The classic loop with a night on the south coast
Classic Sri Lanka and beach, 8 days is a private Sri Lanka tour by Majeste. It costs $1,010 per person for two at shoulder-season rates (for the hotels on this route, 21 to 30 April and 1 November to 20 December), with comfort hotels, entrance tickets and your own car and English-speaking driver included. Prices checked 7 Nov 2026. In its best months, Jan to Apr, it costs $929 to $1,142 per person for two, depending on the start date. It stops at Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Mirissa (with Weligama), in that order. The longest drive is on day 1, from the airport to Sigiriya, about 3 h 45 min. Nothing to pay now.
The 7-day classic loop plus a night at Mirissa: after the dawn safari in Yala you drive 2 hours 15 minutes to the coast for an afternoon on the beach, a dawn whale-watching boat the next morning and Galle Fort on the way to the airport. The beach night at the end breaks up what would otherwise be a long last drive. Whale boats run from November to April; from May to October the south coast sea is rough and the boats stop, so the price leaves the boat out. For a calm sea from May to August, the East coast summer tour is the choice; it is sold in those months only. One beach night is short; a second eases the last day.
About 3 hours 45 minutes from the airport to Sigiriya. If you arrive by early afternoon there is time for Pidurangala Rock at sunset, an hour's climb with a view across to Sigiriya.
Sigiriya Rock at the 07:00 counter opening, 2 to 3 hours on about 1,200 steps, before the heat and the queues. A village tour with a bullock cart, catamaran and lunch, then a 15:00 private jeep to Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu, chosen on the day. Herds are large from July to October and small the rest of the year.
Dambulla's cave temple, then 2 hours 45 minutes of driving to Kandy via a spice garden at Matale. In the evening a Kandyan dance show at 17:00 and the 18:30 puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
Peradeniya botanical gardens for two hours, then 2 hours 45 minutes over the Ramboda Pass with a tea factory stop. Nuwara Eliya is cold at night; pack a jacket.
The 12:30 to 13:00 train from Nanu Oya to Ella, about 2 hours 30 minutes; the car takes the luggage. 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 Nine Arch Bridge in the late afternoon.
Little Adam's Peak at sunrise, then 2 hours 15 minutes to Tissamaharama and a 14:30 safari in Yala Block 1. Leopards are seen on some drives, not all.
A 05:30 Yala drive of about 3 hours, then 2 hours 15 minutes by expressway to Mirissa. The afternoon is yours: the beach, Coconut Tree Hill at sunset, a seafood dinner. The beach has loud parties several nights a week in season.
The whale boat leaves at 06:30 and returns around 11:00; seasickness is common and whales are not guaranteed. Then Galle Fort for lunch and a walk on the ramparts, and about 2 hours 15 minutes to the airport. Plan a flight after 18:00.
| Stop | Simple | Comfort (this tour) | Superior | Luxury |
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| Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana)2 nights |
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| Kandy1 night |
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| Nuwara Eliya1 night |
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| Ella1 night |
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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 | $883 | $1,010 | $1,226 | $1,615 |
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) | $927 | Lowest |
| November (shoulder season) | $1,010 | $83 more than the lowest |
| February (peak season) | $1,091 | $164 more than the lowest |
| Christmas and New Year | $1,182 | Highest, $255 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. June leaves out Whale watching from Mirissa, which does not run then.
| Group | Per person | Total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | $1,635 | $1,635 | Car |
| 2 adults | $1,010 | $2,018 | Car |
| 3 adults | $974 | $2,921 | Van |
| 4 adults | $827 | $3,305 | Van |
| 6 adults | $760 | $4,556 | Large van |
| 8 adults | $741 | $5,927 | 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.
Early starts on days 2, 6, 7 and 8; no drive over about 3 hours 45 minutes.
It is short. A second night at Mirissa or Tangalle makes the last day easier. Use Change the route or add days beside the price: the planner prices it before you book.
The south coast sea is rough from May to October, and we do not sell the whale boats then, so the price leaves the boat out and keeps the Mirissa night. For a calm beach from May to August, see the East coast summer tour, sold in those months only. Or move the beach night to Trincomalee: use Change the route or add days beside the price: the planner prices that route before you book.
Pickup at about 05:30 for a 06:00 check-in and a 06:30 departure. The trip is 4 to 5 hours and can be rough; take seasickness tablets an hour before departure if you are prone to it.
Mirissa boats run daily November to late April, USD 60 per adult with Majeste; Trincomalee roughly May to August, USD 60 per adult too. Checked 7 Nov 2026.
Seven days covers Sigiriya, Kandy, the tea country, the Ella train and a Yala safari. USD 866 per person for two on Majeste's Classic tour, 7 Nov 2026.
Keep drives under three hours and pick Udawalawe over Yala. A 7-day loop for a family of four is about USD 2,080 with Majeste in comfort hotels, Nov 2026.
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.
8 days · Comfort hotels
Mirissa (with Weligama), Tangalle (Rekawa and Hiriketiya), Hikkaduwa
Weligama lessons, whales, Hiriketiya, Hikkaduwa
$824
per person for two, 8 days, comfort hotels, November rates, tickets included, one activity paid there
7 days · Comfort hotels
Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama)
Sigiriya, Kandy, the hill train and two Yala safaris
$866
per person for two, 7 days, comfort hotels, shoulder season, tickets included
9 days · Superior hotels
Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Hatton (Adam's Peak and tea country), Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Tangalle (Rekawa and Hiriketiya)
Rock, tea bungalow, train, safari, beach
$1,268
per person for two, 9 days, superior hotels, shoulder season, tickets included, one activity paid there
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
$1,010per person, rounded up$2,018.47 total
for 2 adults, 8 days, comfort 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.
