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Private Tour · Tour No. 005

Explore Sri Lanka

9 nights / 10 days Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Colombo

From $1,250 per person, all inclusive
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Palm trees leaning over a quiet stretch of Sri Lankan coastline
Duration
10 days
Stay
3/4 star hotels · Breakfast
Transport
Private A/C car
Best time
November – April

North to south, in ten days

Tour highlights

  • Negombo BeachRelax on the golden shores of Negombo.
  • Negombo Fish Market & CitySee the morning catch come in.
  • HabaranaYour base in the Cultural Triangle.
  • Minneriya National ParkWitness elephants in their natural habitat.
  • Anuradhapura (UNESCO Heritage)The island's first great royal capital.
  • Sri Maha Bodhi TreeThe oldest recorded tree in the world.
  • Ruwanweliseya StupaOne of Anuradhapura's great white stupas.
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO Heritage)Conquer the iconic Lion Rock Fortress.
  • Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage)Marvel at Sri Lanka's finest cave sanctuary.
  • Spices Garden and DemonstrationsImmerse yourself in the aromas of Ceylon spices.
  • Temple of the Tooth (UNESCO Heritage)Discover the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka.
  • Kandy Cultural ShowWitness Sri Lanka's vibrant cultural heritage.
  • Kandy Kingdom HighlightsWalk the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings.
  • Sri Lankan Gem Process (Technical Visit)How Ceylon gems are cut and polished.
  • Silk and Batik Process (Technical Visit)Watch batik patterns take shape by hand.
  • Train Ride to Ella (Subject to availability)A famous scenic climb through the tea country.
  • Nuwara Eliya (Little England City)Colonial cottages in the cool hill country.
  • Tea LandsGreen terraces as far as you can see.
  • Victoria ParkA quiet green corner of Nuwara Eliya.
  • Gregory LakeStroll the lakeside at the heart of town.
  • Nuwara Eliya HighlightsMore of the hill country, at your own pace.
  • Ella HighlandsMisty peaks and long mountain views.
  • Little Adam's PeakA short climb for a wide valley view.
  • World Famous Nine Arches BridgeA stone viaduct deep in the jungle.
  • Ravana WaterfallA roadside stop on the descent from the hills.
  • YALA National Park Jeep SafariThe world's highest density of leopards.
  • Galle Ancient CityThe colonial city inside the ramparts.
  • Galle Dutch Fort (UNESCO Heritage)Ramparts built to face the Indian Ocean.
  • Dutch Light HouseGalle's landmark on the fort wall.
  • Old Dutch HospitalColonial arcades, now shops and cafes.
  • Hikkaduwa BeachUnwind on Sri Lanka's vibrant southern coast.
  • Diving (Optional)Go below the surface off Hikkaduwa.
  • Snorkeling (Optional)Coral and fish a short swim out.
  • Coral Reef Boat Trip (Optional)See the reef without getting wet.
  • River Boat SafariMangrove channels and island temples.
  • Colombo Capital CityWhere colonial history meets a modern skyline.
  • Gangarama TempleA working temple in the heart of the city.
  • Lotus Tower (South Asia's Tallest Tower)The city skyline from the top.
  • Fort City BeachA fresh stretch of seafront in the city.
  • Galle Face GreenKites, street food and the sunset.
  • Colombo City tourThe capital, explored at your own pace.

Your route, at a glance

  1. Negombo
  2. Dambulla
  3. Sigiriya
  4. Anuradhapura
  5. Kandy
  6. Nuwara Eliya
  7. Ella
  8. Yala
  9. Galle
  10. Hikkaduwa
  11. Colombo
  12. Airport

Nothing here is fixed

Day by day

A proven route, written out in full. Tell us what to add, swap or slow down and we'll rebuild it around you.

Day 1

Arrival & Negombo beach

Morning
Arrival, and meet your guide at Colombo airport.
Midday
Negombo city highlights, then transfer to the beach hotel.
Afternoon
Relax and unwind after the flight.
Overnight Negombo Hotel Goldi Sands Drive time approx. 30 mins
Sun loungers and an umbrella on quiet golden sand beside the sea

Day 2

Dambulla Cave Temple and a Minneriya safari

Morning
Negombo fish market, then start travelling to Habarana.
En-route
Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage).
Afternoon
Minneriya National Park safari, famous for its herds of elephants.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock Drive time approx. 3 hrs
The white colonnaded facade of the Dambulla cave temple complex set into the rock face

Day 3

Sigiriya and Anuradhapura — two UNESCO sites

Early morning
Sigiriya Lion Rock Kingdom (UNESCO World Heritage).
Afternoon
Anuradhapura Kingdom (UNESCO World Heritage).
Evening
Return to the Habarana hotel.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock Drive time approx. 3 hrs
The white dome of the Ruwanwelisaya stupa at Anuradhapura against a clear sky

Day 4

The Kandy kingdom

Morning
Travel to the Kandy kingdom.
En-route
Sri Lankan spices and herbal garden.
Afternoon
Check in at the Kandy hotel.
Evening
Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO) and the Kandy cultural dance show.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra Drive time approx. 2 hrs
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, its white walls reflected in the lake

Day 5

A scenic drive to Nuwara Eliya through the tea lands

Morning
Sri Lankan gem process (technical visit), then travel to Nuwara Eliya through the scenic tea lands.
En-route
Sri Lankan tea process and plucking experience (technical visit).
Afternoon
Ramboda waterfall, Nuwara Eliya's “Little England” city highlights and Gregory Lake.
Overnight Nuwara Eliya Hotel Araliya Green Hills Drive time approx. 3 hrs
Contoured rows of tea bushes covering the hillsides of Sri Lanka’s hill country

Day 6

The iconic train ride, Ella highlands and on to Yala

Morning
The iconic train ride to the Ella highlands.
Midday
The Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam's Peak and Ella highlights.
Afternoon
Continue to Yala, stopping at Ravana waterfall.
Evening
Arrive and check in at the Yala hotel.
Overnight Yala Hotel Hotel Elephant Reach Drive time approx. 3 hrs + train
A blue train crossing a viaduct through tea country on the Kandy to Ella line

Day 7

Yala safari, Galle ancient city and Hikkaduwa

Early morning
Yala National Park safari.
Midday
Start travelling to Hikkaduwa beach.
En-route
Galle ancient city, the Dutch Fort (UNESCO) and the colonial city highlights.
Afternoon
Arrive and check in at the Hikkaduwa beach hotel.
Overnight Hikkaduwa Hotel Coral Rock by Bansei Drive time approx. 3 hrs
A Sri Lankan leopard standing alert on open ground in Yala National Park

Day 8

A leisure day at Hikkaduwa beach

Full day
Spend the day at leisure and enjoy the beach as you wish.
Optional
Snorkelling, diving or a coral reef boat trip.
Overnight Hikkaduwa Hotel Coral Rock by Bansei Drive time Leisure day
Coral and tropical fish in clear shallow water off Hikkaduwa

Day 9

River boat safari and the Colombo capital

Morning
Start travelling to Colombo.
En-route
River boat safari on the Madu River.
Afternoon
Colombo city: the Lotus Tower, Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green and more.
Overnight Colombo Hotel Cinnamon Red Colombo Drive time approx. 2 hrs
The Lotus Tower rising above the Colombo skyline

Day 10

Transfer to the airport for departure

Morning
Relax at the hotel, or take in more of Colombo, subject to flight time.
Afternoon
Transfer to Colombo airport for departure.
Drive time approx. 45 mins
The Lotus Tower rising above the Colombo skyline

Named, not "or similar"

Where you'll stay

The seafront pool terrace at Goldi Sands hotel in Negombo

Goldi Sands — Negombo

4-star · Beachfront · Night 1

The pool and garden terrace at Kassapa Lions Rock hotel near Sigiriya

Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana

4-star · Nights 2–3

The exterior and pool deck of Hotel Cassendra in Kandy

Hotel Cassendra — Kandy

4-star · Night 4

Araliya Green Hills hotel set against the hills at Nuwara Eliya

Araliya Green Hills — Nuwara Eliya

4-star · Night 5

Garden chalets and pool at Hotel Elephant Reach near Yala

Hotel Elephant Reach — Yala

4-star · Night 6

Beachfront pool and palms at the Coral Rock by Bansei hotel

Coral Rock by Bansei — Hikkaduwa

4-star · Beachfront · Nights 7–8

The Cinnamon Red hotel tower in central Colombo

Cinnamon Red — Colombo

4-star · Night 9

These selected hotels may be subject to change based on availability at the time of booking. In that case we will tell you before anything is confirmed, and arrange an equivalent without any harm to your wishes.

Upgrades and downgrades are available throughout, and we're happy to change hotels entirely if you have preferences of your own.

Itemised before you pay anything

What's included, and what isn't

Included

  • Private A/C vehicle throughout
  • Hotels as listed above
  • English speaking chauffeur guide (other languages available)
  • Site entrance and activity tickets
  • Safari jeeps and boats
  • Daily bottled water
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • 24×7 on-call assistance

Entrance and safari tickets are included on the all-inclusive rate. See pricing below.

Not included

  • Lunch and snacks
  • International flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional activities such as diving

Per person, private basis

Two ways to take this trip

Bed & breakfast · 3/4 star

$1,000 / person

Everything listed above except site entrance and safari tickets, which you pay as you go.

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Most booked

All inclusive · BB with all entrance & safari tickets

$1,250 / person

Nothing left to pay on the road. Every entrance fee and safari ticket on the itinerary is covered.

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Prices are per person on a private, guided basis. Tell us your dates and group size and we'll confirm exactly, in writing, before anything is booked.

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