3-Day Sri Lanka Tour Packages
Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Sri Lanka tour itineraries
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
3 Days in Sri Lanka, incl. Colombo and Kandy
A captivating 3-day route through 5 major destinations: Colombo, Kandy, Pinnawala, Peradeniya, and Ramboda. Visit UNESCO sites, meet elephants, stroll botanical gardens, and watch traditional dance shows. Approx. $170 per day including luxury accommodation.
- Day 1
Colombo to Kandy via Pinnawala
Leave Colombo airport early to avoid traffic on your 2.5-hour drive to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Plan to arrive for the 9:15 AM feeding session where you can watch and help bottle-feed baby elephants. The grounds get muddy so pack sturdy shoes, especially during monsoon season. A recent visitor shared: "Watching the orphaned elephants being cared for was incredible - try to arrive for the morning feeding time when they're most active." Drive an hour to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. Early afternoon is ideal for visiting the orchid house when flowers are in full bloom. The 147-acre grounds have limited shade so bring water and sun protection. Stop by the spice garden to learn about Sri Lanka's renowned cinnamon and cardamom production. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy between 5:30-7:00 PM during evening pooja. This sacred Buddhist site requires modest dress. Women need a shawl for shoulders and everyone must take off their shoes before entering.
- Day 2
Kandy Waterfalls & Tea Country
Take an early 1.5-hour drive to Ramboda Falls. October and November offer the most impressive water flow. A short but steep 15-minute hike leads to the upper viewpoint. The path gets slippery so wear shoes with good grip. Visit a tea factory between 10 AM-2 PM to see production in full swing. You'll follow tea's journey from leaf to cup. The mountain roads offer beautiful views but pack motion sickness medicine if you need it. Back in Kandy catch the 5 PM cultural dance show. The hour-long performance features traditional Kandyan dance and ends with fire-walking. Sit in the middle section for the best view.
- Day 3
Kandy to Colombo Airport
Time your departure around your flight schedule. The drive takes 3-4 hours but allow 5-6 hours for traffic delays near Kandy and Colombo. For morning flights leave Kandy by 4 AM. Consider stopping at a spice garden on the Kandy-Colombo road to learn about ayurvedic medicine and buy authentic Ceylon cinnamon.
3 Day Sri Lanka's Hill Country Itinerary, incl. Nuwara Eliya and Kandy
The cultural circuit spans 5 major destinations: Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, Kandy, and Pinnawala. Admire UNESCO Temple of the Tooth, colonial architecture, and wildlife at Galway's Land National Park. Daily breakfast included at boutique hotels.
- Day 1
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya
Leave Colombo early to beat traffic on your 5-6 hour drive to Nuwara Eliya. Stop at Ramboda Falls along the way but bring sturdy shoes since the viewing path gets slippery in monsoon season. Plan your tea factory visit between 8 AM-2 PM to see the production process in action. Once in Nuwara Eliya, visit Victoria Park in the late afternoon. This is a perfect time to join local families and enjoy cooler temperatures.
- Day 2
Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains
Get up early around 5:30 AM for the World's End hike at Horton Plains National Park. A recent visitor shared: "The morning fog usually clears by 9 AM – get there early or you'll miss the incredible valley views." After the hike, check out Ambewela Farm, nicknamed "Little New Zealand" for its dairy production. Spend your afternoon exploring Nuwara Eliya's colonial buildings, including the Tudor-style Grand Hotel and red-brick post office. Take a walk around Gregory Lake, but pack a light jacket since temperatures can drop to 10°C even during the day.
- Day 3
Kandy and Return to Colombo
Start your 2.5-hour drive to Kandy early in the morning. Visit the Temple of the Tooth before 8 AM to avoid crowds and heat. The Royal Botanical Gardens are best in mid-morning. You'll want to see the giant Java Fig tree and orchid house. On your way to Colombo, stop at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Try to time your visit with the elephant bathing sessions at 10 AM or 2 PM. The final drive to Colombo airport takes about 3 hours. If you're traveling between 4-7 PM, add extra time for rush hour traffic.
03 Days Tour to Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella & Udawalawe
A 3-day Sri Lankan circuit winds through 7 cities, from Negombo to Udawalawe. Highlights include UNESCO sites like Dambulla Cave Temple, the historic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Kandy's Temple of the Tooth. Costs around $110 per day including half-board meals and professional guiding services.
Sri Lanka 3 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Kandy Excursion - 3 Days
Little England of NuwaraEliya
03 Days Tour to Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella & Udawalawe
03 Days Sri Lanka
Explore The Kingdom Of Hill Capital
Nightlife in Colombo
A Glimpse of Culture
DELIGHT OF CEYLON ( 3 Days/2 Nights)
Colombo City Stay - 3 days
3 Days Ayurvedic Treatment Tour
What people love about 3-day Sri Lanka tours
- Kandy Excursion - 3 Days
My gratitude for the wonderful round-trip experience my family and I had in Sri Lanka. Our tour guide was amazing, and we were fortunate to have him with us. He was knowledgeable, and he provided us with insightful information about the places we visited. He was also very responsive to our questions and needs. The tour was well-organized, and the communication between your agency and us before the trip started was excellent. We appreciated the effort put in to make sure that everything went smoothly. We had the opportunity to see great nature (plants and animals), different religions and cultures, and also had time to relax by the beach. The program was well-balanced; allowing us to enjoy everything Sri Lanka has to offer. The hotels we stayed in were upper-class, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. They made us feel comfortable and welcome, which added to the overall enjoyment of our trip.Once again, thank you for providing us with a memorable experience, and we look forward to booking future trips with your agency.
Lovely tour ! Really enjoyed sightseeing in Sri Lanka . Comfortable transport , hotels etc. provided guide did an excellent job looking after us . Looking forward to visit this beautiful island again soon .
DELIGHT OF CEYLON ( 3 Days/2 Nights)
