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The Most Spectacular Festival in Sri Lanka - Esala Perahera

10 days from £5,280 for 2023 per person

The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and most extraordinary festivals in the world and it takes place every year in July/August in the old royal capital of Kandy. Snaking their way around Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth thousands of dancers, drummers, whip-crackers and fire-eaters parade through the city accompanied by close to 100 caparisoned elephants the largest of which carries the sacred tooth relic taken from Buddha’s funeral pyre almost 2500 years ago. 

After your time in Kandy, explore the Cultural Triangle visiting Polonnaruwa, the Dambulla Cave Temples and the dramatic sky citadel of Sigiriya. After an action-packed few days, a couple of days relaxing is well deserved, so travel to the East Coast and stay in wonderful Trincomalee. Before your departure, your last night will be spent in Colombo, a bubbling and colourful city which is full of life.

This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your perfect tailor-made tour of Sri Lanka. If you would like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Festival and Party itineraries, as well as our Active and Family-Friendly holidays.


Itinerary details

10 days from £5,280 for 2023 per person

Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle And Beach Itinerary 2 Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle And Beach Itinerary 2
The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary 2 The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary 2
The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary 1 The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary 1
The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary 3 The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary 3
Hunas Falls Kandy Sri Lanka 1 Hunas Falls Kandy Sri Lanka 1
The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary The Most Spectacular Festival In Sri Lanka Esala Perahera Itinerary
Sigiriya Sri Lanka 1 Sigiriya Sri Lanka 1
Sigiriya Sri Lanka Sigiriya Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA - Sigiriya Rock SRI LANKA - Sigiriya Rock
Heritance Kandalama Elephant Walk Ampersand Travel Heritance Kandalama Elephant Walk Ampersand Travel
Kandalama Sri Lanka 2 Kandalama Sri Lanka 2
Kandalama Sri Lanka Kandalama Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA - Trincomalee SRI LANKA - Trincomalee
Chaaya Blu Trincomalee1 Chaaya Blu Trincomalee1
Chaaya Blu Trincomalee4 Chaaya Blu Trincomalee4
Chaaya Blu Trincomalee3 Chaaya Blu Trincomalee3
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller

Client Testimonials

I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India

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