SLTDA-licensed guides · Private tours island-wide
Sri Lanka tours - Sigiriya Lion Rock at sunrise, seen from Pidurangala Sri Lankan leopard in Yala National Park Travellers on Little Adam's Peak above Ella Stilt fisherman on the south coast Elephant family beside a safari jeep with our guests
Sigiriya at sunrise
Experience Authentic Sri Lanka · Licensed local guides

Discover Sri Lanka, your way

Private Sri Lanka tours with licensed local guides. Ancient rock fortresses, wild elephants, misty tea hills, golden beaches and the world's most scenic train ride. We plan it with you and travel it with you, with a licensed guide and a private vehicle the whole way.

  • SLTDA licensedGovernment-certified guides
  • Private vehicleCar, van or coach, A/C
  • 15+ yearsGuiding in Sri Lanka since 2010
  • 100% tailor-madeYour dates, pace and budget
  • Reply in 24 hrsWhatsApp, email or call
Sri Lanka tour styles

Find the journey that fits you

Every tour is private and fully customisable. Pick a style to start, and we'll shape the route, hotels and pace around you.

Ready-made itineraries

Popular Sri Lanka tour packages

Use these as a starting point. Every day can be swapped, stretched or shortened.

Kandyan dancers4 Days · 3 Nights

Short Cultural Escape

Negombo · Sigiriya · Dambulla · Kandy
  • Climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala at sunrise
  • Dambulla cave temple
  • Temple of the Tooth & cultural dance
  • Spice garden & Peradeniya gardens
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Ella tea country7 Days · 6 Nights

Sri Lanka Highlights

Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Galle
  • Lion Rock & Minneriya elephant safari
  • Tea factory & scenic train to Ella
  • Leopard safari in Yala
  • Galle Fort & south-coast beaches
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Sri Lankan leopard10 Days · 9 Nights

Wildlife & Birding Explorer

Wilpattu · Sinharaja · Udawalawe · Yala · Bundala
  • Leopard and sloth bear safaris
  • Rainforest endemics in Sinharaja
  • Wetland birding at Bundala & Tissa
  • Optional whale watching from Mirissa
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South coast sunset14 Days · 13 Nights

Grand Island Tour

Anuradhapura · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Hills · Yala · South coast
  • All three ancient capitals
  • Tea country, waterfalls & hikes
  • Two national parks
  • Four relaxed beach days to finish
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Things to do in Sri Lanka

Marvellous experiences, one small island

From sunrise climbs to blue whales, here's what travellers love most. Add any of these to your tour.

🐆

Leopard & elephant safaris

Open-jeep game drives in Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe and Minneriya.

Best Feb–Sep
🐋

Whale & dolphin watching

Blue whales off Mirissa in the south, or Trincomalee in the east.

Mirissa Nov–Apr · Trinco May–Sep
🚂

Scenic hill-country train

Tea estates, tunnels and the Nine Arch Bridge from your window.

Year-round
🦉

Birdwatching

34 endemic species, plus flamingos and winter migrants in the wetlands.

Best Nov–Apr
🏯

Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock

A 5th-century sky fortress with frescoes and a 360° summit view.

Go at sunrise
🤿

Snorkeling & diving

Reef fish and turtles at Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Pigeon Island.

South Nov–Apr · East May–Sep
🏄

Surfing

Beginner waves in Weligama, world-class point breaks at Arugam Bay.

South Nov–Apr · Arugam Bay May–Oct
🍃

Tea factory & plantation

Pluck, roll and taste Ceylon tea where it grows.

Year-round
⛰️

Adam's Peak pilgrimage

A night climb to watch sunrise from the sacred summit.

Season Dec–May
🧘

Ayurveda & meditation

Traditional treatments, spa days and meditation retreats.

Year-round
🐢

Sea-turtle encounters

Ethical turtle-nesting watches on the south coast at night.

Year-round
🎈

Hot-air balloon flights

Float over the Cultural Triangle jungle at dawn near Sigiriya.

Dry season
🚣

White-water rafting

Grade 2–3 rapids on the Kelani River at Kitulgala.

Year-round
🏰

Galle Fort walk

A UNESCO Dutch fort with cafés, ramparts and sunset views.

Best Nov–Apr
🍛

Village & cooking class

Cook rice and curry with a local family, then a lake boat ride.

Year-round
🎉

Kandy Esala Perahera

Ten nights of elephants, drummers and fire dancers.

July / August
Best time to visit Sri Lanka

Pick a month and see what's at its best

Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so somewhere on the island is always sunny. Tap a month to see the best regions and activities.

January

Best activities
Also good

Weather by region

Rule of thumb: the west & south coasts and hill country are best December to April; the east coast is best May to September. The Cultural Triangle works most of the year.

Plan a trip for this month →
BestGoodPossibleOff-season / closed
Sri Lanka train timetable & travel guide

Ride the most scenic trains in Asia

Route guides, journey times, station tips and live service status for the train journeys tourists love. Exact departure times change often, so we link you straight to the official Sri Lanka Railways timetable.

Opens the official Sri Lanka Railways schedule in a new tab. Seats can be reserved online up to 30 days ahead.
Tea hills around Ella on the hill-country railway
⚠️
Service status last checked: . Parts of the hill-country line were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah (late 2025) and are being restored section by section. Always confirm on the official timetable before you travel. Our team can book seats or arrange a private car for any section that isn't running.
Guests birdwatching with binoculars at Horton Plains Guest watching an elephant from a safari jeep Open safari jeep ready for a game drive
Licensed Sri Lanka tour guides

Travel with people who know every corner

Our private tour guides and naturalists are licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). They're storytellers, wildlife spotters and problem-solvers, and they stay with you from airport to airport.

15+Years guiding
25+National parks & sites
24/7On-tour support
  • ✓
    National guides & naturalists

    Officially licensed, with deep knowledge of history, culture, birds and wildlife.

  • ✓
    Languages on request

    English-speaking guides as standard. Ask us about other languages for your dates.

  • ✓
    Safe, comfortable private vehicles

    Air-conditioned cars, vans and coaches with experienced drivers.

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Real guests, real tours

Travellers who explored Sri Lanka with us

These are our own guests on our tours: birdwatching groups, photographers, families and friends. Many come back again, or send their friends.

Birding groupsPhotography toursFamiliesCouplesSolo travellers
Clear pricesNo hidden costs. Everything included is written in your quote.
Licensed & registeredSLTDA-licensed guides and insured vehicles.
Flexible plansChange your route on the way. We adjust for you.
Always reachableWhatsApp support before and during your trip.
Our guides with a birding group beside safari jeeps Happy guests at their hotel Guests on a lake canoe ride Photography group at the end of their tour
Our services

Everything for a smooth trip

🚐

Private vehicle with driver

Car, van or mini-coach for your whole trip, at your pace.

✈️

Airport transfers

Meet & greet at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), day or night.

🗺️

Custom itineraries

A free day-by-day plan built around your interests and budget.

🏨

Hotels, tickets & safaris

Hotels from budget to luxury, train seats, entry tickets and jeeps.

Sri Lanka travel guide

Good to know before you go

🛂

Visa / ETA

Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Rules change, so apply only via the official government site.

💵

Money

Currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Cards work in hotels; carry cash for villages and tuk-tuks.

👗

Temple dress code

Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats. Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.

🌡️

Climate

Coasts around 27–31°C. The hills are cool (12–20°C), so pack a light jacket for Nuwara Eliya.

🔌

Power & SIM

230V, type D/G plugs. Buy a tourist SIM at the airport for data and WhatsApp.

🙏

Local etiquette

Use your right hand to give and receive. A smile and "Ayubowan" go a long way.

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

December to April is best for the west and south coasts, Kandy and the hill country. May to September is best for the east coast (Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay). The Cultural Triangle is good most of the year, so a well-planned route works in any month.

How many days do I need in Sri Lanka?

7 days covers the highlights (Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country, a safari and the south coast). 10 to 14 days lets you add the ancient cities, more wildlife and relaxed beach time without rushing.

Is a private tour with a licensed guide worth it?

Yes. Distances are short but roads are slow, so a private vehicle saves hours. A licensed guide adds history, finds wildlife you'd miss and handles tickets, hotels and timings for you.

Can I do the famous Kandy–Ella train ride right now?

The hill-country line is being restored after cyclone damage. Check our live route status above. When a section isn't running, we arrange the scenic road journey or the open section (such as Nanu Oya–Ella) instead.

Where can I see leopards and elephants?

Yala and Wilpattu are best for leopards. For elephants, visit Udawalawe year-round, or Minneriya and Kaudulla for "The Gathering" from about July to October.

Is Sri Lanka good for families with children?

Very much so. Short driving days, safaris, elephants, turtle hatcheries, train rides and calm beaches make it ideal. We plan child-friendly hotels and pacing.

How do I book a tour with you?

Send us the form below or message us on WhatsApp. We reply within 24 hours with a free, no-obligation itinerary and price, and adjust it until it's perfect.

Our travel family

Three websites, one team

Tour The Sri Lanka works hand-in-hand with our sister brands. Same people, same care, each with its own speciality.

Plan your trip

Tell us your dream trip. We'll send a free itinerary.

Fill in the form and it opens WhatsApp with your message ready to send. No obligation. We usually reply within a few hours.

Phone / WhatsApp+94 71 373 4976

Prefer email? Write to tourthesrilankaofficial@gmail.com. Your details are only used to reply to your enquiry.