Serendib Sojourn - Sri Lanka's Hills, Temples & the Ramayana Trail (5 Days)
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Duration
5 Days
Tour Type
Cultural & Heritage Tours
Group Size
20 persons
Location
Colombo
Overview
Five days through Sri Lanka's most rewarding hill-country and coastal circuit visit the elephant orphans of Pinnawala, pay homage at Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and follow the Ramayana Trail through Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple and Seetha Amman Temple, both linked to the Sita legend. Walk through working tea estates in misty Nuwara Eliya, once the British Empire's favorite hill retreat, before closing in Colombo's markets, colonial landmarks, and beaches. Hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, private airport transfers, and an English-speaking chauffeur guide are built in throughout.
Included/Excluded
Meeting and assistance at the airport
Hotel accommodation as per itinerary (or similar) on HB (Half Board) basis — 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
Transport in an A/C vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide throughout
Sightseeing as per itinerary (excluding entrance fees — see FAQ above)
All applicable taxes
Complimentary value additions: 2 x 500ml mineral water bottles per person per day, a spice garden visit en route to Kandy, a King Coconut refreshment, honeymoon amenities at one hotel on request, and 24/7 airport representative support
All entrance fees, including the Indian-passport-specific supplement at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Temple of the Tooth, Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Gangarama Temple, Colombo National Museum, and Lotus Tower
Early check-in and late check-out
Camera and video permits at monuments
Flight tickets and visa charges (note: Sri Lanka's ETA is fee-free for Indian nationals as of 2026 — see FAQ)
TCS/GST as applicable per Indian government regulations
Personal expenses: tips, porterage, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, medical expenses, airport departure tax
Itinerary
Day 1
Airport to Kandy
Day 1
Airport to Kandy
Arrive at Colombo International Airport, where an Esna Holidays representative and guide meet you for the transfer to Kandy. En route, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — home to around 100 rescued elephants, with regulated feeding and bathing times throughout the day — and the Regent Spice and Herbal Garden, where Sri Lanka's celebrated spices (cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and more) grow in their natural setting, alongside their traditional Ayurvedic uses. In Kandy, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), built by Kandyan Kings in 1595 to house Buddha's sacred tooth relic, and part of Kandy's UNESCO World Heritage status. An optional evening at the Kandy Cultural Show — fire dancers, sword dancers, and traditional Kandyan drumming — is a memorable add-on if time allows. Overnight in Kandy. Sightseeing: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Spice Garden
Day 2
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Day 2
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, travel toward Nuwara Eliya, stopping at Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple and Ramboda Falls — significant stops on Sri Lanka's Ramayana Trail, believed to mark where Hanuman searched for Sita, with the nearby "Sita Tear Pond" said to have formed from her tears, and a striking 40-foot granite Hanuman statue on site. Continue to a working tea estate to see the full production process — plucking, withering, rolling, oxidizing, and drying — followed by a tea tasting. Check in and relax. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. Sightseeing: Ramboda Falls, Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple
Day 3
Nuwara Eliya Exploration
Day 3
Nuwara Eliya Exploration
After breakfast, visit Seetha Amman Temple, built beside the stream where, according to legend, Sita bathed during her time at Ashok Vatika — with a temple complex here dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, and unusual footprint formations in the riverbed said to be Hanuman's. Spend the rest of the day exploring Nuwara Eliya itself — once the British Empire's favored hill-station retreat, with cottages, colonial villas, the charming old red-brick post office, Queen Victoria Park, and the shores of Lake Gregory. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 4
Nuwara Eliya to Colombo
Day 4
Nuwara Eliya to Colombo
After breakfast, travel to Colombo for a city tour covering Cinnamon Gardens, Fort (the former British administrative center), Sea Street's goldsmith quarter in Pettah, a Hindu temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolvendaal dating to 1749, alongside the BMICH, the Avukana Buddha replica, and Independence Square. In the evening, explore Galle Face Green — Colombo's largest open beachfront space — and shopping spots including Odel, Barefoot, Laksala, and Colombo Pettah's bargain market. Overnight in Colombo. Sightseeing: Colombo City Tour
Day 5
Colombo to Airport
Day 5
Colombo to Airport
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.
Facilities
Wifi
Air Conditioning
Swimming Pool
Parking
Restaurant
Room Service
Laundry
Spa
Beach Access
Mountain View
Airport Transfer
Hotel Pickup
Tour Guide
Kids Play Area
Travel Style
Backpacking
Couple
Family
Weekend Getaway
Private
FAQs
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Good news here: as of 2026, Indian passport holders can enter Sri Lanka for tourism without paying any visa fee, through the free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, granting a 30-day stay. You still need to apply for the ETA online before you fly (it's not a walk-up, no-formality entry) — the process is quick, requires no document uploads for most applicants, and is best completed at least a few days ahead of travel via the official portal.
What documents do we need for the Sri Lanka ETA?
A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, your travel dates, and your accommodation address in Sri Lanka. No bank statements, photographs, or cover letters are required for the standard tourist ETA, though it's sensible to carry proof of return travel and reasonable funds for immigration's discretion on arrival.
Are entrance fees to places like the Temple of the Tooth and Pinnawala included?
No — this is worth being clear on. Sightseeing is included in the sense that your guide and transport take you there, but entrance fees themselves are separately payable, and — specifically for Indian passport holders — a number of major sites (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Temple of the Tooth, Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Gangarama Temple, Colombo National Museum, and Lotus Tower) carry a specific supplement charged per person. Budget for these separately from the package cost.
What's included at Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic?
The temple visit itself is part of your Day 1 sightseeing, though entrance is a separate payable fee as noted above. The optional evening Kandy Cultural Show — featuring fire dancers, sword dancers, and traditional Kandyan drumming — is a worthwhile add-on if your schedule allows, bookable locally at extra cost.
What are the Ramayana Trail sites on this itinerary, and why do they matter?
Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple and the nearby Sita Tear Pond, along with Seetha Amman Temple near Nuwara Eliya, are two of the most significant stops on Sri Lanka's well-established "Ramayana Trail" — sites linked in local legend to the Ramayana's Ashok Vatika episode, where Sita is believed to have been held and where Hanuman searched for her. These are genuinely meaningful stops for devotees following this specific pilgrimage circuit, not just general sightseeing.
Is there a peak season surcharge?
Yes — July and August 2026 carry a peak period supplement of USD 70 per person, reflecting higher seasonal demand for hotels across the hill country.
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancelling 35 days or more before arrival incurs no charge. Cancelling 25-34 days before arrival incurs a 75% charge on the booked amount. Cancelling within 24 days of arrival incurs a full 100% charge. Please confirm your dates are firm well ahead of the 35-day mark to retain flexibility.
What complimentary extras come with this package?
Two 500ml mineral water bottles per person per day throughout the tour, a complimentary spice garden visit en route to Kandy, a complimentary King Coconut refreshment, 24/7 airport representative assistance, and — for honeymooning couples specifically — complimentary bed decoration, a fruit platter, or a cake at one of the hotels on request.
Tour Location
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