Itinerary
- Day 1
Colombo to Negombo
You'll arrive at Colombo International Airport where an Overa Tours representative meets you. Then it's off to Negombo for a short city tour that covers the fish market, Dutch Fort, Angurukaaramulla Temple with its large reclining Buddha, St. Mary's Church, and other local spots depending on when you land.
Optional Activities
- City tour in Negombo (Fish market, Dutch Fort, Angurukaaramulla Temple, St. Mary's Church)
Landmarks/POIs Negombo Fish Market Dutch Fort, Negombo Angurukaaramulla Temple St. Mary's Church, Negombo - Day 2
Negombo to Sigiriya
After breakfast, you'll drive about 3 hours toward Sigiriya with a stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see the largest captive elephant herd and watch them get fed and bathed. From there, continue on to Sigiriya and walk through the fifth-century rock fortress, a UNESCO site featuring King Kassapa's palace ruins and the ancient lion sculpture entrance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage with daily feeding and bathing times
Landmarks/POIs Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Day 3
Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa and Minneriya Safari
Following breakfast, drive roughly 2 hours to Polonnaruwa and check out this UNESCO World Heritage second capital with 122 hectares of archaeological ruins including the Alahana Pirivena Buddhist University. After lunch, head back to Sigiriya for an afternoon safari at Minineriya National Park where you can spot wild elephants and various bird species.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa archaeological site
- Safari in Minneriya National Park
Landmarks/POIs Polonnaruwa Alahana Pirivena Minneriya National Park - Day 4
Sigiriya to Kandy via Dambulla
You'll drive about 3 hours to Kandy with an en-route visit to Dambulla Golden Cave Temple, a UNESCO site full of Buddhist murals and sculptures from the first century BCE. Reach Kandy by lunch, then explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Upper Lake Drive viewpoint, a Gem Museum, and end with an evening cultural performance showing Kandyan dancers, drummers, and fire-walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
- City tour of Kandy including Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Upper Lake Drive, and Gem Museum
- Cultural performance with Kandyan dancers, drummers, and fire-walking rituals
Landmarks/POIs Dambulla Golden Cave Temple Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Upper Lake Drive, Kandy - Day 5
Kandy to Kitulgala Adventure Sports
Drive to Kitulgala, roughly 2.5 hours away, for a day filled with adventure sports. Start with white water rafting on the Kelani River covering about 5 km and 7 rapids in 40 to 60 minutes. After lunch, try canyoning with jungle trekking, rock sliding, and waterfall jumps, then abseil down the 110-foot Hadunella waterfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- White Water Rafting on Kelani River (approximately 5 km, 7 rapids)
- Canyoning experience with jungle trekking and rock sliding
- Abseiling down Hadunella waterfall (110 feet)
Landmarks/POIs Kelani River Hadunella Waterfall - Day 6
Kitulgala to Nuwara Eliya
You'll travel about 2 hours to Nuwara Eliya, the highland town known as 'Little England' with cool temperatures and green scenery. On the way, visit a tea plantation and factory at 1,868 meters elevation to learn about Ceylon tea production. After lunch, explore Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, and Hakkagala Botanical Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tea plantation and tea factory visit
- City tour of Nuwara Eliya including Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, and Hakkagala Botanical Garden
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya Gregory Lake Hakkagala Botanical Garden - Day 7
Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Drive roughly 2 hours to Ella, a highland town with great views and pleasant weather. Stop by the colonial Nine Arch Railway Bridge, perfect for photos. Following lunch, hike to Ella Rock for panoramic views of tea plantations and valleys (moderate difficulty, takes 4 to 5 hours), passing Rawana Rock and Little Rawana waterfall. End at scenic Rawana Falls, a 90-meter waterfall with a natural pool.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nine Arch Bridge with walking hike
- Hike to Ella Rock
- Visit to Rawana Falls
Landmarks/POIs Demodara Nine Arch Railway Bridge Ella Rock Rawana Falls Rawana Rock Little Rawana Waterfall - Day 8
Ella to Yala via Little Adam's Peak
Start early with a hike to Little Adam's Peak, a pyramid-shaped rock offering views of Ella Rock, Rawana Falls, and surrounding valleys (best done before mist clears). Then drive about 2.5 hours to Yala and explore the Tissamaharama area including Thissamaharama Temple, one of Sri Lanka's four major Buddhist monasteries, and Lake Thissamarama in the natural dry zone.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Little Adam's Peak
- City tour of Tissamaharama
- Visit Thissamaharama Temple
- Lake Thissamarama visit
Landmarks/POIs Little Adam's Peak Thissamaharama Temple Lake Thissamarama - Day 9
Yala National Park Safari to Mirissa
Have a thrilling 3-hour safari in Yala National Park to spot leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, and over 200 bird species. Later, drive about 4 hours to Mirissa and spend the afternoon checking out Mirissa Beach, Parrot Rock Island, coconut tree hills, and the coastal scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Safari in Yala National Park (approximately 3 hours)
- Exploration of Mirissa Beach, Parrot Rock Island, and coastal areas
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park Mirissa Beach Parrot Rock Island - Day 10
Mirissa Beach Leisure Day
Spend a relaxed day at Mirissa Beach with full access to your hotel's facilities and plenty of time to unwind by the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 11
Mirissa to Galle
Drive about 1 hour to Galle and explore the Galle Dutch Fort, a 17th-century colonial structure on a rocky promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean. Learn its history as a Portuguese trading post from 1588, Dutch stronghold until 1729, and British garrison. After lunch, relax at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Galle Dutch Fort
Landmarks/POIs Galle Dutch Fort - Day 12
Galle to Colombo
Travel roughly 1.5 hours to Colombo with stops at Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and a boat ride through Madu River in Balapitiya, where you'll see small islands and mangrove forests with tropical birds and crocodiles. Arrive for a half-day city tour showing Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage mixed with modern architecture, then head to your hotel or airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
- Boat ride in Madu River Balapitiya
- Half-day city tour of Colombo
Landmarks/POIs Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery Madu River
