Treasures of Sri Lanka
Deal Details
Travel Dates
Departs Auckland 17 Oct 26Sale Ends
Mar 10, 2026Priced From
$8,595 per personA Travelwise Holidays Experience
Escorted Tours for 60+ Travellers
Breakfast show special bonus
save $150 per person twin share
must be booked by 10 March 26
Experience the rich diversity of Sri Lanka on this unforgettable journey, from pristine beaches and lush tea plantations to ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites. Begin in Negombo, exploring vibrant local markets and tranquil lagoons, before venturing inland to the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the historic ruins of Polonnaruwa.
Immerse yourself in Kandy’s cultural heart with the Temple of the Tooth, Royal Botanical Gardens, and a captivating Kandyan dance performance. Travel by train through the breathtaking highlands to Nuwara Eliya’s rolling tea estates, with a guided tea factory tour and stunning panoramic views.
Encounter Sri Lanka’s incredible wildlife with safaris in Minneriya and Yala National Parks, home to elephants, leopards, and exotic birdlife. Explore the colonial charm of Galle Fort and finish in Colombo with its vibrant streets, historic temples, and bustling markets.
This journey blends cultural heritage, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences, offering a complete Sri Lankan adventure in comfort and style.
Pricing
16 Days
from
$8,595*
per person share twin
Single supplement $1540
What's Included
- Home pick up and return within the Auckland Metropolitan area (if applicable).
- Services of a Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
- Return economy class airfares from Auckland.
- Quality hotel accommodation throughout.
- All locally guided sightseeing tours -
- Dambulla - visit the rock-top fortress of Sigiriya & a private cooking demonstration and meal.
- Polonnaruwa - visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihare and three statues of the Buddha.
- Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park.
- Visit Matale spice plantation
- A guided tour of Kandy including the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and the Temple of the Tooth.
- Kandy Cultural Show
- Kandy train service to Nuwara Eliya.
- Tour the famous tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya & a guided tour of the tea factory
- Visit Ella and view the Nine Arch Bridge
- Yala National Park safari experience
- Visit Hikkaduwa Tsunami memorial museum
- Tour Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, the Galle Fort Clock Tower, Meera Mosque and Galle Fort Lighthouse
- Colombo city tour
- Meals as indicated.
- All airport and hotel transfers throughout.
- Travelwise Holidays documentation and travel bag.
Sigiriya
Sri Lanka’s iconic UNESCO World Heritage site
Minneriya National Park
Experience a jeep safari
Nuwara Eliya
a land of tea estates and waterfalls
Yala National Park
Spot elusive leopards and majestic elephants in Yala’s wild sanctuary.
Galle
A charming UNESCO coastal city where history and colonial architecture come alive
Colombo
Dive into Colombo’s lively markets and taste the local flavor
Day to Day Itinerary
Activity Level - 3. A higher level of fitness is required. There will be quite a bit of walking over a day. The terrain will be predominantly uneven and there may be high temperatures or humidity.
SAT 17 OCT – AUCKLAND/SINGAPORE/COLOMBO/NEGOMBO
Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines at 3.10pm. Connecting flight in Singapore departs at 10.20pm arriving in Colombo at 11.35pm. Transfer to Negombo. Stay Negombo 2 nights.
SUN 18 OCT – NEGOMBO
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the town’s many restaurants, small boutiques and historic churches or take a ride in an outrigger sailing canoe on the Lagoon. Alternatively spend the day at the resort. Included: B, D
MON 19 OCT – NEGOMBO/DAMBULLA
Today we travel to Dambulla, home to the largest rose quartz mountain in South Asia, the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the majestic Sigiriya fort and the Minneriya National Park. Stay Dambulla 3 nights. Included: B, D
TUE 20 OCT – DAMBULLA, SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS
Rise early for your journey to the rock-top fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 8 main areas and stages of the climb you can choose your level. Those who wish to enjoy from the ground can wander through picturesque gardens and visit the museum. Thereafter, a private cooking demo and a delicious meal. Included: B, D
WED 21 OCT – NATIONAL PARKS
This morning we head to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihare and three statues of the Buddha. Then experience a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park which serves as the largest assembling of Asian Elephants at any given time and is also home to deer, sambur sloth bear, and a variety of birds. Included: B, D
THU 22 OCT – DAMBULLA/KANDY
Today we travel to Kandy Highland, a paradise getaway surrounded by mountains, tea plantations, and a rainforest known for its biodiversity. Enroute we visit Matale spice plantation and try different spices and herbs. Stay Kandy 2 nights. Included: B, D
FRI 23 OCT - KANDY CITY TOUR AND CULTURAL SHOW
This morning, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kandy and visit multiple highlights of the UNESCO listed city including the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya and the Temple of the Tooth. This evening enjoy a spectacular Kandy Cultural Show, which will give you the opportunity to watch various traditional Kandyan dances and acts. Included: B, D
SAT 24 OCT - KANDY/NUWARA ELIYA
Travel to Kandy railway station to board the train for your 4-hour journey to Nuwara Eliya, which is said to be one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Originally designed to transport tea and coffee from hillside estates, it’s now an important means of connecting major cities and a tourist attraction in its own right. Stay Nuwara Eliya 2 nights. Included: B, D
SUN 25 OCT - NUWARA ELIYA, CEYLON TEA TOUR
Today we have an early start for our tour around the famous tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya, a land of tea estates and waterfalls! Later take a guided tour of the tea factory and learn about the next stage in the production of tea making. After the tour, enjoy a cup of tea that is made here, sitting on the café balcony that overlooks the stunning tea plantations. Included: B, D
MON 26 OCT - NUWARA ELIYA/YALA
Travel to Yala and discover the spectacular wilderness of Yala National Park, home to much of Sri Lanka’s wildlife including leopard, Asian elephant, wild buffalo, sambar deer and magnificent bird species. Enroute visit Ella, home to striking colorful scenery. View the Nine Arch Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. Included: B, D
TUE 27 OCT - YALA NATIONAL PARK
This morning we immerse ourselves in nature and embark on a safari experience in Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife sanctuary. This guided jeep tour will track elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes and hopefully, a leopard along the way. Included: B, D
WED 28 OCT - YALA/GALLE
Today we travel to Galle, a town at the southern edge of Sri Lanka with fascinating colonial history. Its walls and everything inside are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Dutch fusion architecture, a Victorian lighthouse, grand churches and mosques, all in a sultry tropical setting. Included: B, D
THU 29 OCT - GALLE CITY TOUR
Todays tour of Galle allows us to explore the fort area on foot. Climb up to the ramparts of the fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk through the streets. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, the Galle Fort Clock Tower, Meera Mosque and Galle Fort Lighthouse, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a break with a cup of fine Ceylon Tea or a refreshing King Coconut. Included: B, D
FRI 30 OCT - COLOMBO
This morning we visit the Tsunami memorial museum in Hikkaduwa enroute to Colombo. On arrival in Colombo enjoy a city tour visiting famous attractions including Independence Square, BMICH and the Aukana Buddha Statue replica, SSC Cricket Club, Cinnamon Gardens, Gangarama Temple and Seemamalaka, & Colombo National Museum. Included: B, D
SAT 31 OCT - COLOMBO
Enjoy your last day at leisure and dinner at the hotel before heading to the airport for your journey home. Included: B, D
SUN 01 NOV - SINGAPORE/AUCKLAND
Depart Colombo on Singapore airlines at 12.50am. Connecting flight in Singapore departs at 8.45am, arriving in Auckland at 11.35pm.
Fares are in NZD per person, twin share. Professional service fees may apply.
Your full tour terms and conditions will be sent to you at time of booking. Please note some tours will have specific t&cs related to that tour.
Cancellation fees:If you have to cancel for any reason please contact us by phone or email as soon as possible. We do require the cancellation to be in writing. If you have taken out travel insurance you may have grounds to make a travel insurance claim depending on your individual circumstances. Please see cancellation fees in the tables below. Important: For most tours (excludes Rail and Cruise) - if you need to cancel, and it is prior to full payment, your deposit, less any applicable supplier fees, can be transferred towards another tour purchased within 12 months of the cancellation date. An additional $100 per person administration fee is also payable.
International Long-Haul Tours -Number of days prior to tour departure
from deposit payment up to 91 days - Loss of deposit
90 – 0 days (and after departure) - 100% of tour cost (no refund)
You agree that Travelwise Holidays has no liability to you as a result of circumstances arising as a result of a “force majeure”. This will include war or threat of war, riots and civil strife, pandemic or epidemic events, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, weather conditions, fire, flood, drought, industrial disputes or governmental action or reasonable apprehension of the foregoing causing cancellation, forced quarantine or curtailment. After a tour starts there is no refund for cancellations or voluntary unused services. This could be when an activity is cancelled due to extreme weather or a major traffic disruption, or you simply may choose not to participate in an activity on tour. Tour prices are shown in New Zealand dollars and are quoted per adult. Prices may change, without notice, at any time either before or after a booking. Tour prices are subject to change should there be any currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges and Government levies imposed. Travelwise Holidays reserves the right to require further payment to cover any such increases. The tour cost includes special confidential group rates as well as charges for normal booking procedures, communication costs and administration etc. The arrangements of all holidays constitute a complete package and, as such, an itemisation of costs will not be rendered. Travelwise Holidays will, to the best of our ability, try to match clients in share twin rooms where requested, but this is not a guaranteed service. We try to facilitate a match by putting solo travellers in touch with each other, to discuss and agree if they are compatible travellers. However, if this is not possible, full payment of the single supplement is required from the guests before tour documentation will be issued. Guests traveling alone must be able to care for themselves, especially in twin-share situations, as room-mates are not expected to provide assistance. You will need to travel with a carer or companion if you require personal assistance. Variations in services such as sightseeing and accommodation may necessitate in alterations to itineraries. These will be made to the best possible advantage and every endeavour will be made to maintain a similar standard. Travelwise Holidays reserves the right to alter or cancel any of the tour arrangements, and to cancel the tour should insufficient bookings be received. The tour will operate subject to reaching a minimum number of approximately 12-15 participants. Travelwise Holidays is not responsible for the payment of insurance, baggage and excess baggage fees, extra meals and drinks, laundry and any other items of a personal nature. Please check with the Hotel front desk when departing to ensure your incidental costs are paid. If Travelwise Holidays receive an invoice from a Hotel for your unpaid incidental costs like laundry, mini-bar, phone charges or room service, you must pay this invoice with a surcharge of $50.00 for our handling costs. Travelwise Holidays recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking your tour. It is the same price if you buy it straight away, or close to your departure date, and delaying the purchase leaves you uninsured for the funds you have just invested. Many claims are for guests that were unable to travel due to unexpected events, so we recommend you buy insurance on the day you pay your deposit. Be prepared - Travel insurance can cover you from the moment you purchase the Policy until you return home. You may be covered for cancellation before your trip takes off and whilst on tour, for unexpected events beyond your control, including lost bags and unlimited medical cover. Feel free to contact us for a quote. We are agents for global insurer - Allianz Insurance. We have no liability for any loss or damage of any kind you may suffer resulting from cancellation, loss of luggage and personal property, medical expenses and any effects of an accident. Travelwise Holidays aim to ensure that every guest has a very enjoyable holiday. Guests needing special assistance should inform us of their needs in advance so we can address any potential difficulties. We reserve the right to not carry any guest if we believe the guest cannot manage the tour requirements and any necessary services cannot be guaranteed. We will always consult with you on this. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for our tours. We limit the amount of walking but there is always some walking involved. Bringing a stick or hiking pole is welcome. Our itineraries are not suitable for passengers requiring full-time wheelchair assistance and we are unable to carry mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Please refer to our Tour Activity Levels (below) as a guide.
You will need to travel with a carer or companion if you require personal assistance. Feel free to bring a family member along.
Every tour has an Activity Level grading from 1 to 3. Please look for this information in our Newsletter, on our website and on our itinerary flyers. Our tours are designed with our travellers in mind – aged 60 and over – so our Activity Levels for each tour reflect what’s achievable for most people in this age group. A moderate level of mobility is required. Get on and off coaches, trains or boats. Some steps and walking short to medium distances. (Green icon)A higher level of mobility is required. Walking for 1-2 hours over a day and covering longer distances. Possible uneven terrain. (Yellow icon)A higher level of fitness is required. There will be quite a bit of walking over a day. The terrain at times may be uneven and there may be high temperatures or humidity. (Grey Icon) These Activity Levels are for general advice only. Please phone us for more specific guidance based on your own level of fitness and mobility, and your chosen tour. We’re happy to help! If a guest becomes ill on tour, Travelwise Holidays will do their utmost to assist the guest to arrange medical assistance and the care needed. We can assist with a guest’s insurance policy claim and in the case of the guest needing to leave the tour – we can assist with Hotel, transport and air bookings – this would beat the guest’s expense and generally claimable on a travel insurance policy. We reserve the right to end the tour for any guest who becomes unwell and will base our decision on NZ Health guidelines and or medical advice. This is to protect both the guest and the rest of the travelling group. We will assist guests to make all arrangements to be able to return home (if safe to do so and on medical advice) or to quarantine at their chosen location and return to home, or to the tour, at a later time. The costs are at the guest’s expense. Guests may be required to use a mask (if medically possible) whilst on the coach and in close quarters with other people. Also to use good hand hygiene to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests. A discount of $70.00 (for Australia & Pacific tours) $100.00 (for Other International tours) per person, applies for passengers who have travelled with Travelwise Holidays on a previous tour. In arranging and organising the tour, Travelwise Holidays is acting as Tour Organiser and is referred to as 'The Company'. The Company does not itself operate the air, sea or land transport, or conduct the hotel or other accommodation arranged for the tour. The Company, its agents and/or any company or person associated in promotion or arranging the tours do not accept responsibility for any act or omission on the part of those actually performing these services or services incidental there to. Further, the responsibilities of the air carriers participating in the tour are limited as specified in the tickets, conditions of contract, conditions of carriage and tariffs. The Company shall be under no obligation or liability to any person as a result of any inaccuracy, misdescription or changes to any tour or its itinerary, or losses or additional expense due to delays or changes in air or any other transport services, sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, Act of God or any other causes. Nor shall The Company be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or property, or for injury, illness or death, or for any damages or claims whatsoever arising from loss, negligence or delay from the act, error or negligence of any person not its direct employee or under its exclusive control. The Operators are not responsible for any criminal conduct by third parties. Bookings are only accepted on these conditions and responsibilities as outlined above. Payment of a deposit is deemed to be an acknowledgement of this understanding.