Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
You'll land at Colombo airport where your tour leader meets you for a 20-minute drive to Negombo. The rest of the day is yours to do as you like. Head to the beach and pool at your hotel, or walk around the coastal town at your own pace. When evening comes around, take a stroll along the shoreline to catch the sunset.
Optional Activities
- Negombo Lagoon Tour - boat ride through mangroves with views of birdlife and local fishermen
Landmarks/POIs Negombo Lagoon - Day 2
Negombo to Dambulla/Sigiriya
After breakfast, you'll travel through the Sri Lankan countryside toward Dambulla. First stop is the Millennium Elephant Foundation where you can interact with elephants in a responsible, conservation-focused setting. From there, Sigiriya is next with a Cultural Village Tour that includes a bullock cart ride, canoe ride, and traditional lunch. By afternoon, you'll climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress to see ancient frescoes and take in the panoramic views.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or coffee), Lunch (Traditional lunch served on lotus leaves at Cultural Village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Millennium Elephant Foundation - guided walks and feeding experiences with elephants
- Cultural Village Tour - bullock cart ride, canoe ride on scenic lake, and traditional lunch on lotus leaves
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress visit - UNESCO World Heritage Site, 200-meter climb with ancient frescoes and royal palace ruins
Landmarks/POIs Millennium Elephant Foundation Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Day 3
Polonnaruwa and Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park
After breakfast, you'll cycle through Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 1070. Check out the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara's Buddha statues, and Vatadage temple. In the afternoon, a 4x4 jeep safari takes you through Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park to see wild elephants in their natural environment, especially baby elephants at sunset by the lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City - UNESCO World Heritage Site cycle tour including Royal Palace, Gal Vihara, and Vatadage temple
- Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park 4x4 Jeep Safari - wildlife observation including wild elephants
Optional Activities
- Ayurvedic Herbal massage at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Polonnaruwa Ancient City Gal Vihara Minneriya National Park - Day 4
Dambulla to Kandy
After breakfast, you'll visit the Royal Cave Temple at Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing hundreds of Buddha statues and religious frescoes. Next, the Matale Herbal Garden gives you a chance to learn about Sri Lankan medicinal plants. You'll arrive in Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most revered sites. That evening, a vibrant Cultural Dance Show features traditional Kandyan dances, drumming, and fire-walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Royal Cave Temple Dambulla - UNESCO World Heritage Site with Buddha statues and religious frescoes
- Matale Herbal Garden - discovery of medicinal plants with tastings and demonstrations
- Temple of the Tooth Relic - UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered Buddhist temple with lakeside complex and intricate architecture
- Cultural Dance Show - vibrant performance of traditional Kandyan dances, drumming, and fire-walking
Landmarks/POIs Royal Cave Temple Dambulla Matale Herbal Garden Temple of the Tooth Relic - Day 5
Kandy
After breakfast, you'll see the Gem Museum to explore Sri Lanka's sapphire and ruby heritage and learn about jewelry craftsmanship. Then you'll head to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, one of Asia's largest with over 4,000 plant species including orchids and medicinal herbs. The day wraps up at Kandy View Point for panoramic city views that include Kandy Lake and surrounding hills.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Gem Museum - displays of sapphires, rubies, and insights into gem mining and jewelry craftsmanship
- Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden - guided stroll through Asia's largest botanical garden with 4,000+ plant species
- Kandy View Point - panoramic views of the city, Kandy Lake, and surrounding hills
Landmarks/POIs Gem Museum Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden Kandy View Point Kandy Lake - Day 6
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, you'll travel through lush mountains and valleys toward Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's tea region known as 'Little England' for its colonial architecture. Along the way, you'll stop at scenic viewpoints and waterfalls. You'll visit a Tea Factory and Plantation to learn about Ceylon tea production methods and sample various teas surrounded by rolling green landscapes. Later in the afternoon, walk through Nuwara Eliya city center and the fruit and vegetable market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tea Plantation and Factory Visit - witnessing Ceylon tea production from leaf to cup, traditional tea-making methods, and tastings
- Nuwara Eliya city center walk - colonial architecture exploration and fruit and vegetable market
Landmarks/POIs Tea Plantations Nuwara Eliya - Day 7
Nuwara Eliya to Ella
After breakfast, you'll board one of the world's most scenic train rides from Nanu-Oya station to Ella village. The journey passes through misty hills, tea plantations, and forested landscapes with views of valleys, waterfalls, and quaint villages. When you arrive in Ella, you'll visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era engineering marvel set in lush greenery with excellent hiking and photography opportunities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stunning Train Ride from Nanu-Oya to Ella - renowned scenic journey through tea plantations, forests, and mountains
- Nine Arch Bridge - colonial-era engineering marvel with surrounding hiking paths and photo opportunities
Landmarks/POIs Nine Arch Bridge Ella - Day 8
Ella to Yala/Thissamaharama
On the way to Yala National Park, you'll stop at Ravana Waterfall near Ella for a quick photo. An evening 4x4 jeep safari takes you through Yala National Park, famous for leopard sightings. You'll explore the park's diverse wildlife including elephants and spotted deer during this thrilling nature experience.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Ravana Waterfall visit - scenic waterfall viewing and photo opportunity
- Yala National Park 4x4 Jeep Safari - evening wildlife safari with potential leopard sightings and diverse animal encounters
Landmarks/POIs Ravana Waterfall Yala National Park - Days 9 - 10
Yala/Thissamaharama to Mirissa/Weligama
You'll travel through coconut palms, mountains, and waterfalls to reach the beaches of Mirissa and Weligama. At your beachfront hotel, relax on the white sands with a cocktail or beer under palm trees. At dawn the next morning, join a whale-watching tour to spot blue whales, dolphins, and other marine life in their natural habitat.
- Meals
- Dinner, Dinner
Included Activities
- Relax on the Beach - white sand beaches with palm trees at tropical beachfront resort
Optional Activities
- Whale-Watching Tour - seasonal activity to spot blue whales, dolphins, and marine life
Landmarks/POIs Mirissa Beach Weligama Beach - Day 11
Mirissa/Weligama to Bentota via Galle
An afternoon drive takes you to Galle, where you'll walk through the 16th-century Galle Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site blending Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture with charming cobblestone streets. See the historic Galle Lighthouse on the southeast tip and explore the fort's cafes, galleries, and landmarks. Later, visit the Turtle Hatchery Center to learn about sea turtle conservation. You'll finish with a relaxing boat ride through serene Madu River among mangroves and small islands, spotting birds and monitor lizards while learning about the local cinnamon industry. Evening brings beach or pool relaxation at your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Galle Fortress - 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site with Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial architecture
- Galle Lighthouse - historic lighthouse on the southeast tip of the fortress
- Turtle Hatchery Center - observation and learning about sea turtles at various developmental stages
- Madu River boat ride - serene journey through mangroves with wildlife viewing including birds and monitor lizards
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fortress Galle Lighthouse Turtle Hatchery Center Madu River - Day 12
Bentota to Colombo (Departure)
After breakfast, you'll take a Colombo City Tour visiting places like the Red Mosque, Gangarama Temple, and Independence Square. Then you'll head to the airport in time for your return flight, or return to your hotel in Colombo or Negombo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Colombo City Tour - visit Red Mosque, Gangarama Temple, Independence Square, and other highlighted city attractions
Landmarks/POIs Red Mosque Gangarama Temple Independence Square
