Sri Lanka New Year Group Tour Package 2026

Duration

7N-8D

Itinerary

Starting Price

59,999

Dates & Costing

Pick-up and Drop

Colombo/Colombo

FAQs

Highlight

Spend New Year’s Eve on a Sri Lankan beach. There is only one batch, and it leaves on 26 Dec. Reserve your seat on our Sri Lanka New Year trip now, before the batch fills.

The Sri Lanka New Year Special by The Travel Story is a 7 night, 8 day group trip for Indian travellers, running from 26 Dec to 2 Jan. It starts and ends in Colombo, covers Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Mirissa and Galle, and spends New Year’s Eve in Mirissa on the south coast.

You climb a 5th century rock fortress, ride the train through tea country to Ella, and wake up on 1 Jan by the sea. It follows the same route as our regular Sri Lanka Backpacking trip, on one fixed New Year departure with like minded travellers.

Included:

Hotels for 7 nights, 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners
A trip captain, an English speaking guide and a private driver
Entry tickets to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Pinnawala and the Madu River safari
The Nuwara Eliya to Ella train ticket (subject to availability)
Travel insurance and 24x7 travel assistance

Compare more New Year trips or read the Sri Lanka travel guide. Questions? Talk to our team.

Itinerary

You land at Colombo Airport by 10 to 11 AM, where a group pickup takes you to your hotel. After check in, you rest and meet your trip captain and the group. In the evening, the group visits Galle Face Green, an ocean side park in the heart of Colombo that is popular for sunset walks and street food. You stay overnight in Colombo. No meals are included today.

After breakfast, you drive from Colombo to Sigiriya, which takes about 4 to 5 hours. You then climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a 5th century citadel built by King Kashyapa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climb has more than 1,000 steps, passes ancient frescoes and the Lion’s Paws, and rewards you with views over the jungle. Start early to avoid the heat and the crowds. The group also visits the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO site with five main caves of Buddha statues and painted ceilings. You stay overnight in Sigiriya. Breakfast is included.

After breakfast, you drive from Sigiriya to Kandy, about 3 hours plus stops. On the way, you visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, set up in 1975 to care for orphaned and injured elephants. In Kandy, you walk around Kandy Lake, the heart of the hill city, and watch a Kandyan dance show with drummers and dancers in traditional costume. You stay overnight in Kandy. Breakfast is included.

After breakfast, you drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, about 3 to 4 hours, longer with stops. You pass Ramboda Falls on the way up into Sri Lanka’s tea country. The group visits a tea estate and factory and enjoys a Ceylon tea tasting. In Nuwara Eliya, a hill town known as Little England at about 1,868 metres above sea level, you walk around Gregory Lake and visit the Seetha Amman Temple, which is linked to the Ramayana. Evenings are cool, so keep a warm layer ready. You stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya. Breakfast is included.

After breakfast, you ride the train from Nanu Oya to Ella, one of Asia’s best known scenic train journeys. It takes about 3 hours through tea estates, waterfalls and mountain villages. The ticket is included, subject to availability. In Ella, you see the Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial era railway bridge set in the jungle, and walk up Little Adam’s Peak, an easy hike of about an hour with wide views over the Ella valley. The day also includes a visit to Ravana Falls. You stay overnight in Ella. Breakfast is included.

After breakfast, you leave the hills and drive to the south coast, about 4 to 5 hours with stops. On the way, you stop at Coconut Tree Hill, a clifftop palm grove popular for photos. You check in at Mirissa and spend the afternoon at Mirissa Beach. In the evening, you welcome the New Year in Mirissa with a happening beach party. Your trip captain shares the plan with the group. You stay overnight in Mirissa. Breakfast is included.

You start the year with a day trip to Galle. Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site first built by the Portuguese and later strengthened by the Dutch in the 17th century. Inside the fort walls, you visit the Dutch Reformed Church and the Galle Lighthouse. The group then takes a boat safari through the mangroves and small islands of the Madu River and visits a turtle hatchery before returning to Mirissa for the night. Whale watching at Mirissa runs from November to April. It is not included, so ask your trip captain if you want to add it. Breakfast is included.

After breakfast, the group transfers to Colombo Airport, which takes about 3 hours from Mirissa. Traffic can add time, so book your flight for the afternoon or later. Breakfast is included.

Other Info

Sri Lanka New Year Trip: Know Before You Go

What is this trip?
The Sri Lanka New Year Special is a 7 night, 8 day group trip by The Travel Story for Indian travellers. It runs from Saturday 26 Dec to Saturday 2 Jan, starts and ends at Colombo Airport, and spends New Year’s Eve in Mirissa on the south coast. It follows the same route as our regular Sri Lanka Backpacking trip, on one fixed New Year departure.

Trip at a glance

Dates: 26 Dec to 2 Jan, one batch only
Duration: 7 nights and 8 days
Route: Colombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Pinnawala, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Mirissa, Galle
Start and end point: Colombo Airport (Bandaranaike International Airport)
New Year’s Eve: Mirissa, south coast
Meals: 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Group: Travellers who mostly join solo, led by a trip captain
Pace: Easy to moderate, with a few long drives
Flights: Not included

Who is this trip for?

Solo travellers who want to spend New Year with a group instead of alone
Friends who want culture, hills and beaches in one trip
First time international travellers from India who want an easy start
Travellers aged 18 to 35 who are happy to share rooms and keep moving

This trip may not suit you if you want a slow, single location beach holiday. You change hotels on most nights, and some days involve 3 to 5 hours on the road.

How much will this trip cost?

Package price: ₹59,999
Flights from India: Roughly ₹25,000 to ₹30,000. Fares around Christmas and New Year are usually higher, so book early.
Extra spending: Plan for lunches, most dinners, camera permits, shopping and optional activities such as whale watching.

How do I reach the start point on time?

Fly into Colombo and arrive by 10 to 11 AM on 26 Dec to join the group pickup. Book your return flight for the afternoon or later on 2 Jan, since the drive from Mirissa to Colombo Airport takes about 3 hours. Flights from most Indian cities take under 4 hours, and Sri Lanka runs on the same time as India, so there is no jet lag.

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Indian travellers apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) online before flying. As per our listing, the 30 day ETA is free for Indians. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Rules can change, so confirm the latest rule on the official Sri Lanka government ETA website before booking flights. Keep a printed copy of your ETA, hotel details and return ticket.

What is the weather like in late December?

South and west coast (Colombo, Mirissa, Galle): Dry season, warm days and a calmer sea.
Cultural triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla): Warm to hot during the day, so climb Sigiriya early.
Hill country (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella): Cooler. Evenings in Nuwara Eliya and Ella can drop to single digits or low teens in degrees Celsius.

What should I pack?

Light cotton clothes and swimwear for the coast
A warm layer or light jacket for Nuwara Eliya and Ella
A rain jacket, in case of showers in the hills
Comfortable walking shoes for Sigiriya and Little Adam’s Peak
Slip on footwear for temples
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a reusable bottle
Mosquito repellent
A Type D or G plug adapter (230V) and a power bank
One smart outfit for New Year’s Eve
Personal medicines and motion sickness tablets for the winding hill roads

How will we celebrate New Year’s Eve?

You spend New Year’s Eve in Mirissa, a beach town on Sri Lanka’s south coast. The group arrives from Ella on 31 Dec and stays two nights here, so you also wake up by the sea on 1 Jan. [ADD YOUR CONFIRMED NYE PLAN HERE]. Your trip captain shares the details with the group.

Is this the same as the Sri Lankan New Year in April?

No. This trip is for the 31 Dec to 1 Jan New Year. Sri Lanka also celebrates its own Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, which is a separate festival.

Money, SIM cards and connectivity

The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Use money changers in Colombo for better rates, and ask your trip captain where to exchange.
Most hotels and larger restaurants take cards, but carry cash for small shops, tuk tuks and local snacks.
Guide and driver tips are already included in the package.
Dialog, Mobitel and Airtel Lanka SIM counters at the airport arrivals are open 24/7. Mobile signal can drop in hill areas between Kandy and Ella.
Sinhala, Tamil and English are spoken. English works well at hotels, tourist spots and restaurants.

Food and vegetarian options

Expect rice and curry, kottu roti, hoppers and king coconut water. Vegetarian food is easy to find across the route. Tell your trip captain about any food needs on Day 1. Mirissa and Galle are known for fresh seafood.

Temple etiquette

Cover your shoulders and knees at temples like Dambulla and Seetha Amman.
Remove shoes and hats before entering.
Do not pose with your back to a Buddha statue.

Is Sri Lanka safe for solo and women travellers?

Sri Lanka is widely visited by solo travellers and women, and normal city precautions apply. On this trip you travel with a guide, a driver and a trip captain, and 24x7 travel assistance is included. Avoid walking alone on empty beaches late at night.

Booking and cancellation

Seats on a single New Year batch fill quickly, so book early. Read the full cancellation policy before you pay. Questions first? Talk to our team.

Explore more

See other dates on the regular Sri Lanka Backpacking trip.
Compare other New Year trips such as Spiti Valley New Year Special, Meghalaya Backpacking NY Special and Kashmir Backpacking NY Special.
Browse more international group trips, including Vietnam, and our backpacking trips.
Read tips and stories on the travel blog, or earn rewards with Refer and Earn.

7 nights of hotel accommodation on double sharing basis
7 breakfasts and 2 dinners, served at your accommodation
All transportation and city tours exactly as laid out in the itinerary
1 bottle of water per person, every day
A dedicated English speaking guide with you throughout
Entry tickets for Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Madu River boat safari
Train ticket from Nuwara Eliya to Ella (subject to seat availability)
A guided visit and tasting at a working tea factory
Group airport pickup and drop off, timed around the batch's common flight schedule
Tips for your local guide and driver, already settled
Driver allowance, fuel, toll charges, parking and transport permits
Complimentary travel insurance covering medical assistance, emergency evacuation, baggage loss or delay, trip cancellation and more, a genuine inclusion most Sri Lanka group operators leave out or charge extra for
24x7 travel assistance for the full duration of the trip

Any service not specifically listed under inclusions
Extra meals outside what's mentioned in the itinerary
Early check in or late check out charges at hotels
Camera or video permits at monuments and parks
Personal expenses of any kind
Airport pickup or drop off outside the group's scheduled flight timing
Costs arising from landslides, road closures or other events outside anyone's control, payable directly by the traveller on the spot
5% GST, applied additionally on the package price

No Refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,

If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the start date of the trip, 75% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
In the case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases, the operator will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However, no refund will be provided for the same.

Batches

26 Dec To 2 Jan

Available

26 Dec To 2 Jan

Available

Pricing

Select Occupancy

Double Sharing

₹ 59999 +5% GST *

Book Your Sri Lanka Backpacking New Year Special Trip Now

Trip Gallery

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It’s warm, under 4 hours from India, and the south coast towns of Mirissa, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa hold beach parties on 31 December.

In Mirissa, on Sri Lanka’s south coast. We reach Mirissa on 31 December and stay there for two nights.

26 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. There is only one batch.

The land package is ₹59,999 plus 5% GST, which comes to about ₹62,999. With international flights and personal spends, plan for ₹95,000 to ₹1,10,000 per person.

Hotels in Mirissa and Colombo charge their highest rates in New Year week. The ₹5,000 difference covers that, and nothing extra is added later.

No. We take you to Mirissa on 31 December, and the beach venues are walking distance from your hotel. Entry charges and drinks are paid by you.

You need an ETA, but it’s free. From 25 May 2026, Indians get a free 30-day tourist ETA with double entry, but must apply before arrival.

The coast is warm and mostly dry, at around 29 to 31°C. The hill country is cool, with nights around 10°C. Short showers are possible around Sigiriya and Ella.

No. Flights from India usually cost ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 return, and often more in New Year week.

Yes. Most travellers on our trips come solo, and you share a room with a traveller of the same gender.

Yes, if you take normal crowd precautions. Stay with the group, keep your phone charged, and don’t swim at night. Your trip captain is with the group throughout.

Pay the ₹10,000 booking amount on the trip page. The balance is due before departure.

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Full Name: Contact No.* Preferred Date.* Preferred Time.* Location:

Sri Lanka Backpacking New Year Special

Countdown on the Beach, Not on the Couch

7N-8D

59,999

Colombo/Colombo

Highlight

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo and Galle Face Green at Sunset

Day 2: Sigiriya Rock Fortress Climb and Dambulla Cave Temple

Day 3: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Kandy Lake and Kandyan Dance Show

Day 4: Nuwara Eliya Tea Estate, Ramboda Falls and Gregory Lake

Day 5: Nanu Oya to Ella Train, Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak

Day 6: Ella to Mirissa, Coconut Tree Hill and New Year’s Eve

Day 7: Galle Fort, Galle Lighthouse and Madu River Safari

Day 8: Departure from Colombo Airport

Other Info

Sri Lanka New Year Trip: Know Before You Go

Trip at a glance

Who is this trip for?

How much will this trip cost?

How do I reach the start point on time?

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

What is the weather like in late December?

What should I pack?

How will we celebrate New Year’s Eve?

Is this the same as the Sri Lankan New Year in April?

Money, SIM cards and connectivity

Food and vegetarian options

Temple etiquette

Is Sri Lanka safe for solo and women travellers?

Booking and cancellation

Explore more

Inclusion

Exclusions

Cancellation Policy

No Refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,

Batches

26 Dec To 2 Jan

26 Dec To 2 Jan

Pricing

Trip Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sri Lanka a good place to celebrate New Year?

Where do you celebrate New Year’s Eve on this trip?

What are the dates of the Sri Lanka New Year trip?

How much does a Sri Lanka New Year trip cost from India?

Why does the New Year batch cost more than the regular Sri Lanka trip?

Is the New Year’s Eve party included?

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka in December 2026?

What is the weather like in Sri Lanka in late December?

Does the package include flights?

Can I join this trip solo?

Is it safe for women on New Year’s Eve in Mirissa?

How do I book?

Request a Callback

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