Sri Lanka 8-day tour
Sri Lanka, with its rich history and culture, is one of the world’s top holiday destinations. Sri Lanka is a place of year-round holidays, from the magnificence of its cultural triangle to the pristine beaches around the island, Sri Lanka’s hill country with green-capped mountains, and diverse animals in national parks. Seerendipity Tours, a renowned Sri Lankan travel provider, provides a uniquely tailored Sri Lanka 8-day tour itinerary that brings you to the heart of Sri Lanka.
15 best places to visit on a Sri Lanka 8-day tour
“What are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in eight days?”” “
What is the finest 8-day itinerary in Sri Lanka?”
What are the greatest spots to visit in Sri Lanka in eight days?”
These are some of the most common inquiries we receive from our readers. Sri Lanka 8-day tours are quite popular among foreign travelers, and Seerendipity Tours offers a dozen of them each month. Almost everyone who books these Sri Lanka 8-day tours is a foreigner.
There are two reasons why I decided to create this blog post under the title “Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka 8-day tour.” The first reason is that I receive emails from customers asking about the best locations to visit in Sri Lanka in 8 days. The second reason is the Sri Lanka 8-day tour itinerary, which we recently created and includes the following 15 destinations to see in Sri Lanka in 8 days:.
The primary concept behind establishing this Sri Lanka 8-day tour is to satisfy the growing number of people who want to spend their time visiting major spots on the island. This Sri Lanka tour takes visitors to cultural attractions, historical landmarks, Buddhist temples, forts, picturesque countryside, tea gardens, and a variety of other interesting locations. However, in this essay, I will highlight only 15 places that I believe you should not miss.
Getting around in Sri Lanka on your Sri Lanka 8-day tour
A private vehicle with a Sri Lankan driver or guide is regarded as the ideal mode of transportation for an 8-day tour in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka 8-day trip is a private vacation, as are most of Seerendipity’s other tour packages. All ground transportation and sightseeing tours are private, with a local driver/guide.
What are the top 15 sites to visit on a Sri Lanka 8-day tour?
1. Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in 8 Days: Sigiriya Rock
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a popular tourist site in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant historical sites on the island. This is the first stop on the first day of the eight-day Sri Lanka tour.
2. Dambulla’s Golden Cave Temple
Dambulla Golden Cave Temple is one of the world’s oldest Buddhist temples, dating back to the 1st century BC. Dambulla Golden Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dambulla Golden Cave Temple contains over 150 statues and is included in most Sri Lanka tour packages, as well as day trips to the Sri Lanka cultural
triangle.
3. Sri Lanka 8-day trip: seeing the Tooth Relic Temple.
The Kandy Tooth Relic Temple is Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist temple. The temple is a popular religious place not just in Sri Lanka, but also around the world among Buddhists. Every day, thousands of Buddhist enthusiasts come to the temple.
4. The Kandyan Cultural Show
The cultural show involves traditional Sri Lankan dance and music performances. The cultural event lasts around an hour and is available in a few locations throughout Kandy.
5. Places to Visit in Sri Lanka in 8 Days: Botanical Garden
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya is one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent and beautiful botanical gardens. The botanical garden of Peradeniya is located near Kandy and is included in every tour there.
6. Downtown Kandy
During the Kandy sightseeing tour, guests explore Kandy’s lively downtown area. The city trip lasts about 2 hours and includes stops at stores, a café, souvenir shops, jewelry shops, clothes shops, and other attractions.
7. Tea plantation/factory
Visiting a tea mill and plantation is an integral element of any vacation to Sri Lanka. There are numerous tea plantations from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya City where you can stop and observe the traditional tea producing process.
Tea, one of Sri Lanka’s most important exports, generates millions of dollars for the country. Sri Lanka is a tea-drinking nation, and the island produces “CEYLON TEA,” the world’s greatest tea brand.
7. Ramboda Waterfall
One of the island’s most picturesque waterfalls flows through the Ramdoa plateau. Every day, hundreds of people go to the 90-meter-high waterfall. To see the waterfalls up close, visitors must trek downhill. The mountains’ rainy season, which lasts from May to November and receives a lot of rain, is when the waterfalls are at their most impressive.
8. Nuwara Eliya City
The healing climate of Nuwara Eliya is the most notable feature of this mountain resort. It stands out from lowland coastal destinations like Colombo and Bentota, with green-capped mountains, tea gardens, waterfalls, rivers, and forest parts.
9. Sri Lanka vacation itinerary: visit Gregory Lake.
Perennial creeks that come from the Pidurutalagala highlands feed Gregory’s Lake. Gregory Lake and its surroundings are well-kept and built to cater to Nuwara Eliya’s visitors, including children, families, and picnic enthusiasts. Gregory Lake’s surroundings include playgrounds for children, strolling routes, and big open areas ideal for social events. Boating, speed boating, horseback riding, and fishing are among the favorite activities here.
10. Seetha Amman Temple.
The Hindu temple Seetha Amman Temple celebrates Seetha, God Rama’s wife. The temple draws many Hindu worshipers not just from Sri Lanka but also from all over the world, particularly from India.
11. Victoria Park
The lovely garden was established in the early 18th century, during British colonial rule. The garden is tiny, but stunning, thanks to its extensive collection of flowering plants and trees. The garden is especially attractive during the mountain blossoming season, which lasts from April to June.
12. Udawalawe National Park
Most tourists know about Udawalawe National Park because of its biodiversity and elephant transit camp. Udawalawe National Park is one of the island’s best areas for elephant safaris, and big herds of wild elephants are prevalent. The elephant transit camp, which borders Udawalawe National Park, serves as a foster home for orphan elephants found abandoned in the island’s woods.
13. Places to visit in Sri Lanka in 8 days: Galle Fort.
Galle Fort is the most prominent tourist site in southern Sri Lanka, attracting a considerable number of foreign visitors daily. Galle Fort is Asia’s best-preserved Dutch fort, dating back to the 1600s. During the Ditch rule in Sri Lanka (1656 AD to 1796 AD), it served as the residence quarters for Dutch administrators, complete with all services and amenities.
The entire Fort is still in excellent condition, with buildings that date back more than 200 years serving as hotels, cafes, museums, stores, galleries, and religious sites. A visit to southern Sri Lanka is incomplete without a walking tour of the Fort. Walking through the intricate cobbled alleyways would transport you to a 16th-century European city.
14. Madu River Estuary
The Madu River Estuary is a Ramsar wetland and one of the greatest places to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse riverine fauna and flora. Crocodiles, monkeys, monitors, numerous bird fauna species, a mangrove forest, and Buddhist monasteries may all be observed while on the boat.
15. Bentota Beach
Bentota is one of the island’s most attractive beaches, and many beach vacationers seek sanctuary here. Bentota beach is ideal for a variety of activities, including snorkeling, diving, surfing, kayaking, boating, and other watersports.
Overview of Sri Lanka 8-day tour
This 8-day Sri Lanka itinerary provides a unique opportunity to discover the island’s rich historical past by seeing various UNESCO World Heritage sites that exhibit rich architectural buildings, giant stupas, exquisite paintings, stone carvings, and wood carvings.
You will spend three days in the cultural triangle, where you will be astounded by the incredible historical monuments in Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Kandy. You will also have plenty of opportunities to meet ordinary people, get a glimpse into rural life, and participate in a village cooking class to learn Sri Lankan cuisine.
When is the ideal time for a Sri Lanka 8-day tour via the southern route?
The Sri Lanka 8-day vacation on the southern route is by far the most popular among travelers, particularly foreigners. The best time to visit Sri Lanka for an 8-day tour is between November and April. From November to April, Sri Lanka’s southern and west coasts get mostly dry and sunny weather. During this time, the temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius, with just light rain falling in the south and west of the island.
Sri Lanka 8-day tour itinerary
• Day 1: Visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple.
• Day 2 includes visits to Sigiriya Rock and Polonnaruwa, as well as a village tour and culinary class.
• Day 3: visit Kandy, see the tooth relic temple, and enjoy the traditional entertainment
• Day 4: Explore Nuwara Eliya’s tea gardens and walk to Ramboda waterfall
• Day 5, we went on a Jeep Safari in Udawalawe and visited Mirissa Beach.
• Day 6: Whale watching and leisure.
• Day 7: Galle and Bentota.
• Day 8: Departure.
Traveling to Sri Lanka opens up a new world for you; you will witness a lovely country dominated by lush greenery and feel amazement in a new way on this wonderful island. Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle (Kandy-Polonnaruwa-Anuradhapura) is well-known for its historical sites, while the country’s highlands are home to flowing waterfalls and spectacular views. With its pristine beaches, the journey concludes with a one-of-a-kind view. In addition to the historical landmarks, Buddhist temples, mountains, and beaches, you will visit local communities and an elephant rescue center in Udawalawe.
This is a private tour package that may be booked all year. Although the Sri Lanka itinerary of 8 days is a pre-planned vacation package, it can be tailored to the unique needs of the participants. Making it a private tour allows us to make any alterations requested by our consumers.
The excursion can also be paired with other tour packages, such as the Yala safari tour, Udawalawe wildlife tour, whitewater rafting in Kitulgala, or beach vacation packages. The tour is mostly performed in English, with tour guides speaking other languages available upon request.
What are the main features of Sri Lanka’s 8-day itinerary?
• Visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
• Visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple.
• Exploring the old city of Polonnaruwa.
• Attend the nighttime ritual at the Kandy tooth relic temple.
• Witness the acrobatic performance of Sri Lankan dancers.
• A four-wheel jeep safari tour in Udawalawe Wildlife Reserve.
• Observe the milk feeding of orphaned elephants at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Camp.
• Take a stroll in the afternoon and enjoy the sea breeze.
• Join a local cooking workshop to learn Sri Lankan cooking techniques.
Day 1 of Sri Lanka’s 8-day tour: Explore Dambulla’s Golden Cave Temple
Before going to your hotel in Sigiriya, staff members of Seerendipity Tours will meet and greet you. You can begin this 8-day Sri Lanka tour at the airport or in a hotel of your choice. En route, you will make your first stop on the 8-day Sri Lanka itinerary to the Dambulla Golden Cave Temple.
Golden Temple Dambulla
Dambulla Golden Cave Temple is one of the world’s largest and most ancient Buddhist temples, dating back to the first century BC.
The temple is located in Dambulla, one of the central province’s most dynamic cities and a city of stark contrasts. The city has undergone rapid development in recent years, and it is now one of the largest and busiest in the region.
Trek to the Cave Temple Dambulla
After lunch, you will climb to Dambulla’s cave temple with your guide, who will lead you through the five caves, which include over 150 Buddha sculptures, god figures, and king statues. At the same time, look at thousands of wall and ceiling paintings dating back centuries; unfortunately, some of the paintings have been ruined in recent decades due to the humidity in the caverns.
Later in the day, check into your accommodation and relax, or go for a leisurely walk to enjoy the natural beauty of Sigiriya and its surroundings. This dry-zone location has a huge amount of green cover and many lakes, while the rocky outcrop has been converted into rice paddies with jagged mountains in the background. This dry zone forested area is a famous bird-watching destination on the island, with visitors able to easily identify numerous indigenous avian fauna species.
Our knowledgeable guide will assist you in exploring the traditions, monuments, flavors, and history of this neighborhood, which is a delicate blend of old and new, modern homes and historic structures. The majority of foreign visitors to Sri Lanka visit Sigiriya or Habarana as part of their Cultural Triangle itinerary. Sigiriya/Habarana is strategically placed in the cultural triangle, allowing for easy access to the majority of its attractions.
Remarks: Please adhere to temple laws and regulations and dress appropriately when visiting a temple.
Day 2 of Sri Lanka’s 8-day tour: Morning visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Today is the second hike on our eight-day Sri Lanka itinerary, to the Sigiriya rock castle. The climb at Dambulla Cave Temple served as a warm-up for the more difficult hike at Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The guide will arrange for a pickup a little earlier today, and you will leave around 7 a.m.
The Sigiriya hike should begin as soon as possible to escape the burning heat in the area. High humidity in the locations causes excessive sweating as you climb, requiring you to drink a lot of fluid.
Sigiriya is one of the island’s most famous tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of visitors each day; it may be the most prominent tourist site in the cultural triangle. The Sigiriya rock castle, dating back to the 5th century AD, boasts a well-planned and planted garden, a well developed water management system, knowledge of building processes, and mastered creative abilities.
Remarks: The upward and downward journeys last around 3 hours. It is recommended that you wear hiking shoes, a cotton t-shirt and shorts. It’s wise to bring a bottle of water with you as you climb the cliff. Please keep in mind that there are no bathrooms on the site.
Remarks: The two-hour hike in Sigiriya can last up to three hours. Not suggested for pregnant women or those with knee or back problems. It is highly recommended that you wear comfortable shoes when climbing 2000 tight steps.
Afternoon Visit to Polonnaruwa Ancient City:
The journey from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, a historical city, takes around an hour. The half-day journey to Polonnaruwa concludes with a visit to the city’s historical sites. The city tour of the ancient city takes about two hours. Guests on the Polonnaruwa city tour visit a variety of noteworthy sights, including palaces, temples, audience halls, pleasure gardens, lakes, and other historical structures.
Sigiriya Village Tour:
A village visit on this 5-day Sri Lanka itinerary is a highlight for most travelers, and it is an amazing, one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found in Sigiriya. You may take cooking classes all across the island, but this Hiriwadunna cooking class stands out since it provides a typical local experience.
The Hiriwadunna village tour lasts approximately an hour and includes a boat excursion, a bullock cart ride, and culinary instruction. You will be led to a village house and farmlands, where you will meet a local family. You will learn to cook alongside the female cook and eventually taste what you make. As you return to your hotel in Sigiriya, stop by a rural temple.
Day 3 of the Sri Lanka 8-day tour: morning excursion to a spice garden.
After breakfast, depart for Kandy and stop by the spice garden on the way. A walking tour of the Spice Garden is an intriguing activity that allows visitors to see a great variety of trees and plants used to produce various spices, sauces, and herbs. The two-hour walk around the open garden also provides an opportunity to learn about the indigenous healing method of Ayurveda.
Day 3 afternoon: Tooth Relic Temple, Kandy City Tour, and Kandyan Cultural Show.
After breakfast, depart for Kandy, stopping en route at Matale’s spice garden. Matale is only a few minutes away from Sigiriya and Dambulla, yet it is located in Sri Lanka’s wet zone, which experiences extremely high rainfall each year. Matale is a city with a big Tamil community, and you will notice several Hindu temples as you drive through.
Matale is most known for its spice gardens, which allow tourists to have a closer look at different spices and plants. Matale is Sri Lanka’s primary spice-growing area, with many farmers actively cultivating spices. Spices are one of Sri Lanka’s top foreign exchange earners. You travel to a hotel in Kandy after learning about the many spices grown on the island and their economic use.
Before midday, you will check into your hotel in Kandy and have a quick break before beginning your Kandy city tour. During the city trip, you will see downtown Kandy, a silk garden, a gem museum, and a gem lapidary. After the city tour, see the Kandyan cultural entertainment.
Following the city tour, head to the Kandyan Lake Club to witness the Kandyan cultural display, which has dancing troupes, drummers, and flautists. The Kandyan cultural event draws a large crowd and lasts one hour. The Kandyan cultural display provides an excellent opportunity to see traditional Sri Lankan dance performances and music.
The start of the nighttime ceremony at the tooth relic shrine coincides with the conclusion of the Kandyan cultural presentation. As soon as the Kandyan cultural presentation concludes, attendees depart for the tooth relic shrine adjacent to the Lake Club. The walk from the Lake Club takes around 3 minutes.
The Tooth Relic Temple is the most sacred Buddhist temple on the island, and it is visited by thousands of devotees and foreign visitors daily. The evening ceremony, which begins at 06.30, lasts around an hour and is the finest time to visit the temple. The exquisite temple was previously occupied by Sri Lankan rulers, and it now proudly houses Buddha’s left eyetooth.
Day 4, morning: Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.
After a leisurely breakfast, proceed to the hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is only 100 kilometers from Kandy and takes approximately 2 hours without stops. However, the travel today will take approximately 5 hours due to the two stops at Ranboda waterfall and tea factory.
In the afternoon, take a scenic trip of Nuwara Eliya, stopping by downtown, Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, the golf course, and the racecourse.
Visiting the Tea Factory
The first destination of the day will be a tea factory in Ramboda, where you may observe the manufacturing process of tea. This lucrative commodity dominates Sri Lanka’s mountains, and Tea covers a wide area of land. Visitors can experience a freshly brewed teacup at a tea party provided by the tea factory, and then purchase a sample of the best Ceylon tea.
Visit Ramboda waterfall.
After visiting the tea industry, you will climb to the Ramboda waterfall, which is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Sri Lanka’s mountains. After the Ramboda Falls, your guide will stop to take a closer look at the Sita Amman temple and Gregory Lake.
at the evening, visit the elephant transit camp at Udawalawe, where you will see a big herd of newborn elephants struggling to live in the wild. They are now healthy and safe in the hands of their caregivers. The little jumbos visit the elephant transit camp every day during feeding hours and spend the rest of the day learning to live in their natural habitat. When the babies reach adulthood, they are no longer subject to the park administration and can live independently in the jungle.
Day 5 of Sri Lanka’s 8-day itinerary: Visiting Udawalawe and beaches
After breakfast, depart for Mirissa Beach via Udawalawe and Ella. The journey takes around 2 hours, including hotel check-in and leisure time. After that, go on a safari in Udawalwe National Park and then visit the elephant transit camp.
Day 6 of Sri Lanka’s 8-day itinerary: whale viewing excursion
The day begins early (at 6:00 a.m.) when you drive to Mirissa Harbour with your chauffeur guide. You will board the specially designed whale-watching boat and set sail with an experienced crew and a naturalist on board. The whale-watching tour lasts between 2 and 5 hours, but it might sometimes be longer.
We have no other essential activities planned for today’s programs because the duration of the whale watching boat cruise is undetermined. As a result, after their whale-watching expedition, the guests can relax on the beach.
Day 7 of Sri Lanka 8-day tour: Mirissa-Bentota
After breakfast, depart for a sightseeing tour of Galle before proceeding to the beach hotel in Bentota. En route, take a walking tour of Galle Fort and pay a visit to the sea turtle conservation project. Afternoon leisure at the beach resort.
Day 8 of Sri Lanka itinerary: Bentota to Colombo
After breakfast, depart for Colombo airport. On the last day of our 8-day Sri Lanka vacation, we normally do not schedule any major activities. We intend to transport you to the airport for your onward trip or to your preferred beach resort. We don’t even arrange the hotel’s departure time today because it is largely dependent on your flight specifics. However, if you are traveling to a beach resort, you will leave the hotel after breakfast.
End of the Sri Lanka 8-day tour
Why should you choose Serendipity Tours for your Sri Lanka 8-day tour?
Seerendipity Tour is a locally owned tour company with its headquarters in Colombo. Seerendipity Tours’ highly experienced local personnel is a crucial strength, and they can help you design your ideal holiday to Sri Lanka.
The best pricing is guaranteed for your Sri Lanka 8-day tour.
When you book a tour with us, you book directly with the local firm, which eliminates intermediaries and ensures the best pricing. Simply contact us and let us know when you plan to travel and what you want to see.
Plan the ideal Sri Lanka 8-day tour with an expert.
Our staff creates a personalised programme for you that you can modify until you find the perfect package for you. You can also go through our existing tour packages for ideas; all of our ready-made tour packages are customisable and can be adjusted to match your specific needs. Contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com or tel. 0094-77-440977; WhatsApp: 0094-77-4440977