Mini Tour of Lanka
4 Nights /5 Days

This 5-day tour offers a perfect blend of Sri Lanka’s rich history, cultural landmarks, and scenic beauty, with a variety of attractions from ancient cities to coastal towns. Each day is packed with experiences that allow you to explore the country’s diverse heritage and natural wonders.

For those who are on a tight budget and have very limited time in Sri Lanka, this tour would be ideal to cpature some of the major attractions within the shortest span of time.

 

Day Route Places Visited Overnight
1 Airport – Negombo Negombo (fishing village) tour Waikkal / Negombo
2 Negombo – Polonnaruwa – Habarana Minneriya Safari, Polonnaruwa (Medieval capital) Habarana
3 Habarana – Kandy Sigiriya(Rock Fortress), Dambulla, Kandy city tour Kandy
4 Kandy – Colombo Botanical Gardens, Colombo city tour Colombo
5 Transfer to airport or to your Beach Stay

 

Included/Exclude

  • Accommodation on twin/double sharing basis.
  • Meals on half board basis (breakfast & dinner)
  • Air-conditioned private transport
  • Entrance fees at Locations (as per itinerary)
  • English speaking guide (above 8 pax) and chauffeur-guide (below 8 pax)
  • Government tax and service charge
  • Any extra beverages, lunches or snacks,
  • Any personal effects not mentioned here.
  • Any activities which are not mentioned on itinerary.

Tour Amenities

Tour Plan

  • Arrival at Colombo International Airport
    • Time: Upon arrival at Colombo International Airport, your guide will meet you, and you will begin your journey to the coastal town of Negombo.
    • Travel Time: 30-45 minutes by road (depending on traffic).
  • Negombo Fishing Village Tour
    • Time: Afternoon (around 1:00 PM)
    • Negombo is a charming fishing town located just north of Colombo. You'll explore the Negombo Lagoon and see fishermen bringing in their catch for the day. Visit the local fish market, where you can witness the bustling trade of fresh seafood. Negombo is known for its long beaches, so you will also have some time to relax by the shore or take a stroll along the Negombo Beach.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Negombo Lagoon: A serene spot where local fishermen work in traditional wooden boats.
      • St. Mary's Church: A large church with a historical background.
      • Negombo Beach: A laid-back place to relax and enjoy the sea breeze.
  • Overnight: Stay in Waikkal / Negombo.
  • Morning Travel to Polonnaruwa
    • Time: Departure from Negombo at 7:00 AM
    • Travel to Polonnaruwa, one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals, rich in historical significance. The journey will take approximately 5 hours by road.
  • Polonnaruwa (Medieval Capital) Tour
    • Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Upon arrival, explore Polonnaruwa, the second medieval capital of Sri Lanka. It was established after the fall of Anuradhapura and is known for its well-preserved ruins. Visit the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara (a group of magnificent rock-cut Buddha statues), and the Lankathilaka Temple.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Royal Palace & Audience Hall: The seat of the king and his court during the 11th century.
      • Gal Vihara: A beautiful set of rock-carved Buddha statues, some of the finest examples of ancient Sri Lankan sculpture.
      • Lankathilaka Temple: Known for its impressive architectural design.
  • Minneriya Safari
    • Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    • After Polonnaruwa, you'll take a short drive to Minneriya National Park for a thrilling safari experience. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, especially during the dry season when the elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Minneriya National Park: A sanctuary for wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and a variety of bird species.
  • Overnight: Stay in Habarana.
  • Morning Travel to Sigiriya
    • Time: 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
    • Departure from Habarana to Sigiriya (about 30 minutes by road).
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
    • Time: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
    • Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. The ancient rock palace stands atop a massive granite monolith, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Lion’s Gate: The entrance to the fortress, shaped like a lion’s mouth.
      • Frescoes: Beautiful ancient paintings of celestial maidens on the rock walls.
      • Pond and Gardens: Ancient water gardens designed with symmetry and precision.
  • Dambulla Cave Temple
    • Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
    • Travel from Sigiriya to Dambulla (approximately 30 minutes).
    • Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its impressive cave complex with over 150 Buddha statues and murals.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Golden Temple of Dambulla: The entrance, marked by a golden Buddha statue.
      • Cave Temples: Cave shrines with murals and statues depicting Buddha’s life and teachings.
  • Visit to a Spice Garden
    • Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
    • After the Dambulla Cave Temples, drive approximately 30 minutes to a Spice Garden in Matale.
    • At the Spice Garden, you’ll be introduced to the various spices Sri Lanka is famous for. The garden guide will provide detailed explanations of how the spices are grown, harvested, and used both in cooking and Ayurvedic medicine.
    • What to Expect:
      • Guided Tour: A knowledgeable guide will walk you through the garden, explaining each spice’s properties and uses.
      • Experiences: See the spices in their natural form, smell them, and learn about their benefits. You may also have the chance to try grinding spices or extracting oils.
      • Spice Remedies: Discover how spices are used in Ayurvedic medicine for health and wellness.
    • Lunch Option:
      • Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at the spice garden. The meal will typically include an array of local dishes such as rice and curry, dhal (lentils), vegetables, and sambol (a spicy condiment). This is an excellent opportunity to taste authentic Sri Lankan flavors in a beautiful, tranquil setting.
  • Travel to Kandy
    • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    • Depart from the spice garden at 1:00 PM and travel to Kandy, a scenic drive that takes around 2.5 hours.
  • Kandy City Tour (Including Gem Shop & Batik Shop)
    • Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
    • Upon arrival in Kandy, embark on a brief Kandy city tour, where you’ll explore the town’s most famous spots, including a Gem Shop and a Batik Shop.
      • Gem Shop: Sri Lanka is famous for its precious gemstones, especially sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. At the gem shop, you will learn about the country's rich gem-mining history and see a range of gemstones, including those used for jewelry.
      • Batik Shop: Visit a traditional Batik shop where you can see the intricate process of creating Batik fabric, a traditional technique that involves applying wax to fabric and dyeing it to create beautiful patterns and designs. You will also have the opportunity to shop for unique Batik items, such as scarves, dresses, and wall hangings.
  • Cultural Dance Show in Kandy
    • Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    • After the city tour, head to the venue for the Cultural Dance Show, where you’ll experience traditional Kandyan dances. The performance includes vibrant costumes, energetic drumming, and impressive choreography that narrate stories from Sri Lanka’s history and mythology. You might also get a chance to witness fire-walking, a thrilling part of the dance.
    • Key Highlights:
      • Traditional Kandyan Dance: A rhythmic, high-energy performance.
      • Fire Walking: In some performances, the dancers walk barefoot over hot coals (subject to performance availability).
  • Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
    • Time: 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM
    • After the cultural dance show, visit the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most revered Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, which houses the sacred relic of the Buddha's tooth.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Temple of the Tooth: The sacred temple housing the Buddha’s tooth relic, an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists.
      • Kandy Lake: A picturesque artificial lake that adds to the serene atmosphere of the city.
  • Overnight: Stay in Kandy.
  • Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
    • Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Start your day with a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, located just outside Kandy. This beautiful garden is known for its vast collection of orchids, medicinal plants, and a large variety of trees and palms. It is a peaceful place to stroll and enjoy the natural beauty.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Orchid House: Home to a vast array of orchid species.
      • Avenue of Palms: A picturesque avenue lined with towering palm trees.
  • Travel to Colombo
    • Time: Depart from Kandy at 11:30 AM
    • Journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital. The drive will take approximately 3 hours.
  • Colombo City Tour
    • Time: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
    • Upon arrival, explore Colombo, the modern capital of Sri Lanka. Visit the Galle Face Green, a large oceanfront park, and take in the views of the Indian Ocean. Explore Independence Square and Gangaramaya Temple. Walk around the Colombo National Museum to learn about the country's history and culture.
    • Key Attractions:
      • Galle Face Green: A popular park by the sea where locals gather to relax.
      • Independence Square: A historical site celebrating Sri Lanka’s independence.
      • Gangaramaya Temple: A Buddhist temple that combines modern architecture with traditional design.
      • Colombo National Museum: The largest museum in Sri Lanka showcasing the country’s heritage.
  • Overnight: Stay in Colombo.
  • Departure
    • Time: Depending on your flight schedule or next destination, transfer from Colombo to the airport or your beach stay. If you have more time, enjoy a relaxing visit to one of the coastal towns like Negombo or Bentota before heading to the airport.

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Booking Process :

  • These are only some of our sample itineraries of tour experiences.
  • Talk to us and let us know what you are looking for.
  • We design your holiday around your needs and will send you a tailor-made proposal with a competitive quote.
  • Once you are happy with the quote and wish to go ahead, we will send you an invoice to make an advance deposit to confirm the booking.
  • We book it all, answer any questions you have and will send you your travel kit.

Tour Enquiry:

    You can email us at:
    info@sylvantours.com.Or call us at:
    +94 777 194 234

    Tour Information

    Max Guests

    20

    Min Age

    2

    Tour Location

    Languages Support