or injured in the forest. Calves younger than about three are still given bottles by their keepers, and twice a day the whole herd walks down the lane to the river to bathe. Watching that procession is the best part of the visit, and a good reason to arrive in time for the bath. Next comes Dambulla. A flight of stone steps climbs to five caves hidden beneath a huge overhanging rock that rises about 160 m above the plains. Inside you find 153 Buddha statues, a few royal figures and several gods, and every inch of the ceilings is painted in swirling murals. People have worshipped here for over two thousand years, and UNESCO listed the complex in 1991. Take off your shoes, cover your knees and shoulders, and give yourself an hour or more. Then you drive on to Sigiriya, the fifth-century rock fortress of King Kashyapa. You walk past the water gardens, the Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paws gateway, then climb the long staircase to the summit palace ruins, where the view runs across the forest in every direction. Late afternoon is cooler, but if the day has been long you can leave the climb for tomorrow morning. Your hotel at Kandalama is a short drive away. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Amaya Lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is a slower one, built around the countryside and ending with elephants. After breakfast you drive to a village near Sigiriya for a half-day outing that shows how people here live and eat. You travel between the paddy fields on a bullock cart, which moves at the pace of the oxen and gives you plenty of time to look around. A traditional outrigger canoe takes you across the village lake, and you walk to a chena, a small plot of land cleared for seasonal crops, where your host explains what is planted and why. Back at a family house, you watch rice and curries being cooked over a wood fire and then sit down to eat what has been prepared. The flavours are fresh, with coconut, curry leaves and chilli, and you can tell us about any dietary needs beforehand. If you skipped the Sigiriya climb yesterday, ask your guide whether it can be fitted in early this morning, before the village visit. The rock is much quieter and cooler at that hour. In the late afternoon you drive to Minneriya park for a jeep safari of two to three hours. The park is built around an ancient reservoir, and in the drier months wild elephants come down to graze on the grass at the water's edge, sometimes in large herds with calves. In some seasons Kaudulla is the better choice, and your guide will pick whichever park is best on the day. Sightings can never be promised, but the light and the atmosphere are lovely either way. Park entry and jeep fees are paid separately. You return to Kandalama in the evening, where the hotel restaurant is an easy choice for dinner. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Amaya Lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This morning you leave the dry north and climb into the hills. The drive from the Dambulla area to Kandy takes about two and a half to three hours, and you stop in Matale on the way. Matale is a market town set among green slopes, and its spice gardens are among the most visited on the island. A guide leads you between the plants and shows you what each one looks like before it reaches a kitchen shelf. You see pepper vines climbing trees, clove and nutmeg, curry leaf, cinnamon bark and cardamom, a relative of ginger that grows in the shade of taller trees and is picked by hand. The gardens also explain how herbs are used in Ayurvedic remedies, and a cooperative of local growers sells packed spices if you want to take some home, with no pressure to do so. By midday you reach Kandy, the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings, which sits around a small lake in the hills. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the main stop. A relic of the Buddha was brought to the island in the fourth century, according to tradition hidden in the hair of an Orissan princess, and it has been the most revered treasure in Sri Lanka ever since. Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees, leave your shoes at the entrance and expect crowds at the ritual times. At the end of the afternoon you watch the cultural show, which usually runs for around an hour from five o'clock. Drummers, dancers in elaborate costumes and fire-walkers perform a programme of Kandyan dance. Eat where you like tonight: the hotel restaurant is simple, and your driver can name a local alternative. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Your second day in Kandy has no long drive. It combines the region's most famous crop, its famous stones and its famous garden. After breakfast you visit a tea estate in the hills near Kandy. Tea came to Sri Lanka under the British, and the first plant was brought from China and tried out in the botanical gardens at Peradeniya before estates spread across the highlands. At the factory you follow the leaf through each step: it is plucked, left to wither, rolled, fermented, dried and sorted into grades. The visit ends with a cup of freshly made Ceylon tea and a look over the terraces. It is an easy visit even if you do not drink much tea. Next you stop at a gem museum and workshop. Sri Lanka has produced sapphires and other stones since ancient times, and here a reconstructed mine and a short film show how raw stones are dug out, cut and set into silver, gold or platinum. You are welcome to look at the showroom, and there is no obligation to buy. There is also time for a shopping break in town, where you can look for batik, wood carving and tea. In the late afternoon you drive to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, about 5 km west of the city. The garden sits inside a wide bend of the Mahaweli river and covers 147 acres, with more than four thousand species of plants. Its orchid house, spice trees, palm collection and long avenues of giant trees make it a restful way to end the day. Its history goes back to 1371, when a king held court here, and the present layout was begun in 1821. Allow a couple of hours, and wear walking shoes. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is the travel day many guests remember best. After breakfast your driver takes you to Kandy railway station, where you board the train to Nanu Oya, the station that serves Nuwara Eliya. The seats are arranged for you in advance. The line runs on tracks laid by the British in 1864, originally to carry coffee and later tea down from the hills. The journey is slow, usually around four to five hours, and that is the point. The carriages rock gently as the train climbs past terraced tea slopes, through short tunnels and over viaducts, with waterfalls dropping beside the line and workers in the fields waving at the passengers. Doors and windows are often open, so you can lean out and take photographs, but hold on tightly and mind your bags. Pack a small day bag with water, a snack and a warm layer, because the air cools as you gain height. Delays are possible, and your guide will keep an eye on the schedule. At Nanu Oya your driver is waiting on the platform to take you the last stretch up to Nuwara Eliya, a hill station at about 1,900 m. The town is nicknamed Little England because of its colonial-style bungalows, trimmed lawns and flower beds. By the time you arrive the afternoon may be misty, and the air is noticeably crisp. The rest of the day is free. You could walk by Gregory Lake, wander the town centre or simply rest in front of a fire. Evenings are cold, so bring a jumper, and eating at the hotel restaurant is the easy option. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Araliya Green Hills or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 You have a full day in Nuwara Eliya, with no fixed schedule beyond a gentle tour of the area. Mornings are usually the clearest, so start early if you can. Begin with the town market, where vegetables from the cool-climate farms are stacked beside stalls selling tea and sweets. Your guide then takes you on a short city drive past the lake, Victoria Park and the old bungalows, which gives a feel for how the British turned the place into a summer retreat. The main visit is the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, a short drive south on the slope below a dramatic rock. The terraced garden is known for its roses, tree ferns and orchids, which thrive in the cool mountain air. Monkeys play on the lawns, and with luck you may hear or spot blue magpies in the trees. Walk slowly: the paths climb in places and the air is thin enough to make a gentle stroll feel like exercise. Close by is the Seetha Amman Temple, a brightly painted Hindu shrine linked in tradition to the Ramayana epic and decorated with colourful figures. It is a short stop that adds a different cultural note to the day. If you would like more of the tea country, you can ask for a second factory visit or a walk through the plantations in the afternoon. Another option is an early start for Horton Plains, if the weather looks clear. Dinner is your own choice, with the hotel restaurant the simplest option, and a quiet evening is the right way to end a day at this altitude. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Araliya Green Hills or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you leave the highlands and drive towards the south-west coast. It is a long day, so you set out after an early breakfast, with two waterfall stops on the way down. The first is St Clair's Falls, near the road between Hatton and Talawakele. It is one of the widest waterfalls on the island and is sometimes called the Little Niagara of Sri Lanka. Its name comes from the St Clair tea estate, whose neat green terraces surround it, so the view of white water against tea bushes is one of the loveliest on the route. A viewpoint beside the road makes this an easy stop. A little further on is Devon Falls, known as the Veil of the Valley. It drops over rocks from a tributary of the Kotmale river at about 1,159 m above sea level, and it is named after a British coffee planter who worked in the area. The water is usually strongest in the wetter months, and a short walk takes you to a good lookout. Mist and wind can make it slippery, so wear shoes with a grip. After that the road keeps descending. The air warms with every hour, the tea terraces give way to rubber plantations and coconut groves, and you reach the coast around the area of Waskaduwa before turning south towards Bentota. Your driver will plan short breaks for tea, lunch and photographs, and you should keep snacks and water within reach. You arrive at your beach hotel in time to see the sunset, and the hotel restaurant is a pleasant place to have dinner afterwards if you like. The sound of the sea is a welcome change after the quiet of the hills. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Temple Tree Resort & Spa or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is your beach day, and you decide how to use it. The morning is free: swim, walk along the sand, book an Ayurveda treatment, or try the water sports on the Bentota river, where the calm water suits kayaking, banana-boat rides and jet-skis. You can also visit the gardens created by the Bawa brothers nearby if you enjoy landscape design. Bentota is a place where doing very little is also a good plan. In the afternoon your driver takes you to the Madu River, a wetland of mangrove islands and narrow channels. The wider system is made up of dozens of islets, some inhabited, fed by several streams, and it has been a protected sanctuary since 2006. You travel by boat between the mangrove roots, with stops along the way. These include a small cinnamon-peeling demonstration, a temple island and a platform where tiny fish nibble at your feet in a fish spa, which tickles and amuses most people. Birds are often seen along the banks, though wildlife is never promised. Your last visit is the turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, on a stretch of coast where five species of sea turtle come ashore to nest. The hatchery protects eggs, looks after injured turtles and releases the young into the sea. You see the tanks and learn why the work matters. Bear in mind that conservationists debate how hatcheries should be run, so ask questions and choose not to handle the animals. Return to your hotel and choose where to have dinner, either there or along the beach road. If you have energy left, the beach is lovely at dusk. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Temple Tree Resort & Spa or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 You leave the coast after breakfast and drive north to Colombo, which takes about an hour and a half. The capital is a contrast to everything so far, busy and modern in places and full of colonial leftovers in others, and a city tour makes a good closing chapter. Your guide picks from a list of sights depending on your interests and the traffic. Galle Face Green is the seafront promenade, best at sunset. Viharamahadevi Park is a large public garden, and the city museum stands close by. In the Fort district you see the Old Parliament Building and the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and at Independence Square stands the memorial hall built to mark the end of British rule. The city is also home to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian places of worship close together, which says much about how Sri Lanka lives. If you want to buy gifts, there is time for shopping. After lunch you head to the airport area, which is about an hour from Colombo, and check in at your hotel. This is not a sightseeing evening. Rest, pack and enjoy a relaxed dinner. Tip: if you would rather spend more time on the beach, tell your guide at breakfast and the city tour can be shortened. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Regenta Arie Lagoon or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
This is a quiet day with no set programme. After a late breakfast your driver takes you from the airport area to Negombo, which is only about twenty minutes away, and you check in at your beach hotel. Negombo is a fishing town with a long beach and a lagoon behind it. If you have energy for one outing, ask your guide about a short town tour. The early-morning fish market at Lellama, at the north end of the lagoon, is among the busiest on the island, and thousands of boats go out from here. Because it begins before dawn, you may prefer to see it on the morning of departure, or skip it. In the town itself you can see the old Dutch fort remains, the canal that runs behind the lagoon and the Catholic churches that gave Negombo the nickname Little Rome. Otherwise, this is the day to rest and finish your shopping. You can swim, read by the pool or walk along the beach at sunset, when the fishing boats pull in and the sky turns orange. Dinner is your own choice tonight, and your hotel can recommend a place nearby. Use the evening to pack, and ask your driver any last questions about the transfer to the airport tomorrow. If you enjoy a farewell meal, your hotel can usually suggest a local seafood dish worth trying before you fly. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Regenta Arie Lagoon or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
Your last morning is relaxed. Have a leisurely breakfast, take a final swim if the weather is kind, and use the free time at the hotel until it is time to leave. Your driver-guide will agree a pick-up time with you based on your flight, allowing for the short transfer to Bandaranaike airport, which takes about twenty minutes. If your flight is late in the day, a last stroll along the beach or the lagoon front is a pleasant way to spend the wait. Thank your driver-guide, check that your passport and tickets are in your hand luggage, and travel safely. Meals Breakfast Included Activities
Landmarks
Route mapWhere you'll stayThese are the hotels we plan to use. If one of them is full on your dates, we book another hotel of the same standard (“or similar”) and tell you its name before you travel. Regenta Arie Lagoon or similarNegombo 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Amaya Lake or similarKandalama 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Mahaweli Reach Hotel or similarKandy 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Araliya Green Hills or similarNuwara Eliya 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Temple Tree Resort & Spa or similarBentota 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Regenta Arie Lagoon or similarKatunayake 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Regenta Arie Lagoon or similarNegombo 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel What's included
What's not included
Pickup & drop-offPickup: Your Volata Travels driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake, with a name board. Pick-up from a hotel in Colombo or Negombo can also be arranged. Drop-off: Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your departure flight, with the timing planned around your flight. Important informationItinerary order and overnight stops can be adjusted to fit your dates and pace — this is a private tour built around you, not a fixed departure. Cancellation policyAll cancellations must be received in writing by your Volata Tour Consultant. 19.1 Unless otherwise specified in your quotation, the following cancellation terms will apply to your booking: 19.1.1 Cancellations received between the date of booking and 61 days prior to departure will result in the loss of the deposit. 19.1.2 Cancellations received 60 – 46 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 25% of the tour price. 19.1.3 Cancellations received 45 – 29 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 50% of the tour price. 19.1.4 Cancellations received 28 – 15 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 75% of the tour price. 19.1.5 Cancellations received 14 days or less prior to departure will be subject to a forfeiture of the entire tour price. 19.2 Cancellation of airline tickets will be subject to the refund policy of each individual airline and may be greater than the percentages above particularly when low cost/net-based fares are used. 19.3 The purchase of special event tickets is subject to the refund policy of each individual event. Please refer to the specific event policy for details. 19.4 Volata reserve the right to charge for financial penalties, fees and losses incurred in excess of your cancellation fee as a result of cancellation.... What travellers say4.6 average from 8 customer reviews FL Fatima Lebbe, Pakistan We were happy with the service. The team answered us quickly and helped us plan the trip the way we wanted. They were patient and easy to work with. CT Camila Torres, Chile A memorable tour with beautiful views and fascinating history. The schedule was full but worth it. AP Andrei Popescu, Romania A smooth and informative trip. The cultural stops were well chosen, and the guide was professional. MO Marina Oliveira, Brazil We loved the warmth of our guide and the depth of the cultural experience. Highly enjoyable. AA Abdullah Al-Sabah, Kuwait We enjoyed a relaxing trip around Sri Lanka. The professional service and comfortable vehicle made our journeys pleasant. MN Mohamd Nusry, Malaysia The team was friendly and helpful. They answered our questions quickly and made it easy to change our itinerary. ED Elena Dimitrova, Bulgaria The cultural sites were fascinating, and the itinerary was clear. A busy but worthwhile tour. NA Neta Alli, Australia We had a wonderful time in Sri Lanka. The professional service and comfortable ride made our vacation even better. You might also like       Ready to plan your Sri Lanka trip?Tell us your dates and interests — we'll put together a private itinerary within a day. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 12 days enough for Kandalama, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bentota?
Yes. Twelve days allows two nights in each main region, so you spend most of your time seeing things rather than packing. The longest drives are day two, day six by train and day eight down to the coast, and each includes stops. If you want more time anywhere, such as a third night at Kandalama or the beach, we can lengthen or reshape the route.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
No single month suits every region. The hills and south-west coast are driest from roughly December to March, while the Cultural Triangle is driest from April to September. Many travellers pick March to April or September to October as a compromise. Elephants gather at Minneriya in the drier months, but sightings are never promised. Nuwara Eliya is cool at any time.
How long is the scenic train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya?
Plan on about four to five hours from Kandy to Nanu Oya station, with the drive from the station to Nuwara Eliya after that. The train is slow and often busy, and delays can happen. Your driver takes you to Kandy station and meets you at Nanu Oya. If you prefer, the same journey can be done by road in about three to four hours.
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
The route to the top involves about 1,200 steps, many of them steep or on metal stairways. Most healthy people manage it in a couple of hours with rests. Go in the late afternoon or early morning to avoid the heat, carry water and wear shoes with a grip. You can walk the water gardens and stop partway if the climb is too much.
Will we definitely see elephants at Minneriya?
No wildlife sighting can be promised, but the odds are good in the drier months, when elephants come to the reservoir shore to drink and graze. Outside those months the herds spread out, and your guide may suggest Kaudulla instead. The safari lasts two to three hours, and park entry and jeep fees are paid separately.
Is this tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes, with some planning. Children usually enjoy the elephants, the village ox-cart and the beach, but the Sigiriya climb and the long train ride may be tiring for young ones. Older travellers can skip the summit and still see the water gardens and frescoes area. Tell us about any mobility needs and we will adjust the pace.
What should I pack for the hills and the coast?
Bring light cotton clothes for the lowlands and a warm layer for Nuwara Eliya, where nights are cold. Cover your shoulders and knees for temples, and wear shoes that slip off easily. Add a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a small day bag for the train, a swimsuit and sturdy walking shoes for Sigiriya and the gardens.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every Volata Travels tour is private and can be adjusted. Popular changes include adding a night near Sigiriya, replacing the train with a road transfer, adding Polonnaruwa, or using the Bentota day for a whale-watching trip from Mirissa in the right season. Send us your preferences and we will propose a version that fits.
What's included in the 12-day tour price?
Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport; 11 nights in 4-star hotels (or similar), double or twin room sharing; a single room if you travel alone; Daily breakfast at your hotels (bed and breakfast); All transfers and sightseeing in a private air-conditioned vehicle; English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour; Fuel, parking, driver accommodation and highway fees. The tour costs USD 1316 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 2525 for one traveller in a single room, for 11 nights / 12 days. These prices are valid for travel from 8 October 2026 to 30 November 2027.
What's not included?
International flights and the Sri Lanka ETA visa fee; Lunches, dinners and drinks (breakfast is included); Entrance fees and activity fees (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock, village experience, Minneriya jeep safari, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and cultural show, Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, Hakgala Botanical Gardens and more); Optional tours and optional activities; Train tickets (if you choose the scenic train); Hotel supplements when you travel on 24 December and 31 December (New Year), and the Christmas supplement on 24 December; Tips, porterage and personal expenses; Early check-in and late check-out at hotels; Travel insurance and bank charges.
Is the price the same on 24 and 31 December?
Not quite. Hotels charge a compulsory supplement for the nights of 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 31 December (New Year's Eve), and these supplements are not included in the tour price. If your dates include either night, tell us when you enquire and we will confirm the supplement for the hotels on your route before you book.
Can I customize this tour?
Yes. The order of stops, the number of nights in each place, the hotels and the activities can all be adjusted to your dates, pace and budget — this is a private tour built around you, not a fixed group departure. Tell us what you would like to change and we will send a revised quote.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be received in writing by your Volata Tour Consultant. Cancellations received up to 61 days before departure result in the loss of the deposit. Between 60 and 46 days before departure a charge of 25% of the tour price applies; between 45 and 29 days, 50%; between 28 and 15 days, 75%; and 14 days or less before departure the entire tour price is forfeited. Airline tickets follow the refund policy of each airline, and special event tickets follow the policy of each event. The full Terms & Conditions are at www.volatatravels.com/terms-and-conditions.