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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Five-Star Sri Lanka: Grand Safaris & Sacred Cities

Fifteen-day escorted Sri Lanka tour combining wildlife safaris, sacred sites, tea trains, and beach

Illustration of Five-Star Sri Lanka: Grand Safaris & Sacred Cities

Great Rail Journeys' Five-Star Sri Lanka: Grand Safaris & Sacred Cities is a 15-day escorted tour departing London Heathrow with direct flights and returning the same way. The journey weaves through Buddhist heritage sites, jungle wildlife reserves, tea plantations, and coastal retreats, with all accommodation in five-star hotels and a UK Tour Manager at your side throughout. Days begin with guided exploration of UNESCO World Heritage cities such as Kandy, Dambulla, and Galle; two early-morning Jeep safaris hunt for leopards in Wilpattu and Yala National Parks. The centrepiece is a pair of First Class journeys on the Tea Train through mist-draped mountains and across the famous Nine Arches Bridge viaduct. Between activities, guests stay in luxury hotel bases where breakfasts are always included and 10 dinners feature both traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and restaurants such as Colombo's Ministry of Crab. The final three days are spent relaxing on Bentota Beach, with a mangrove boat excursion and unscheduled beach time built in. This tour suits luxury-seeking travellers who value comfort, guided structure, and a mix of active exploration with built-in relaxation.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 2,200 (USD 2,940), approximately 49 percent of the double-room price; budget-conscious solo travellers may find this significant.
  • Two safaris depart before sunrise; early rising is required on Days 5 and 11.
  • The group size reaches up to 30 travellers, limiting the exclusivity of some shared experiences.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    Flying overnight to Sri Lanka

    Your Sri Lankan holiday begins this afternoon at London Heathrow. Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers, ready for a direct overnight flight to Colombo.

  2. Day 2overnight: Colombo

    Welcome to coastal Colombo

    The plane touches down at Bandaranaike International Airport. A coach transfer takes you to the five-star hotel in Colombo. The afternoon and early evening is free to unwind. This evening, travel to a nearby restaurant recreating a traditional Sri Lankan village around an ancient banyan tree for a buffet of authentic local cuisine.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Colombo

    Getting to know the enchanting capital

    Explore Colombo's deep history with an expert guide: drive through Pettah neighbourhood, see the Red Mosque, Old Parliament Building, Galle Face Green, Independence Square, and the Colombo Lotus Tower with lunch in its revolving restaurant. Evening dinner at the Ministry of Crab.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Anuradhapura

    Driving through Sri Lanka's interior to Anuradhapura

    Journey to the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Anuradhapura, considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Check into five-star hotel with sumptuous pool villas. Optional sightseeing tour available (payable locally). Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Anuradhapura

    Wildlife explorations in Wilpattu National Park

    Depart before sunrise with a packed breakfast for an early morning Jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park (131,693 hectares). Search for sloth bears, Sri Lankan elephants, mugger crocodiles, colourful birds and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Return to hotel around lunchtime; afternoon free. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Kandy

    To Kandy via Sri Lanka's Sacred Sites

    Depart Anuradhapura after breakfast. Visit the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temples with a giant golden Buddha and over 150 statues. Continue to Matale Spice Garden. Final stop at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Arrive at five-star hotel overlooking Kandy's jungles and mountains for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Kandy

    Getting to know Kandy and its Royal Botanical Garden

    Begin at the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya (4,000+ species). Guided walking tour of Kandy, visiting the market square. Lunch at the historic Queen's Hotel, the oldest pub in Sri Lanka. Relaxing afternoon at the hotel. Dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Nuwara Eliya

    Riding the scenic 'tea train' to Nanu Oya

    Leisurely morning before a coach transfer to the station for the 'tea train' journey to Nanu Oya in First Class. Scenic route through the central highlands with mountainous slopes, bridges, tunnels, misty hills, lush forests and cascading waterfalls. Packed lunch provided. Transfer to luxury hotel near Nuwara Eliya ('Little England'). Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Nuwara Eliya

    Sri Lanka's tea heritage

    Travel to Ramboda to tour a tea plantation and factory. Hands-on experience plucking tea leaves and seeing how the product goes from plant to cup. Lunch independently at the restaurant. Afternoon at leisure at the Grand Hotel with its gardens, spa, indoor pool and billiards room. Dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: Weerawila

    Mountain and jungle views by rail

    Coach to the station to reboard the tea train for a First Class journey to Demodara, crossing the Nine Arches Bridge viaduct nearly 100 feet above the ground. Coach transfer to resort hotel on the shores of Weerawila Lake, with a stop for independent lunch en route. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Weerawila

    Spotting leopards in Yala National Park

    Early morning Jeep safari in Yala National Park with packed breakfast. Search for leopards, wild boar, elephants, crocodiles and bird species including the crested serpent eagle and rare purple heron. Afternoon at leisure. Pre-dinner drinks and snacks at the hotel's rooftop bar with arrack-infused drinks and Sri Lankan snacks. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Bentota Beach

    Towards the golden sand of the southwest coast

    Travel along the south coast to the historic port city of Galle for free time and independent lunch, followed by a guided walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Portuguese and Dutch fortress. Continue to Bentota Beach hotel for the final three nights. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Bentota Beach

    Cruising through the mangroves of the Madu River

    Coach transfer to the Balapitiya Estuary for a boat ride on the Madu River through narrow mangrove tunnels, past small islands including one producing cinnamon. Enjoy a king coconut drink and spot monkeys, crocodiles and 100+ bird species. Return to hotel for afternoon and evening at leisure on Bentota or Ventura beach.

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14overnight: Bentota Beach

    A day to relax beside the Indian Ocean

    Final full day at leisure. Enjoy the hotel's unique pool complex with an island in the centre, relax on the beach, or walk to Secret Island for temples, stupas and a lookout point with optional guided meditation sessions. Lunch and dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  15. Day 15

    Homeward bound

    Depart the hotel early with a packed breakfast. Coach transfer to Colombo airport for the direct flight back to the UK, arriving at London Heathrow this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Early morning Jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park searching for Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears, and Asian elephants across 131,693 hectares.
  • Day 8First Class Tea Train journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya through mist-covered mountains, tunnels, bridges and cascading waterfalls in the central highlands.
  • Day 10First Class Tea Train crosses the Nine Arches Bridge viaduct, nearly 100 feet above the ground, en route to Demodara.
  • Day 11Early morning Jeep safari in Yala National Park hunting for leopards, wild boar, elephants and the crested serpent eagle and rare purple heron.
  • Day 13Boat excursion through mangrove tunnels on the Madu River to islands producing cinnamon, with sightings of monkeys, crocodiles and over 100 bird species.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 5-star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Colombo
  • Breakfast each day
  • 3 lunches
  • 10 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes all rail travel, specifically two First Class journeys on the Tea Train (Kandy to Nanu Oya and Nanu Oya to Demodara). Rail, coach, boat travel and direct return flights from London Heathrow are all included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout. All guided tours, excursions, meals and transfers are included and scheduled.
What accommodation is provided?
Great Rail Journeys books five-star hotels: Cinnamon Life City of Dreams in Colombo, Uga Ulagalla in Anuradhapura, Earl's Regency in Kandy, Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort in Weerawila, and Cinnamon Life Bentota Beach for the final three nights.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys has scheduled departures in October 2027, November 2027, and March 2027.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. The package also provides 3 lunches and 10 dinners. Some meals are independently taken at leisure.
Is travel insurance included?
No. Cancellation and travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.

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