Sri Lanka Day-by-Day Activity Planner: Complete Itineraries with Daily Costs (2026)
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka but don’t know how to structure your days or budget for activities? This guide breaks down sample daily itineraries by location – each day includes a selection of top activities, their final all-inclusive prices (taxes + service fee), and the total cost per day for adults and children.
All prices include:
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18% VAT + 1% TDL (Sri Lanka government taxes)
Child rates apply for ages 6–11 years. Children 0–5 years are free on most activities.
📍 Quick Links by Destination
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Sigiriya / Dambulla Day
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Kandy Day
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Nuwara Eliya / Tea Country Day
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Ella Day
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Yala / Tissamaharama Safari Day
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Mirissa / South Coast Whale & Beach Day
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Galle & Coastal Train Day
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Colombo City Day
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Kitulgala Adventure Day
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Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa Cultural Day
🏔️ Sigiriya & Dambulla – Ancient Rock Fortress + Cave Temple
Best for: History lovers, photographers, first‑time visitors.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigiriya Lion Rock climb | $40 | $23 | 3‑4 hrs |
| Pidurangala Rock sunset hike (optional extra) | $20 | $10 | 1.5 hrs |
| Dambulla Cave Temple (same day, 30 min drive) | $17 | $9 | 1.5 hrs |
| Village tour with lunch (bullock cart + canoe) | $35 | $17 | 2.5 hrs |
| Sigiriya bike ride through paddy fields | $66 | $35 | 2‑3 hrs |
🧮 Total cost for a full day (choose 2‑3 activities)
Recommended combination (morning Sigiriya + afternoon Dambulla + evening village lunch):
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Adult total:
$40 + $17 + $35 = $92 -
Child total (6‑11y):
$23 + $9 + $17 = $49
Budget option (Sigiriya only + free self‑explore):
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Adult:
$40/ Child:$23
Ultimate experience (all four main activities – a very long day):
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Adult:
$40 + $17 + $35 + $66 = $158 -
Child:
$23 + $9 + $17 + $35 = $84
🎭 Kandy – Temple, Garden & Cultural Show
Best for: Culture, Buddhism, botanical beauty.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple of the Tooth Relic | $14 | $7 | 1‑1.5 hrs |
| Royal Botanical Garden | $20 | $9 | 2‑3 hrs |
| Kandy Cultural Show (seated) | $14 | $7 | 1 hr |
| Tuk‑tuk tour with refreshments | $35 | $17 | 2 hrs |
| Kandy PEKOE Trail (tea plantation walk) | $86 | $46 | 3‑4 hrs |
🧮 Total cost per day
Classic Kandy day (Temple + Garden + Show):
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Adult:
$14 + $20 + $14 = $48 -
Child:
$7 + $9 + $7 = $23
Add a tuk‑tuk adventure (most popular):
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Adult:
$48 + $35 = $83 -
Child:
$23 + $17 = $40
Full immersion (add PEKOE Trail instead of tuk‑tuk):
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Adult:
$48 + $86 = $134 -
Child:
$23 + $46 = $69
🍃Nuwara Eliya – Tea Factory, Horton Plains & Lipton’s Seat
Best for: Cool climate, hiking, tea lovers.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Tea Factory tour | $14 | $7 | 1 hr |
| Horton Plains trek (entry + vehicle 1‑6 pax) | $52 | $26 | 4‑5 hrs |
| Transfer from Nuwara Eliya (return per vehicle) | $69 | $69 (shared) | – |
| Lipton’s Seat viewpoint | $35 | $17 | 2 hrs (incl. drive) |
🧮 Total cost per day
Morning tea + Horton Plains (assuming 2 adults sharing vehicle transfer):
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Adult:
$14 + ($52 + $69/2) = $14 + $86.50 = $100.50 -
Child:
$7 + ($26 + $34.50) = $67.50
Afternoon only (Lipton’s Seat + tea):
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Adult:
$14 + $35 = $49 -
Child:
$7 + $17 = $24
Horton Plains alone (without tea factory – early start):
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Per adult sharing transfer:
$86.50/ Child:$60.50
🥾Ella – Iconic Bridge, Hikes & Cooking Class
Best for: Backpackers, nature, food experiences.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nine Arches Bridge (free, but guide recommended) | $10 (tip) | – | 30 min |
| Little Adam’s Peak hike (often free) | $0 | $0 | 1 hr |
| Ella Rock hike | $28 | $0 (free under 12) | 2‑3 hrs |
| Cooking experience (curry lesson + lunch) | $38 | $23 | 2.5 hrs |
🧮 Total cost per day
Light day (Bridge + Little Adam’s Peak + free self‑walk):
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Adult:
$10 (guide tip)/ Child:$0
Active day (Ella Rock + Cooking class):
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Adult:
$28 + $38 = $66 -
Child:
$0 + $23 = $23
Add train ride from Ella to Kandy (or reverse) – see Special Activities below.
🐆Yala National Park – Half‑Day Safari (Morning or Evening)
Best for: Wildlife photographers, leopard seekers.
| Activity | Adult Price (1 person) | Adult Price (2 sharing) | Child (6‑11y, 2 sharing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yala half‑day safari (jeep + entry) | $135 | $110 per person | $58 |
Total cost per day (safari only, ~4 hours):
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Solo traveller:
$135(child not applicable if alone) -
Couple / parent+child:
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2 adults:
$110 x 2 = $220 -
1 adult + 1 child (6‑11y):
$110 + $58 = $168 -
2 adults + 1 child (6‑11y):
$110 + $110 + $58 = $278
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*Note: Transfers to/from Tissamaharama or nearby hotels are not included – typically $20‑30 extra by tuk‑tuk. Ask us for a package.*
🐋 Mirissa – Whale Watching + Snorkeling with Turtles
Best for: Marine life, families, beach lovers.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responsible whale watching (Mirissa) | $93 | $52 (6‑9y special) | 3‑4 hrs |
| Polhena Reef snorkeling (turtles) | $40 (est.) | $20 (est.) | 2 hrs |
| Turtle conservation project (Kosgoda) | $14 | $6 | 1 hr |
Transfer from Unawatuna/Hikkaduwa (return per vehicle):
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Unawatuna: $66, Hikkaduwa: $118, Bentota: $164 (split among group)
🧮 Total cost per day (excluding transfer)
Morning whale watching only:
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Adult:
$93/ Child:$52
Full marine day (whale + snorkeling):
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Adult:
$93 + $40 = $133 -
Child:
$52 + $20 = $72
Add turtle conservation:
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Adult:
$133 + $14 = $147 -
Child:
$72 + $6 = $78
🏰Galle Fort & Coastal Train to Colombo
Best for: History, architecture, train photography.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided walk through Galle Fort | $20 (guide tip typical) | – | 2 hrs |
| Madu River boat safari (near Galle) | $48 | $24 | 2 hrs |
| Scenic train ride: Galle → Colombo (reserved seat + refreshments) | $35 | $35 | 2.5 hrs |
🧮 Total cost per day
Fort + train (most popular):
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Adult:
$20 (guide) + $35 = $55 -
Child:
$35 (same train fare)
Add Madu River safari in the morning:
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Adult:
$55 + $48 = $103 -
Child:
$35 + $24 = $59
Train ride can also be done from Colombo to Galle in opposite direction.
🌆Colombo City Tour
Best for: Urban explorers, shoppers, foodies.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo city tour (private car + guide) | $50‑80 (ask for quote) | half | 4‑6 hrs |
| Or self‑guided: Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square | ~$5 entry | – | – |
Colombo has fewer fixed-rate attractions; we recommend a private tour including transport.
Estimated cost for private half‑day tour (up to 3 pax): $60 total for the vehicle + guide. Per person if 2 adults: $30 each. Children often free.
🌊 Kitulgala – White Water Rafting & Village Walk
Best for: Adventure seekers, families with older kids.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| White water rafting (Grade 2‑3) | $48 | $24 | 2‑3 hrs |
| Kitulgala village walk | $35 | $17 | 2 hrs |
🧮 Total cost per day
Rafting only (morning or afternoon):
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Adult:
$48/ Child:$24
Combo (rafting + village walk):
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Adult:
$48 + $35 = $83 -
Child:
$24 + $17 = $41
🏛️ Ancient Capitals – Anuradhapura + Polonnaruwa
Best for: History buffs, UNESCO site collectors.
Note: These two cities are about 1.5 hours apart – a long but rewarding day.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child (6‑11y) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anuradhapura ancient city | $35 | $17 | 2‑3 hrs |
| Sacred Bodhi Tree | $5 | $2 | 30 min |
| Polonnaruwa ancient city | $35 | $17 | 2‑3 hrs |
Site guide for each (optional): $41 per guide (for whole group).
🧮 Total cost per day
Self‑guided (no official guides):
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Adult:
$35 + $5 + $35 = $75 -
Child:
$17 + $2 + $17 = $36
With one site guide (e.g., Polonnaruwa only): add $41 total for the group (split among travellers).
For 2 adults: $75 + $20.50 = $95.50 each.
🚆 Special Activity: Scenic Train Ride (any day)
You can slot this into your Ella, Kandy, or Galle day.
| Route | Adult / Child (same price) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kandy → Ella (hill country) | $35 | 6‑7 hrs |
| Galle → Colombo (coastal) | $35 | 2.5 hrs |
| Ella → Kandy (reverse) | $35 | same |
Price includes reserved seat and a refreshment pack.
🎈 Premium Activity: Hot Air Balloon over Sigiriya
Best at sunrise – unforgettable memory.
| Pax (1‑6 private charter) | Adult | Child (6‑11y) |
|---|---|---|
| Per person (group of 2) | $291 | $230 |
Weather dependent, advance booking required. Not included in daily totals below.
Above totals exclude accommodation, meals (except where included), and inter‑city transport. Contact us for a custom package including hotels and driver.
💡 Important Notes
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Child age policy: 0‑5 years = free on most activities; 6‑11 years = child rate shown. Proof of age may be required at some sites.
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Group savings: Safari jeeps and private guides are cheaper when shared. Solo travellers can ask to join a small group.
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Transfers: Many activities do not include hotel pick‑up/drop‑off. We can arrange a private driver or add‑on transfers for a flat fee.
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Booking: Prices are final but may change due to government tax revisions or seasonal peak supplements. Always confirm at time of booking.
📞 Book Your Sri Lanka Day Activities
Rediscover Journeys – Sri Lanka Boutique Tour Operator
⭐ TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2025
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Website: https://rediscoversrilanka.com
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Day tour enquiries: https://rediscoversrilanka.com/contact
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24/7 hotline: +94 77 791 1276 (Rasith) / +94 77 887 8723 (Lucky)
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Email: [email protected]
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