BeachSri Lanka South Coast Week
- 5★ beach hotel near Galle
- Direct flights from London Heathrow
- Return airport transfers
From£999per person · 2 sharing
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Sri Lanka Culture & Coast
Ten nights from Sigiriya and Kandy to the tea country, the train to Ella and the south coast, with a private driver, 5-star hotels and half board.
- 10 nights
- Half board
- Direct from London Heathrow
From
£1,649
per person · 2 sharing
About this holiday
A tour of Sri Lanka with your own driver, then three nights by the sea. Start in the Cultural Triangle at Sigiriya and the cave temples of Dambulla, continue to Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, then head into the tea country and take the train to Ella.
From Ella you drive down to the south coast for three nights near Galle or Mirissa. The package includes direct flights from London Heathrow, 5-star hotels with breakfast and dinner, a private car with an English-speaking driver, and the train from Nanu Oya to Ella.
- Duration
- 10 nights, plus flights
- Board
- Half board
- Hotels
- 5★ hotels along the route
- Flights
- Direct from London Heathrow
- Transport
- Private car and driver
- Good for
- Couples, families, friends
5★ hotels along the route
You stay in 5-star hotels at each stop: near Sigiriya, in Kandy, in the tea country at Nuwara Eliya, in Ella and on the beach on the south coast. Rooms and facilities vary, and we confirm each hotel with your quote.
Hotel features
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- Pools at most hotels
- Free Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning on the coast
- A beach hotel for the last 3 nights
- Family rooms on request
Driving times on the tour
- Airport to Sigiriyaapprox. 4 hrs
- Sigiriya to Kandyapprox. 2 hrs 30 mins
- Kandy to Nuwara Eliyaapprox. 3 hrs
- Nanu Oya to Ella by trainapprox. 3 hrs 30 mins
- Ella to the south coastapprox. 4 to 5 hrs
- Galle to the airportapprox. 2 hrs 30 mins
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, the weather and stops on the way.
Included in the price
Included
- Direct return flights from London Heathrow, with checked baggage
- 10 nights in 5★ hotels at Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and the south coast
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- A private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver
- Train tickets from Nanu Oya to Ella (reserved seats where available)
- ATOL protection under ATOL 10416
- A UK consultant before and during your trip
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Entry fees at Sigiriya, Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth
- Lunches, drinks and tips
- Extras such as seat selection or extra baggage
Before you go
Flight time
Approx. 11 hours direct from London Heathrow to Colombo (CMB). Your driver meets you at the airport.
Time difference
Sri Lanka is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of the UK in winter and 4 hours 30 minutes ahead in summer.
Money
The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in most hotels; carry cash for markets, tuk-tuks and small shops.
Temples and mosques
Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes and hat at temples. At mosques, dress modestly and avoid prayer times.
Language
Sinhala and Tamil are the main languages. English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas.
Weather
The coast and Sigiriya are warm, at around 29–31°C by day. The hill country around Nuwara Eliya and Ella is much cooler, so pack a warm layer for the evenings.
Day by day
This is a suggested route; we can change the order or add nights. Entry fees and excursions are not included.
- Day 1
Fly to Colombo
Fly direct from London Heathrow to Colombo, approx. 11 hours, arriving the next day.
- Day 2
Drive to Sigiriya
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel near Sigiriya, approx. 4 hours by road.
- Day 3
Sigiriya and Dambulla
Climb Sigiriya Rock early, before the heat, for the frescoes and the views from the top. In the afternoon, visit the cave temples at Dambulla, approx. 30 minutes away.
- Days 4–5
Kandy
Drive to Kandy, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, stopping at a spice garden on the way. Visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya.
- Day 6
Tea country
Drive up into the hills to Nuwara Eliya, approx. 3 hours, stopping at a tea estate and factory on the way.
- Days 7–8
The train to Ella
Take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella through the tea estates, approx. 3 hours 30 minutes, while your driver takes your bags by road. In Ella, walk to the Nine Arch Bridge and up Little Adam’s Peak.
- Days 9–11
The south coast
Drive down to the coast, approx. 4 to 5 hours, for three nights by the sea near Galle or Mirissa. Visit Galle Fort, or take a whale-watching trip in season.
- Day 12
Fly home
Your driver takes you to the airport, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, for your direct flight to London Heathrow.
Questions about this package
Is a driver included for the whole tour?
Yes. A private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver takes you from the airport, around the island and back to the airport at the end. We can add local guides at the main sites on request.
Is the train ride to Ella included?
Yes. We book reserved seats from Nanu Oya to Ella where available. Reserved seats can sell out; if they do, we book other seats or your driver takes you by road.
How hard is the climb at Sigiriya?
There are around 1,200 steps to the top, some on narrow metal staircases. Allow approx. 2 hours up and down. Go early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.
When is the best time for this tour?
The south coast is at its driest from December to April, which is the main season for this tour. Sigiriya and the hill country can have showers at any time of year, and the hills are often cool and misty.
Can I change the route or add nights?
Yes. You can add nights at any stop, include a safari at Udawalawe or Yala, or spend longer on the coast. Tell us your dates and we’ll price it for you.
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Questions about this holiday?
Talk to a UK consultant
Call us or send an enquiry, and we’ll check prices for your dates, suggest hotels and change the package to suit you.