7 Day Sri Lanka Tour: Elephants, Tea Country & Beach

After breakfast, travel toward Kandy and begin the day with a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated botanical attractions.

Set along the Mahaweli River, the gardens are renowned for their impressive collection of orchids, palms, spices, medicinal plants, and tropical flora. Stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens and palm-lined avenues while discovering thousands of plant species from Sri Lanka and around the world.

Continue to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, for a city tour featuring some of its most important attractions. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the country’s most significant Buddhist sites, and enjoy views over scenic Kandy Lake and the surrounding hills.

Explore the city center and local gem culture before experiencing a traditional Kandyan cultural dance performance, showcasing Sri Lankan music, costumes, and dance traditions.

After the day’s sightseeing, transfer to your hotel and relax.

Planned Activities

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

• Kandy Lake

• Kandy viewpoint and city tour

• Gem shop visit

• Kandyan cultural dance show

• Evening briefing with the tour guide

Overnight: Hotel in Kandy

After breakfast, depart for Nuwara Eliya, one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic highland destinations, often referred to as “Little England” for its cool climate, colonial-era architecture, and landscaped surroundings.

Travel through the central highlands, passing lush tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and waterfalls along the way. Stop at Ramboda Falls for a scenic break before continuing to a local tea factory and plantation, where you can learn about the production of world-famous Ceylon tea and, depending on the program, experience traditional tea plucking.

Continue with a visit to a strawberry farm, followed by a city tour of Nuwara Eliya. Discover highlights such as the historic Old Post Office, Victoria Park, and Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, while enjoying the distinctive atmosphere of Sri Lanka’s tea country.

After the day’s sightseeing, check in at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in the cool mountain surroundings.

Planned Activities

• Scenic drive through Sri Lanka’s hill country

• Ramboda Falls

• Tea factory and plantation tour

• Tea-plucking experience, depending on availability

• Strawberry farm visit

• Nuwara Eliya city tour

• Old Post Office

• Victoria Park

• Nuwara Eliya Golf Course

• Evening briefing with the tour guide

Overnight: Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Start the day early with a visit to Horton Plains National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular highland nature destinations. Travel through misty mountain scenery and enjoy a packed breakfast en route.

Set at around 2,100 meters above sea level, Horton Plains is known for its cloud forests, open grasslands, rich biodiversity, and scenic trekking routes. Follow the trail to World’s End, one of the park’s most dramatic viewpoints, and continue to the beautiful Baker’s Falls.

After returning from Horton Plains, visit Ambewela New Zealand Farm, a well-known dairy farm surrounded by rolling green landscapes. Depending on the schedule, you may also stop at a local strawberry or vegetable farm.

Later, continue to Gregory Lake for a relaxing break by the water. Optional activities such as a boat ride or pony ride may be available. Visit the colorful Seetha Amman Temple, an important Hindu site associated with the Ramayana tradition, before continuing to Hakgala Botanical Garden, known for its flowers, orchids, tree ferns, and peaceful mountain setting.

Return to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax after a full day of nature and sightseeing.

Planned Activities

• Horton Plains National Park trek

• World’s End viewpoint

• Baker’s Falls

• Ambewela New Zealand Farm

• Strawberry or vegetable farm visit

• Gregory Lake

• Seetha Amman Temple

• Hakgala Botanical Garden

• Evening briefing with the tour guide

Overnight: Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, depart from Nuwara Eliya and travel toward Bentota via Hatton, enjoying scenic views of tea plantations, waterfalls, and Sri Lanka’s misty highlands along the way.

En route, stop at Kitulgala, a riverside destination known for adventure activities and rainforest scenery. Depending on your preference, you may join an optional white-water rafting experience on the Kelani River or enjoy a relaxing river bath surrounded by nature.

Continue toward Bentota and explore some of the region’s cultural and natural highlights. Visit Galapatha Viharaya, an ancient Buddhist temple, and see the historic Bentota Palama and the area associated with the former Portuguese fort known as Parangi Kotuwa.

Later, enjoy a Madu River Safari, cruising through mangrove forests, small islands, and rich wetland scenery. Visit a traditional moonstone mine and a turtle hatchery to learn more about local craftsmanship and marine conservation.

After arriving in Bentota, spend the remainder of the day relaxing by the beach or enjoy optional water sports such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, or windsurfing, depending on weather and sea conditions.

Planned Activities

• Scenic transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Bentota via Hatton

• Optional white-water rafting in Kitulgala

• Galapatha Viharaya

• Bentota Palama & Parangi Kotuwa area

• Madu River Safari

• Moonstone mine visit

• Turtle hatchery visit

• Optional Bentota water sports

• Beach relaxation

Overnight: Hotel in Bentota

Begin the day with a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, then enjoy a full day at leisure on Bentota Beach, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular coastal destinations.

Spend your time relaxing on the golden sands, swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, or simply enjoying the peaceful tropical atmosphere. For travelers looking for more activity, optional experiences such as surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, or boat trips may be available depending on weather and sea conditions.

In the evening, take a relaxing walk along the shoreline and enjoy the coastal scenery as the sun sets over Bentota.

Planned Activities

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Bentota Beach relaxation

• Swimming and sunbathing

• Optional surfing or windsurfing

• Optional snorkeling or diving

• Optional boat trip

• Evening beach walk

• Evening briefing with the tour guide

Overnight: Hotel in Bentota

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before checking out and beginning your transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport.

Travel from Bentota toward the airport via the Southern Expressway. Depending on traffic and your flight schedule, the journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours.

Take in the final views of Sri Lanka as your 7-day journey comes to an end, bringing together elephant encounters, scenic tea country, mountain landscapes, cultural highlights, and relaxing beach experiences.

Planned Activities

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Hotel check-out

• Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport

• Scenic drive via the Southern Expressway

• Airport drop-off according to flight schedule

• Departure flight

End of Tour