Day 1
Negombo
Arrive and rest by the sea, 20 minutes from the airport.
1 night in Negombo
Sri Lanka · Sample journey
Sri Lanka: rock, tea and coast
The rock fortress of Sigiriya, the Temple of the Tooth, the train through the tea hills, leopards in Yala and the old fort at Galle.
- Length
- 12 nights
- Best time
- December to April
- Price
- On request
Sigiriya
The journey
The island in a loop
This route covers the whole of the island's classic circuit without long days in the car. It starts with three nights in the Cultural Triangle, climbs into the hills by way of Kandy, takes the train to Ella, and descends to the south coast.
It finishes in Galle, inside the walls of the 17th-century Dutch fort, two and a half hours from the airport.
Route: Negombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Galle
Day by day
How the days run
A sample plan. Driving times are approximate.
Days 2–4
Sigiriya
Climb Sigiriya early, before the heat. The cave temples of Dambulla, and Polonnaruwa by bicycle.
3 nights near Sigiriya
Days 5–6
Kandy
The Temple of the Tooth at the evening ceremony, the botanical gardens at Peradeniya and a tea museum.
2 nights in Kandy
Days 7–8
Nuwara Eliya
Into the tea country. A morning on a working estate and a walk on Horton Plains.
2 nights in a tea planter's bungalow
Day 9
Ella
The train from Nanu Oya to Ella, the most scenic stretch of the line. Afternoon walk to Little Adam's Peak.
1 night in Ella
Days 10–11
Yala
Two jeep safaris in Yala National Park, which has one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere.
2 nights near Yala
Day 12
Galle
Walk the ramparts of Galle Fort at sunset.
1 night in Galle
Day 13
Departure
Drive to Colombo airport, about two and a half hours.
Included
- All hotels in the room category you choose, with breakfast
- A private air-conditioned car and driver for the whole trip
- English-speaking local guides for the sightseeing in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for guided visits
- Airport meet and greet, and all transfers
- A contact who knows your trip, reachable day and night
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (essential)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
Make it yours
- Add four nights on the beach at the end
- Swap the south for the east coast from May to September
- Add Ayurveda at a coastal retreat
The destination
Before you go to Sri Lanka
Best time to visit, visas, money and local customs.
Plan my journey
Request a quote for this journey
Every trip is priced for your dates, hotels and group size. Tell us when and who is travelling, and we reply within 24 hours.