Guesthouses and homestays, the same island
Budget Sri Lanka, 10 days is a private Sri Lanka tour by Majeste. It costs $804 per person for two at shoulder-season rates (for the hotels on this route, April and 1 November to 20 December), with simple hotels, entrance tickets and your own car and English-speaking driver included, and Udawattakele forest ticket paid there. Prices checked 7 Nov 2026. In its best months, Jan to Apr, it costs $790 to $897 per person for two, depending on the start date. It stops at Negombo, Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Mirissa (with Weligama), in that order. The longest drive is on day 6, from Kandy to Ella, about 4 h 30 min. Nothing to pay now.
The classic loop at the simple hotel tier: clean guesthouses and homestays, the free walks instead of the paid viewpoints where they are as good, Pidurangala instead of the Sigiriya climb, and the extras kept to the ones that matter, an elephant safari, the train, one Yala drive and a cooking class. The car and driver are still private; it is the hotels and the choices that keep the price down. Nine nights, with a short first night at Negombo and a last night at Mirissa. The Sigiriya climb can be added back for its ticket price.
A 25-minute transfer to a Negombo guesthouse. The beach is average; it is a cheap first night close to the airport.
About 3 hours 45 minutes to Sigiriya via Dambulla's painted caves (shoes off, shoulders covered). A homestay in the village, with the rock in view from the road.
Pidurangala Rock before dawn, about an hour up with a short scramble, for sunrise over Sigiriya at a fraction of the fortress ticket. A 15:00 private jeep to Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu for elephants. The Sigiriya climb can be added for its ticket price.
About 2 hours 45 minutes to Kandy. A walk round the lake and the 18:30 puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
Peradeniya botanical gardens in the morning, the market and Udawattakele forest (ticket paid at the gate) in the afternoon, and a cooking class in the evening. The dance show is a cheap extra.
About 2 hours 45 minutes over the Ramboda Pass to Nanu Oya for the 12:30 to 13:00 train to Ella, about 2 hours 30 minutes, in a reserved seat. Reserved seats go on sale 30 days before travel and in high season can sell out within hours. We buy yours the day sales open, or as soon as you book if that is later. No class or window seat is promised. The driver meets you at Ella with the bags.
Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge in the morning, both free. Ella Rock in the afternoon, about 4 hours return along the railway and up through the tea; the path is confusing in places and local guides offer themselves at the start.
About 2 hours 15 minutes to Tissamaharama and a 14:30 private jeep in Yala Block 1. Leopards are seen on some drives, not all.
About 2 hours 15 minutes by expressway to Mirissa. The beach, Coconut Tree Hill at sunset and a seafood dinner. A surf lesson at Weligama or the whale boat, both from November to April, are the extras.
A last swim at Mirissa. The airport is about 2 hours 45 minutes by expressway.
| Stop | Simple (this tour) | Comfort | Superior | Luxury |
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| Negombo1 night |
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| Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana)2 nights |
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| Kandy2 nights |
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| Ella2 nights |
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| Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama)1 night |
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| Mirissa (with Weligama)1 night |
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| Per person for two | $804 | $966 | $1,230 | $1,695 |
Hotels are named as examples of the standard you will get. If a named hotel is full we book one of the same standard in the same area and tell you which. Bed and breakfast unless the itinerary says otherwise.
| When | Per person | Compared |
|---|---|---|
| June (low season) | $788 | Lowest |
| November (shoulder season) | $804 | $16 more than the lowest |
| February (peak season) | $854 | $66 more than the lowest |
| Christmas and New Year | $897 | Highest, $109 more than the lowest |
Priced for a start date in each period. Your dates may fall across two seasons, so check them in the price box. Some stops here cost more in their own busy weeks, such as mid-July to August. The Christmas and New Year price includes our estimate of any compulsory gala dinner on 24 or 31 December.
| Group | Per person | Total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | $1,407 | $1,407 | Car |
| 2 adults | $804 | $1,607 | Car |
| 3 adults | $758 | $2,273 | Van |
| 4 adults | $619 | $2,473 | Van |
| 6 adults | $550 | $3,296 | Large van |
| 8 adults | $512 | $4,093 | Large van |
Two adults share each room, and an odd adult has a single room at 80% of the double rate. We pick the smallest vehicle that seats the group in comfort. Per-person figures are rounded up to the dollar.
No drive over about 3 hours 45 minutes; two nights in Sigiriya, Kandy and Ella.
Clean guesthouses, homestays and small hotels with a private room and bathroom, breakfast included. Hot water and air conditioning are usual but not everywhere in the hills, where you do not need the latter.
The price here is for a private car and driver, which is what we sell. Travelling by bus is cheaper and slower; we can book just the hotels, tickets and train for you and skip the car if you prefer.
It is a different thing: a shorter, rougher climb with the view of Sigiriya rather than the frescoes and the palace on top. Many people do both. The fortress ticket can be added.
Majeste's Classic Sri Lanka 7-day tour is USD 866 per person for two in 3-star hotels, shoulder season, with car, driver, tickets and safaris. 7 Nov 2026.
A car with an English-speaking driver costs USD 75 a day (van USD 99) with Majeste, fuel, tolls and 150 km a day included. Rates as of 7 Nov 2026.
Ten days adds Polonnaruwa, Horton Plains and two nights each in Kandy and Ella. About USD 1,174 per person for two with Majeste, as of 7 November 2026.
January to March is driest on the west and south coasts, in the hills and the Cultural Triangle; May to September suits the east. Checked 7 Nov 2026.
10 days · Comfort hotels
Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Galle (with Unawatuna)
The classic loop with room to breathe
$1,230
per person for two, 10 days, comfort hotels, shoulder season, tickets included
10 days · Comfort hotels
Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Hikkaduwa
Pool hotels, bicycles, elephants and a shallow sea
$1,053
per person for two, 10 days, comfort hotels, shoulder season, tickets included
10 days · Luxury hotels
Colombo, Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Hatton (Adam's Peak and tea country), Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Galle (with Unawatuna)
Heritage hotel, tea bungalow, park lodge, fort boutique
$2,006
per person for two, 10 days, luxury hotels, shoulder season, tickets included
Fees last checked 7 Nov 2026. Hotel rates last checked 7 Nov 2026. Transport rates last checked 7 Nov 2026. Activity prices last checked 7 Nov 2026. Rupee fees converted at LKR 332.5 to USD 1 (XE mid-market rate, 6 Nov 2026).
Where the figures come from
More about our photos on the credits page.
Example for 2, no date chosen
$804per person, rounded up$1,606.73 total
for 2 adults, 10 days, simple hotels, car, shoulder season
Nothing to pay now. You pay your driver in cash when the trip starts. Plans change? Cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup. Replies within 30 minutes, 07:00 to 21:00 Sri Lanka time.
