Sri Lanka Express — Private 5-Day Tour from Colombo
About
See the very best of Sri Lanka on this private, 5-day tour from Colombo. You'll climb the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress — one of Asia's most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites — visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, ride the world's most scenic train through emerald tea hills, walk the iconic Nine Arches Bridge in Ella, and stroll the Dutch colonial streets of Galle Fort. Your private English-speaking chauffeur-guide handles every detail, from airport pickup to final drop-off. No shared buses, no fixed groups — just you and the open road.
Read more ▼Highlights
- Climb the 5th-century Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress — one of the 8 Wonders of Asia (UNESCO)
- Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy — Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist shrine
- Ride the iconic Kandy–Ella scenic train through emerald tea hills, waterfalls and mist
- Walk the Nine Arches Bridge in Ella at dawn — the most photographed spot in Sri Lanka
- Explore Galle Fort — a perfectly preserved Dutch colonial UNESCO World Heritage town
- Visit a working tea factory in the highlands and taste fresh-brewed Ceylon tea
- See the golden Dambulla Cave Temples — 80 magnificent Buddha statues carved into rock
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (sedan for 1–3 pax, minivan for 4–6 pax)
- Professional English-speaking chauffeur-guide (SLTDA licensed)
- 4 nights hotel accommodation (3-star standard)
- Daily breakfast at hotel
- Scenic train tickets Kandy → Ella (2nd class observation car)
- Airport pickup and final airport drop-off
- All local taxes and fuel charges
- Driver accommodation & meals
- Bottled water in vehicle (2 bottles per person per day)
- Local SIM card on arrival
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from Velona Travels team
- Entrance fees — Sigiriya (Get a Free Quote USD), Dambulla (Get a Free Quote), Kandy Temple (Get a Free Quote), Galle Fort (free)
- Lunches and dinners (your guide will recommend excellent local restaurants)
- International flights to/from Sri Lanka
- Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Gratuities for guide & driver (appreciated but entirely optional)
- Optional activities (hot air balloon +Get a Free Quote cooking class +Get a Free Quote)
- Your driver meets you at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name
- Hotel pickup available from anywhere in Colombo or Negombo on Day 1
- On the final day, drop-off at Colombo airport or any Colombo/Negombo hotel
- Driver's WhatsApp number provided 48 hours before your arrival
- Flower garland welcome on arrival (traditional Sri Lankan greeting)
- Wheelchair accessible vehicle available on request (please inform at booking)
- Note: Sigiriya Rock climb involves 1,200 steps — guests with mobility issues can enjoy the gardens & frescoes at the base
- Child seats available for infants and toddlers (request at booking)
- Stroller/pushchair friendly for most sections
- Confirmation voucher sent within 24 hours of booking
- Printed itinerary with hotel details handed to you on arrival
- This is a private tour — no other travellers will join your vehicle
- Itinerary can be customised around your interests and pace
- Dress modestly when visiting temples (shoulders and knees covered — sarongs provided)
- Best time to visit: November to April for west & south, May to September for east
- Sri Lanka visa required for most nationalities — available online at eta.gov.lk (Get a Free Quote USD)
- Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- No refund if cancelled less than 24 hours before start time
- Reschedule for free up to 48 hours before — we'll find new dates that work for you
- In case of severe weather or unforeseen circumstances, we'll reschedule at no extra cost
- Questions before booking? Chat with us on WhatsApp
- Issues during your tour? Call us directly: +94 76 585 4665
- Email: velonatravels@gmail.com
- We reply within 2 hours, 7 days a week
Tour details
Vehicle options
- 1–3 passengers: Toyota Prius / Toyota Premio — comfortable A/C sedan
- 4–6 passengers: Toyota KDH van — spacious A/C minivan with luggage space
- 7–12 passengers: Rosa Coaster / Hiace bus — A/C minibus
- Luxury upgrade: Mercedes E-Class / BMW 5 Series available +Get a Free Quote/day
- All vehicles are clean, well-maintained, and comprehensively insured
Accommodation options
- 3-star standard (included): Clean, comfortable hotels with A/C, hot water, breakfast
- 4-star upgrade: +Get a Free Quote total — pools, better locations, upgraded rooms
- 5-star luxury: +Get a Free Quote total — premium resorts, infinity pools, fine dining
- Boutique & heritage hotel options available on request
Group size pricing
| Group size | Vehicle | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person (solo) | Sedan | Get a Free Quote |
| 2 people | Sedan | Get a Free Quote |
| 3–4 people | Minivan | Get a Free Quote |
| 5–6 people | Minivan | Get a Free Quote |
| 7–10 people | Mini coach | Get a Free Quote |
* Prices in USD per person. Includes 3-star accommodation & daily breakfast.
Your driver meets you at Bandaranaike International Airport arrivals with a name board and a traditional flower garland welcome. Drive north (approx. 4 hours) to the Cultural Triangle, stopping at the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temples en route. Check in to your Sigiriya area hotel and rest after your flight.
- Bandaranaike International Airport — pickup with flower garland welcome
- Dambulla Cave Temples — 80 golden Buddha statues in ancient rock caves
- Sigiriya area hotel — check-in and rest
- Optional: Sunset views of Sigiriya Rock from the ground (spectacular)
Rise early for the Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb — the golden morning light on the rock is extraordinary. Climb 1,200 steps past 5th-century frescoes of celestial maidens and through the giant Lion's Paw gate to the summit palace ruins with 360° panoramic views over the jungle. Then drive to Kandy for the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and an evening Kandyan dance fire performance.
- Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress — early morning climb (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Ancient frescoes — the famous celestial maiden paintings
- Summit palace ruins — 360° views over Sri Lanka's jungle
- Village spice & herbal garden visit
- Drive to Kandy (approx. 2.5 hours)
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist shrine
- Kandyan cultural dance & fire performance (evening)
- Kandy lakeside evening stroll
This is the day most travellers say was the highlight of their entire trip. Morning visit to the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya (one of Asia's finest), then board the scenic train from Kandy to Ella — 6 hours winding through breathtaking emerald tea hills, cascading waterfalls, misty mountains and tiny station platforms. Arrive in Ella at sunset and walk to the Nine Arches Bridge.
- Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens — 147 acres, orchid house, giant bamboo
- Kandy Railway Station — board scenic train to Ella
- 6-hour scenic train journey — tea hills, tunnels, waterfalls, highland air
- Ella arrival — check in to hilltop hotel
- Nine Arches Bridge — evening walk through the jungle viaduct
Wake before dawn for the Nine Arches Bridge at first light — magical and crowd-free. Then hike Ella Rock for the most panoramic views in the island. After breakfast, visit a tea factory to see how Ceylon tea is made, then drive south to the magnificent Galle Fort for an evening exploration.
- Nine Arches Bridge — sunrise visit (6:00–6:30 AM)
- Ella Rock hike — 3-hour round trip, stunning panoramic summit views (optional)
- Little Adam's Peak — easier 1-hour hike with great valley views (alternative)
- Ceylon tea factory visit — see the full production process & tasting
- Drive south to Galle (approx. 3 hours)
- Galle Fort arrival — sunset walk on the ramparts
- Galle Fort streets — boutiques, cafés, lighthouse, Dutch Reformed Church
A final morning in the magical Galle Fort before your driver transfers you to Colombo airport for your departure flight. Timing is adjusted to your flight schedule — early flights mean a direct airport transfer after breakfast.
- Galle Fort morning walk — cobblestone streets, colonial mansions
- Galle Lighthouse — iconic white lighthouse at the fort's tip
- Dutch Reformed Church — 1755 colonial landmark
- Local spice & souvenir shopping in the fort
- Drive to Bandaranaike International Airport (approx. 2 hours from Galle)
- Airport drop-off — farewell from your guide
Velona Travels is a SLTDA-licensed Sri Lanka inbound tour operator based in Colombo. We specialise in private, tailor-made tours for international travellers — from solo adventurers to families and honeymooners. Every member of our team is Sri Lankan — we don't just show you the island, we share our home with you. Our drivers are professionally trained, background-checked, and have been with us for an average of 7 years. We believe the best trips are the ones built entirely around you — your pace, your interests, your budget. That's why we never run group tours.
- SLTDA Licensed Tour Operator — Reg. No. TATO/01234
- Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority certified
- All vehicles comprehensively insured with passenger coverage
- Member of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka
- Eco-responsible travel certified — 2% of revenue to wildlife conservation
