Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll arrive at the airport and get transferred to your hotel in Negombo. After you check in, you're heading out on a boat through the mangrove forests to look for local wildlife like water birds and fishermen working the water. Then it's dinner and your first night to settle in.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Mangrove boat tour to observe local wildlife and fishermen
Landmarks/POIs Mangrove Forests - Day 2
Kandy to Habarana
Following breakfast, you'll go to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where you can watch rescued elephants being bathed and fed. From there, you'll head to the Golden Temple of Dambulla to see its five cave temples with over 150 Buddha statues inside. Next on the list is climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress to check out ancient frescoes, paintings, and water gardens. Wrap up with dinner and overnight in Habarana.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage tour - watch elephants bathing and being fed
- Golden Temple of Dambulla (Dambulla Cave Temple) visit - UNESCO World Heritage site with five cave temples
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress exploration - frescoes, paintings, water gardens, and historic remains
Landmarks/POIs Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Golden Temple of Dambulla Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Day 3
Polonnaruwa
This morning you'll head to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO site that served as an ancient capital from the 11th to 13th centuries. Walking through the ruins, you'll come across the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara with its four large Buddha statues, and the Rankoth Vihara stupa. You can go on foot or by bicycle, taking your time to see the architecture and artistic work. After exploring, you're heading back to Habarana for dinner and the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Polonnaruwa UNESCO World Heritage Site tour - Royal Palace, Gal Vihara, and Rankoth Vihara stupa exploration
Optional Activities
- Bicycle tour of Polonnaruwa ruins
Landmarks/POIs Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara Rankoth Vihara - Day 4
Anuradhapura and Mihintale
You'll transfer to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first ancient capital and another UNESCO site. There you'll tour the ruins and monuments from the third century BC, learning about temples and stupas while getting into the history. Next stop is Mihintale, a historic pilgrimage site where Buddhism came to Sri Lanka. Climbing to the summit, you'll see ancient stupas and temples with nice views from up there. Finish the day with dinner in Dambulla.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Anuradhapura UNESCO World Heritage Site tour - ancient temples, stupas, and structures
- Mihintale pilgrimage site visit - ancient stupas, temples, and monasteries with summit views
Landmarks/POIs Anuradhapura Mihintale - Day 5
Kandy
After breakfast, you're visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO site and one of the world's most famous Buddhist temples. You'll stay for the evening puja ceremony to have a spiritual experience. Take a casual walk around Kandy Lake in the city center for the views. The Royal Botanical Gardens come next with their plant and flower collections. Head to Kandy View Point to see the whole city, then catch a cultural dance show with traditional music and performances. Dinner and overnight in Kandy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) visit - UNESCO heritage site with evening puja ceremony
- Kandy Lake leisurely stroll
- Royal Botanical Gardens visit - 147 acres with trees, plants, and flowers from around the world
- Kandy View Point visit - panoramic city and surroundings views
- Traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance and music performance
Landmarks/POIs Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy Lake Royal Botanical Gardens Kandy View Point - Day 6
Kandy to Ella via Nuwara Eliya
Leaving Kandy, you're heading to Nuwara Eliya, a hill town in tea country. You'll visit a tea factory and estate to learn how tea gets made from growing to processing, and you'll taste black, green, and white teas. Along the way, there's a stop at Ramboda Waterfalls to see the 109-meter drop and the green hills around it. Later, you'll spend time at Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya for a quiet walk with hills all around. End with dinner and overnight in Ella.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tea Factory and Tea Estate tour - tea production process and tea tasting
- Ramboda Waterfalls visit - viewpoints and surrounding tea farms
- Gregory Lake visit - lake walk and surrounding hills
Optional Activities
- Tea purchase from estate shop
- Boat trip on Gregory Lake
Landmarks/POIs Tea Factory and Tea Estate Ramboda Waterfalls Gregory Lake - Day 7
Ella to Udawalawe
Starting after breakfast, you're going to see a waterfall tucked in the forest, then exploring Ravana's Cave where legend says the demon king Ravana hid Princess Sita. Hiking to Little Adam's Peak gives you scenic views of the hills and valleys nearby. The Nine Arch Bridge is an engineering feat in the central highlands connecting Ella and Demodara stations, and you can walk across it or catch it from a passing train. Later, you'll take a safari in Udawalawe National Park to spot elephants, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Transfer to Udawalawe for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Waterfall visit in Ella
- Ravana's Cave exploration
- Little Adam's Peak scenic hike
- Nine Arch Bridge visit - historic engineering landmark
- Udawalawe National Park safari tour - wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Train ride passing over Nine Arch Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Ravana's Cave Little Adam's Peak Nine Arch Bridge Udawalawe National Park - Day 8
Colombo
After breakfast, you're transferring to Colombo, Sri Lanka's main capital city. On a guided tour, you'll see the city's attractions including historical buildings, cultural sites, and busy markets. Check out the historic city center with its unique architecture, the Gangaramaya Temple, the bustling Pettah market, and Independence Square. Dinner and overnight in Colombo wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Colombo guided city tour - historical buildings, cultural attractions, and marketplaces
- Historic city center tour - distinctive architecture
- Gangaramaya Temple visit
- Pettah market visit
- Independence Square visit
Landmarks/POIs Gangaramaya Temple Pettah Market Independence Square - Day 9
Departure from Colombo
After breakfast, your Sri Lanka trip comes to an end. You've covered ground from ancient ruins to green hills, spotted wildlife in natural settings, and experienced the island. You're heading home with memories from what you've seen and done here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
