Two-Day Hot Air Balloon Tour in Sri Lanka
Ambuluwawa Tower, the Royal Botanical Garden, the climb to Sigiriya or Pidurangala, a visit to Sigiriya village, the Golden Temple of Dambulla and an unforgettable hot air balloon flight over Sri Lanka. See the whole island at a glance.
Trip at a glance
Tour Itinerary
The hot air balloon tour in Sri Lanka is a unique journey that combines the island's culture and nature. You'll visit ancient temples, see Ceylon tea plantations, stroll through lush gardens and climb the rock of Sigiriya, where the sunset views are breathtaking.
At dawn on the second day, the hot air balloon flight becomes the highlight, with panoramic views of the island from above. A rural safari and an encounter with elephants add to the experience, making the trip truly rich and memorable.
Hot Air Balloon Tour in Sri Lanka
Key route locations:
- Ambuluwawa Tower
- Tea plantation
- Royal Botanical Garden
- Hindu temple
- Spice garden
- Golden Temple of Dambulla
- Climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala
The day trip starts in the morning: a comfortable transfer picks you up. On the way, your guide shares details about Sri Lanka, its traditions and natural treasures, so you feel the country's atmosphere. The first stop is Ambuluwawa Tower, a unique white structure rising above the jungle. A narrow spiral staircase leads to the top, where you get panoramic views of mountains, valleys, rice fields and tropical forests. The climb takes some courage, but the reward is truly breathtaking views. Then we head to the tea plantations. Stroll among endless green hills, breathe in the scent of fresh tea leaves and see how tea is made at a tea factory.
After lunch, continue to the Royal Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Asia, with thousands of exotic plants: orchids, palms, bamboo and flowering trees. The final part of the day is ancient temples of Kandy. The atmosphere is special: Buddhist shrines, golden statues, the scent of incense and a calm you feel in every corner. You will learn about Sri Lanka's religious heritage, hear legends and see artifacts linked to Buddhism.
Key route locations:
- Hot air balloon flight
- Sigiriya village
- Buffalo cart ride
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Your morning starts very early, but it is worth it: an unforgettable sunrise hot air balloon flight awaits. As you rise slowly into the sky, you see scenic views of Sri Lanka from above: green tea plantations, misty jungles, mountain ranges and ancient temples glowing in golden sunlight. This is one of the highlights of the whole trip.
After the balloon flight, the day takes you deep into the countryside to experience village life. Enjoy a buffalo cart ride and a catamaran trip along the river, where you can spot fishermen's huts.
The final part of the day is a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. It is one of the island's most famous places, home to dozens of Asian elephants. Watch them bathe in the river, play and look after their young. The atmosphere is heartwarming and very friendly, a moment families with children and animal lovers especially enjoy.
Two-Day Hot Air Balloon Tour in Sri Lanka: Pricing
| Destination | Price per adult | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Base tour price | The price includes transfers, entrance tickets, guide services and hotel accommodation | from 440 $ | |
With Sigiriya Climb | Climb the legendary Sigiriya Rock: 1,200 steps, an ancient citadel and a panoramic view from the top. | 30 $ |
The price includes transfers, entrance tickets, guide services and hotel accommodation
Climb the legendary Sigiriya Rock: 1,200 steps, an ancient citadel and a panoramic view from the top.
Pickup, Timing and Practical Details
No Hidden Fees
Tickets, transport, meals and accommodation are already included in the price.
Children Under 3 Travel Free
Little travelers join the tour free of charge.
Private Tours
Choose a route that suits your needs, with a guide or an experienced driver.
English-speaking Guides
Our guides know all of Sri Lanka and speak excellent English.
Real Guest Reviews
Hundreds of positive reviews.
24/7 Support
Our team is always available on messaging apps.
Small Groups
Up to 18 people per tour, with comfort and attention for everyone.
Comfortable Buses
All transfers are made in modern vehicles.
Guest reviews
Overall Rating
75 reviews
Ekaterina
09/19/2025
We got back yesterday from the two-day tour with an overnight stay at Elephant bay hotel and the climb to Sigiriya (choose this rock for the climb). It was AMAZING!!!! WONDERFUL!!! Best tour!!! Our guide Denis (Dinesh) is a genius. He kept us laughing the whole way, told us the history of Sri Lanka, answered all our questions, shared lots of interesting facts and helped with photos and videos! All the locations on the tour were chosen very well, and everything felt heartfelt! Special thanks to our driver Shalinda, who got us there safely and in style! Memories for a year, maybe for life! These two days felt like we had travelled for a week through different countries, with different climates, nature and architecture, all in one place on the small island of Sri Lanka.
Sofia
09/11/2025
We're thrilled with the "Heart of Sri Lanka" tour! It was a beautifully organized trip. We saw an incredible number of sights and felt immersed in the atmosphere of an amazing country. Special thanks for helping us with the most important moment of our trip: a marriage proposal at the top of Sigiriya. Help choosing the perfect moment and place among the wonders of the world made this day truly unforgettable. A special part was the night at Mountain Heavens hotel. Waking up, stepping onto the balcony and seeing elephants wandering below was wonderful! What made the trip perfect was our guide Yasir, the soul of the journey :) He described every sight with great charm, knew the best angles for photos and anticipated our wishes. His care, attentiveness and great sense of humour created a truly friendly and comfortable atmosphere. We felt completely safe, as if we were travelling with an old friend. Thank you to Yasir and the whole team! We will definitely recommend you to our friends!
Lisa
09/02/2025
Sharing our impressions on the way home from the lovely two-day "Heart of Sri Lanka" tour! Other reviews have already said everything about the tour itself, so we would like to describe the impressions we got thanks to our guide Yasir and our driver Usama. A few words about the road: the car was comfortable and new, the air conditioning saved us the whole way, and despite the winding mountain roads, the driver followed all the traffic rules like a European driver. But we are especially grateful to Yasir. He helped us with every little question along the way. He is very caring and attentive. When someone tried to sell us something expensive, he took us to another place where the same thing cost less. During the tea factory tasting, we were offered only one type of tea. Yasir stood up for us, and in the end we got to try all the varieties. On the way, he showed us many inexpensive places where we could get tasty food and fruit. Yasir also turned out to be a very interesting person. We talked about his culture and compared it with ours for both days. His English is excellent, and he is a deeply knowledgeable and multilingual person. He even gets memes :) To our surprise, Yasir changed our programme. At the end of the second day we visited a village where we were shown traditional customs and way of life, and we were treated to traditional food and sweets. We even got to crack a coconut 🥥 And we must mention that Yasir is a professional photographer. The photos you see in this message are his. We are now approaching our villa to rest after such a full and emotional programme. Many thanks to the organizers, Yasir, Usama and the local people of Sri Lanka!
Vlad
08/09/2025
We are absolutely delighted with the one-day Safari Yala + Ella tour! It was an incredible adventure with many vivid impressions. We especially want to praise our guide Ishar. He was simply wonderful! Ishar is a true professional. He speaks English perfectly and has deep knowledge of the history, culture and nature of Sri Lanka. Thanks to him, the tour was not just a sightseeing trip but an exciting journey into the world of this amazing country. The safari in Yala National Park impressed me most of all. The four hours flew by! We saw a huge number of wild animals: majestic elephants, a leopard (it was simply incredible!), deer, buffaloes, monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards and many beautiful birds. Ishar and the safari driver skilfully found the most interesting spots and told us about the animals' habits, which made the safari even more exciting. Ravana Falls, Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arch Bridge, the train ride and the tea plantation were all lovely, but the Yala safari was the real highlight of the tour. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the real Sri Lanka and have unforgettable experiences. Be sure to ask for Ishar as your guide (by the way, he's from Belarus)! You won't regret it. Thank you for a wonderful day!
Yulia
07/05/2025
Just back from the Galle Fort + River Safari day trip! 🗿🛶 It was fantastic, and I recommend it to everyone. A day trip depends a lot on the guide, and ours was beyond praise. His name is Mano. He speaks excellent English, knows the history of Sri Lanka well, answers every question, makes subtle, well-timed jokes and takes professional photos. In short, we are very happy with both the organisation and how it was carried out. A big thank you to the driver too! The day itself was amazing! 🔥🔥🔥 We loved absolutely everything!!! THANK YOU!
Alyona
06/21/2025
Hello! We chose the one-day Kandy tour. It was very interesting and full, and it was led by a professional English-speaking guide, Denish. Denish is a very friendly, knowledgeable and conscientious guide with a great sense of humour. If you want an unforgettable trip and plenty of knowledge and impressions of Sri Lanka, we are sure you should book with this company! You will definitely not be bored
Reham
06/16/2025
Hello, I had an amazing 3-day tour in Sri Lanka, thanks to our fantastic tour guide and driver. Our tour guide Mr Deshan was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and caring He did everything to make sure every part of the trip was enjoyable, informative, and perfectly organized. The driver Mr Jagath was equally wonderful, always punctual, professional, and made us feel comfortable throughout the journey. Together, they made this trip truly unforgettable. I highly recommend them to anyone visiting Sri Lanka you’ll be in great hands
How to prepare for a tour in Sri Lanka
Packed lunch from your hotel
If your hotel offers a packed lunch for tours, it's a handy option for day trips and journeys.
Swimwear and towel
Pack a towel and swimwear, plus a change of clothes, as they will come in handy on this tour.
Sun protection
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, so sunglasses and a cap will protect you from the strong sun.
Comfortable shoes
Wear closed-toe shoes that are comfortable for any situation.
Chargers
Don't forget your chargers so you can stay connected and capture the moments of your tour.
Cash for personal expenses
Main costs are included in the tour, but it's useful to have some cash for shopping and souvenirs.
Rain jacket
During the rainy season in Sri Lanka, a lightweight rain jacket will keep you dry and let you enjoy your trip.
Prefer to travel at your own pace? Book a private driver
Set off on an exciting journey along a beautiful route with a professional English-speaking driver who will show you all the main sights, making your trip comfortable and memorable.
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Frequently asked questions about the hot air balloon tour in Sri Lanka
What exactly is included in the Sri Lanka tour price, and what do I need to pay extra for?
The price includes hotel transfers to and from the hotel, accommodation, one breakfast and one dinner, all entrance tickets on the programme (except the Sigiriya climb), the hot air balloon flight, insurance and guide services. The following are paid extra: lunches, drinks, breakfast on the first day, personal expenses and entrance to Sigiriya Rock (about $30).
What is the difference between climbing Sigiriya and Pidurangala, and can I visit both?
Sigiriya is the famous rock fortress with ancient ruins and a challenging climb, and entry is paid. Pidurangala is a neighbouring mountain with the best panoramic view of Sigiriya, and the climb is easier and cheaper. The programme includes a visit to only one of these sites, chosen within the time available.
How physically demanding is the hot air balloon tour?
The tour requires moderate fitness. The programme includes two climbs (you choose one) and long walks (botanical garden, temples). The cart ride and catamaran trip are effortless. We recommend comfortable shoes and readiness for an active day.
What happens if the weather is bad, especially for the hot air balloon flight in Sri Lanka?
The balloon flight depends on weather conditions and may be cancelled for safety reasons. In that case, the flight cost is fully refunded or an alternative activity is offered. The decision about the flight is made in the morning on the day of departure.
Is free time for photos and personal shopping included?
Yes, the programme includes time for photos at key stops (the Royal Botanical Garden and viewpoints). There will be a chance to shop for souvenirs at the Spice Garden and possibly at other stops. Your guide will confirm the exact timing and the best spots.