Christmas in Sri Lanka
Marvel at magnificent temples, see the World Heritage Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, search for elephants and other wild animals at Yala National Park, discover the fascinating caves at Dambulla and explore the ruined cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Spend Christmas Day in Sri Lanka's gorgeous tea country, Nuwara Eliya, where you'll take part in an exclusive tea plantation experience wearing a traditional, handmade silk saree dress which you'll get to take home as a memento.
Kosgada Turtle Hatchery - Tour the wonderful conservation project at Kosgada, where a specialist turtle hatchery works tirelessly to protect Sri Lanka's native sea turtle species, and meet its residents.
Yala National Park - Enjoy two opportunities to spot wildlife with a morning and afternoon safari in Yala National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for sloth bear, hyena and the elusive leopard!
Visit Dambulla Cave Temple - Venture inside the Dambulla Cave Temple to explore the huge collection of Buddha statues, including the 14-metre long reclining Buddha. This is one of the most popular religious cultural sites in Sri Lanka.
Colombo (1N) - Dambulla (3N) - Kandy (2N) - Nuwara Eliya (2N) - Yala National Park (2N) - Hikkaduwa (3N) - Colombo (2N)
- International flights and current taxes (prices may vary depending on departure city)
- All Meals (refer to itinerary)
- Breakfasts: 14 /Lunches: 14 /Dinners: 15
- Domestic transportation
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- 3 – 4 star accommodation
- Visa fees for Australian passport holders
Day 1: Arrive Colombo
On arrival to Colombo airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel, where you have the rest of the day at leisure to settle in, relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Includes: Dinner
Day 2: Travel To Dambulla
After breakfast you will travel to Dambulla, visiting Sigiriya rock fortress late this afternoon. This impressive landmark is regarded as the world's eighth wonder amongst the locals. Enjoy magnificent views, colourful frescos and beautiful gardens when you reach the top.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Polonnaruwa
Today you visit Hiriwaduna for a local village experience, enjoying a boat trip on the lake, a tuk-tuk trip to a local home and learning to prepare an authentic dish. Next is Polonnaruwa, an ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, full of well-preserved stupas, statues and frescoes.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Anuradhapura
Set off for Anuradhapura, exploring this magnificent ancient city on foot. Visit the massive Buddhist shrines, splendid palaces, parks and pavilions of this sacred city, dating back to the 5th century BC.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Dambulla
This morning after breakfast you will be taken to visit Dambulla Cave temple. En-route to Kandy stop at the spice garden in Matale, boasting incredible views of the Aluvihare Mountains. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by an amazing cultural dance show in the evening.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Kandy
After breakfast take a boat ride on Kandy Lake, giving you breathtaking views of the picturesque city, and from where you can observe a variety of bird species such as the Indian cormorants, wood storks and pelicans. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your hotel before heading out this evening for a walk in Udawattekele rainforest.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Christmas Eve - Nuwara Eliya
Today after breakfast you will be taken to Nuwara Eliya by train. Train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) is approximately 4 hours. You will be transferred from the station and taken to the hotel in Nuwara Eliya, to check in relax. Later on, enjoy a fabulous High Tea at the Grand Hotel before your Christmas Eve dinner.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Christmas Day - Nuwara Eliya
Merry Christmas! After breakfast you will be taken for a tea plantation experience dressed in handmade, traditional silk sarees which you'll then get to take home with you. Your experience starts in the plantation itself with the tea puckers, giving you the opportunity to learn how to pluck tea then visit the factory where ancient machines pre-dating the industrial revolution wither, roll and dry the tea, followed by learning how to taste different variety of tea. There is normally a little time at the end of the tour for a tea tasting, either of one specific type of tea or occasionally of the various specialties of that factory. Much like a wine tasting, a traditional tea tasting would involve drinking tea (without milk), swilling it around the mouth to get the taste. Return back to the hotel and celebrate the festivities with a scrumptious Christmas day lunch.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Udawalawe
After breakfast proceed to Yala, with a stop at Udawalawe Elephant Sanctuary before participate in the process of curd making. Though buffalo curd is a quintessential favourite in the Sri Lankan pantry, its arduous journey, from teat to table, is often unheeded. Enjoy a fresh sip of milk after trying your hand milking a buffalo and end this experience by relishing a fresh pot of curd sweetened with treacle.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Yala National Park
Early morning, and later this afternoon, you will be taken for a jeep safari at Yala National park, where you will embark on an adventure safari.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Hikkaduwa
Today you will travel the 3 hours to Hikkaduwa with the rest of your day free to go explore your surroundings.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Galle Fort
After breakfast you will be visiting Galle Fort, and the journey will take about 1 hour. During the tour of Galle, you will have the opportunity to visit Galle Fort, Old Dutch Church and walk along the Rampart.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Kosgoda Turtle Sanctuary
A visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is a must. Travel to the Hatchery, visiting a cinnamon plantation on the way, Learn all there is to know about the uses and benefits of cinnamon and try your hand with the tools of the trade in an Ambalama. Go on to witness the exceptional sight at the Turtle Hatchery and see the eggs hatching or the turtles being returned to the sea, moving towards the water as they flap their tiny flippers.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Travel To Colombo
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel you travel the 2.5 hours to Colombo. You have some time to relax, before your city tour around this amazing city. Enjoy the the celebrations of New Year's Eve with a dinner at the hotel.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Colombo At Leisure
New Year's Day at leisure, discovering the many gems of Colombo. Depending on the time of your flight tomorrow, you may be transferred to the airport after dinner in time for your flight scheduled to depart very early tomorrow morning.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 - Depart Colombo
Fly back to Australia, arriving the same day.
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
- 18 Dec 2025 - 02 Jan 2026
from $9,980 pp twin share / $12,640 pp solo - 18 Dec 2026 - 02 Jan 2027
from $9,980 pp twin share / $12,740 pp solo
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Cinnamon Lakeside - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Overlooking the tranquil Beira Lake, the 4* Cinnamon Lakeside hotel offers modern rooms with a blend of equipped with a safety deposit box, complimentary toiletries, minibar and coffee/ tea making facilities. Enjoy the wide range of hotel amenities at your leisure, whether it be the hotel swimming pool, tennis and squash courts or gym.
Jetwing Lakeside - Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Cinnamon Citadel - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Jetwing St Andrew's - Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Cinnamon Wild - Yala, Sri Lanka
Located in the heart of the jungle, the 4* Cinnamon Wild Resort is an extension of the Yala National Park and proudly boasts minimalistic interiors furnished with old vintage furniture. Enjoy a bird's eye view of the wilderness beneath you at the resort's rooftop bar all before delighting at a buffet restaurant.
Hikka Tranz - Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Located on the Southern shoreline of Sri Lanka, 4* Hikka Tranz offers true Southern Sri Lankan hospitality where guests can stay in spacious rooms and enjoy views of the Golden Belt of the South Coast. Each room also has air conditioning, a minibar and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. The resort also houses a pool bar, serving delicious snacks and beverages as well as a 24-hour restaurant offering a delightful buffet experience.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 June 2024. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
- Customary tipping amount of approximately US$150pp (AU$224pp) is paid locally in Sri Lanka.
- Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
- Price subject to change.