Sri Lanka Escape: Colombo to Yala

Stroll Negombo’s golden beaches, where sea breezes and gentle waves mark your Sri Lankan welcome.
Explore Kandy’s sacred temples, lush hills, and lively markets steeped in royal and Buddhist heritage.
Wander through Peradeniya’s blooming botanical gardens and the misty tea estates of Nuwara Eliya.
Journey from the serene highlands to Yala National Park, spotting elephants, leopards, and vibrant birdlife.
Conclude in coastal Galle and dynamic Colombo, where colonial charm meets modern Sri Lankan spirit.

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,278 Reviews

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,278 Reviews

Trip Features

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Private Guided Experiences

Explore in the company of expert private guides.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Private Guided Experiences

Explore in the company of expert private guides.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Arrive in Colombo

DAY

Negombo to Kandy

DAY

Kandy To Peradeniya, a Tea Plantation & Nuwara Eliya

DAY

Nuwara Eliya To Ella, Yala & Tissamaharama

DAY

Tissamaharama to Galle & Colombo

DAY

Depart from Colombo

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Arrive in Colombo

Multi Day Tour

Arrive Colombo

You will be met by your destination representative and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Negombo, a suburb north of the city of Colombo. Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Meal

Dinner

Your Accommodation

Jetwing Sea Hotel

Resting upon one of the finest beaches Sri Lanka has to offer, with an eternal summer and ever-present ocean breeze of the Indian Ocean, Jetwing Sea is a modern Negombo hotel inspired by the vast emerald waters that give us our name. Located on the bustling coastal strip of Porutota Road, our home of Sri Lankan hospitality is in close proximity to a number of tropical shopping, exquisite fine dining, and adventurous Sri Lankan experiences that are bound to have you in high spirits throughout your holiday. As an added convenience, Jetwing Sea is one of our many hotels near the Bandaranaike International Airport. An ideal start or luxurious end to your adventures on our teardrop-shaped isle, Jetwing Sea remains easily accessible from a range of popular destinations across Sri Lanka, including our capital city of Colombo which can be reached in a brisk 30 minutes via the scenic Katunayake Expressway.

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DAY

Negombo to Kandy

Multi Day Tour

Negombo to Kandy

Today, drive to Kandy, the final capital of Sri Lanka's ancient kings. Nestled amidst the hills of the Kandy plateau, the city is surrounded by lush tropical plantations, primarily tea, making it one of the most picturesque destinations in Sri Lanka. Upon arrival, explore the Three Temple Loop. The Three Temple Loop, consisting of Lankathilake, Gadaladeniya, and Embekke, dates back to the 14th century, before the full establishment of the Kandyan Kingdom. Embekke Temple is renowned for its intricately carved wooden pillars, while Lankathilake Temple, one of the main structures of the Gampola Kingdom, captivates visitors with its exceptional beauty and solidity. Gadaladeniya Vihara, also known as Saddharmatilaka Vihara or Dharma Kirthi Viharaya, is an ancient Buddhist temple that features Dravidian architectural elements infused with Sinhalese styles. Later, visit Kandy Lake, the town of Kandy, and its bustling bazaar, as well as the arts and crafts center, a gem museum, and a lapidary where you can observe artists crafting beautiful items from stones. Finally, finish your day with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most revered sites for the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka.

Meal

Dinner, Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Amaya Hills

Amaya Hills is nestled within scenic mountain ranges radiating old world charm in the Kingdom of Kandy. The property boasts 100 luxurious rooms and suites, all beautifully decorated, with sweeping views of the Hanthana mountain range and perfectly manicured gardens adorning opulent flora all year round.

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DAY

Kandy To Peradeniya, a Tea Plantation & Nuwara Eliya

Multi Day Tour

Kandy To Peradeniya and Tea Plantation To Nuwara Eliya

Today, drive to Nuwara Eliya with a few stops along the way. Begin with a visit to the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, a sprawling 147-acre garden and the largest in Sri Lanka. These gardens are famous for their extensive collection of orchids, featuring over 300 varieties, along with spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. Next, explore a tea plantation and factory, where some of the world's finest tea is produced. Here, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the tea manufacturing and grading process, and enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon tea. Continue your journey to the mountain station of Nuwara Eliya. Situated at an elevation of 6,200 feet, it is the highest town in Sri Lanka.

Meal

Dinner, Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Araliya Green Hills Hotel

Nestled among misty mountains, surreal tea hills, and refreshing climates, Araliya Green Hills stands as a premier hotel in Nuwara Eliya, graced by colonial elegance and eclectic charm. Offering a wide array of accommodations, exquisite dining options, and stylish bars, Araliya Green Hills effortlessly combines modern amenities with genuine Sri Lankan hospitality, providing you with unforgettable holiday experiences in the enchanting highlands of Sri Lanka.

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DAY

Nuwara Eliya To Ella, Yala & Tissamaharama

Multi Day Tour

Nuwara Eliya To Ella To Yala To Tissamaharama

This morning, drive to Ella, a charming mountain village, and explore the surrounding area. Continue to Yala National Park for an exciting jeep safari through this vast wildlife sanctuary, celebrated for its diverse ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and wide variety of wildlife. The park is particularly known for its conservation of Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds, as well as boasting one of the highest leopard densities in the world. While elephants are the most frequently spotted inhabitants of Yala, you may also encounter a variety of bird species, sambhur, spotted deer, sloths, crocodiles, monkeys, wild boar, and porcupines. Afterward, proceed to Tissamaharama, one of the most picturesque towns on the southern coast, where the beautiful Tissa Wewa reservoir, with its abundant birdlife, creates a scenic backdrop for the town.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner

Your Accommodation

Kithala Resort

Surrounded by vast paddy fields and a plethora of natural beauty, the Kithala Resort is a true piece of haven as one explores the magnificence of Southern Sri Lanka. Inspired by the scores of exotic birds one encounters at the hotel and the area is home to, the resort was named Kithala or the Purple Coot.

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DAY

Tissamaharama to Galle & Colombo

Multi Day Tour

Tissamaharama to Galle to Colombo

This morning, drive to Galle, the capital of Sri Lanka's Southern Province. Galle is the finest example of a fortified city built by Europeans in Southeast Asia, showcasing a unique blend of European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. After exploring the area, enjoy a scenic cruise along the Madhu River in Balapitiya - a relaxing journey with several interesting stops. As you pass numerous mangrove-covered islets, you'll experience the timeless natural rhythms of rural life. The cruise takes place in a canopied, outboard motor-powered boat, with stops to visit a 200-year-old temple and observe locals cultivating cinnamon. You'll also have the opportunity to witness traditional fishing techniques and demonstrations of coir manufacture and rope making. If you have binoculars, bring them along to spot some of the 46 bird species in the area, including 14 aquatic varieties, as well as large water lilies and colorful butterflies. At the end of the day, continue on to Colombo.

Meal

Dinner, Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Radisson Hotel Colombo

The Radisson Hotel Colombo is a city center and oceanfront hotel and places guests 700 meters from Wellawatte Beach and an easy drive or tuk-tuk ride from the city's popular neighborhoods. Sleep well in one of the 158 thoughtfully-designed rooms and experience a medley of flavors at a variety of dining venues with Sri Lankan and International cuisine. Radisson Hotel Colombo also features comfortable meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a stylish rooftop with a bar, lounge, and an infinity pool.

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DAY

Depart from Colombo

Multi Day Tour

Depart Colombo

Enjoy your day at leisure until the time to transfer to the airport.

Meal

Breakfast

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Tower of Temple of Tooth Relic

Yala National Park

Tea plantation in up country near Nuwara Eliya

Tea, Nuwara Eliya

ExcellentBased on 5,278 Reviews

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Lori Mezzomo and the team at Goway Travel are fantastic! Lori helped plan a 3-week Australia trip for our family of 5. Our teenage boys enjoyed exploring Sydney, Uluru, Cairns and the Gold Coast. Highlights included a Sydney Harbour Bridge walk, sunrise hike around Uluru, snorkeling with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, and surfing on the gold coast. Lori did a fantastic job of creating an itinerary that was engaging for our teenage boys and relaxing for the parents... not an easy task! We miss Australia and would gladly book again with Lori Mezzomo and Goway Travel.Blair

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Swati was fantastic! She worked with us to create the perfect Greece trip, and handled all the details to make it a worry-free experience.Jtv

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Michael at Goway Travel was great to work with. We were planning a pre-trip with him prior to a group tour. He worked with us to hit the special places we wanted to visit and things we wanted to do. The accommodations arranged exceeded our expectations. Local guides were all amazing. This was the third trip we booked through Goway, and we will definitely book with them again in the future David Picka

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Goway Travel has South Pacific travel Consultant and they are all very experienced. ALICE was the agent who took care of my travel to Australia and she suggested best hotel accommodations excursions and worked within my budget. I had wonderful trip without any problems. Alice was very helpful and we are planning another trip will contact her.Saral

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Alice Teramoto Put together a perfect trip to Aitutaki and Rarotonga. The tours she included added to the experience. She was the glue to combine the complete package and would highly recommend her services.Valued Customer

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We just came back from a wonderful trip to Portugal. From the time I contacted Goway until now, I have been more than satisfied with our experience. Our agent Michael put together a 8 day package with all the requirements we had asked for. The 8 day trip went so seamless & took all the stress off us travelling in Portugal. Michael not only listened to what we wanted, but he was so quick to respond to all of our calls, emails & concerns. The transfers, hotels & tours he arranged were the best. We would highly recommend Goway. I can hardly wait to book our next adventure with Goway. Cathy

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Michael Keon from Goway Travel made our family trip to Greece memorable. Michael was a call or email away when planning our Greece trip and worked with us on our tight budget. Every detail was worked out for us before we got on the plane. Shout out to Nico, one of our drivers in Mykonos and all the great expeditions we went on. I highly recommend Goway Travel to plan your next vacation adventures. Jacqueline G. Jacqueline Garrett

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I just returned from a wonderful trip to Sweden and Norway. I had the good fortune of working with Michael Keon who helped me plan and customize an interesting and balanced itinerary. All of the logistics went well, flights, transfers, hotels in great locations, travel between destinations, fjord safaris, cruises and guided tours with knowledgeable guides to inform and make the experience even more memorable. Michael was responsive to all of my questions and made it so easy to both prepare for and ultimately enjoy the trip. Looking forward to planning the next one!Gail

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Just got back from a fabulous safari holiday in Tanzania. The trip was amazing! Exceeded my expectations. The people, the local team at Sense of Africa, the food, the accommodations (Karibu camps: Elephant Springs+Lion’s Paw and Sametu), the safari from the sky (hot air balloon)… I can keep going. Perfect way to celebrate my 50th bday. Thanks again to Alice Teramoto and Goway for making this happen! Truly a trip of a lifetimeKARISSA CARRASQUILLO

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I have had Melissa Moses plan our trips for us for quite a few years. She always finds interesting sights for us to see, the hotels are always beautiful and everything runs perfectly. Can't wait to get started on the next adventure. Andrea Jones

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What do the experts say?

Steve Hope

Team Lead

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You should try a Zen meditation session. Imagine slipping into a silk kimono for the day—carefully tied by an expert dresser, every fold precise, every colour chosen to suit the season. It’s a ritual that feels as personal as it is timeless.

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Steve Hope

Team Lead

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What do I love about Japan? In a word - EVERYTHING. The incredible contrast that Japan offers - new/innovative vs old/traditional, the warm and welcoming people, the incredible rich culture, the culinary wonders awaiting around every corner, the cleanliness, efficiency and safety. It's one of the best places to visit in Asia in my opinion.

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Marieflor Tanfelix

Team Lead

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Pub Street in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a local favourite with very inexpensive drinks. It's also a great place to try the local delicacy, BBQ frog.

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Marieflor Tanfelix

Team Lead

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I love how laidback and relaxed Laos is compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. It's like the best of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand all rolled into one, and then sent back in time 20 to 30 years.

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