Tour Overview
Golden sand, palm trees and turquoise water – this is Sri Lanka’s classic beach holiday, with just enough sightseeing to keep it interesting. Hop along the south coast from the river estuary of Bentota to historic Galle, whale-watching Mirissa and the quiet coves of Tangalle.
Where you spend the nights
| Area / base | Nights |
|---|---|
| Bentota | 2 |
| Galle / Unawatuna | 1 |
| Mirissa | 1 |
| Tangalle | 2 |
| Total nights | 6 |
Trip at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Tour type | Beach Holiday |
| Group size | Private tour: 1–15 guests |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best season | November – April |
| Approx. road distance | ~485 km |
| Guide languages | English, German and Hindi (others on request) |
| Departure dates | Any date – private tour, all year |
Highlights
- Madu River mangrove boat safari
- Turtle conservation project
- Galle Fort
- Blue whale watching
- Rekawa turtle watch
- Relaxed beach days
Itinerary
Every tour is 100% flexible and customizable. This itinerary is a starting point – we can change the order of the days, add or remove nights, swap activities or extend the tour to match your exact dates, pace and interests.
Hotels and accommodation are not included in the standard tour price. You are free to book your own stays, or let us organise a complete accommodation package for you in your preferred hotel tier (guesthouse, 3★, 4★, 5★ or boutique/villa). We work with hotels across the island and can quote your whole trip as one package.
Please contact us before you place a booking so that we can finalise your customised itinerary and your accommodation plan, confirm availability for your dates and send you a final price.
Family, senior and accessibility friendly. We can arrange an elder-friendly set-up (slower pace, shorter drives, ground-floor rooms, lift-access hotels, wheelchair-friendly vehicles and skip-the-climb alternatives such as the Sigiriya museum and gardens or the Pidurangala base viewpoint) and a child-friendly set-up (child and booster seats, family or connecting rooms, hotels with pools, shorter driving days and kid-friendly meals).
Guides and languages. Our chauffeur-guides work in English, German and Hindi, and we can arrange French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese speaking guides on request.
Meals. The meals shown in the itinerary are what we include when we arrange your accommodation on half board. If you book your own hotels, your meals follow your own hotel booking – tell us which you prefer.
Start dates. This tour is private and runs on any date you choose within its season, subject to availability. It operates in January, February, March, April, November, December – outside those months the conditions make it either impossible or much less rewarding, and we will say so and suggest an alternative rather than take the booking. Tell us your arrival and departure dates and we will build the itinerary around your flights.
Contact us before booking: [info@lankaitinerary.com] · WhatsApp [+94 XX XXX XXXX]
A short drive along the expressway brings you from the airport to Bentota, a golden beach where the river meets the sea. Settle into your beach hotel and enjoy a slow first evening with a seafood dinner.
Meals: Dinner · Overnight: Bentota · Travel: 1.5 hrs (95 km) · Distance: ~95 km
Take a boat through the mangrove islands of the Madu River, visiting a cinnamon island, then see hatchlings at a turtle conservation project. Afternoon on Bentota beach.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Bentota · Travel: 1.5 hrs · Distance: ~30 km
Explore Galle Fort (UNESCO), a 17th-century Dutch fortified town still full of life. Walk the ramparts to the lighthouse, visit the Dutch Reformed Church and the old warehouses, and browse boutiques, galleries and cafés in the cobbled lanes. Afternoon at Unawatuna or Jungle Beach, and sunset from the ramparts.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Galle / Unawatuna · Travel: Local · Distance: ~65 km
Set sail at 6:30 am with a responsible operator to look for blue whales, sperm whales, spinner dolphins and turtles off the south coast (best from November to April). Back on land, spend the afternoon on Mirissa beach or climb Coconut Tree Hill for sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Mirissa · Travel: 4–5 hrs boat · Distance: ~40 km
Visit the Mulkirigala rock temple, a series of cave shrines climbing a 200 m rock. In the evening, join the community-run Rekawa turtle-watch programme to see green turtles come ashore to nest (seasonal; no flash photography).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Tangalle · Travel: Local · Distance: ~75 km
A free day to enjoy Tangalle at your own pace – swim, read, have a massage or book an optional activity with your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Tangalle · Travel: — · Distance: ~30 km
Enjoy a final morning by the sea before the transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport via the Southern Expressway (allow 3 hours).
Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: — · Travel: 3 hrs to airport · Distance: ~150 km
Includes / Excludes
Price Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed English-speaking chauffeur-guide (SLTDA)
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (daily breakfast and dinner as standard)
- Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Jeep safaris as listed, including park entrance fees
- Whale-watching boat trip with a responsible operator
- Local SIM card with data for the lead traveller
- Bottled water in the vehicle daily
- All government taxes and service charges
- 24/7 support while you travel
Price Excludes
- Accommodation (not included in the standard price – we can book any hotel tier for you; see 'Accommodation options')
- International flights
- Sri Lanka ETA (visa) – free for 40 nationalities since 25 May 2026; fee applies to others
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Lunches and drinks unless listed
- Camera/video permits at some sites
- Tips for guide, driver and safari trackers (suggested USD 10–15/day for your chauffeur-guide)
- Optional activities (e.g. hot-air balloon, zip-line, extra safaris)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone, shopping)
- Early check-in / late check-out
Frequently Asked Questions
From November to April the south coast is generally calm, but currents can be strong at some beaches. Always swim where locals and your hotel advise, and never alone after dark.
Yes. The tour is private for your group with your own vehicle and chauffeur-guide – you won't share with strangers.
Of course. You can add or remove days, change hotels, upgrade to boutique or luxury properties or swap activities. We'll send a revised quote within 24 hours.
The price is per person based on two adults sharing a room in the hotel category shown. Prices vary by season, hotel choice and group size – request a quote for your exact dates.
Send an enquiry or click Book Now. We confirm availability, then you secure the tour with a deposit; the balance is paid before arrival. [Insert your real deposit and payment terms.]