Sri Lanka small group tour with added comfort
Late availability on these dates: 12 Nov, 17 Nov, 26 Nov, 29 Nov, 03 Dec, 13 Dec, 24 Dec, 27 Dec, 29 Dec, 31 Dec, 03 Jan, 07 Jan, 10 Jan, 12 Jan, 14 Jan, 17 Jan, 19 Jan, 21 Jan, 24 Jan, 26 Jan, 28 Jan, 31 Jan, 02 Feb, 04 Feb, 06 Feb,...
Description of Sri Lanka small group tour with added comfort
Authentic experiences abound on this tour of Sri Lanka, which takes you to some of its standout sights. This trip starts on the coast in Negombo before taking you inland to Dambulla, a great base for exploring the island’s Cultural Triangle, including the Dambulla Cave Temple and the rock fortress at Sigiriya. From here you’ll head into the Highlands for tea tasting, and then towards the south coast via Yala National Park, ending in Colombo.
You can get stuck in learning how to cook traditional food in Galle after a wander through the local markets, and in Kandy you’ll dine in a restaurant that both employs and empowers local women before enjoying a cultural show in someone’s home. Throughout this tour, your local guide is on hand to provide insights into the country.
Wildlife-wise, this trip is rich in experiences, including birdwatching in the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kandy. You’ll also enjoy two days at Yala National Park, where you may spot the elusive leopard, plus hundreds of birds.
Cultural highlights include the rock fortress at Sigiriya, the city of Kandy, and the ancient royal city of Polonnaruwa, where you’ll walk among temples, tombs and stupas.
Accommodation on this trip includes a chance to stay at a fantastic, historic hotel in Nuwara Eliya, and you’ll travel by private vehicle, plus a train through the Highlands.
Map

Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
Holiday information
Reviews
2 Reviews of Sri Lanka small group tour with added comfort
Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026 by Helena Cook
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Train trip Nurawa Eliya to Ella was spectacular. The temples and ancient ruins; the guided informative tours of trees and plants in Spice and Botanic Gardens; and the food!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that the hotels are very up market with firm dress codes for dinner. Also take warm layers for the high tea country - Nurawa Eliya. Easy slip on shoes as many times you have to remove shoes. A guidebook as there is a lot of free time.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some extent - certainly stayed in several hotels that take this very seriously and visited some community projects. But generally this was a trip where we were rather removed from local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A good introduction to south of Sri Lanka. Good guide and not too much driving without stops and breaks. Fantastic hotels.
Reviewed on 13 Mar 2025 by Pam Lintott
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything- exceptional tour guide.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check ages of others in group. We did and had an older group. It was fantastic and we all had such fun.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant.
Responsible Travel
Planet
CARBON REDUCTIONEmbracing sustainable modes of transportation is at the heart of our journey. As travellers journey from Kandy, they board a morning train bound for Nuwara Eliya, immersing themselves in the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka while ensuring a reduced carbon footprint. The conscious choice of public transport and the deliberate avoidance of internal flights further accentuate our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, ensuring that our travels tread lightly on the planet.
This trip is cabon labelled to give our travellers visibilty over the impact of their chosen holiday. Our business has a seven-point commitment plan that supports our Climate Emergency declaration. We are the first global tour operator with verifiable science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
The booming tourism in Sri Lanka has its challenges, especially with the surge in visitors to Yala National Park. With concerns of overtourism and its impact on the environment, our itinerary includes visits to lesser-touristed sections like Block 5 or Veheragala. If these areas too witness crowding, alternative visits to Udawalawe National Park and Bundala National Park are planned, both rich in biodiversity.
Furthermore, our partnership with Zero Plastic aids in educating local communities about plastic pollution, especially in the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya.
Our stay at the Grand Hotel, nestled amidst tea plantations, not only offers a nod to colonial history but also champions sustainable practices, eliminating single-use plastics and aiming for a zero-waste future. Our commitment to the environment is further solidified with the inclusion of expert local nature and wildlife leaders.
People
LOCAL ECONOMYOur journey ensures that the local economy thrives. The Grand Hotel, a National Heritage Property set amidst tea plantations, offers travellers a blend of history and scenic beauty. The culinary journey begins with a seafood dinner at a local home, introducing travellers to the rich scents and flavours of Sri Lanka, from fresh seafood to local favourites like pol sambol and roast paan.
The guided tour of the Royal Botanical Garden with a local botanist, the visit to a spice garden in Matale, and the immersive experience at the farmers market followed by a Sri Lankan cooking class, all ensure that travellers engage authentically with the local community, boosting the local economy.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
Our commitment to inclusivity and diversity is evident in our curated experiences. The Hela Bojun restaurant in Kandy, where travellers dine, focuses on empowering and employing local women, ensuring that tourism directly benefits the community.
Since 2018 we have been a certified B Corporation. B Corps that look after their staff, work toward a more inclusive supply chain, and take corporate social responsibility to the next level. For us, becoming a B Corp meant taking all the work we’ve already done – through our Foundation and our core operation – to the next level and conducting an extensive audit to ensure we meet the highest responsible business standards. Local leaders and experts are an integral part of our journeys, and all local leaders and guides on this trip will be local to the area
Popular similar holidays
Sri Lanka adventure holiday
From £1523 - £2420 15 days excluding flights
Discover this magical land on expertly lead group tour
Sri Lanka cycling holiday, off the beaten track
From £2203 - £2859 14 days excluding flights
Ride the cool highlands, jungle parks and ancient Buddhist cities
Small group holiday to Sri Lanka
From £2245 - £3055 15 days excluding flights
Explore Sri Lanka's natural paradise





