Sigiriya Rock rising above lakes and forest, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka · 5 nights, 6 days

Sri Lanka: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Bentota

from ₹51,999 per person, twin sharing, flights extra

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya to Bentota

About this trip

Five nights from the hills to the sea, with your own car and chauffeur guide. Elephants at Pinnawala, two nights in Kandy, tea country, rafting at Kitulgala, then two nights on the beach at Bentota.

One of our Sri Lanka tour packages from Kochi. Flights quoted from your city.

Going from Kerala

Colombo is about an hour and ten minutes non-stop from Kochi, the shortest flight abroad from Kerala. From Trivandrum or Calicut we price the best route for your dates.

The Christmas break is ideal for the hills and the west-coast beaches, which are dry from December to March. The April–May summer break works too, warm by the sea and cool in Nuwara Eliya. In the Onam break the west coast is wetter, and we can move the beach nights to the east coast, which is dry then. Short flights make it a good choice for the Pooja break too.

Planning a honeymoon? Our honeymoon guide picks the best places for each month.

Length
5 nights, 6 days
Route
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya to Bentota

Sri Lanka at a glance

  • Heritage
  • Beach
  • Honeymoon
  • Family

Highlights

  • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy
  • Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens (4,000+ species)
  • White-water rafting on Kelani River at Kitulgala
  • Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatchery
  • Madu River boat ride (64 islands)

Route

  1. Kandy
  2. Nuwara Eliya
  3. Bentota
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Transfers
  • Boat

Day by day

  1. Day 1:Colombo to Kandy via Pinnawala

    A white pavilion on Kandy Lake below wooded hills, Sri Lanka
    Kandy

    Your Sri Lanka trip starts at Bandaranaike International Airport. From there you drive up into the cool highlands, stopping at Pinnawala to watch gentle elephants having their bath in the river.

    • Arrival at the airport and meeting your chauffeur guide
    • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (feeding and bathing show)
    • Visit to a spice garden on the way (complimentary)
    • Check-in at your Kandy hotel
    • Evening walk around Kandy Lake

    Meals:No meals

  2. Day 2:Culture Day in Kandy

    Get to know the spiritual and natural heart of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage city set in the misty central highlands.

    • Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens (4,000+ plant species across 147 acres)
    • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (the relic reached Sri Lanka in the 4th century)
    • Gem Gallery (complimentary)
    • Kandy Cultural Show (traditional music and dance)

    Meals:Breakfast

  3. Day 3:Kandy to Nuwara Eliya: Little England

    Rows of tea bushes over green hills at Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
    Nuwara Eliya

    Climb through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya, the highest city in Sri Lanka, called “Little England” for its colonial charm and cool climate.

    • Visit to a tea estate and factory
    • Ramboda Hanumanji Temple (a Hindu temple in scenic highland country)
    • Swan boat rides on Gregory Lake
    • Walk through Nuwara Eliya town: colonial architecture

    Meals:Breakfast

  4. Day 4:Nuwara Eliya to Bentota via Kitulgala

    Waves on a wide golden beach lined with palms at Bentota, Sri Lanka
    Bentota

    Come down from the highlands with a stop at Kitulgala for an exciting white-water rafting run, then carry on to the golden beaches of Bentota.

    • Viewpoints for St Clair’s Falls and Devon Falls
    • White-water rafting on the Kelani River at Kitulgala
    • Check-in at your Bentota beach hotel
    • Sunset walk on Bentota beach

    Meals:Breakfast

  5. Day 5:Bentota: Turtles & Madu River

    An easy beach day with wildlife along the way: gentle sea turtles at the hatchery and a lovely boat ride through 64 islands.

    • Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatchery (a conservation project)
    • Boat ride on the Madu River (64 islands, mangroves, wildlife)
    • Free time on the beach
    • Optional: watersports
    • Optional: visit to Lunuganga heritage garden

    Meals:Breakfast

  6. Day 6:Departure from Colombo

    A last breakfast at the resort, then the transfer north to Bandaranaike International Airport.

    • Breakfast
    • Check-out
    • Transfer to the airport in Colombo
    • Leave Sri Lanka

    Meals:Breakfast

What the price covers

Included

  • 5 nights in hotels: 2 in Kandy, 1 in Nuwara Eliya, 2 in Bentota
  • Daily breakfast (from Day 2)
  • Airport assistance (arrival & departure)
  • 2× 500ml water bottles per person per day
  • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage entry
  • Temple of the Tooth entry & Kandy Cultural Show
  • White-water rafting at Kitulgala (entry included)
  • Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery entry
  • Madu River boat ride
  • Private AC vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur guide

Not included

  • Visa charges
  • International airfares
  • Camera/video permits at temples
  • Personal expenses (tips, shopping, alcohol)
  • Extra meals beyond breakfast

We can add

Sri Lanka visa for Indians: what you need

From our travellers

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    Thanks to you and the Ethan Holiday team for organizing a fantastic Kashmir trip and making it so memorable! Our guide’s knowledge and friendliness made our experience great. The houseboat stay and the hotel in Gulmarg were both wonderful, with the food arrangements at the Gulmarg hotel being especially commendable. Everything was well coordinated, making the journey smooth. […] Thank you once again, and we look forward to more journeys with you in the future!

    Anil R V

    Kashmir trip · Google review

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    We made our decision on the trip very last minute. But they managed to book us a great stay in Munnar very easily and conveniently. Even when all the resorts were sold out and high priced, they booked us an amazing resort at cheaper rates than anyone else. Will surely choose them for any bookings or travel deals moving forward. Thank you guys so much for the remarkable services.

    Saagar Jose

    Munnar trip · Google review

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Before you ask

What does the price cover?

It is the lowest price per person for this trip, with two people sharing a room, for what the trip lists as included. Flights from your city are quoted separately. Indicative price: it can change with dates and availability. Ask us for today’s price for your dates.

Do I need a visa?

Indian passport holders get a free 30-day tourist visa, but still need the online ETA before travel; we apply for it for you. Entry rules change, so we check them again when you book.

Sri Lanka visa for Indians: what you need

When is the best time to go?

December to March for the west and south coasts and the hills, while the east coast has showers; April brings afternoon thunderstorms. May to September, the south-west monsoon, is the time for the east coast; October and November bring showers across the island, often later in the day.

Can you change this trip?

Yes. Every package on this site is a starting point. Tell us your dates, pace, hotel preferences and budget in the form below and we rebuild the itinerary around you.

Sigiriya Rock rising above lakes and forest, Sri Lanka

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Trip Sri Lanka: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Bentota · 5N/6D from ₹51,999 per person · twin sharing

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