Overview
Sri Lanka culture tour 7 days overview
This private Sri Lanka culture tour in 7 days joins the island’s ancient kingdoms with its colonial coast. Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore the ruins of Polonnaruwa and the painted caves of Dambulla, spend two nights in Kandy with the Temple of the Tooth and a tea factory, then finish in the Dutch-built walls of Galle Fort.
It is a relaxed week of culture with two nights in each main stop, village life, Kandyan dancing and time by the sea at the end. Compare every route on our Sri Lanka cultural tours page.
Your 7 day / 6 night culture tour
Kingdoms, temples, tea and a colonial fort
Two nights each in the Cultural Triangle, Kandy and Galle.
DAY 01Overnight: Sigiriya
DAY 02Overnight: Sigiriya
DAY 03Overnight: Kandy
DAY 04Overnight: Kandy
DAY 05Overnight: Galle
DAY 06Overnight: Galle
DAY 07No overnight stay
Pickup and return
Start: Bandaranaike International Airport, or your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Finish: the airport for your flight home, or your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
Send us your flight times and we plan the first and last days around them.
Where you will stay
Nights 1–2: Sigiriya or Habarana.
Nights 3–4: Kandy.
Nights 5–6: Galle, inside or near the fort.
Six nights with breakfast in hotels of your choice, from comfortable 3 star to boutique and luxury, confirmed in your quote.
Before you book
What is the price of this 7 day culture tour?
We send a personalised quote, because the price depends on your hotels, the vehicle and the number of travellers. Your private car, driver and six nights with breakfast are included; entrance tickets and safaris are quoted separately.
Which UNESCO sites does this tour visit?
Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, the Dambulla Cave Temple, the Sacred City of Kandy and the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications: five of Sri Lanka’s eight World Heritage Sites.
Is the drive from Kandy to Galle long?
It takes about four hours on the Central and Southern expressways, with a stop on the way. It is the longest drive of the trip.
What should we wear at the temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hats at temples. Light, loose clothes are best for the heat.
Can we add Anuradhapura or the hill country?
Yes. Add a night in Anuradhapura at the start, or the tea country and the Ella train between Kandy and the coast.
Compare all our Sri Lanka cultural tours, the Sri Lanka cultural tour 5 days with Anuradhapura, or the Sri Lanka heritage tour 10 days with all eight UNESCO sites.
Highlights
- A private 7 day Sri Lanka culture tour with five UNESCO sites
- A village tour and the ruins of Polonnaruwa
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple
- Two nights in Kandy, with the Temple of the Tooth and a tea factory
- Kandyan dancing and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
- Two nights in Galle Fort, with the ramparts and stilt fishermen
