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Example itinerary · fully tailor-made
12-Day Classic Tour of Sri Lanka
12 days / 11 nights · Ancient cities, Kandy, tea country, safari and the south coast
Trip highlights
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- The ancient city of Polonnaruwa
- Village afternoon: buffalo cart, canoe, cooking and a tuk tuk ride
- Dambulla cave temples and a Matale spice garden
- Temple of the Tooth and a Kandyan dance show in Kandy
- Royal Botanical Gardens and a tea factory with tasting
- Hill-country train to Ella, with an optional walk up Little Adam’s Peak
- Udawalawe jeep safari and the elephant orphanage
- Mirissa beach, optional whale watching and Galle Fort
Overview
This tour itinerary ensures you experience all facets of our island nation. The tour includes a visit to the cultural triangle, which takes you back in history as you experience the ancient ruins of palaces and civilizations.
Experience the mountains that are the center of Sri Lanka’s world famous tea and the national parks where wildlife, including the Asian elephant and leopard move freely. You will also visit our botanical gardens with its finest collection of tropical flora, including exotic collection of orchids. Finally relaxing on the pristine sandy beaches of our tropical coast.
This is an example itinerary with no cycling or trekking: just culture, scenery, wildlife and the beach at an easy pace. We tailor the route, hotels and activities to your dates and interests, and send a personalised quote by email within 24 hours.
Route
Day-by-day itinerary
An example plan: every day can be adjusted.
Day 1NegomboArrival
Arrive at Colombo airport and transfer about 30 minutes to Negombo, “Little Rome”. Explore the town or relax on the beach.
Read the full day
Welcome on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), and transfer to NEGOMBO a little fishing village not far from the airport. This coastal town has been ruled by all three colonial powers, the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, who were attracted to it as a source of Cinnamon and Negombo is today known as “Little Rome” for its many churches. It is a sea side resort town with many hotels and restaurants along the beach. Free to explore Negombo town by foot or relax on the beach.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Transfer time: 30m
Day 2Negombo → SigiriyaRock fortress
See the morning catch land at Negombo, drive about 3 hours to Sigiriya and visit the Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Read the full day
Early morning before breakfast, visit the fishing village to see the catamaran return with their catch of the day which are sold on the beach and return to the hotel for breakfast. Leave to SIGIRIYA and arrive at the hotel. Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a palace built on top of a rock rising up to 600 feet. This rock fortress was built by the parricide King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD. On the ascent to the summit of the rock see some of the marvels of this ruined palace, such as the rock paintings or “frescoes” and from the summit one will have a panoramic view of the surrounding.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Transfer time: 3h
Day 3Sigiriya → PolonnaruwaAncient city & village
Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, then a village afternoon at Hiriwadunna: buffalo cart, canoe, cooking and a tuk tuk ride back.
Read the full day
Early morning drive to Polonnaruwa to visit the ancient Buddhist City and see the ancient ruins. Polonnaruwa was the 2nd Capital of the country from the 11th century AD and the well-preserved medieval city has several archaeological sites to view, ‘Galvihara’ is one such remarkable site with 3 statues of Lord Buddha sculpted in 3 different positions out of a single large rock.
Return to Sigiriya and proceed to Hiriwadunna village for riding a buffalo cart, canoeing and having various authentic cooking activities in a village house and you will return by tuk tuk.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 4Sigiriya → Dambulla → KandyCaves & spices
The Dambulla cave temples and a Matale spice garden on the way to Kandy, with a traditional Kandyan dance show in the evening.
Read the full day
Morning leave for Dambulla to visit the cave temples. It is an extraordinary and unique complex and its 18th c. rock paintings are among the best preserved in the entire region. The extent of the painted surfaces in the five caves exceeds 21,000 square feet; 157 statues of various sizes are also on display.
Continue your journey to see the spice gardens in Matale where you can see for yourself all the spices grown in Sri Lanka and used in the local cuisine as well as for medicinal use.
Continue to KANDY and late evening see the traditional kandyan dance show which depicts the rituals of ancient Sri Lanka.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 5KandyCulture
The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy town and market, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, with an optional gem lapidary visit.
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Morning visit the Temple of the Tooth known as the “Dalada Maligawa” where the tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined in a casket at this temple. Many Buddhist pilgrims pay homage and offer flowers in the morning and evening. The relic is taken in a procession with elephants, drummers and dancers along the streets for 10 days in July or August, this parade is called the Esala Perahera.
Visit the hill capital which was the last Kingdom before the British took over rule of the island. Kandy is situated at an altitude of 500m and is the 2nd biggest city, the market and the shops are interesting to visit. Continue to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens once the pleasure gardens of the queen, the garden has one of the finest collections of tropical flora and orchids. On the way back you may visit a Gem lapidary to see the mining and cutting of gems.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 6Kandy → Nuwara EliyaTea country
Up into the hills to Nuwara Eliya, “Little England”, with a tea factory visit and tasting on the way.
Read the full day
Leave Kandy for the hill country and continue towards Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England” with its climate and the environment, en route you will be able to visit a tea factory and taste different types of Ceylon tea. Rest of the day visit a local market and walk along the beautiful river bank rich with various flowers.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 7Nuwara Eliya → EllaHill-country train
Take the scenic hill-country train from Nanu Oya station to Ella, then a relaxed afternoon in this lively hill town.
Read the full day
Morning transfer to Nanu Oya station to experience a local train ride through the tea estates to ELLA, a very vibrant hill city. Your driver meets you at Ella station. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore the town.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 8Ella → UdawalaweSafari
An optional easy morning walk up Little Adam’s Peak, then down from the hills to Udawalawe for an afternoon jeep safari to see its elephant herds.
Read the full day
If you wish, start the morning with a visit to Little Adam’s Peak which offers a panoramic view of the region and very famous among the tourist. This is an optional, easy walk.
After breakfast continue towards UDAWALAWE, arrive at your hotel, and in the afternoon visit the National park in jeeps for a safari. Udawalawe is known for its herd of elephants, you will also see wild buffalos, wild boar and many birds.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 9Udawalawe → MirissaElephants & beach
Visit the elephant orphanage, where young elephants are cared for, then continue to the beach at Mirissa.
Read the full day
Morning visit the Elephant orphanage, where the baby elephants are cared for till released to the wild when older.
Continue to the south coast and the beach town of MIRISSA, about 2 hours 30 minutes away, with the rest of the day free on the beach.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Transfer time: about 2h 30m
Day 10MirissaBeach & ocean
Optional early-morning whale watching (November to April), then the rest of the day on the beach.
Read the full day
If you wish, set out early from Mirissa harbour on a whale-watching boat trip. Whale watching runs from November to April, with the best chances from December to March. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 11MirissaGalle Fort
Spend the morning on the beach, then visit Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site along the coast.
Read the full day
A morning to swim and relax on the beach. In the afternoon visit the old Dutch fort at GALLE, a UNESCO World Heritage site along the coast, and walk its ramparts and lanes.
Dinner and night at hotel.
Day 12Mirissa → Colombo airportDeparture
A last morning on the beach, then transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight home.
Read the full day
Enjoy a final morning on the beach at Mirissa. Then transfer to the Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) in time for your departure flight.
Transfer time: about 3h
What’s included
Included in your quote
- Accommodation matched to your budget and style, from 3- to 5-star hotels, lodges and camps
- Dinner each night at your hotel, as shown in the itinerary
- Private vehicle with your own driver and guide throughout the tour
- The hill-country train, the Hiriwadunna village activities, the Kandyan dance show, the tea factory visit, the elephant orphanage, the Udawalawe jeep safari and entrance fees
- Whale watching at Mirissa, if you request it
Not included
- International flights
- Visa
- Travel insurance (we recommend arranging it before your trip)
- Tips
Practical notes
- Best time to travel: December to March, when this route (Cultural Triangle, hill country and south coast) is at its driest. April is usually good too; May to September brings the south-west monsoon.
- Whale watching at Mirissa: November to April, with the best chances from December to March.
- Pace: easy. No cycling or trekking; the most active parts are the climb up Sigiriya Rock and the optional walk up Little Adam’s Peak.
- Ages: suitable for all ages.
- Where you stay: 3- to 5-star hotels, lodges and camps, chosen to suit your budget.
- Start and end: Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), with the first night in Negombo and the last nights in Mirissa.
- Travel insurance: we recommend arranging it before your trip.
- Peace of mind: public liability insurance for all our travellers.
Photo gallery
FAQ
Can I change this itinerary?
Yes. This is an example. Every tour can be tailored to your dates, pace and interests.
How much does it cost?
Prices are on request. Tell us your dates and group size and we will send a personalised quote by email within 24 hours.
Is there any cycling or trekking?
No. This is our classic route: culture, tea country, wildlife and the beach at an easy pace. If you would like to add a trek or a cycle, see our active adventure holidays.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it suits all ages. For a route paced especially for young children, see our family holidays.
When is the best time to go?
December to March is best for this route. April is usually good too. For whale watching at Mirissa, come between November and April.
What is included in the price?
Accommodation, dinners at your hotels, a private vehicle with driver and guide throughout, and the activities and entrance fees confirmed in your quote. International flights, visa, travel insurance and tips are not included.
Where will we stay?
We match your accommodation to your budget and style, from 3- to 5-star hotels to lodges and camps.
Customise this trip
Tell us how you’d like to travel
Share your dates, group and interests. We’ll tailor this itinerary and reply by email within 24 hours.
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