Premium Sri Lanka
Deal number 20312330
Intrepid
Valid for select departures between 01 February - 29 March 2026
Sri Lanka
9-day tour
from
$4,910*
per person
Offer expires 31st Jul 2025
What's Included
- 9 day Intrepid small group tour departing Negombo - Premium.
- 7 nights accommodation in Hotels.
- 1 night accommodation in Feature Stay.
- 8 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches & 2 Dinners.
- Transport by Private vehicle, Scenic Train.
- Pricing includes Travel Associates non-refundable Purple Ribbon Service Booking and Management fees of $50 per adult.
Included activities:
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Negombo - Welcome Dinner
Ridigama - Ridi Viharaya shrine visit and cultural experience
Muriya Kadawala Village - Pottery Making Experience
Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
Minneriya National Park - Entrance Fee
Polonnaruwa - Bicycle Tour
Polonnaruwa - Cooking demo and lunch
Matale Spice Garden Visit
Kandy - City Tour with the Temple of the Tooth
Ambagasthenna - Tea Plantation and Sustainable Farm Tour
Ambagasthenna - Village and Temple Tour
Ambagasthenna - Sunset Viewing with Drinks
Nuwara Eliya - High Tea
Nanu Oya - Scenic Train Ride
Nuwara Eliya - Orientation Tour
Colombo - Farewell Dinner
Colombo - Orientation Tour
Labukelle - Tea Plantation and Factory
.
Itinerary
Day 1 Negombo.
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, youll 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 Habarana
This morning youll travel inland, driving northeast 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 youre 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 youll learn about traditional Sri Lankan pottery techniques and try your hand at the craft yourself. Youll 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 to continue your explorations of the cultural triangle. Hop on a bicycle to discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in Polonnaruwas ancient Quadrangle complex its 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, youll visit a local grandmothers 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, youll travel to Kandy. Along the way, stop off in the city of Matale where youll visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lankas 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 Buddhas tooth, taken from his funeral pyre). Despite being Sri Lankas 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 Thilinas mother. Youll visit the tea plantation, learn about the cultivation process and try a cup or two served the Sri Lankan way. Hell share inside knowledge about local crops, sustainable farming, and ancient landscaping traditions. After such a culture-packed day, theres 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. Remnants of the regions colonial past can be seen in the sculpted gardens and manor homes dotting the landscape today. 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 hotels 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 Lankas 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, wholl show you Sri Lankas colonnaded old parliament building, the National Museum and the best spots for fairtrade souvenir shopping. Tonight, share a final farewell dinner with your group at Ceylon Curry Club 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 youd like to extend your stay in Colombo, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, youll 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 Habarana
This morning youll travel inland, driving northeast 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 youre 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 youll learn about traditional Sri Lankan pottery techniques and try your hand at the craft yourself. Youll 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 to continue your explorations of the cultural triangle. Hop on a bicycle to discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in Polonnaruwas ancient Quadrangle complex its 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, youll visit a local grandmothers 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, youll travel to Kandy. Along the way, stop off in the city of Matale where youll visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lankas 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 Buddhas tooth, taken from his funeral pyre). Despite being Sri Lankas 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 Thilinas mother. Youll visit the tea plantation, learn about the cultivation process and try a cup or two served the Sri Lankan way. Hell share inside knowledge about local crops, sustainable farming, and ancient landscaping traditions. After such a culture-packed day, theres 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. Remnants of the regions colonial past can be seen in the sculpted gardens and manor homes dotting the landscape today. 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 hotels 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 Lankas 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, wholl show you Sri Lankas colonnaded old parliament building, the National Museum and the best spots for fairtrade souvenir shopping. Tonight, share a final farewell dinner with your group at Ceylon Curry Club 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 youd like to extend your stay in Colombo, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Terms of service
- The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
- Prices quoted valid for sale until31 July 2025 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
- All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on [twin share] unless otherwise stated.
- Pricing includes Travel Associates non-refundable Purple Ribbon Service Booking and Management fees of $50 per person.
- Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
- Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
- Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
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