Itinerary
- Day 1
Colombo
You'll arrive at Colombo International Airport and get transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day opens up for exploring the city. Head to Pettah to see the bustling port area, then move through Cinnamon Gardens which has that elegant colonial feel. Galle Face Green is worth a walk around, and Viharamahadevi Park gives you some green space to wander through. It's a good way to get your bearings and see different parts of Colombo without rushing.
- Start point
- Katunayaka, Gampaha, Sri Lanka (Pick up at Colombo Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pegasus Reef), Hotel (Cinnamon Lakeside)
Included Activities
- Colombo City Tour
- Visit to Pettah port
- Cinnamon Gardens tour
- Galle Face Green Square
- Viharamahadevi Park
Landmarks Galle Face Green Square Viharamahadevi Park Cinnamon Gardens Pettah Port - Day 2
Colombo to Sigiriya/Habarana
After breakfast you'll head to Ridi Viharaya Silver Temple, which has an impressive 9-meter reclining Buddha figure. You'll spend some time walking around the area before driving to Dambulla. The cave temple complex there has over 150 Buddha images spread throughout, and you'll see a colossal 14-meter rock-carved Buddha carved directly into the stone. By afternoon you'll transfer to your hotel in either Sigiriya or Habarana and settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sigiriya Village), Hotel (Habarana Village), Hotel (Cinnamon Lodge)
Included Activities
- Visit Ridi Viharaya (Silver Temple)
- Trek in Ridi Viharaya area
- Dambulla Cave Temple complex tour
- Visit five caves with Buddhist frescoes and statues
Landmarks Ridi Viharaya (Silver Temple) Dambulla Cave Temple - Day 3
Sigiriya/Habarana
Starting with breakfast, you'll head to Sigiriya Rock and climb up the 200-meter height to see the 5th-century royal citadel ruins. The lion-shaped entrance marks the way, and the ancient frescoes like the 'heavenly maidens' are interesting to see up close. After coming back down, you'll drive through jungle terrain toward Polonnaruwa, the ancient city. There you'll check out the Royal Palace ruins, Gal Viharaya with its three Buddha statues, the Audience Hall, Lotus Bath, and the statue of King Para Kramabahu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sigiriya Village), Hotel (Habarana Village), Hotel (Cinnamon Lodge)
Included Activities
- Sigiriya Rock climb and citadel ruins tour
- View heavenly maidens frescoes
- Polonnaruwa ancient city tour
- Royal Palace ruins visit
- Gal Viharaya temple visit
- Audience Hall
- Lotus Bath
- King Para Kramabahu statue
Landmarks Sigiriya Rock Polonnaruwa Ancient City Gal Viharaya - Day 4
Sigiriya/Habarana to Kandy
After breakfast you'll drive to Matale and visit the Spice Garden to learn how Sri Lanka produces spices. You'll have herbal tea there before grabbing lunch at a local restaurant. Then it's on to Kandy. In the evening there's a Sinhalese dance performance to watch, which gives you a taste of local culture and entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Royal Kandyan), Hotel (Cinnamon Citadel), Hotel (Grand Kandyan)
Included Activities
- Matale Spice Garden visit
- Learn about Sri Lanka spice production
- Herbal tea tasting
- Sinhalese dance performance in Kandy
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant (available at extra cost)
Landmarks Matale Spice Garden - Day 5
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Starting with breakfast, you'll see Kandy's main sites including the Temple of the Buddha's Tooth, the palace, and the artificial lake that sits right in the city surrounded by greenery. From there you'll transfer to a tea plantation and factory, stopping for lunch during the drive. You'll tour how tea gets processed and taste authentic Ceylon tea. Then the road takes you through rolling tea-covered highlands up to Nuwara Eliya, a colonial village with British-era architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Araliya Red), Hotel (Araliya Green Hills), Hotel (Araliya Green City)
Included Activities
- Tour of Kandy city attractions
- Temple of the Buddha's Tooth visit
- Palace and gardens visit
- Tea plantation and factory tour
- Ceylon tea tasting
- View of Ravana waterfall
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant en route (available at extra cost)
Landmarks Temple of the Buddha's Tooth Kandy Lake Ravana Waterfall - Day 6
Nuwara Eliya to Yala/Tissamaharama
After breakfast you'll drive through the Central Highlands toward Ella, with views of the wild Ravana waterfall along the way. You'll have lunch during the drive, then continue to Yala National Park. A 2-3 hour safari in a basic non-air-conditioned Jeep gets you out spotting wildlife like elephants, wild boars, buffaloes, leopards, deer, bears, crocodiles, and various bird species if you're lucky.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Chaarya Resort & Spa), Hotel (Cinnamon Wild)
Included Activities
- Drive through Central Highlands
- Yala National Park safari (approximately 2-3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant en route (available at extra cost)
Landmarks Ravana Waterfall Yala National Park - Day 7
Yala/Tissamaharama to Beach Area
After breakfast you'll travel down the coast to Weligama to watch traditional stilt fishermen at work. They use nets attached to stakes that extend 20-50 meters into the sea, a method that's been done there for generations. Then you'll go to historic Galle and walk through the UNESCO-listed fortress that the Portuguese built originally. Dutch colonial buildings are scattered throughout including a church, old hospital, and governor's residence. Later you'll transfer to your beach hotel on the southeast coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Palms), Hotel (Hikka Tranz By Cinnamon), Hotel (Cinnamon Bey)
Included Activities
- Weligama traditional stilt fishing observation
- Galle Fortress visit
- Explore Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture in Galle
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant en route (available at extra cost)
Landmarks Weligama Galle Fortress - Day 8
Beach Area to Colombo
You'll have breakfast at the hotel and then get transferred to Colombo Airport for your flight home.
- End point
- Katunayaka, Gampaha, Sri Lanka (Drop off at Colombo Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
