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From $ 4,780 per person

Sri Lanka East Coast Tour

Sri Lanka
13 days (12 nights)
An immersive introduction to the adventurous East Coast of Sri Lanka. You’ll be exploring ancient citadels, delving into Theravada Buddhist heritage, snorkelling pristine coral reefs, tracking leopards and swimming elephants in the wilderness and revelling in Silk Road cuisine.

This sample itinerary shows how you can combine discovering historical and cultural heritage with pristine tropical beaches and wildlife-rich national parks within a two-week trip.

Inspired? Tell us what you most want to see or do, and we’ll design a bespoke itinerary built around your own highlights.

You’ll be met by your private driver at Colombo airport who’ll take you to your hotel. The drive is a fabulous introduction to the island, passing coconut plantations and rice paddies with glimpses of water buffalo, egrets and clusters of colourful tuk-tuks.
Entering through giant rock-carved lion’s paws you’ll spend time exploring the 5th century fortress citadel of Sigiriya today. Pristine gardens adorn symmetrically stepped terraces, winding stone pathways link ancient carved stairways, and ornate pools surround walls bedecked with frescoes.
See
  • Guided tour of Sigiriya
The first ancient capital of Sri Lanka, the beating heart of Sinhalese civilization and the spiritual centre for Theravada Buddhism, Anuradhapura is an immense site, both in importance and size. Your private guide will take you off-the-beaten track, following serene paths among its temples and ponds.
See
  • Guided tour of Anuradhapura
Today you’re driving to the tranquil coastal village of Passikudah. Powder-white sands, crystalline waters and kaleidoscopic coral reefs make this one of Sri Lanka’s best kept secrets. You have the chance to relax and explore here for a couple of days.
Split your swims between the hotel’s stunning infinity pool and some of Sri Lanka’s calmest coastal waters. You could snorkel or scuba-dive the pristine reefs, walk the crescent of the bay or indulge in a treatment at the underground spa.
From one picture-perfect beach to another, today you’re heading to Arugam Bay, a laid-back town that blends bohemian surf culture with traditional heritage. Renowned for its consistent swells, it attracts a globe-trotting surf crowd but is also a wildlife hub with wild elephants frequenting its shores.
Soak into the serenity of your hotel, which has been built to reflect the local architecture, with handcrafted cabanas scattered across its palm-strewn grounds. Indulge in the exceptional food, head out for a surf or simply relax by the oceanfront pool.
You’re leaving the turquoise seas behind you today, driving past coconut groves, rice paddies, rural villages and wandering elephants. This evening you’ll have a guided night walk through Gal Oya with a naturalist guide, seeking everything from owls to pangolin.
See
  • Jungle night walk
Start the day with a boat safari, drifting across the serene waters to spot the unique swimming elephants, dozing crocodiles and a huge variety of birdlife. Then you’re taking a guided safari cycle ride among water buffalo, deer and mongoose.
See
  • Boat safari, cycle ride with a naturalist
You’ll drive to Yala National Park today, famed for its beautifully diverse ecosystems of dense forests, grasslands and wetlands. Your evening jeep safari will track the park’s plentiful leopards, elephants, sloth bears, deer and monkeys together with multitudes of birds.
See
  • Evening jeep safari
Another chance to explore the wealth of biodiversity in the park today with a morning safari drive. You’ll criss-cross the park, passing Buddhist ruins and the Sithulpawwa Rock Temple while tracking, spotting and observing the vast range of wildlife.
See
  • Morning jeep safari
This morning you’re heading to Galle Dutch Fort where your local guide will bring the cultural heritage alive with a focus on the Silk Road influenced street food. As you wander the narrow streets, you’ll taste everything from Sinhalese sweets to hot hoppers.
See
  • Guided tour of Galle Dutch Fort, gastronomic street food tour, Meeran Jumma Mosque visit, Galle Services Club
You’ll be driven to Bandaranaike airport in Colombo this morning for your flight home. A last journey along Sri Lanka’s scenic southwestern coastline past lush landscapes, historic towns and tropical ocean views.

Does this sound like the ideal adventure for you?

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What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.
Roy Wood (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.
Alie C (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor
I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace
Daisy Stanton (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!
Andrew S (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor
Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North Eat India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.
Martin Thomas (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference
Sandra Nicholson  (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.
Jayant Banerji (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.
Phil Blair ( February 2026) Read the whole review here Google
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Come home feeling absolutely inspired and wonderfully restored. And when you're ready for your next adventure? We'll be here, probably already bursting with ideas for you.
Cherylle, Travel Consultant

Meet our experts

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Want to see Sri Lanka through local eyes? Our specialists have spent years building relationships across the island and discovering places most visitors never find. They'll get to know exactly what you're looking for and design something that's completely yours. Ready to start planning? Get in touch and let's create your perfect Sri Lankan adventure.

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