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Private Tour · Tour No. 007

All Around Sri Lanka

20 nights / 21 days Negombo, Wilpattu, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Habarana, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe, Sinharaja, Galle, Colombo

From $2,190 per person, all inclusive
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A road winding in tight curves through dense forested hills, seen from above
Duration
21 days
Stay
3/4 star hotels · Breakfast
Transport
Private A/C car
Best time
Year-round

Around 60 destinations and activities

Tour highlights

  • Negombo BeachRelax on the golden shores of Negombo.
  • Yapahuwa Rock FortressA rock citadel and its great stone stairway.
  • Anuradhapura (UNESCO Heritage)The island's first great royal capital.
  • Wilpattu National Park (Safari)The island's largest park, and its lakes.
  • JaffnaThe heart of the northern peninsula.
  • Jaffna Dutch FortA star-shaped fort above the lagoon.
  • Nagadeepa TempleAn island temple reached by boat.
  • Kadurugoda TempleRows of small stupas in the northern sand.
  • Nallur KovilThe grand Hindu temple at the heart of Jaffna.
  • Shiwam KovilOne more of the peninsula's Hindu shrines.
  • Casuarina BeachShallow, calm water off the peninsula.
  • ThambapanniWhere the island's founding legend begins.
  • Point of Pedro (North Most)The island's northernmost point.
  • Trincomalee Beach (East Coast)Wide sand and calm water on the east coast.
  • Trinco Dutch FortFort Frederick, standing over the harbour.
  • Thirukoneswaram KovilA clifftop kovil above Swami Rock.
  • Trinco HarborOne of the world's great natural harbours.
  • Whale watching Boat Trip (Optional)An early start, out into the open water.
  • Diving and Snorkeling (Optional)Reefs and clear water off the east coast.
  • Minneriya National Park SafariWitness elephants in their natural habitat.
  • Sigiriya (UNESCO World Heritage)Conquer the iconic Lion Rock Fortress.
  • Traditional Village TourA day in the rhythm of rural Sri Lanka.
  • Polonnaruwa Kingdom (UNESCO Heritage)Meet the four carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara.
  • Traditional LunchRice and curry, cooked the village way.
  • Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO Heritage)Marvel at Sri Lanka's finest cave sanctuary.
  • Spices GardenImmerse yourself in the aromas of Ceylon spices.
  • Kingdom of KandyWalk the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings.
  • Kandy Cultural ShowWitness Sri Lanka's vibrant cultural heritage.
  • Udawatte Royal ForestThe old royal forest above the city.
  • Temple of the Tooth (UNESCO Heritage)Discover the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka.
  • Royal Botanical GardenPeradeniya's avenues of tropical giants.
  • Wood Carving (Technical Visit)Kandyan carving, chisel by chisel.
  • Gem Mining Process (Technical Visit)From the pit to the polished stone.
  • World Famous Scenic Train RideA famous scenic climb through the tea country.
  • Tea Factory and Tea ProcessInside a working Ceylon tea factory.
  • Tea Lands and Tea Plucking experienceGreen terraces, and a turn at plucking.
  • Nuwara Eliya Little England CityColonial cottages in the cool hill country.
  • Gregory LakeStroll the lakeside at the heart of town.
  • Victoria ParkA quiet green corner of Nuwara Eliya.
  • Moon Plains SafariGrassland, sambar deer and a wide horizon.
  • Viewpoint (360° view at highest point)A full circle of hills from the top.
  • Strawberry FarmHill-country strawberries, picked fresh.
  • Ella HighlandsMisty peaks and long mountain views.
  • World Famous Nine Arches BridgeA stone viaduct deep in the jungle.
  • Little Adam's PeakA short climb for a wide valley view.
  • Ravana WaterfallA roadside stop on the descent from the hills.
  • Udawalawe Elephant Transit HomeOrphaned calves, raised for release.
  • Udawalawe Park SafariOpen plains and resident elephant herds.
  • Sinharaja Forest (UNESCO Heritage)The island's last great stretch of rainforest.
  • Hikkaduwa Beach (Down South Coast)Unwind on Sri Lanka's vibrant southern coast.
  • Galle Ancient City (UNESCO Heritage)The colonial city inside the ramparts.
  • Galle Dutch FortRamparts built to face the Indian Ocean.
  • Light House and HighlightsGalle's landmark on the fort wall.
  • Sea Turtle HatcheryOn the coast road between Galle and Hikkaduwa.
  • Madu River Boat Safari (Optional)Mangrove channels and island temples.
  • Pinnawala Elephant OrphanageWalk alongside Sri Lanka's gentle giants.
  • Lotus TowerThe city skyline from the top.
  • Gangarama TempleA working temple in the heart of the city.
  • National MuseumThe island's story under one roof.
  • Colombo City TourThe capital, explored at your own pace.
  • Galle Face GreenKites, street food and the sunset.

Your route, at a glance

  1. Negombo
  2. Wilpattu
  3. Anuradhapura
  4. Jaffna
  5. Trincomalee
  6. Habarana
  7. Kandy
  8. Nuwara Eliya
  9. Ella
  10. Udawalawe
  11. Hikkaduwa
  12. Colombo

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 and relaxation in Negombo

On arrival
Met at Colombo International Airport by your guide, who assists with luggage and transfers you to Negombo.
Afternoon
Check in, then the rest of the day at leisure on Negombo beach.
Overnight Negombo Hotel Goldi Sands — Negombo Drive time 10-15 km · approx. 15 mins
Sun loungers and an umbrella on quiet golden sand beside the sea

Day 2

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Morning
Breakfast, then set off for Wilpattu.
En-route
Yapahuwa Rock Fortress — stone carvings and the grand stairway up to the royal ruins, with views from the summit — and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, with its feeding sessions and river bath.
Evening
Arrive at Wilpattu and check in.
Overnight Wilpattu Hotel Thimbiri Wewa Resort — Wilpattu Drive time 235 km · approx. 4 hrs
Elephants bathing together in the shallow river beside the Pinnawala orphanage

Day 3

Anuradhapura Kingdom and a Wilpattu safari

Morning
Jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, the island's largest and oldest reserve, known for its leopards and its natural lakes.
Afternoon
Anuradhapura (UNESCO World Heritage) — the ancient stupas, the sacred Bodhi tree and the royal ruins of Sri Lanka's first capital.
Evening
Check in at the Anuradhapura hotel.
Overnight Anuradhapura Hotel Kubura Resort — Anuradhapura Drive time 20 km · approx. 1 hr
The white dome of the Ruwanwelisaya stupa at Anuradhapura against a clear sky

Day 4

Transfer to Jaffna, and the city highlights

Morning
Transfer to Jaffna, and check in.
Afternoon
Jaffna Dutch Fort — granite ramparts begun by the Portuguese in 1618 and extended by the Dutch, with views over the lagoon.
Then
Nagadeepa Temple, on its island in the north, reached by boat.
Evening
Time at leisure around Jaffna.
Overnight Jaffna Hotel Jetwing Jaffna Drive time 200 km · approx. 3 hrs
The rooftop bar at Jetwing Jaffna, its windows open to the lagoon at sunset

Day 5

Jaffna exploration

Morning
Kadurugoda Temple — a cluster of small coral-stone stupas from the Anuradhapura era, among the palm groves.
Midday
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, dedicated to Lord Murugan, then Sivan Kovil.
Afternoon
Casuarina Beach at Karainagar — white sand, shallow turquoise water and the casuarina trees along the shore.
Then
Thambapanni, the legendary landing place of Prince Vijaya, and Point Pedro, the island's northernmost tip.
Overnight Jaffna Hotel Jetwing Jaffna Drive time Around Jaffna
The rooftop bar at Jetwing Jaffna, its windows open to the lagoon at sunset

Day 6

Transfer to Trincomalee on the east coast

Morning
Transfer to Trincomalee, on the east coast.
Afternoon
Fort Frederick, built in 1624 on Swami Rock, looking out over Trincomalee Bay.
Then
Thirukoneswaram Kovil, the clifftop shrine to Lord Shiva above the Indian Ocean.
Overnight Trincomalee Hotel Cardamon Hotel — Trincomalee Drive time 200 km · approx. 3 hrs
Silhouetted palms against a deep orange sunset at Pasikuda Beach

Day 7

Trincomalee highlights and leisure

Morning
Trincomalee harbour, one of the world's largest natural deep-water harbours.
Optional
A dolphin watching boat trip, or diving and snorkelling.
Afternoon
At leisure around Trincomalee beach.
Overnight Trincomalee Hotel Cardamon Hotel — Trincomalee Drive time Around Trincomalee
The sun setting over a calm sea from a Sri Lankan beach

Day 8

Transfer to Habarana, and a safari

Morning
Start travelling towards Sigiriya and Habarana.
Midday
Arrive and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon
Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, famous for “The Gathering” of wild elephants around the Minneriya tank.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 100 km · approx. 2 hrs
Wild elephants grazing on open grassland at Minneriya National Park

Day 9

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and a traditional village

Morning
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage) — the frescoes, the royal gardens and the palace on the summit.
Afternoon
The Hiriwadunna village tour — a bullock cart ride, a catamaran across the lake and a cooking demonstration, ending with a home-cooked meal.
Evening
At leisure after a long morning.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 40 km · approx. 30 mins
Sigiriya Lion Rock standing above the surrounding jungle canopy

Day 10

The Polonnaruwa kingdom

Morning
Polonnaruwa (UNESCO World Heritage) — the palaces, giant Buddha statues and stone carvings of the medieval capital.
Midday
A traditional lunch.
Afternoon
More of the Polonnaruwa kingdom, then back to Habarana for the night.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 115 km · approx. 2 hrs
A stone Buddha statue at Polonnaruwa illuminated after dark

Day 11

Dambulla Cave Temple, then the kingdom of Kandy

Morning
Set off for the kingdom of Kandy.
En-route
Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage) — five caves of Buddha statues and painted murals — then the Matale spice gardens.
Afternoon
Check in at the Kandy hotel.
Evening
Kandy cultural show — Kandyan dance, drumming and acrobatics, closing with the fire walk.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra — Kandy Drive time 100 km · approx. 2 hrs
The white colonnaded facade of the Dambulla cave temple complex set into the rock face

Day 12

Temple of the Tooth and the kingdom highlights

Early morning
Udawattakele Forest Reserve, once the royal garden of the Kandyan kings, on the hill above the Temple of the Tooth.
Midday
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO World Heritage), beside the lake, and its daily rituals.
Afternoon
Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya — orchids, palm avenues and rare tropical plants.
Then
Technical visits to wood carving and to gem mining, from the rough stone through cutting and polishing.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra — Kandy Drive time Around the kingdom
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, its white walls reflected in the lake

Day 13

The tea lands and Nuwara Eliya, "Little England"

Morning
Travel to Nuwara Eliya through the scenic tea lands.
En-route
A tea factory — the process from plucking to tasting — and a turn at tea plucking.
Afternoon
Nuwara Eliya highlights: Gregory Lake and Victoria Park.
Evening
A walk around “Little England”.
Overnight Nuwara Eliya Hotel Araliya Green Hills — Nuwara Eliya Drive time 80 km · approx. 2 hrs
Contoured rows of tea bushes covering the hillsides of Sri Lanka’s hill country

Day 14

Moon Plains safari and Nuwara Eliya highlights

Early morning
Moon Plains (Sandathenna) jeep safari — rolling grassland, deer and birdlife, and the “Mini World’s End” viewpoint.
Midday
The Nuwara Eliya viewpoint, a 360° panorama from the highest point.
Afternoon
Strawberry farms, and the scenery around them.
Overnight Nuwara Eliya Hotel Araliya Green Hills — Nuwara Eliya Drive time 30 km · approx. 30 mins
Sambar deer grazing on the open montane grassland of Horton Plains

Day 15

The world-famous scenic train ride

Morning
The train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, through the hills and the tea.
Midday
Check in at the Ella hotel.
Afternoon
Ella highlights — the Nine Arches Bridge and Little Adam's Peak.
Overnight Ella Hotel Onrock Boutique Hotel — Ella Drive time Train ride
A blue train crossing a viaduct through tea country on the Kandy to Ella line

Day 16

Udawalawe safari and a waterfall

Morning
Set off for Udawalawe.
En-route
Ravana Falls, dropping 25 metres through the jungle.
Midday
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned calves are raised for release, at a scheduled feeding.
Afternoon
Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park.
Overnight Udawalawe Hotel Centauria Wild Resort — Udawalawe Drive time 100 km · approx. 2 hrs
A herd of elephants moving together across Minneriya’s grass plains

Day 17

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Early morning
Travel to Sinharaja Forest Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage) and trek the rainforest trails.
Afternoon
Continue to Hikkaduwa beach, and time at leisure after the trek.
Overnight Hikkaduwa Hotel Coral Rock by Bansei — Hikkaduwa Drive time 200 km · approx. 3 hrs
A tea plantation stretching across rolling highland slopes

Day 18

Leisure, beach life and activities

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

Day 19

Galle Ancient City

Morning
Galle Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage) — the fort walls and cobbled streets, the Old Dutch Hospital, the lighthouse and the museum.
Afternoon
The Galle sea turtle hatchery.
Evening
Return to Hikkaduwa for the night.
Overnight Hikkaduwa Hotel Coral Rock by Bansei — Hikkaduwa Drive time 60 km · approx. 1 hr
The ramparts of Galle’s Dutch fort curving above the sea

Day 20

Transfer to the Colombo capital

Morning
A scenic drive from Hikkaduwa to Colombo.
Optional
Madu River boat safari — mangroves, islands, small temples and cinnamon plantations.
Afternoon
Colombo: the Lotus Tower, Gangaramaya Temple, the National Museum, Galle Face Green and a tour of the city.
Overnight Colombo Hotel Cinnamon Red — Colombo Drive time 120 km · approx. 2 hrs
The Lotus Tower rising above the Colombo skyline

Day 21

Departure

Departure
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, timed to your flight.
Drive time 120 km · approx. 2 hrs

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

$1,860 / person

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

Get a quote
Most booked

All inclusive · BB with all entrance & safari tickets

$2,190 / person

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

Get a quote

Half-board options are also available on this itinerary: $2,260 per person with dinner and breakfast, or $2,590 per person half board with all entrance and safari tickets included.

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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