Sri Lanka tours with flights from Romania
Tour with flight, accommodation, transfer, meals and activities included.
The rock fortress of Sigiriya, tea plantations, wild elephants and the south coast — Sri Lanka on a single tour.
On a fairly compact island, Sri Lanka brings together sacred cities more than two thousand years old, mountains covered in tea estates, national parks with elephants and leopards, and palm-fringed beaches.
A typical tour crosses the Cultural Triangle, with Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa, climbs to Kandy and tea country, then heads south for a safari in Yala or Udawalawe and the fort at Galle.
What you will see on the tour
Sigiriya Rock
King Kashyapa's 5th-century fortress sits on top of a rock rising about 180 metres above the jungle. The climb passes the frescoes of the ‘cloud maidens’ and the giant paws of the Lion Gate, and the summit looks out over the plains to the horizon.
The train through tea country
The railway between Kandy and Ella climbs through tea estates, waterfalls and hill villages, and the Nine Arch Bridge near Ella is one of the island's most photographed sights. Along the way you can visit a tea factory in Nuwara Eliya.
Safari in Yala or Udawalawe
Yala National Park has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, while Udawalawe is known for herds of wild elephants that are seen very often. Safaris are by jeep, early in the morning or in the afternoon.
Galle and the south coast
Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial streets and ramparts above the ocean. Nearby, Unawatuna and Mirissa have good swimming beaches, and whale-watching trips leave from Mirissa.
Everything you need to know before you go
When to go
For the west and south coasts and the hill country, the best season is December to April. The east coast, with Trincomalee and Arugam Bay, is sunny from May to September. The coast is warm all year, while the hills are cooler.
What you see along the way
The classic route starts in Negombo, near the airport, climbs to Dambulla, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, then on to Kandy, with the Temple of the Tooth, and Nuwara Eliya. It ends with a safari and the southern beaches. The exact order varies from tour to tour.
Good to know
At temples you take off your shoes and cover your shoulders and knees, and posing for photos with your back to a Buddha statue is considered disrespectful. Distances look short on the map, but mountain roads are slow, so transfer days can be long.
Local food
The everyday meal is rice and curry: rice with several vegetable curries, dhal and coconut pol sambol. Try hoppers, bowl-shaped pancakes, kottu roti and, of course, Ceylon tea straight from the estate.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a tour of Sri Lanka include?
- The tour includes the return flight from Romania, accommodation along the route, transfers, and the meals and activities included in the programme, plus TravelTheme assistance throughout the trip. The exact route, meals, safaris and visits vary from tour to tour and are set out in each offer.
- How long is a tour and what does the route look like?
- The length varies from offer to offer. Tours usually start near Colombo airport, pass through the Cultural Triangle and the hill country, and often finish with a few days on the beach. The exact days, towns and visits are listed in each tour's programme.
- When is the best time for a tour of Sri Lanka?
- December to April is the most popular season, with dry weather on the west and south coasts and in the hills. The Cultural Triangle, in the centre of the island, can be visited for most of the year, and the east coast is in season from May to September.
- What documents do I need for Sri Lanka?
- You need a passport valid for at least six months and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or e-visa, obtained online before departure. The rules have changed several times in recent years, so check the current requirements before you travel.
- What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
- The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops, but you will need cash for temples, markets, tuk-tuks and tips. Cash machines are easy to find in towns, and euros and dollars are simple to exchange.