7-Day Sri Lanka Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Sri Lanka tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Sri Lanka, incl. Sigiriya and Kandy

  An action-packed week covers 11 destinations from Colombo to Negombo, featuring UNESCO sites Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple. Two wildlife safaris, tea plantation visits, and whale watching in Mirissa included. Accommodations at Lavish Resort Sigiriya and Jaga Bay Resort.

  

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  • Day 1

    Colombo to Sigiriya

    Leave Colombo airport early for the 3.5-hour drive to Sigiriya. One traveler suggests, "Get moving early—airport traffic is heavy until 10 AM." Visit the Golden Cave Temple at Dambulla on your way. Remember to bring socks since you'll need to take off your shoes. End your day with a 4x4 safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park. A visitor shares: "We saw over 180 elephants gathered at sunset. It was breathtaking."

    
  • Day 2

    Sigiriya to Kandy

    Start early at Sigiriya Rock Fortress (opens 7 AM). A traveler advises: "Start the climb before 8 AM—it gets brutally hot later and the crowds arrive by 9." Plan about 2 hours for the 1,200-step climb round trip. Drive 2.5 hours to Kandy, stopping at a spice garden and gem museum. Spend your evening at a cultural dance show and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

    
  • Day 3

    Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

    Begin at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Take the scenic 3-hour mountain drive to Nuwara Eliya, with a stop at Ramboda Falls. One visitor notes: "Bring a light jacket—the temperature drops significantly in tea country, especially evenings." Include a tea factory tour to see production in action.

    
  • Day 4

    Nuwara Eliya to Ella

    Visit Gregory Lake and Victoria Park in the morning. Take the scenic train to Ella (book early as tickets sell quickly). A traveler tips: "The left side of the train offers better views of tea plantations and valleys." Finish your day hiking Little Adam's Peak for sunset views.

    
  • Day 5

    Ella to Tissamaharama/Yala

    See Nine Arches Bridge and Rawana Falls before driving 2 hours to Tissamaharama. Go on an afternoon safari in Yala National Park. A traveler recommends: "Book the afternoon safari—leopards are more active then. Our guide spotted three!" Ask for a driver who knows the quiet areas to avoid crowds.

    
  • Day 6

    Tissamaharama to Mirissa

    Take the 2-hour coastal drive to Mirissa. One traveler suggests: "Skip the snake farm stop—it's mostly a tourist trap." Spend the afternoon at the beach. Stay close to Mirissa Beach for easy access to dining and the harbor.

    
  • Day 7

    Mirissa to Departure

    Consider the early morning whale watching trip at 6:30 AM—blue whales often appear between December and April. On your 3-hour return to the airport, visit Galle Fort if time allows. A traveler shares: "Walk the fort walls at sunrise before the heat and crowds arrive. The lighthouse views are spectacular."

    

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• 7 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary, incl. Kandy and Galle

  A 7-day route through 8 cities from Colombo to Galle showcases 3 UNESCO sites, including Temple of Tooth Relic, wildlife safari in Yala National Park, and colonial Galle Fort. A scenic train ride to Ella and whale watching in Mirissa complement the journey, all for approx. $50 per day.

  

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  • Day 1

    Colombo to Kandy

    The journey from Bandaranaike International Airport to Kandy takes about 3 hours. Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage during the 9 AM bottle feeding or 2 PM river bathing. One traveler noted: "The elephant foundation visit left me with mixed feelings - go early morning to see the most natural behaviors and avoid the crowds."

    
  • Day 2

    Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

    Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic before 8 AM to avoid crowds. The 2-hour drive to Nuwara Eliya goes through tea country. Take motion sickness pills if needed. Stop at Labookellie Tea Factory to sample different teas. Bring a light jacket since Nuwara Eliya can get cold at night with temperatures around 10°C (50°F).

    
  • Day 3

    Nuwara Eliya to Ella

    The train ride to Ella takes 5-6 hours. One reviewer suggested: "Book 2nd class tickets instead of 3rd - the morning train gets extremely crowded, especially on weekends." Visit Nine Arch Bridge between 9-10 AM to see passing trains. Little Adam's Peak is a 45-minute climb. Wear good walking shoes since morning dew makes the path slippery.

    
  • Day 4

    Ella to Yala

    Drive 2.5 hours from cool highlands to warm lowlands. For the 3 PM safari, wear neutral colors and bring a hat. One traveler shared: "The bumpy roads in Yala are like a roller coaster - take motion sickness pills if needed. We saw lots of elephants but the leopards are elusive."

    
  • Day 5

    Yala to Mirissa

    The coastal drive to Mirissa takes 3.5 hours. Go to the western end of the beach for a quieter spot. Book your whale watching trip through your hotel for the 6:30 AM departure when seas are calmer. Try the beachfront seafood restaurants but skip raw dishes during monsoon season.

    
  • Day 6

    Mirissa to Galle

    Start with whale watching if weather permits. It's a 1-hour drive to Galle. Explore the Dutch Fort later in the day when it's cooler. A visitor recommended: "Walk the fort walls at sunset, starting from the lighthouse - the views are incredible and you'll avoid the midday heat."

    
  • Day 7

    Galle to Colombo

    The 2.5-hour coastal drive to Colombo gets busy so leave early for afternoon flights. Visit the National Museum in the morning to avoid crowds. Shop in the Colombo Fort area for better prices than tourist shops but be ready to negotiate.

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• 7 Days in Sri Lanka, incl. Negombo and Sigiriya

  The 7-day wellness escape visits 6 destinations including Negombo, Yapahuwa, and Sigiriya. Authentic Ayurvedic treatments at Karunakarala Resort and Maho Paradise Hotel complement cultural experiences at Dambulla Cave Temple and Hiriwadunna village.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Negombo

    Your journey begins with a 40-minute transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport to Negombo. You'll spend three days at Karunakarala hotel focusing on Ayurvedic treatments. One guest shared: "The treatment rooms are open to the river and jungle and are serene... the women who work there were genuinely welcoming and obviously well trained." Your daily schedule includes a personal consultation with an Ayurvedic physician and various treatments like full-body massage (Shareera Abhyanga), foot therapy and herbal steam baths. Pack loose comfortable clothes since treatment oils can stain. The hotel provides disposable cloth underwear for your convenience.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Maho

    Next you'll move to Yapahuwa Paradise in Maho for two more days of Ayurvedic care. The resort provides vegetarian meals and herbal snacks throughout your stay. Try to schedule treatments in the morning before the afternoon heat sets in. A recent visitor noted: "The treatment center is perfect for deep rest - dark and silent. Achini was masterful and kind and supervised several new experiences."

    
  • Day 6

    Sigiriya & Dambulla

    Start early at 6 AM to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO site with Buddhist murals spanning 2,100 square meters. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip on the temple steps. Head to Sigiriya Rock Fortress before 9 AM to avoid crowds and peak temperatures. In the afternoon, take in local village life at Hiriwadunna with bullock cart and boat rides.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Colombo

    After breakfast begin your 4-5 hour drive back to Colombo airport. Book an afternoon flight to avoid morning traffic in Colombo.

    

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