Wonders of the East (7 Days)

About this experience

This seven-day private tour runs from Colombo through Sri Lanka's cultural heartland to the eastern coast and back. A chauffeur guide drives you to the cave temple of Dambulla, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, and the ancient ruined capital of Polonnaruwa, before continuing east to the coastal city of Trincomalee for a stretch of beach time. The route then returns to Colombo for a final look at the capital.

Along the way the tour mixes heritage sites with wildlife and village experiences: a jeep safari through Minneriya National Park, an oxen-cart ride and cooking demonstration in a Sigiriya village, and visits to temples and monuments spanning more than two thousand years of history. The eastern coast adds beach time at Trincomalee, with options for watersports, Pigeon Island, Fort Frederick and the Kanniya hot springs.

Travel is in an air-conditioned vehicle throughout, with a chauffeur guide managing the driving and logistics so the pace stays flexible from one stop to the next.

Your service advisor

Chathum Executive

Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Chathum directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.

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What’s included

Included

Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
All prevailing taxes and service charges.

Not included

Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
Entrance fees to the respective sites.
Chauffeur Guide's Accommodation.
Expenses of personal nature.
Visa and Related Expenses.

Tour route

Day-by-day waypoints across Sri Lanka. Each marker is where you spend the night; lines trace the daily drive.

Day-by-day itinerary

Download itinerary (PDF)

1 Sigiriya

Day 1 — Airport → Dambulla → Sigiriya

After arrival at Colombo International Airport, a chauffeur guide meets you and drives you to Dambulla, with an evening visit to the Golden Temple's cave complex.

Dambulla Cave Temple

The historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla date back to the 1st century BC and hold ancient murals depicting the life of Lord Gautama Buddha alongside hundreds of Buddha and deity figurines across five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King, the Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. A giant golden Buddha statue stands a short distance outside the cave complex.

Lankapic · CC BY 2.5

2 Sigiriya

Day 2 — Sigiriya → Minneriya → Sigiriya

The day combines a climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress with a village experience and an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

This 5th century AD rock fortress was the seat of King Kasyapa, entered through a gateway framed by giant lion's paws that gives the rock its name. The climb passes the famous unfading murals, terraced gardens, still-working cisterns and tunnels leading up to the palace ruins on the summit.

Wrobell · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sigiriya Village Experience

A visit to a local village gives an authentic taste of Sri Lankan rural life, including an oxen cart ride, a catamaran safari across a calm lake, and a walk through paddy fields. A traditional cooking demonstration is followed by a home-cooked lunch served on lotus leaves.

Minneriya National Park Safari

A safari through Minneriya National Park offers the chance to see elephants, with over 150 sometimes gathering in one place during the Great Elephant Gathering between May and October. The park's scrubland, forest and wetland areas are also home to other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Stuart Pinkney · CC BY 2.0

3 Trincomalee

Day 3 — Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Trincomalee

After checking out, the day runs through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa before continuing on to the coastal city of Trincomalee.

Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Sri Lanka's second major ancient capital flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Highlights among the ruins include Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue linked to King Parakramabahu, whose reign is remembered as the city's golden age.

Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Koneswaram Temple

This ancient temple, praised by Indian poet-saints and noted by historical figures worldwide, holds murals telling its history. A small cave shrine dates back to 1580 BC, while the main temple developed from around 400 BC, and a giant statue of King Ravana recalls the legend of his worship here.

Shamli071 · CC BY-SA 3.0

4 Trincomalee

Day 4 — Trincomalee

A day at leisure on the Trincomalee coast, with time to enjoy the beach, hotel facilities and the surrounding area.

Trincomalee Exploration

Trincomalee, or Thirukonamalai, takes its name from the hill where its Hindu temple stands. The area includes the white beaches of Nilaveli with watersports, the bird sanctuary of Pigeon Island, the Dutch-era Fort Frederick, the Thirukoneswaram temple, and the natural hot springs of Kanniya.

6 Colombo

Day 6 — Trincomalee → Colombo

A relaxed morning precedes the drive back to Colombo, with an evening out to experience the capital's nightlife.

Colombo Night Life

Colombo by night offers nightclubs, beach parties with cocktails and music, casinos, and boutique restaurants that stay open late, giving a lively contrast to the day's travel.

7 BIA

Day 7 — Colombo → BIA

A final morning city and shopping tour in Colombo precedes the transfer to the airport for departure.

Colombo City and Shopping Tour

The tour of Sri Lanka's capital takes in historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, the Galle Face Hotel and Galle Face Green, as well as the Gangarama Temple and the National Museum. There is time for shopping at Independence Square, the Race Course malls, and various boutique stores before heading to the airport.

Gihanud2001 · CC0

Please note

Public transportation nearby
Infant seats available

Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
Infants must not sit on laps
The entrance tickets are not included in the price.

Cancellation policy

More than 24 hours notice: full refund
Less than 24 hours notice: no refund

To cancel, reply to your booking confirmation email or message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The tour is private to your group: your own air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking chauffeur guide for all 7 days, with no other travellers joining.

Where does the tour start and end?

Day 1 starts at Colombo airport (CMB) and day 7 ends at BIA. Every stop in between is reached by road in the same vehicle, so there is no other transport to arrange.

Are hotels included?

The base price covers the vehicle and chauffeur guide. In the booking box you can add hotels for all 6 nights at Budget (3★), Standard (4★) or Luxury (5★ and boutique) level, on half board. Hotels we hold contracts with for your dates are named in the price; for any other night our team books a hotel of the same class after you pay.

What vehicle will we travel in?

It depends on your group: a car for 1–2 guests, a van for 3–5, a large van for 6–8 and a bus for 9–15. Choose the number of guests in the booking box and the price updates to match.

Are entrance fees included?

Not in the base price. Set Tickets to Included in the booking box to add the entrance fees and safari jeeps for the sights on this itinerary; the booking box lists exactly which ones are covered.

Can we have a national guide?

Yes. A chauffeur guide is always included, and you can add a government-licensed national guide who travels with you for the whole tour. Choose it under Guide in the booking box; the vehicle is sized for the extra seat.

Can we change the itinerary or the dates?

Yes. Every tour is private, so it can start on any date you choose. To change stops, add nights or combine it with another tour, write to us in the booking notes or plan your own trip at lakpura.com/plan-your-trip.