Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll land at Colombo International Airport where your guide meets you in the arrival lobby for a transfer to Negombo. Once you get to your accommodation, there's time to settle in and take advantage of the serene beaches, or if you're interested in history, the Dutch Fort nearby shows remnants of colonial times.
Optional Activities
- Beach swimming and water sports (diving, boat rides)
- Explore Dutch Fort
Landmarks/POIs Dutch Fort Negombo Beach - Day 2
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Dambulla Cave Temple
Leaving your hotel at 8 am, you'll start the morning at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see how orphaned and injured elephants are cared for, fed, and bathed in the river. After lunch, you'll head to Dambulla Cave Temple, an ancient complex with five caves containing over 150 Buddha statues and decorative frescoes dating back more than 2,000 years. The drive back offers nice countryside views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - observe elephant care, feeding, and river bathing
- Dambulla Cave Temple - explore five caves with Buddha statues and religious artwork
Landmarks/POIs Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Dambulla Cave Temple - Day 3
Polonnaruwa Ancient City and Minneriya National Park
After breakfast, you head out at 8:30 am to Polonnaruwa Ancient City, a UNESCO site that was once the capital and has well-preserved palaces, temples, and Buddha statues. Later in the afternoon, you'll travel to Minneriya National Park for a wildlife safari where you'll likely spot wild elephants, with good chances of seeing other animals across the grasslands and wetlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City - explore Royal Palace, Quadrangle temples, and Sacred Quadrangle
- Minneriya National Park wildlife safari - elephant and wildlife viewing
Landmarks/POIs Polonnaruwa Ancient City Minneriya National Park - Day 4
Sigiriya Rock Fortress to Kandy
Following breakfast at 8 am, you'll climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, to see ancient frescoes and learn about this UNESCO site at the museum on the grounds. Then you travel to Kandy and spend your evening at the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which holds a sacred relic of the Buddha.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress - climb Lion Rock and view frescoes
- Sigiriya Museum - learn about the site's history
- Temple of the Tooth Relic - explore the sacred Buddhist temple
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Rock Fortress Temple of the Tooth Relic - Day 5
White Water Rafting and Nuwara Eliya
You start at 8 am heading to Kithulgala for white water rafting, followed by an authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch. In the afternoon, you'll travel to Nuwara Eliya in the tea region, tour a tea factory to see how tea is made and taste different varieties. Then you'll explore the colonial architecture and visit spots like Lover's Leap waterfall, Victoria Park, and Gregory Lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch)
Optional Activities
- White water rafting in Kithulgala
- Tea factory visit and tasting
- Nuwara Eliya historical city walk
- Lover's Leap waterfall visit
- Victoria Park visit
- Gregory Lake visit
Landmarks/POIs Kithulgala Rafting Area Nuwara Eliya Lover's Leap Waterfall Victoria Park Gregory Lake - Day 6
Scenic Train Ride to Ella
After breakfast at 10 am, you head to Nanu Oya train station for a scenic train ride through tropical mountains. During the journey, you'll pass colorful landscapes, villages, and natural scenery. Your guide will meet you at Ella train station with your luggage, and you'll get to experience the cool weather and waterfall views of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella
Landmarks/POIs Ella - Day 7
Ella Exploration and Hiking
This morning in Ella is yours to explore at your own pace. If hiking interests you, there are excellent options including Ella Rock, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Waterfall, and Little Adam's Peak, all offering nice views and scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hiking - Ella Rock
- Hiking - Nine Arch Bridge
- Hiking - Ravana Waterfall
- Hiking - Little Adam's Peak
- Explore Ella town
Landmarks/POIs Ella Rock Nine Arch Bridge Ravana Waterfall Little Adam's Peak - Day 8
Yala National Park Safari
At 10 am after breakfast, you'll travel to Yala National Park where you'll stay in comfortable tents with basic amenities. Guided safaris let you try to spot leopards, elephants, and various bird species. The grasslands and terrain create good opportunities to connect with wildlife and natural landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Yala National Park tented camping safari
- Yala National Park game drive
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park - Day 9
Yala to Mirissa
After breakfast at 10 am, you head to Mirissa where you'll spend the next two nights. This beach destination has a relaxed feel with golden sands and clear waters. You can hang out by the beach and check out the many beachfront restaurants and cafes with fresh seafood. Once evening arrives, restaurants set up tables on the beach with lanterns for seafood BBQs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation at Mirissa
- Swimming and water sports
- Dine at beachfront restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Mirissa Beach - Day 10
Mirissa Whale Watching
Your day at Mirissa Beach features an optional whale watching excursion early in the morning where you can spot blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins in nearby waters (tours usually last a few hours). After you're back, you'll have time to relax on the beach, swim, or try water sports like surfing and snorkeling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching excursion - blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins
- Beach swimming and relaxation
- Water sports - surfing and snorkeling
Landmarks/POIs Mirissa Beach - Day 11
Galle and Galle Fort
After breakfast at 10 am, you travel to Galle on the southwestern coast to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Galle Fort, a 16th-century Dutch fortification with colonial streets, boutique shops, cafes, and galleries. Walking the ramparts gives you nice Indian Ocean views. You can also see the Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Lighthouse, the cricket stadium, and the national museum. Nearby Unawatuna and Jungle Beach have swimming and water sports.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Galle Fort exploration and ramparts walk
- Dutch Reformed Church visit
- Galle Lighthouse visit
- Galle International Cricket Stadium visit
- Galle National Museum visit
- Unawatuna Beach and Jungle Beach swimming
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fort Dutch Reformed Church Galle Lighthouse Galle International Cricket Stadium Galle National Museum Unawatuna Beach - Day 12
Departure via Galle and Colombo
Starting at 9 am after breakfast, you begin your journey back to Colombo. On the way, you'll stop at Galle Dutch Fort and take a safari on the Bentota Mangrove River. Once in Colombo, you'll do a final city tour with shopping, local restaurants, a walk on Galle Face Green promenade, and a visit to Gangarama Temple. Then you head to the airport or your Colombo or Negombo hotel depending on your flight time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Galle Dutch Fort visit
- Bentota Mangrove River Safari
- Colombo city tour and shopping
- Galle Face Green walk
- Gangarama Temple visit
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fort Bentota Mangrove Galle Face Green Gangarama Temple
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