Itinerary
- Day 1
Negombo
You'll land at Bandaranaike International Airport where your Sri Lankan representative meets you. The drive to Negombo takes about 20 minutes via the VIP Silk Route. After checking into your boutique hotel, you'll have time to settle in and rest from your flight. Once you're ready, head out into the city to try some fresh seafood, grab a beer, or simply relax at your hotel with views overlooking Negombo lagoon.
Optional Activities
- Evening exploration of Negombo city
- Fresh seafood dinner at local restaurants
- Relaxation at hotel overlooking Negombo lagoon
- Day 2
Negombo to Sigiriya
Today you enter the Cultural Triangle, driving through paddy fields and past ancient reservoirs with optional stops to experience local activities along the way. You'll visit Dambulla Rock Temple, a UNESCO site dating back to the 1st century B.C., where five caves hold painted walls and ceilings displaying over 150 Buddha images. From there, continue to Sigiriya and check in at your boutique hotel surrounded by lush greenery and forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Dambulla Rock Temple (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Exploration of five caves with Buddha images and painted ceilings
Optional Activities
- Stops to experience Sri Lankan style activities en route
- Guided tour of Cultural Triangle
Landmarks/POIs Dambulla Rock Temple - Day 3
Sigiriya
Start by visiting a rural village in Habarana to see how locals live and work. You'll walk through scrub jungle and then take a catamaran boat ride on the lake where you can see Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock from the water. Head back to a village home for authentic local food, and if you're interested, there's an optional cookery session. In the afternoon, do a game drive at either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park to look for elephants. You'll be back at your hotel by evening to relax by the pool.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic village cuisine)
Included Activities
- Rural village visit and cultural experience
- Jungle stroll in Habarana
- Catamaran boat ride on lake with views of Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock
- Authentic village cuisine tasting
- Game Drive at Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla National Park
Optional Activities
- Cookery session at village home
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Rock Pidurangala Rock Minneriya National Park - Day 4
Sigiriya to Kandy
Get up early to climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress before the crowds arrive. Later in the day, travel to Kandy, a UNESCO city known for the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the annual Kandy Esala Perahera festival. You'll explore the compact city on foot, checking out gem museums, souvenir shops, and batik factories at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Optional Activities
- Visit gem museums
- Souvenir shop browsing
- Batik factory tours
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya Rock Fortress Temple of the Tooth Relic - Day 5
Kandy
Spend the morning walking around Kandy's lake area to get a feel for the city. Then head to the Royal Botanic Garden in Peradeniya, which has a diverse collection of endemic plants and orchids on display. If you want more of the local architecture and history, there's an optional visit to three temples: Embekke, Lankathilake, and Gadaladeniya, each showcasing different ancient architecture styles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour around Kandy Lake
- Visit to Royal Botanic Garden in Peradeniya
Optional Activities
- Visit to Embekke Temple
- Visit to Lankathilake Temple
- Visit to Gadaladeniya Temple
Landmarks/POIs Royal Botanic Garden Peradeniya Embekke Temple Lankathilake Temple Gadaladeniya Temple - Day 6
Kandy to Bandarawela
You have two ways to get to Ella from Kandy. The scenic train ride takes you through misty mountains and tea plantations, passing through beautiful hill country. Or you can travel by private vehicle while stopping at a tea plantation to taste Ceylon Tea along the way. Either option gets you to Bandarawela, where you'll notice the cooler hill country climate right away. Your boutique hotel sits on a tea estate, so you'll be surrounded by the plantations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella through misty mountains and tea plantations
- Tea plantation visit
- Ceylon Tea tasting
- Alternative travel by private vehicle
- Day 7
Bandarawela
This is your wellness day in the hills. You can relax at your hotel on the tea estate, or if you feel like exploring, the Ella area offers nice views and walking opportunities. It's a good day to slow down and take in the cool hill country atmosphere without rushing around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relaxation at hotel
- Exploration of Ella area with scenic views
- Day 8
Bandarawela to South Beach
Travel south toward the beach, passing beautiful waterfalls along the way with scenic views to take in during the drive. You'll arrive at your beach destination and check in to your boutique hotel right on the beach, so you're ready to start enjoying the ocean whenever you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Waterfall viewing en route
- Day 9
South Beach
The whole day is yours to relax on the beach with sun, sand, and the sea. If you want something different, you can explore the Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO site filled with colonial buildings, boutique cafes, and restaurants offering fine dining. The fort's architecture and vibe make it a solid cultural experience to combine with your beach time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relaxation on the beach
- Visit to Galle Dutch Fort (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Exploration of colonial buildings within the fort
- Dining and café experiences at the fort
Landmarks/POIs Galle Dutch Fort - Day 10
South Beach to Colombo and Departure
After breakfast with views of the Indian Ocean, head to Colombo for a brief city visit as the final stop on your trip. You'll drive past Galle Face Green and the Old Parliament building to see the commercial capital. Stop at the Dutch Hospital complex for a break to have a beer or snack before continuing to the airport for your departure flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean)
Optional Activities
- Drive by Galle Face Green
- Drive by Old Parliament building
- Visit to Dutch Hospital complex
- Beer or snack at Dutch Hospital complex
Landmarks/POIs Galle Face Green Old Parliament Building Dutch Hospital Complex
