Short on time but want to see the best of Sri Lanka? This 7-day Group Tour packs the island’s biggest highlights into one unforgettable week, from a jeep safari in Yala National Park to the famous hill country train ride out of Ella.
Swim at Ravana Falls, hike Little Adam’s Peak for sunset, watch the train roll over the Nine Arches Bridge, visit Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth and climb Sigiriya Lion Rock, before a final night by the beach in Negombo. Boutique hotels, private transport, breakfast and lunch every day and entry to the big sights are all sorted, so you can just enjoy the ride.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Your adventure kicks off in Galle at 8:00 AM with a scenic drive along Sri Lanka’s south coast. After lunch, check in near Yala National Park, then jump in a 4WD jeep for an afternoon safari to look for elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles and loads of birdlife.
Head up into the cool hill country, stopping for a swim at Ravana Falls and to watch the train cross the famous Nine Arches Bridge. After lunch and check-in, hike Little Adam’s Peak for one of the best sunsets in Sri Lanka, then head into Ella town for dinner.
Wake up to views over the Ella Gap before boarding one of the world’s most scenic train rides, winding through tea plantations and mountain villages to Nanu Oya. After lunch, continue on to Kandy, with the option to stop for white water rafting in Kitulgala along the way.
Spend the morning at a local tea factory learning all about Ceylon tea, then try on a traditional saree or sarong. After lunch at a Hela Bojun food court run by local women, explore Kandy on a city tour and finish with a guided evening visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth.
Visit traditional craft workshops and the huge Dambulla vegetable market on the way north, then head to Hiriwadunna village for a walk, a boat ride on the reservoir and a home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch. In the evening, there’s the option to visit the Golden Cave Temple.
An early start gets you to Sigiriya Lion Rock before the heat for a guided climb to the ancient palace ruins at the top. After a late breakfast, drive west to Negombo for your last night by the beach, with time for sunset, some shopping and a final dinner with the crew.
Enjoy breakfast and one last sunrise by the beach before your transfer to Colombo International Airport. Transfers run until 12:00 PM, so we recommend booking flights home that depart before 4:00 PM.
To make your booking, choose your departure date and any optional extras you'd like. Not sure about extras, or need extra accommodation before or after your tour? No worries, just let us know later by email.
How the price works: the tour price is shown in the booking panel, then a 1.75% online booking fee is added at checkout — that's the price you see on the tour page. You'll see both lines before you pay. No card surcharges, and nothing is added after that.
Once you've booked, we'll send your booking confirmation along with important information about your tour.
Travelling solo? Great! Most of the people you meet on tour will also be on a solo adventure! If you are curious as to who you could be travelling with, or want to make some friends before arriving, join our Travel Community and reach out to your potential new travel mates!
Booking with ULTIMATE is easy! We take payments securely via Mastercard or Visa Credit and Debit Card and we will charge you in Australian Currency (AUD). Your deposit is flexible and if you can no longer travel, you can save your deposit for a later trip or destination if you notify us 30 days before your scheduled tour date.
Making your booking is easy. Choose a date below, and if you have any questions about extras, deposits, or meeting other travellers, just get in touch — we're happy to help.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts in Galle at 8:00 AM on Day 1 and finishes with a drop-off at Colombo International Airport on Day 7.
Who will I be travelling with?
You will travel with a small group of like-minded travellers from around the world. Each departure needs a minimum of 2 travellers to run.
Do I need vaccinations?
Recommend speaking to a healthcare professional and following their advice.
Can I book extra nights?
Yes, you can add extra nights before or after your trip. We recommend arriving in Galle the night before the tour starts.
Can you help me organise flights & insurance?
They provide a flight quote service link and recommend travel insurance through their provider.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities receive a free 30-day tourist visa in Sri Lanka on arrival; check with your local consulate/embassy for current information.
How do I book?
Select your chosen departure date, enter your details, and receive a booking confirmation with useful tour information.
What if I have specific dietary requirements?
They do their best to cater for most dietary requirements — vegetarians and vegans are welcome, just make requirements known before the tour.
How much spending money do I need?
Dinners aren’t included, so budget for 6 dinners plus drinks, snacks, tips and any optional activities such as white water rafting (approx. USD 25) or the Royal Botanical Gardens and Golden Cave Temple (approx. USD 10 each).
Do I need temple wear?
Yes, bring temple wear to cover legs, shoulders and chest — men should wear t-shirts rather than singlets; sarongs are ideal for women to drape over shoulders.
Is there an airport pick up on arrival?
The tour starts in Galle, so an airport pick-up isn’t included on Day 1. Get in touch with our team if you’d like help getting from Colombo Airport to Galle.
What time should I fly out at the end of the tour?
Your airport drop-off runs until 12:00 PM on Day 7, so we recommend booking flights home that depart before 4:00 PM.
Is the tour guided?
Yes. An experienced English-speaking driver travels with the group for the whole trip and looks after the day-to-day running of the tour, and local guides join you at key sites including Yala, the Temple of the Tooth and Sigiriya.
Is Yala National Park open all year?
Yala usually closes for maintenance in September and October. During any closure, the safari runs in Udawalawe National Park instead, which is famous for its big herds of Asian elephants.
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Group tours and gap year programs for 18 to 35s. Running since 2015, with over 20,000 travellers.
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