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Rock formations that rock your world. Elephant parades you’ll never forget. Sunsets that stagger and beaches that bring it. Wanna go where brilliant Buddhist customs and outstanding natural beauty collide? You gotta visit Sri Lanka. And on these Sri Lanka tours, you’ll…
🏄 Go surfing and scuba diving in Unawatuna
🤩 Visit Sigiriya’s legendary temples and rock fortresses
🌄 Hike and watch the sunrise over Pidurangala Rock
🚂 Take the most scenic train ride of your life from Kandy to Nanuoya
🌶 Cook up a storm at a Sri Lankan cooking class
🐢 Meet baby sea turtles (and the people who look after them)
🐘 Spot elephants, leopards and more at Udawalawe National Park
Keep reading to learn why you should travel to Sri Lanka ASAP, and browse our awesome trips.
Adored by 18-35s worldwide since 1962
Pure Sri Lanka
11 Days
7 Places
1 Country
The one that gives you the true taste of Sri Lanka, from villages & ancient temples to street food & coastal beaches. Say Ayubowan to Southeast Asia's gem, Sri Lanka. This adventure is going to take you all over – from national parks to beaches to ancient fortresses and temples, we’ve squeezed in all the highlights & a few lesser-known secrets to create the perfect 11-day trip. With hand-picked inclusions and extra free time add-ons, this trip delivers the best Sri Lanka has to offer.
Our Sri Lanka trips for 18-35s average around 20 people (30 max) – the perfect amount for in-depth chats, and maybe a few new friends for life.
You’ll sleep in awesome hotels and even experience glamping (under the stars) along the Walawe riverbed in Udawalawe National Park. Cue waking up to a splendid safari sunrise!
Your friendly Trip Manager will stay with you for the whole trip, and they’ll be joined by local guides who know each region of Sri Lanka inside and out.
‘An incredible adventure with amazing people, this trip exceeded my expectations.’
Trusted Customer
‘Well worth the money – traveling with Contiki makes it much more enjoyable. No need to plan ahead, just show up on the first day ready to have a blast!’
Caroline
‘Great trip with some fantastic people. We got to see all the highlights, some down time and had an awesome Trip Manager.’
Zach
Lock in your spot with a $200 deposit
Amend your booking up to 60 days pre-trip
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When it comes to making waves, there’s no better setting than the beautiful Weligama Beach – one of Sri Lanka’s top tourist attractions. All levels welcome!
A visit to ‘Lion’s Rock’ – named after the Lion’s paws carved into the temple stone – is a must-do on any trips to Sri Lanka. Cameras at the ready, folks.
There’s a reason this jaw-droppingly beautiful train journeys features on our Sri Lanka tour packages. Eyes peeled for luscious greenery, majestic mountains and more.
Baby sea turtles? Plus the good folks who work to re-introduce them to the wild? Oh yes, this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is one of the most rewarding and all-round best things to do in Sri Lanka.
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clear searchPeak season occurs between December and March – this is when you get the best beach weather across most of Sri Lanka. Seasons and weather will change depending on the region though i.e. North and Eastern Sri Lanka tends to be dry and sunny from January to March. Contiki Sri Lanka trips run from October until April.
The average temperature in Sri Lanka is 26°C – 28°C. April is generally the warmest month, with highs of around 33°C.
In most cases, yes, you will need to visa to be able to go on a Sri Lanka tour or to travel to Sri Lanka. In lots of cases, you can get an e-Visa before you travel. For specific visa info on travel to Sri Lanka from your home country, it’s a good idea to check your specific government website.
ATMs are generally easy to come by in cities or other well-populated areas. Bear in mind though that your cash withdrawal may incur a small fee, so it’s best to draw out larger amounts of money. If you’re heading to a rural area, it’s best to bring cash with you – just in case there’s no cash machine nearby.
It depends how many areas you’d like to see! Contiki’s Pure Sri Lanka trip is 11 days long, and gives you a very good sample of this wonderfully eclectic country. You’ll see Colombo, Kandy, Udawalawe National Park, Unawatuna Beach and more iconic regions too.
Your Sri Lanka packing list will depend on the activities you plan to do while you’re there, but you can’t go wrong with bringing:
Yes, tipping is considered normal in Sri Lanka. In restaurants, the common amount is around 10% of the overall bill. You can also tip hotel staff, guides, drivers etc etc – the amount can vary but anywhere in the region of $1-10 USD will be much appreciated.
Drinking tap water on your trip to Sri Lanka is NOT advised. It’s best to stick to bottled water where you can – and this includes brushing your teeth too.
Yes. You should find a reliable internet connection (either Wifi or 4G) in most major cities or tourist attractions. Keep in mind though that the connection may not be as strong in rural/off-the-beaten-track areas.
When you visit Sri Lanka, you’ll need a Type G or Type C plug adaptor.
Same-sex relationships and marriages remain illegal in Sri Lanka, but Sri Lanka is generally seen as a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ tourists. Discrimination based on sexual orientation has been illegal in Sri Lanka since 2017, and as with lots of countries, the atmosphere is generally more tolerant in urban/tourist areas.
When you visit Sri Lanka with Contiki, you’ll find that everyone is welcome on our trips regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Your Trip Manager and Driver will do everything in their power to help you feel safe and accepted, while having a truly awesome time too!
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