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
- Day 1 - Stone House Lodge - Kandy
On arrival at Colombo airport, your driver will take you to your hotel in Kandy. - Day 2 - Stone House Lodge - Kandy
Spend the day exploring Kandy. In the evening, attend the Esala Perahera. - Day 3 - Water Garden Sigiriya - Sigiriya
Morning transfer to Sigiriya, en-route visiting Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. In the late afternoon, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress. - Day 4 - Water Garden Sigiriya - Sigiriya
Day exploring Polonnaruwa and Dambulla. - Day 5 - Water Garden Sigiriya - Sigiriya
Day at leisure. - Day 6 - Jungle Beach - Trincomalee
Transfer to Trincomalee. - Day 7 - Jungle Beach - Trincomalee
Day at leisure. - Day 8 - Jungle Beach - Trincomalee
Day at leisure - Day 9 - Galle Face Hotel - Colombo
Transfer to Colombo. Afternoon sightseeing. - Day 10 - In transit.
Transfer to the airport for flight home.
Travel is the only thing that you buy that makes you richer.
Proverb