Although Sri Lanka has become a destination of intense tourist interest in recent years, it has not yet been fully affected by mass tourism. This means it offers visitors a more natural way of life to experience, more affordable travel, and a far more authentic travel experience.
This tour has been specially designed for those who want a genuine traveller's experience. We would be delighted to have you join us.
Flight Information
1) Outbound – TK0730
08.01.2027 – 19:30 → 05:55
Istanbul (IST) → Colombo (CMB)
2) Return – TK1131
17.01.2027 – 09:15 → 15:45
Colombo (CMB) → Istanbul (IST)
Airlines reserve the right to change flight times and routes. Scuba-Bay is not responsible for any such changes.
Included in the Price
- Return economy class flight ticket from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines
- Airport – hotel – airport transfers
- 4 nights half board and 4 nights bed-and-breakfast accommodation at 4-star hotels
- All museum and archaeological site entrance fees stated in the programme
- Travel health insurance
- Return train tickets
- Tourism contribution
- VAT
Not Included in the Price
- Sri Lanka visa-on-arrival fee
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses
- Guide and driver gratuities (100 USD – collected at the time of booking)
- Any expenses not stated as included in the programme
Why Does Sri Lanka Matter?
The Sri Lankan Civil War is not merely the political story of one country; it is a global example of how issues of identity, representation and equality in a multicultural society can turn into conflict. At the same time, it is also a process often cited as a model for post-war recovery and peacebuilding.
A traveller visiting Sri Lanka today sees not only its temples and nature, but also
the true story of resilience, healing and rebirth.
- Number of Days: 10
- Number of Participants: 10
Tap a day to expand it; the orange dot marks a dive day.
Day 1 8 Jan Friday Istanbul → Colombo
- After meeting at Istanbul Airport, we travel overnight to Sri Lanka on Turkish Airlines' 19:35 direct flight.
Day 2 9 Jan Saturday Sigiriya Village Life & Boat Trip
- After landing in Colombo, we complete visa formalities and travel on to Sigiriya.
- We get to know traditional life in the local villages, and in the afternoon take a Traditional Sri Lankan Boat Trip.
- Sigiriya Village: This offers the chance to experience Sri Lankan rural life in its most authentic form. Local people work in the rice paddies and use their own home-grown produce in their traditional houses. Visitors can tour the village by ox-cart or tuk-tuk and try their hand at preparing local dishes. This tour is ideal for observing Sri Lanka's natural landscape and cultural heritage first-hand.
- Traditional Sri Lankan Boat Trip: A traditional activity carried out on the lakes around Sigiriya. A peaceful trip is taken across the lake in wooden boats known as “catamarans”. Passing among lotus flowers, waterbirds and greenery, this outing is very much a part of village life.
- Accommodation: Tropical Life Resort & Spa – Dambulla (Booking 8.8/10)
Day 3 10 Jan Sunday Sigiriya Rock Fortress & the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Early in the morning we explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This is followed by visits to Cobra Hood Cave and a tour of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, including the Royal Palace, the Museum and Gal Vihara. In the afternoon we visit the Hindu temples of Rankoth Vehera, Kiri Vehera and Nissanka Lata Mandapaya.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress: Built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD, this fortress sits atop a 200-metre-high rock. With its frescoes, giant stone lion figure and ancient palace remains, it is one of Sri Lanka's most iconic monuments. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Cobra Hood Cave: It takes its name from the rock formation at its entrance, which resembles a cobra's hood.
- Once used as a meditation site by Buddhist monks, its walls feature early Buddha carvings.
- The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa: It served as Sri Lanka's capital between the 11th and 13th centuries.
- The Gal Vihara Buddha statues , built during the reign of King Parakramabahu, are masterpieces of stone carving. The city's remains include irrigation canals, the royal palace and temples. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Rankoth Vehera: The largest stupa in Polonnaruwa, built in the 12th century.
- Standing 55 metres high, the structure was influenced by Anuradhapura architecture.
- Kiri Vehera: One of the best-preserved Buddhist stupas in Polonnaruwa.
- It stands out for its brilliant white colour and is still used for worship today.
- Accommodation: Again at the Tropical Life Resort & Spa – Dambulla
Day 4 11 Jan Monday Dambulla Cave Temple & Kandy
- After breakfast at the hotel, we set off with our luggage. We visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, then immerse ourselves in the scents of Sri Lanka on a visit to a Spice Village, followed by a Handicrafts tour. After checking into our new hotel at 14:00, we continue our sightseeing. In Kandy we visit the world-famous Temple of the Tooth and watch a traditional cultural show.
- Dambulla Cave Temple: This complex of five caves contains more than 150 Buddha statues and colourful frescoes. Built in the 1st century BC, it is one of the best-preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Spice Village: These are small gardens where Sri Lanka's famous cinnamon, clove, vanilla and cardamom production is showcased. Visitors can see and smell the plants and learn about natural oil and spice production.
- Handicraft Workshops: Traditional crafts such as woodcarving, stone masonry and silk dyeing are on display here. Handmade products by local artisans are presented to visitors.
- Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth: Kandy is the heart of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth is the sacred site where the relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha is kept. The annual Esala Perahera festival takes place around this temple.
- Accommodation: Amaya Hills – Kandy (Booking 8/10)
Day 5 12 Jan Tuesday Nanu Oya → Ella Train Journey
- After breakfast we again leave the hotel with our luggage. We take an unforgettable journey along one of the world's most beautiful train routes, from Nanu Oya to Ella, through lush green hills, tea plantations and misty valleys. We visit Ravana Falls and the town of Demodara.
- Nanu Oya – Ella Railway: Built to transport tea during the British colonial era, this line is today one of the most beautiful train routes in the world. Along the way you see tea plantations, waterfalls and mountain villages. It offers legendary shots for photographers.
- Ravana Falls: Named after the legendary King Ravana, this 25-metre-high waterfall lies near Ella. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana , Ravana lived here.
- The area is popular for hiking.
- Demodara Bridge: One of Ella's landmarks. Built by British engineers in the 1910s, the bridge is constructed entirely of brick and stone. The train crossing the bridge is like a scene straight from a postcard.
- Accommodation: Morning Dew – Ella (Booking 8.3/10)
Day 6 13 Jan Wednesday Ella Mountains & Little Adam's Peak
- After breakfast we set off. We begin the day with a scenic tour of the tea plantations and a climb up Little Adam's Peak. We continue the day with a walk up Ella Rock in Ella's cool mountain air. We will spend the night at the same hotel.
- Ella Town: A small but enchanting mountain town set in Sri Lanka's highlands. It is known for its cool climate, breathtaking views and peaceful atmosphere.
- Tea Plantations: Tea farming, begun by the British in the 19th century, remains one of Sri Lanka's most important sources of income today. The tea known worldwide as “Ceylon Tea” is grown in the plantations of this region. Visitors can tour the plantations and see the production process.
- Little Adam's Peak: The walk to this 1,141-metre summit in Ella takes around 30–40 minutes. From the top, you get panoramic views of the Ella Valley, tea plantations and mountain villages. It takes its name from its resemblance to the famous pilgrimage site “Adam's Peak”.
- Accommodation: Again at Morning Dew – Ella (Booking 8.3/10)
Day 7 14 Jan Thursday Hikkaduwa Beaches & Galle Fort
- After breakfast we leave the hotel with our luggage and head towards the southern coast.
- Galle Dutch Fort greets us with its historic walls, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At sunset, we spend an evening alone with the sea on Hikkaduwa beach.
- Galle Dutch Fort: Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and expanded by the Dutch in the 17th century. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its colonial architecture, lighthouse and cobbled streets. Today it is a lively tourist area filled with boutique hotels, cafés and art galleries.
- Hikkaduwa Beach: Located on the south-west coast, it is famous for its coral reefs. It is popular for snorkelling, surfing and sunbathing. With its natural beauty, it has been one of Sri Lanka's tourism icons since the 1960s.
- Accommodation: Citrus Hikkaduwa (Booking 6.8/10)
Day 8 15 Jan Friday Bentota & Turtle Farm
- After breakfast at the hotel we check out with our luggage. We travel on to the Bentota region. On a boat trip along the Madu River we visit mangrove forests, small islands and the Kosgoda Turtle Farm. A calm day spent close to nature.
- Madu River: This extensive lagoon system near Bentota is made up of 64 small islands. With its mangrove forests, bird colonies and fishing villages, it is an ideal spot for nature watchers. Boat tours visit the small islets within the river and cinnamon-production areas.
- Kosgoda Turtle Farm: Established in 1981, this centre works to protect sea turtles. Five different species of turtle can be observed here. Visitors may witness baby turtles being released into the sea. It is one of Sri Lanka's most important conservation centres.
- Accommodation: The Palms – Bentota (Booking 7.8/10)
Day 9 16 Jan Saturday Colombo City Tour
- After breakfast we check out with our luggage to head to our final hotel. In the capital, Colombo, we visit the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, Green Path and Viharamahadevi Park. In the afternoon we visit Fort Market, the Red Mosque, Independence Square, the famous Colombo seafront and the Old Parliament Building. Some final enjoyable moments in the city before our departure.
- Colombo: Sri Lanka's largest city and commercial centre. Modern buildings stand side by side with colonial-era architecture. The Galle Face Green seafront is popular for evening walks.
- Gangaramaya Temple is a modern Buddhist temple built in the 19th century.
- Inside the temple there are Buddha statues, ancient artefacts and a museum.
- Red Mosque: Built in 1910, this mosque is one of Colombo's landmarks with its red-and-white striped facade. It bears the architectural features of the colonial period.
- Independence Square: The site where Sri Lanka declared its independence from Britain in 1948.
- It is surrounded by columned memorial structures.
- Old Parliament Building and Fort District: Built in 1912, this building bears the marks of the British colonial era. The Fort district is Colombo's historic trading centre.
- Accommodation: Granbell Hotel Colombo (Booking 8.7/10)
Day 10 17 Jan Sunday Return
- Breakfast early in the morning followed by transfer to the airport.
- Return on flight TK 1131 Colombo → Istanbul .
- See you on the next Scuba-Bay adventure!
- A passport is required for Sri Lanka. The visa is obtained on arrival
