New Year Tour To Sri Lanka | 7 Nights / 8 Days
Meet the New Year 2027 in Sri Lanka — amidst tropical nature, ancient cities, tea plantations and the coast of the Indian Ocean!
In a single journey we will see different sides of the island: meet elephants in Pinnawala, visit the cave temples of Dambulla and the legendary rock fortress Sigiriya, discover the cultural capital Kandy and head to the cool hills of Nuwara Eliya.
We await famous Ceylon tea plantations and a scenic train ride to Ella, then the route continues to the ocean via the historic Galle Fort.
The main event of the trip is celebrating the New Year 2027 on the Vaskaduva coast with a festive gala dinner at the hotel. After a busy sightseeing program, there will be time to relax by the Indian Ocean.
The tour price already includes flights from Istanbul and back, 7 nights accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, transport according to the itinerary, guided tours and a local Russian-speaking guide.
Additional expenses and entrance tickets
Entrance tickets to excursion sites are not included in the tour price and are paid separately:
• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — 15 USD adult / 7.5 USD child
• Dambulla Cave Temple — 10 USD adult / 5 USD child
• Sigiriya — 35 USD adult / 17.5 USD child
• Hirivadunna Village — 25 USD adult / 12.5 USD child
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy — 10 USD adult / 5 USD child
• Nanu Oya – Ella train ride — 20 USD adult / 10 USD child
Additional excursion on January 1st
In your free day, you may optionally visit Balapitiya and Kosgoda:
• Sea Turtle Conservation Centre — 4 USD per person
• Boat trip on the Madu River — 25 USD per boat (1–6 people)
Important information
• Flight times and the tour program may change due to reasons beyond the organizer's control.
• For the Nanu Oya – Ella train journey, the organizer purchases tickets in advance. If seats are unavailable in the selected class, another available class will be provided.
• The order of visiting sites may be changed without reducing the overall excursion program.
• Standard hotel check-in time is after 14:00, and check-out time is before 12:00.
• On January 2nd, the room at Citrus Waskaduwa Hotel remains reserved for the group until the night transfer to the airport.
Documents and entry to Sri Lanka
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) must be obtained in advance for entry. According to the organizer, obtaining an ETA is free of charge.
We recommend carrying cash in USD to pay for entrance tickets and additional services.
After checking in for the flight and passing passport control at 15:00, we depart from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The flight includes a layover. We spend the night in transit.
Arrival in Colombo is scheduled for the morning of the following day — December 27 at 06:40.
In 06:40 we arrive in Colombo, where we will be met at the airport. From there, we head to Pinnawela — the journey will take about 2.5 hours. Upon arrival, we will have breakfast at the restaurant Pinnalanda.
After breakfast, we visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where we can see elephants and learn about the center's care work.
Next, we travel to the Dambulla Cave Temple. This historical complex, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is famous for its ancient painted caves and numerous Buddha statues.
After the tour, we transfer to the Sigiriya area and check into our hotel.
Dinner and accommodation: Camellia Resort & Spa, Sigiriya.
After breakfast, we head to the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress — one of the most impressive historical monuments in Sri Lanka. At the top of a rock about 200 meters high, you will see the remains of an ancient fortress. During the tour, we will visit historic gardens, water structures, and the famous frescoes. Visiting Sigiriya involves climbing stairs.
Then we proceed to Hirivadduna Village, where we will get acquainted with traditional rural life in Sri Lanka.
We will walk along a reservoir, enjoy local landscapes, and learn more about daily life and agriculture. The boat crossing is conducted depending on local conditions.
After the tour, we return to the hotel.
Dinner and accommodation: Camellia Resort & Spa, Sigiriya.
After breakfast, we head to Kandy. On the way, we will visit the Spice Garden in Matale, where we will learn about the spices grown in Sri Lanka and their traditional uses.
Upon arrival, we will get acquainted with Kandy — one of the island's most important cultural centers. During a sightseeing tour, we will see Kandy Lake and the city market, visit a craft center, a gem museum, or a gem-cutting workshop.
A highlight of the day will be the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic — the famous temple complex in Kandy.
After the tour, we check into our hotel.
Dinner and accommodation: Royal Kandyan Hotel, Kandy.
After breakfast, we head to Nuwara Eliya. On the way, we will visit a tea plantation, where we will learn about the process of growing and producing famous Ceylon tea.
Next, we will get acquainted with Nuwara Eliya — a mountain city known for its cool climate, green hills, and endless tea gardens.
During the sightseeing tour, we will see colonial-era buildings and visit the Gregory Lake area. After a busy day, we check into our hotel.
Dinner and accommodation: Araliya Red Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.
After breakfast, we head to Nanu Oya Station, from where one of the most scenic parts of the journey begins — a train ride to Ella. The route passes through mountains, green valleys, and Sri Lanka's famous tea plantations. At Ella Station, our group will be met by our bus.
Next, we proceed to the coast. On the way, we will visit the historic Galle Fort, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will stroll through the old town before continuing to Waskaduwa.
In the evening, we look forward to the main event of the trip — the 2027 New Year celebration and gala dinner at the hotel! 🎉✨
Gala dinner and accommodation: Citrus Waskaduwa Hotel, Waskaduwa.
The first day of 2027 is dedicated to relaxing on the coast of the Indian Ocean. After breakfast, you can spend time at the hotel and, if the weather and sea conditions permit, relax on the beach.
For those interested, an additional excursion to Balapitiya and Kosgoda will be organized.
The program includes a boat ride along the Madu River through tropical vegetation and mangrove forests, as well as a visit to the sea turtle conservation center in Kosgoda.
After the excursion, we return to the hotel and continue relaxing on the coast.
Dinner and accommodation: Citrus Waskaduwa Hotel, Waskaduwa.
After breakfast — a free day on the coast of the Indian Ocean. You can spend time at the hotel, relax by the pool or on the beach, and enjoy the last day of your trip to Sri Lanka.
In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel. The room remains at your disposal until the night transfer, so there is no need to vacate it at the standard check-out time after resting.
In the evening, we head to Colombo airport for the return flight to Istanbul.
In 04:30 we depart from Colombo Airport. The return flight is with a connection.
After an exciting New Year's trip to Sri Lanka, we return to Turkey. Arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 14:05.
Departure and arrival times are local.
• International flight Istanbul – Colombo – Istanbul
• 7 nights accommodation in hotels according to the program
• Meals HB: breakfasts and dinners
• New Year's gala dinner on December 31
• All transfers and transportation services as per the program in a comfortable car/bus with air conditioning
• Excursion program along the route
• Services of a local Russian-speaking guide
• Accompaniment by a representative of Caretta Voyage Turizm
• All local taxes and service charges
• Entrance tickets to attractions and sites included in the program
• Lunches
• Beverages during meals
• Personal expenses
• Additional excursions and entertainment
• Medical insurance
• Passport and necessary travel documents
• Comfortable, lightweight clothing for warm and humid weather
• A light sweater or windbreaker — it may be cooler in mountainous areas and Nuwara Eliya
• Comfortable shoes with non-slip soles for excursions and climbing Sigiriya
• Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for visiting Buddhist temples
• A hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen with high SPF
• Swimsuit / swim trunks and beach essentials
• A lightweight raincoat or compact umbrella
• Insect repellent
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit
• Power bank and charging cables
• Power outlet adapter
• A small backpack or bag for daily excursions
• Cash in USD for entrance tickets, additional excursions, and personal expenses
Additional excursion on January 1 | Balapitiya – Kosgoda
On a free day, those interested can take an additional excursion to Balapitiya and Kosgoda.
The program includes a boat ride along the Madu River through mangrove forests and a visit to the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
• Sea Turtle Conservation Center — 4 USD per person
• Boat ride on Madu River — 25 USD per boat (1–6 people)