Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Colombo to Kegalle
You'll arrive at Colombo International Airport where someone meets you for the drive to Kegalle. The first stop is Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where you get to see baby elephants bathing in the river and can participate in the bath experience yourself. After checking into your hotel, there's an evening briefing covering what's coming up tomorrow.
- Start point
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (Safari & Nature Trails of Sri Lanka )
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Participate in elephant bath and shower experience
- Evening itinerary briefing with guide
Landmarks/POIs Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - Day 2
Kegalle to Sigiriya via Dambulla
Following breakfast, you'll travel to Dambulla and tour the Golden Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five rock caves containing over 150 Buddha statues and ancient murals. From there, you head to Sigiriya to climb the iconic 5th century rock fortress. You'll see the Lion's Paw entrance, walk past ancient frescoes and the Mirror Wall, then reach the summit for the views. A local wood carving workshop visit happens before you settle in at your Sigiriya hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Golden Temple of Dambulla (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore five rock caves with Buddha statues and murals
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Explore Lion's Paw entrance
- View ancient frescoes of Sigiriya Maidens
- Explore Mirror Wall and gardens
- Visit local wood carving workshop
Landmarks/POIs Golden Temple of Dambulla Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Day 3
Village Experience & Pidurangala Rock
Start the day with an optional elephant ride around Sigiriya if you're interested. Then you'll head to Hiriwadunna Village for an authentic local experience including bullock cart rides through paddy fields and areas where vegetables grow. Traditional Sri Lankan lunch uses ingredients grown right there in the village. Later, you'll climb Pidurangala Rock to visit an ancient Buddhist monastery and get a different perspective of Sigiriya Rock from the summit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Sri Lankan lunch with rice and locally grown vegetable curries), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Hiriwadunna Village
- Bullock cart ride through village
- Boat ride across Hiriwadunna Lake
- Walk through paddy fields and vegetable cultivation areas
- Enjoy traditional Sri Lankan lunch
- Visit Pidurangala Rock and Buddhist monastery
- Climb to Pidurangala summit for views
Optional Activities
- Elephant ride around scenic area near Sigiriya Rock
Landmarks/POIs Hiriwadunna Village Pidurangala Rock - Day 4
Sigiriya to Habarana via Minneriya National Park Safari
An early departure takes you to Minneriya National Park for a wildlife safari where Asian elephant herds gather in large numbers. You'll watch elephants graze on grasslands and come to Minneriya Lake. A jungle-style lunch surrounded by nature happens during the safari. In the afternoon, head to Habarana National Park for a half-day game drive where you might spot elephants, spotted deer, and bird species. Evening brings you back to your hotel to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Sri Lankan lunch in the jungle), Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day safari at Minneriya National Park
- Witness Asian elephant gathering
- Jungle-style lunch during safari
- Half-day game drive at Habarana National Park
- Wildlife spotting including elephants, spotted deer, and bird species
Landmarks/POIs Minneriya National Park Habarana National Park - Day 5
Sigiriya to Anuradhapura via Avukana Buddha Statue
After breakfast, you'll depart for Anuradhapura with a stop at the Avukana Buddha Statue, the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka carved from a single granite rock in the 5th century. Then explore Anuradhapura's UNESCO-listed ruins and eight sacred Buddhist sites, including the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the world's oldest recorded tree. By afternoon, you're at Mihintale where Buddhism came to Sri Lanka. Climb to the hilltop meditation rock for panoramic views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Avukana Buddha Statue
- Explore Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (world's oldest recorded tree)
- Visit Ruwanweliseya Dagoba
- Visit Thuparamaya Dagoba
- Explore Abhayagiri and Jetavanarama Monasteries
- Visit Isurumuniya Temple and rock carvings
- Explore Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)
- Visit Mirisaveti Stupa
- Visit Lankarama
- Visit Mihintale mountain and Aradhana Gala meditation rock
- Climb to Mihintale hilltop for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Avukana Buddha Statue Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Ruwanweliseya Dagoba Thuparamaya Abhayagiri Dagaba Jetavanarama Isurumuniya Temple Lovamahapaya Mirisaveti Stupa Lankarama Mihintale - Day 6
Anuradhapura to Kandy via Matale
You'll leave after breakfast heading for Kandy, stopping in Matale to walk through its famous spice gardens. The drive continues through countryside with misty peaks and tea plantations leading to Kandy, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. An evening cultural show displays traditional Sri Lankan performances and heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Matale Spice Gardens
- Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
- Explore Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake)
- Cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan performances
Landmarks/POIs Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy Lake - Day 7
Kandy
Your morning starts at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, established in 1843 across 147 acres with over 4,000 plant species like orchids and medicinal plants. You'll walk around peaceful Kandy Lake with mountain views surrounding it. In the afternoon, you can explore gem shops to look at and buy Sri Lankan gemstones that are mined and cut by skilled artisans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya
- Explore National Herbarium and historic plant collections
- Stroll around Kandy Lake
- Explore gem shopping areas
Optional Activities
- Purchase Sri Lankan gemstones
Landmarks/POIs Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya Kandy Lake - Day 8
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Train to Ella
After breakfast, you're driving through fog-covered mountains with views of tea estates toward Nuwara Eliya. A stop at Ramboda Falls lets you see this waterfall surrounded by green mountains. You'll visit a Ceylon tea factory to learn how tea gets produced. In the afternoon, head to Nanuoya Railway Station to catch the scenic 3:30 pm train to Ella. This train ride passes through lush forests, tea plantations, and mist-covered mountains. You'll arrive in Ella during the evening and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ramboda Falls
- Visit Ceylon tea factory and plantation
- Train ride from Nanuoya to Ella
Landmarks/POIs Ramboda Falls Nanuoya Railway Station - Day 9
Nuwara Eliya via Ella to Tissamaharama
An early hike takes you to Little Adam's Peak for panoramic views of Ella Gap and surrounding valleys. You'll see the famous Nine Arch Bridge, an iconic railway bridge set in jungle. Demodara Railway Station comes next where you can see its unique loop track with the train passing under itself through a tunnel. Stop at the beautiful Ravana Waterfall for a peaceful break. If you want adventure, try the Flying Raven zip line over Ella's hills. By afternoon, you're driving to Tissamaharama and checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Little Adam's Peak
- Visit Nine Arch Bridge
- Visit Demodara Railway Station and loop
- Visit Ravana Waterfall
Optional Activities
- Flying Raven Adventure zip line experience
Landmarks/POIs Little Adam's Peak Nine Arch Bridge Demodara Railway Station Ravana Waterfall - Day 10
Yala National Park Safari
You'll set out early for a full-day game drive at Yala National Park, which has the world's highest density of Sri Lankan leopards. The different ecosystems including forests, grasslands, and lagoons let you spot leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and over 130 bird species. A traditional Sri Lankan lunch happens during your safari surrounded by wildlife and greenery. Watch for painted storks, peacocks, monkeys, and sea turtles in coastal areas. Return to your Tissamaharama hotel to relax after the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Sri Lankan lunch during safari), Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day game drive at Yala National Park
- Wildlife spotting including leopards, elephants, and crocodiles
- Birdwatching (over 130 bird species)
- Traditional Sri Lankan lunch during safari
Landmarks/POIs Yala National Park - Day 11
Elephant Transit Home & National Park
You're transferring to Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri Lanka's most important protected areas. At the Elephant Transit Home, a conservation center, you'll watch approximately 20 to 30 juvenile elephants being fed at 10:30 am, 2:30 pm, and 6:00 pm. This experience shows how the center rehabilitates elephants separated from their herds. Later, a game drive through Udawalawe lets you spot Sri Lankan elephants in their habitat, plus water buffalo, crocodiles, and bird species. Return to your hotel near Udawalawe to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Elephant Transit Home
- Observe baby elephants being fed
- Game drive through Udawalawe National Park
- Wildlife spotting including elephants, water buffalo, and crocodiles
Landmarks/POIs Elephant Transit Home Udawalawe National Park - Day 12
Udawalawe to Unawatuna via Mirissa
After breakfast, you're traveling about 5 hours to Mirissa, a coastal town where whale and dolphin sightings happen. Stop at Weligama to see the traditional stilt fishing method where fishermen balance on single poles planted in the seabed, a tradition from after World War II. The best viewing is at dawn, noon, or dusk. Then relax at Mirissa Beach in the turquoise waters or on the sandy shore. Evening brings you back to your hotel in Unawatuna for rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Mirissa coastal town
- Witness traditional stilt fishing at Weligama
- Learn about stilt fishing tradition
- Enjoy Mirissa Beach with sea bath
Landmarks/POIs Weligama Mirissa Beach - Day 13
Ambalangoda
After breakfast, you're heading to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. You'll explore its blend of European architecture and South Asian traditions. Visit a Spices Garden to learn about Sri Lanka's spice cultivation heritage. Stop at Meetiyagoda moonstone mines to see mining and shop for semi-precious gemstones. Ambalangoda has a Mask Factory and Museum showing centuries-old mask-making. A Madu Ganga Safari takes you through mangrove forests past 64 islands with diverse ecosystems. Castle Farm in Ahungalla shows agricultural activities like coconut plantations. Return to your Ambalangoda hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore Spices Garden
- Visit Meetiyagoda moonstone mines
- Observe moonstone mining process
- Visit Ambalangoda Mask Factory and Museum
- Madu Ganga Safari through mangrove forests
- Visit Castle Farm in Ahungalla
- Learn about coconut plantations and local farming
Optional Activities
- Whale and dolphin watching at 6:30 am
Landmarks/POIs Galle Fort Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine Ambalangoda Madu Ganga - Day 14
Departure from Ambalangoda to Colombo Airport
Your final morning at Ambalangoda includes a leisurely breakfast. Take time to reflect on your two weeks of experiences. Transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport with ample time for check-in according to your flight schedule. Scenic views accompany your journey to the airport. The tour concludes as you board your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport
