The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is offering an exclusive 5-night/6-day tour package to Sri Lanka, focusing on the revered Ramayana trail. Named the 'Sri Lanka Ramayana Yathra', this guided tour is scheduled to commence from Bengaluru on September 24, 2026, providing Indian travelers with an opportunity to explore significant religious and cultural landmarks across the island nation.
Tour Package Details and Pricing
The comprehensive package starts at an attractive price of ₹59,950 per person for triple occupancy. Other fare options are available, catering to different accommodation preferences:
- Single Occupancy: ₹81,100 per person
- Double Occupancy: ₹60,500 per person
- Triple Occupancy: ₹59,950 per person
- Child with bed (5-11 years): ₹46,000
- Child without bed (2-11 years): ₹41,700
Infant charges (below two years) will be extra and must be paid at the time of booking. The package cost includes a 2% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) and is available for a limited number of seats, with only 15 spots open for booking.
Comprehensive Itinerary Highlights
The tour originates from Bengaluru and encompasses prominent Sri Lankan cities and sites, including Colombo, Dambulla, Trincomalee, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya. The carefully curated itinerary ensures a blend of spiritual exploration and cultural immersion:
Day 1: Bengaluru to Dambulla via Colombo
Travelers will fly from Bengaluru to Colombo, then proceed to Dambulla. The day includes visits to the ancient Manavari Temple and Muneeshwaram Temple, both significant religious sites.
Day 2: Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Trincomalee Exploration
This day features a visit to the historic Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by explorations of Thiru Koneshvaram Temple and Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple in Trincomalee.
Day 3: Journey to Kandy and Cultural Immersion
The journey continues to Kandy, where participants will visit a Gems Factory/Batik Factory for a glimpse into local crafts. A highlight is the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, followed by an evening cultural show showcasing Sri Lankan traditions.
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya and Ramayana Landmarks
From Kandy, the tour proceeds to Nuwara Eliya, visiting the Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, the scenic Ramboda area, the Seetha Amman Temple, and the mythical Ashoka Vatika, all integral to the Ramayana narrative.
Day 5: Return to Colombo via Pinnawala
The group travels from Nuwara Eliya back to Colombo, with a stop at the famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. In Colombo, visits include the Kelaniya Budha Temple, Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple, and a comprehensive city tour.
Day 6: Colombo Shopping and Departure
The final day offers free time for shopping in Colombo, allowing travelers to purchase souvenirs before heading to the airport for the return flight to Bengaluru.
Inclusions and Exclusions
The package price covers economy-class flights on Sri Lankan Airlines, five nights of hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, transfers and sightseeing in an air-conditioned vehicle (on a Seat-in-Coach basis), entry tickets to all specified attractions, an English-speaking tour guide, overseas travel insurance, GST, and 2% TCS.
However, personal expenses such as onboard meals during flights, additional sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary, camera fees, boating charges, tips, telephone calls, porterage, laundry, mineral water, and any deviations from the planned itinerary are not included.
Important Travel Information
Travelers must possess an original passport valid for at least six months from the return date. Copies of the PAN card and passport (first and last pages) are required by IRCTC Bengaluru within three days of booking. Indian nationals currently enjoy a free visa on arrival in Sri Lanka; however, any future visa charges would be the traveler's responsibility. Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport three hours prior to departure. Flight timings are subject to change based on airline operational feasibility.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation charges are tiered, increasing as the departure date approaches:
- 30 days or more before departure: 20% of package cost
- 21-30 days before departure: 30% of package cost
- 15-20 days before departure: 60% of package cost
- 8-14 days before departure: 90% of package cost
- Less than 7 days or no-show: 100% of package cost
IRCTC reserves the right to amend or cancel departures under certain circumstances.