Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and head to your hotel in Negombo, a coastal city on the west coast. After checking in, you have the evening to settle in and rest up for the days ahead.
Landmarks/POIs Dutch Fort Negombo Lagoon Hamilton Canal St. Mary's Church - Day 2
Negombo to Chilaw
Start with an optional visit to the local fish market before breakfast if you're interested. After eating and checking out, you'll travel to Chilaw with a stop to see toddy tapping and try some locally made toddy, a traditional coconut flower drink. Once you arrive in Chilaw, the rest of your day is open for exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Toddy tapping experience with tasting of locally made toddy
Optional Activities
- Visit to famous local fish market
- Day 3
Chilaw to Anuradhapura via Wilpattu National Park
After breakfast and checkout, you'll head to Anuradhapura with an afternoon wildlife safari at Wilpattu National Park. Your guide will help you spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, buffalo, sambar, and mongoose across the park's natural lakes and woodlands. You'll check in once you reach Anuradhapura, leaving the evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park with professional naturalist
Landmarks/POIs Wilpattu National Park - Day 4
Anuradhapura
Following breakfast, you'll explore Anuradhapura's ancient ruins on a guided bicycle tour. You'll see the sacred old Bo Tree, an important spiritual site for Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and walk through the extensive ruins spread across woodland and park settings with columns and ponds. The afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bicycle tour of Anuradhapura ruins including the sacred old Bo Tree
Landmarks/POIs Anuradhapura Ruins Sacred Bo Tree (Anuradhapura) - Day 5
Anuradhapura to Jaffna
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Jaffna, the Tamil-dominated coastal city in the north. For years it was cut off due to civil war, but now you can explore the Jaffna Peninsula with your guide. You'll visit the ruined dagobas at Kantarodai and the natural underground water well at Nilavarai, where legend says the Hindu God Rama shot an arrow to get water. The rest of your day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Jaffna Peninsula
- Visit to Kantarodai dagobas
Optional Activities
- Visit to Nilavarai underground water well
- Explore Nainativu Island (one of the holiest sites in Sri Lanka for Buddhists and Hindus)
Landmarks/POIs Kantarodai Dagobas Nilavarai Well Nainativu Island - Day 6
Jaffna
You'll have breakfast and free time in the morning to do what you like. In the afternoon, you'll take a guided half-day city tour visiting the colorful Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil Hindu temple, the beautifully restored Jaffna Public Library, and the important Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil temple. That evening, you can try the famous Jaffna crab curry during an Inspiring Taste experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Jaffna crab curry at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided Jaffna city tour
- Visit to Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil
- Visit to Jaffna Public Library
- Visit to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
- Jaffna crab curry tasting experience
Landmarks/POIs Naga Pooshani Amman Kovil Jaffna Public Library Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil - Day 7
Jaffna to Trincomalee
After breakfast and checkout, you'll drive to Trincomalee, a port city on the northeast coast. Once you check in to your hotel, you'll take a guided city tour to get familiar with this coastal area. The rest of your day is free to relax and settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Trincomalee
Optional Activities
- Visit to Trinco British War Cemetery
- Visit to Trinco Harbour
Landmarks/POIs Trinco British War Cemetery Trinco Harbour - Day 8
Trincomalee
After breakfast, you have a full free day ahead. Spend your time on the beach or relaxing at your hotel however you prefer. There's no scheduled activities, so it's yours to enjoy at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Trincomalee to Sigiriya via Minneriya National Park
After breakfast and checkout, you'll travel to Sigiriya with a stop at Minneriya National Park for a wildlife safari. You'll have chances to spot wild Asian elephants during the drive. Once you arrive in Sigiriya and check in, the evening is open for optional activities like visiting the Dambulla Wholesale Market or taking an evening cycle tour through the countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wildlife safari in Minneriya National Park with professional naturalist
Optional Activities
- Visit to Dambulla Wholesale Market (largest fruit and vegetable wholesale market in Sri Lanka)
- Evening Sigiriya Cycle Tour to experience authentic rural life and interact with locals
Landmarks/POIs Minneriya National Park Dambulla Wholesale Market - Day 10
Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
You'll rise early to climb Sigiriya (Lion Rock), one of Sri Lanka's most important historical sites. This rocky outcrop with its ruined palace at the top offers great views, though the climb takes effort. Later, you'll head to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second most ancient kingdom. Your guide will walk you through this archaeological site and you'll visit the museum. Back at your hotel, the rest of your day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
- Guided exploration of Polonnaruwa Ancient City
- Visit to Polonnaruwa archaeological museum
Landmarks/POIs Sigiriya (Lion Rock) Polonnaruwa Ancient City - Day 11
Sigiriya to Kandy via Dambulla
After breakfast and checkout, you'll travel to Kandy with a stop to explore the Dambulla Cave Temple (called the Golden Temple). This World Heritage-listed monastery is the largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka and has been a pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. You'll continue to Kandy, have time to freshen up, then enjoy a cultural show and dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Kandy cultural show and dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit to Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla)
- Kandy cultural show and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla) - Day 12
Kandy
After breakfast, you'll take a guided tour of Kandy, the second largest city and capital of the central hill regions. You'll start at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa), the most important shrine in Sri Lanka with a tooth relic of Buddha. From there, you'll visit a local market to try endemic fruits and chat with shopkeepers. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore further or relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kandy
- Visit to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa)
- Visit to local market with endemic fruit tasting
Landmarks/POIs Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) - Day 13
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Train
After breakfast and checkout, you'll board a train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya at 1800 meters elevation in tea plantation country. The cool climate here was a favorite spot during colonial times, and you'll see remnants in sculpted gardens and manor homes. Once you arrive, you'll have free time before driving to your hotel to settle in and enjoy the mountain air.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Park - Day 14
Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, you'll visit the Pedro Tea Estate, built in 1885 and still featuring some original machinery from the plantation's early days. Your guide will explain tea production as you explore. The rest of your day is yours to spend as you wish, maybe with a relaxing walk through Victoria Park with its mix of wild and sculpted plant life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Pedro Tea Estate
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Victoria Park
Landmarks/POIs Pedro Tea Estate Victoria Park - Day 15
Nuwara Eliya to Yala National Park
After breakfast and checkout, you'll head to Yala National Park for an afternoon guided jeep safari. You'll explore one of Sri Lanka's largest parks with forest, grassland, and lagoons. Watch for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species during your drive. After checking in to your hotel, the evening is free. If Yala is closed, you'll visit Bundala National Park instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Afternoon guided jeep safari in Yala National Park with professional naturalist
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park Bundala National Park - Day 16
Yala National Park
Early morning, you'll head out on a wildlife safari in Yala to spot leopards in trees, crocodiles by the river, and wild elephants grazing. It's a chance to see anything you might have missed the day before. You'll return to your hotel to refresh, then take an afternoon safari with photography opportunities. The rest of your day is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning guided jeep safari in Yala National Park with professional naturalist
- Afternoon guided jeep safari in Yala National Park with wildlife photography
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park - Day 17
Yala to Galle
After breakfast and checkout, you'll travel to Galle, a well-preserved colonial township on the southwest coast. The architecture blends European style with South Asian traditions. Once you check in to your hotel, you'll take a late afternoon walk around the iconic Galle Fort. Your guide will lead you through winding passageways and narrow gallery-filled streets, sharing 400 years of history. The fort was originally built by the Portuguese in 1588 and heavily fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. The evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Galle Fort
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fort - Day 18
Departure from Galle
After breakfast and checkout, you'll transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport to board your flight home, ending your Sri Lanka journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
