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18 to 35s Essential Sri Lanka

11 days
•
From Negombo to Colombo
4.5 (17 reviews)
  • Ancient rock fortress with tourists.
  • Two people sitting on bricks overlooking a vast landscape.
  • Train moving through lush green hills.
    View all

  • Everything was super organised and we felt we got to see so much of Sri Lanka in such a short space of time.

    RosaWalker•traveled in January5.0
  • Group of people laughing near a historic viaduct.
  • Smiling young woman in an orange-white sari stands inside a tea processing facility while coworkers chat behind her.
  • Close-up portrait of a majestic leopard standing alert among green shrubs in dappled sunlight.
  • A palm toddy tapper climbs high up a coconut tree using rope supports against a bright blue sky.
  • Rows of brightly painted fishing boats moored along a calm river estuary with greenery behind.
  • Travellers lean over the ancient stone parapet of Sigiriya Rock, admiring a vast forest plain below in hazy morning light.
    View all
From
US $920 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $46
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2026

Jan
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May
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Jul
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2027

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May
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Jul
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2028

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

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Plan your adventure:
Platinum Operator
Intrepid Travel
City & Culture
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Group Tour
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity
Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 12 - 16
Ages 18-35
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Intro

    Introduction

  2. Day 1

    Negombo

    Negombo

    Optional Activities

    • Seaside stroll
    • Bicycle rental and countryside exploration
    • Dinner with fellow travelers
  3. Day 2

    Dambulla

    Dambulla

    Optional Activities

    • Dambulla Cave Temples visit
    • Ancient city of Polonnaruwa visit
    • Pidurangala Rock climb
    • Local restaurant dinner
    Landmarks
    Dambulla Cave Temples
    Polonnaruwa
    Pidurangala Rock
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  4. Day 3

    Sigiriya - Kandy

    Sigiriya - Kandy

    Included Activities

    • Lion Rock Fortress visit and exploration

    Optional Activities

    • Traditional batik cloth workshop
    • Cooking class
    Landmarks
    Lion Rock Fortress
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 4

    Kandy

    Kandy

    Optional Activities

    • Ayurvedic massage
    • Walk through town to view city highlights
    • Royal Botanical Gardens visit
    • Temple of the Tooth visit
    • Cultural dance performance
    Landmarks
    Temple of the Tooth
    Royal Botanical Gardens
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  6. Day 5

    Kandy to Ella

    Kandy to Ella

    Included Activities

    • Scenic train ride to Ella

    Optional Activities

    • Local tea factory visit
    • Bar visit
    • Local restaurant dinner with live music
    Landmarks
    Ella
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  7. Day 6

    Ella

    Ella
    Meals
    Lunch (Spicy curry lunch at a local family home with Ceylon tea)

    Included Activities

    • Pekoe Trail Stage 16 Hike through Ella Forest Reserve
    • Pass through tea plantations
    • View Nine Arch Bridge from multiple vantage points
    • Lunch at a local family home with spicy curry and Ceylon tea
    • Cross small local villages
    Landmarks
    Ella Forest Reserve
    Nine Arch Bridge
    Pekoe Trail
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  8. Day 7

    Ella to Udawalawe National Park

    Ella to Udawalawe National Park

    Included Activities

    • Udawalawe National Park wildlife safari

    Optional Activities

    • Local restaurant dinner
    Landmarks
    Udawalawe National Park
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  9. Day 8

    Udawalawe to Hiriketiya

    Udawalawe to Hiriketiya

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour to Hummanaya Blow Hole
    • Dondra Lighthouse visit
    • Beach relaxation
    Landmarks
    Hummanaya Blow Hole
    Dondra Lighthouse
  10. Day 9

    Hiriketiya

    Hiriketiya

    Optional Activities

    • Beach relaxation
    • Bicycle exploration (bikesplore)
  11. Day 10

    Hiriketiya - Galle - Colombo

    Hiriketiya - Galle - Colombo
    Meals
    Dinner (Final group dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Galle walking tour
    • Colombo guided market visit

    Optional Activities

    • Temple and church exploration
    • Final group dinner
    Landmarks
    Galle
  12. Day 11

    Colombo

    Colombo
    Meals
    Breakfast (String hoppers and super-black coffee)

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.5 (12,163 reviews)
Response time
7 hours
Response rate
92%
Cancellation policy
Learn more

Traveler Reviews

4.5
Overall rating based on 17 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.7
  • Transport
    4.7
  • Guide
    5.0
  • Accommodation
    4.1
  • Food
    4.3
  • Tour Operator
    4.5

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  • Danielle4.0•July 2026
    Automatically translated. View in Original LanguageRate this translation
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    The group of 12 travelers was great; we came from all over the world. As for the tour, it was well-organized. We saw...
    Show more
    Traveled in May 2026
    Reply from: Intrepid Travel
    Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience, Danielle! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed exploring Sri Lanka, appreciated the pace of the itinerary, the variety of landscapes, your fellow travellers and the quality of the accommodation. It's wonderful to know you'll be taking away such fond memories of your trip! We understand that many travellers are looking for opportunities to enjoy authentic local eateries, and we'll be sure to pass your feedback on to the team responsible for this itinerary for consideration. We also recognise that tipping practices can differ greatly from person to person. While any suggested tipping amounts are intended as a guide and participation is always at each traveller's discretion, some of our trips offer the option of a group tipping kitty, which many travellers find to be a convenient way to manage gratuities throughout their journey. Where a tipping kitty is used, leaders maintain a tipping record that travellers are welcome to view at any time, and we appreciate your insights into how this was introduced and communicated during your trip. We also appreciate your comments around the activities that weren’t included. We aim to strike a balance between including the must-see experiences while leaving room for optional activities, allowing travellers the flexibility to tailor their experience to their own interests and budget. While our trip notes outline many of the optional experiences available, together with their approximate costs so travellers can budget in advance, we appreciate that these costs can add up depending on the activities chosen. Thank you again for your thoughtful feedback, Danielle. We hope to welcome you on another Intrepid adventure in the future.
    Show more
  • Brianna
    Brianna5.0•February 2026
    I loved this trip so much, our tour guide Janith was so enthusiastic, his knowledge and passion for the country was...
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2026
    Reply from: Intrepid Travel
    Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Brianna! We’re so pleased to hear you had such a positive time on your Essential Sri Lanka trip. It's wonderful to hear about Janith's enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for the country - it is exactly this that makes us so proud of our commitment to hire local trip leaders, as they really do make the experience special! Thanks again for travelling with Intrepid and leaving a review, and we hope to have you join us again soon!
    Show more
  • RosaWalker
    RosaWalker5.0•January 2020
    Amazing tour! Everything was super organised and the our tour guide Sam made the trip unforgettable. We felt we got...
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2020
    Reply from: Intrepid Travel
    Thanks for your feedback Rosa!
    Show more
  • Sinead5.0•January 2020
    I had an amazing time in Sri Lanka, such a beautiful country. Prasad the guide was fantastic from beginning to end....
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2020
    Reply from: Intrepid Travel
    From us and Prasad thanks so much for your feedback Sinead! Sri Lanka is certainly a stunning place and we're so glad you enjoyed your time there.
    Show more
  • Emily4.8•September 2019
    Mathisha was such a brilliant tour leader - he made the trip so special!! He provided such great knowledge and also...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2018
  • Ellen5.0•September 2019
    My Essential Sri Lanka Trip with Intrepid exceeded all my expectations.The wonderful group of people I traveled with...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2018
  • Ella4.5•September 2019
    Mathisha was an excellent guide who gave our tour such a personal touch!
    Traveled in December 2018
  • Ciara4.2•September 2019
    Perfect tour! Had both hiking and adventurous activities but also relaxation time.
    Traveled in December 2018
  • Alanah5.0•September 2019
    The trip was well planned out with lots of activities and optional activities that showcased Sri Lanka.
    Traveled in December 2018
  • Cecelia4.8•September 2019
    Our tour guide went above and beyond to make sure we had the best time possible and saw the real Sri Lanka
    Traveled in December 2018

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Dates & Prices

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2026

Jan
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Mar
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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2027

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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
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  • T

    Tamara

    Asked on July 18th, 2026

    We have a solo traveler interested in exploring Sri Lanka in August. Could you please provide the itinerary highlights and a quote.

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written July 2026

      Essential Sri Lanka tour is a great option for solo travellers looking to explore the highlights of Sri Lanka. This is an 11-day adventure starting in Negombo and ending in Colombo, with departures available in August 2026.

      Tour Highlights include:

      • Enjoying a wildlife safari at Udawalawe National Park, where you can look out for elephants and other local wildlife.
      • Exploring the iconic Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
      • Experiencing the famous scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella through Sri Lanka's beautiful hill country.
      • Hiking through tea plantations and local villages along the Pekoe Trail in Ella.
      • Enjoying a local home-cooked Sri Lankan curry experience.
      • Relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Hiriketiya.
      • Exploring Galle and Colombo with guided sightseeing experiences.

      The trip includes:

      • Accommodation throughout the tour (hotels and one permanent tent stay)
      • Transport by train and private vehicle
      • 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner
      • Included activities such as Sigiriya Lion Rock, Ella experiences, Udawalawe safari, and Galle/Colombo sightseeing

      A single supplement is also available for solo travellers who prefer to have their own room, subject to availability.

  • K

    Kimberly

    Asked on July 11th, 2026

    Approximately how many people are currently booked on this departure? Do you usually have many solo travellers on this trip? Is the group usually quite international? Where do most travellers tend to come from? Do you have a rough idea of the male-to-female ratio for this departure? I'm travelling solo and just wanted to get a better idea of what the group is like.

    Group size
    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written July 2026

      Yes, we do have solo travellers joining this trip, so you'll definitely be in good company. Our groups are typically very diverse and international, with travellers coming from a range of different countries. For the current 20 August departure, there are 6 female travellers and 3 male travellers booked.

    • K

      Kimberly

      Traveler•Written July 2026

      Is there a waitlist if a spot becomes available for the 9 August trip?

    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written July 2026

      At the moment, the trip is indeed fully booked, and all of the passengers on the departure have already been confirmed. Unfortunately, we don't operate waitlists for our trips. With around 28 days remaining until departure, it's possible that a space may become available, although we can't guarantee that this will happen. We're also unfortunately unable to add an additional traveller at this stage, as the tour has reached its maximum capacity. The group size is based on fixed logistics, including transportation, accommodation, activities, and other operational arrangements, which means we're not able to amend these elements to increase the capacity.

      • K
      2 more answers
  • H

    Harry

    Asked on March 30th, 2026

    Est-ce-qu'il y aura aussi une promotion sur ce circuit ? Combien de participants ont déjà valider l'inscription ? Est-il possible d'avoir le nom des lieux où on va dormir ?

    Accommodation
    Price / Availability
    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

      Regarding promotions, these are published directly on our website once they become available. At this stage, we are unable to provide any advance details on future promotions.

      As for the accommodation details, once you confirm your preferred departure date, we will be able to share a tentative list of the hotels and places you will be staying during the tour.

    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written March 2026

      For May 24th departure, we currently have 9 people booked; 7 female, 2 male. Everyone is between 18-35 as this itinerary specifically is an 18-35's age restricted tour. So please note you must be within this age range to participate.

      As for hotels, this list can be subject to change but this is our 2026 hotel list for this tour:
      Negombo - Hotel J
      Dambulla - Nice Place
      Kandy - Devon Hotel
      Ella - Hotel Country Comfort
      Udawalawe - Forest Lodge Camp
      Hiriketiya - Praia Bay
      Colombo - Morven Colombo

    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written May 2026

      TourRadar reached out to us mentioning you're looking at arranging a Malaysia tour for at least 2 nights, either before or after the Sri Lanka tour? Just wanted to reach back as we do have a lot of Malaysia trip options - however, we do not offer anything for just 2 nights I'm afraid.

      If your plans are flexible at all, our shortest Malaysia trip option would be our Singapore to Malaysia Real Food Adventure for 8 days.

      • 2 more answers
  • K

    Karen

    Asked on December 28th, 2023

    What is the average age of the participant? Is possible to not finish the trip in colombo but to stay in the south after day 9?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Intrepid TravelOperator•Written December 2023

      This is a 18-29 trip all passengers confirmed are on this range. If you would like to spend more time at the south in Unawatuna you can speak to the tour leader and sign off from the trip.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Intrepid Travel with your enquiry, they usually respond within 7 hours.

Trip essentials

Good to know

Tour ID: 82831

The practical details for your trip across Sri Lanka: money, plugs and flexible ways to pay, all in one place.

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  • Pay in installments

    Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $26.

  • Deposit only

    Book now with just a $400 deposit. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure.

  • Rs - Sri Lanka Rupee

    You’ll encounter Sri Lanka Rupee in Sri Lanka.

  • Plug types D, G

    You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in Sri Lanka.

  • Currency

    Rs
    Sri Lanka Rupee

    Sri Lanka

  • Plugs & adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types D, G. As a traveler from England you will need an adaptor for type D. As a traveler from South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.

    • Type D

      Used in Sri Lanka

    • Type G

      Used in Sri Lanka

  • Visa

    Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.

    This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.

  • Payment information

    Pay now
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    Balance due
    60 days before departure
    Installments
    Interest-free, every two weeks
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    USD
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    Book now with just a $400 deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $26 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before December 6th, 2026 will need to be paid in full at checkout.

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From
US $920 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Intrepid Travel offers 5% discount for past passengers, saving $46
Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Best price guarantee Learn More

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Videos

  • TourRadar presents The Dambulla Cave Temple
  • TourRadar presents Ella to Kandy by Train
  • TourRadar presents Sigiriya Rock
TourRadar presents The Dambulla Cave Temple

Keep Exploring Sri Lanka

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

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Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

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Feb
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Apr
May
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Jul
Aug
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Dec

2028

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