Explore Sri Lanka: 8-Day Tour from Istanbul

Overnight flight to Colombo

We meet tour representatives at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport at 16:30. After completing ticket, baggage and passport procedures, we fly directly to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, at 19:30 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK730. We spend the night on board.

Pinnawala and Dambulla

After a direct flight of approximately 8 hours with Turkish Airlines, we arrive at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport at 05:55 local time. After completing passport formalities and collecting our luggage, we meet our local guide and board our private bus. We stop for breakfast early in the morning before heading to our first stop, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Established in 1975, Pinnawala is an elephant care centre set on a 25-decare coconut plantation and is now considered one of the symbols of Sri Lanka. During our visit, we learn about the work being done to return elephants to the wild. Our guide shares information as we watch the elephants taking their morning baths by the river.

We then depart for Dambulla. Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple) is a sacred site dating back to the 1st century BC. After exploring the complex of five caves containing 150 statues dedicated to Buddha and colourful frescoes, we transfer to our hotel.

Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in the Sigiriya area.

Our hotel is the 4-star Camellia Resort & Spa Sigiriya or a similar property.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Anuradhapura

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress in Sri Lanka. Built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa, the fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as Lion Rock. As we climb to the top of the 200-metre-high rock fortress, we see the frescoes, the mirror wall and the ancient water gardens. From the summit, we look out over Sri Lanka's green landscape.

After our visit to Sigiriya, we head to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the country's first capital. One of the first major centres of Sinhala civilisation, the city is home to the sacred Bodhi tree. Here, we visit Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Isurumuniya Temple and Sri Maha Bodhi, the world's oldest tree planted by humans.

After eating Sri Lankan dishes at a local restaurant around midday, we set off for Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital. Along the way, we stop at Matale Spice Garden to learn about the cultivation of tropical plants such as cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and black pepper.

Upon arrival in Kandy, we check in to our hotel and have dinner. We spend the night at our hotel in Kandy.

Accommodation is at the 4-star Royal Kandyan Hotel or similar hotels.

Temple of the Tooth and tea country

After breakfast at our hotel, we head to our first stop, Dalada Maligawa - the Temple of the Tooth in central Kandy. Considered one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, the temple is believed to house a tooth of the Buddha. During our visit, we learn about the temple's architecture and religious significance.

We then set off for Nuwara Eliya, the country's tea production hub. Along the way, we see tea plantations and waterfalls. We visit a tea factory on our route to learn about the stages of producing Sri Lanka's Ceylon tea and taste a cup of freshly brewed tea.

We arrive in Nuwara Eliya around midday and begin our city tour. Founded by British governors in the 1800s, this mountain town is known as Little England for its colonial buildings, cool climate and green surroundings. During the tour, we see Gregory Lake, Victoria Park and buildings with English-style architecture.

At the end of the day, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Our hotel is the 4-star Araliya Red Hotel or similar.

Scenic train ride to Colombo

This morning, after breakfast at our hotel, we leave Nuwara Eliya and set off for Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

We travel by train from Ambewela Train Station to Badarawela. Along this route, known for its scenery, we see tea plantations, misty mountains, small local stations and tropical vegetation.

Upon arrival in Badarawela, we board our waiting private vehicle and continue to Colombo by road. As we travel from Sri Lanka's interior towards the coast, we pass along palm-lined roads and through local villages.

On arrival in Colombo, we transfer to our hotel and settle into our rooms for a short rest. In the evening, guests who wish can take a short sightseeing tour of the city centre or relax and use the hotel's facilities.

We spend the night at our hotel in Colombo. Our accommodation is the 4-star Fairway Colombo or a similar hotel.

Colombo city tour

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin a panoramic city tour of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colonial buildings, modern skyscrapers and tropical surroundings stand side by side in the city.

During the tour, we enjoy panoramic views of Galle Face Green, Independence Square, Beira Lake, the Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar), the Indian Quarters, the Lighthouse, the Dutch Hospital Building, Petah Market and the city walls.

We then visit Gangaramaya Temple, one of Sri Lanka's important Buddhist places of worship. The temple also houses a small museum displaying statues, religious objects and traditional works of art.

Next, we visit the National Museum to learn about the island's kingdoms, colonial period and path to independence. The museum's collection includes historic royal belongings, masks, weapons and manuscripts.

In the afternoon, guests who wish can enjoy free time in Colombo's world-renowned tea and spice shops, jewellery shops or shopping centres.

We have dinner at our hotel in Colombo and stay there overnight.

Accommodation is at the 4-star Fairway Colombo or similar hotels.

Negombo coastal town

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Negombo, a town on Sri Lanka's west coast along the Indian Ocean. Located approximately 40 km from Colombo, this coastal town is known for its historic character and tropical surroundings.

Previously under Portuguese and Dutch colonial rule, Negombo is now known as Little Rome. Fishing and its Catholic identity are key features of the town. We first visit St. Mary's Church. Built in the 19th century, the church is noted for its colourful ceiling decorations and Gothic architecture.

We then visit Negombo Fish Market, where dried fish and freshly caught seafood are sold. We take a short walk with our guide to observe daily life and local culture.

Our tour continues with the Dutch Canal, Negombo Lagoon, the historic harbour area and the beach surroundings. During our walk along the lagoon, we see mangrove forests and tropical birds.

For the rest of the day, we check in to our beachfront hotel in Negombo and enjoy free time by the sea. Guests may relax on the beach, watch the sunset or use the hotel's facilities.

Dinner and our overnight stay are at our beachfront hotel in Negombo. Our hotel is the 4-star Jetwing Sea or similar.

Return to Istanbul

After an early breakfast at our hotel this morning, we check out and transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. With our guide's assistance, we complete passport and baggage formalities and depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK731.

After a direct flight lasting approximately 9 hours, we arrive at Istanbul Airport at 14:05, Türkiye time.

This brings our Sri Lanka tour to an end. We have been happy to host you on this journey. We hope to see you again on your next trip.