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Private Tour · Tour No. 006

Summer Vacation Sri Lanka

13 nights / 14 days Negombo, Habarana, Nilaveli, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Hikkaduwa, Colombo

From $1,580 per person, all inclusive
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Coral and tropical fish in clear shallow water off Hikkaduwa
Duration
14 days
Stay
3/4 star hotels · Breakfast
Transport
Private A/C car
Best time
May – September

Two weeks, including the east coast

Tour highlights

  • Negombo BeachRelax on the golden shores of Negombo.
  • Negombo Fish MarketSee the morning catch come in.
  • Pinnawala Elephant OrphanageWalk alongside Sri Lanka's gentle giants.
  • Minneriya National Park Jeep SafariWitness elephants in their natural habitat.
  • Sigiriya (UNESCO World Heritage)Conquer the iconic Lion Rock Fortress.
  • Anuradhapura Kingdom (UNESCO Heritage)The island's first great royal capital.
  • Traditional Village TourA day in the rhythm of rural Sri Lanka.
  • Nilaveli BeachWide white sand on the east coast.
  • Pigeon IslandOptional — a marine park just offshore.
  • Coral Reef Boat TripOptional — see the reef without getting wet.
  • Dolphin Watching Boat TripOptional — head out early to find the pods.
  • Spices and Herbal GardenImmerse yourself in the aromas of Ceylon spices.
  • Kandy KingdomWalk the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings.
  • Kandy LakeStroll around Kandy's tranquil royal lake.
  • Temple of Tooth (UNESCO World Heritage)Discover the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka.
  • Royal Botanical GardenPeradeniya's avenues of tropical giants.
  • Cultural ShowWitness Sri Lanka's vibrant cultural heritage.
  • Ambuluwawa TowerA spiral climb to a view in every direction.
  • Tea LandsGreen terraces as far as you can see.
  • Tea FactoryInside a working Ceylon tea factory.
  • Tea Processing ExperienceFrom leaf to cup, step by step.
  • Ramboda WaterfallA cascade beside the hill-country road.
  • Nuwara Eliya Little England CityColonial cottages in the cool hill country.
  • Nuwara Eliya ViewpointLook out over the hills and the tea.
  • Victoria ParkA quiet green corner of Nuwara Eliya.
  • Gregory LakeStroll the lakeside at the heart of town.
  • World Famous Train RideA famous scenic climb through the tea country.
  • 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.
  • Yala National Park Jeep SafariThe world's highest density of leopards.
  • Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage)Ramparts built to face the Indian Ocean.
  • Galle Ancient City HighlightsThe colonial city inside the ramparts.
  • Sea Turtle HatcheryOn the coast road between Galle and Hikkaduwa.
  • Hikkaduwa BeachUnwind on Sri Lanka's vibrant southern coast.
  • River Boat SafariMangrove channels and island temples.
  • Colombo Capital City TourWhere colonial history meets a modern skyline.
  • Gangarama TempleA working temple in the heart of the city.
  • National MuseumThe island's story under one roof.
  • Galle Face GreenKites, street food and the sunset.
  • Iconic Lotus TowerThe city skyline from the top.
  • Gem Mining and Process (Technical Visit)From the pit to the polished stone.

Your route, at a glance

  1. Negombo
  2. Habarana
  3. Nilaveli
  4. Kandy
  5. Nuwara Eliya
  6. Ella
  7. Yala
  8. Hikkaduwa
  9. 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

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and a Minneriya safari

Morning
Breakfast, then set off for Habarana.
En-route
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, home to over 80 elephants — feeding, play and the river bath.
Afternoon
Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large herds of wild elephants, alongside buffalo, deer and birdlife.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 130 km · approx. 2 hrs
Wild elephants grazing on open grassland at Minneriya National Park

Day 3

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Anuradhapura

Morning
Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage) — climb to the royal palace ruins, the frescoes and the water gardens, with panoramic views from the summit.
Afternoon
Anuradhapura (UNESCO World Heritage), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world: the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest documented tree in the world, and the Ruwanwelisaya stupa.
Evening
Return to Habarana.
Overnight Habarana Hotel Kassapa Lions Rock — Habarana Drive time 170 km · approx. 3 hrs
Sigiriya Lion Rock standing above the surrounding jungle canopy

Day 4

Habarana village tour, then Nilaveli beach

Morning
Habarana village tour — a bullock cart ride through the paddy fields and a wooden canoe across the lake, with hands-on village activities from cooking in a mud-house kitchen to weaving mats with local artisans.
Afternoon
Travel on to Nilaveli: soft golden sand, clear water and the gateway to Pigeon Island National Park.
Evening
Check in, and time at leisure on the beach.
Overnight Nilaveli Hotel Cardamon Hotel — Nilaveli Drive time 120 km · approx. 2 hrs
The sun setting over a calm sea from a Sri Lankan beach

Day 5

A leisure day around the beach

Optional
Pigeon Island marine national park — snorkelling and diving over coral reefs, reef fish and blacktip reef sharks — and a dolphin watching boat trip.
Rest of the day
At leisure on Nilaveli beach.
Overnight Nilaveli Hotel Cardamon Hotel — Nilaveli Drive time Leisure day
Silhouetted palms against a deep orange sunset at Pasikuda Beach

Day 6

The kingdom of Kandy

Morning
Breakfast, then a long scenic drive to the kingdom of Kandy.
En-route
Matale spice garden — a guided walk through Sri Lanka's spices, from cinnamon to cardamom, with aromatic spice treatments.
Afternoon
Check in at the Kandy hotel.
Evening
Kandy cultural show — traditional dance, drumming and fire performances.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra — Kandy Drive time 200 km · approx. 3 hrs
Performers in traditional Kandyan dress on stage at a cultural dance show

Day 7

Kandy kingdom highlights

Morning
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens — tropical plants, the orchid house, giant bamboo and avenues of palms.
Midday
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO World Heritage), and the rituals held there daily.
Afternoon
The Ceylon gem mining and cutting process (technical visit).
Evening
A walk around the lake and the city.
Overnight Kandy Hotel Hotel Cassendra — Kandy Drive time Kandy city
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, its white walls reflected in the lake

Day 8

Nuwara Eliya, via the tea plantations

Morning
A scenic drive to Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England” for its cool climate and colonial architecture.
En-route
The tea lands and a working tea factory — the process from plucking to packing, with a cup of Ceylon tea — then Ramboda Falls.
Afternoon
Check in, then a walk through town: Victoria Park and Gregory Lake.
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 9

Nuwara Eliya highlights and the famous train ride

Morning
Nuwara Eliya city, and the viewpoint at the highest village in the country.
Midday
The train ride to Ella — tea plantations, waterfalls and mountain valleys, through the tunnels and over the Nine Arches Bridge.
Evening
Check in at the Ella hotel.
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 10

Ella highlights, then Yala

Morning
Little Adam's Peak — a short hike for panoramic views over the surrounding hills.
Midday
The Nine Arches Bridge, then Ravana Falls.
Afternoon
A scenic drive on to Yala, and check in at the hotel.
Overnight Yala Hotel Hotel Elephant Reach — Yala Drive time 60 km · approx. 1 hr
Mist drifting across the steep green hills around Ella

Day 11

Yala safari and Galle highlights

Early morning
Jeep safari in Yala National Park, known for its leopards, elephants, sloth bears and birdlife.
Midday
The coastal road to Hikkaduwa, via Mirissa and Galle.
En-route
Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage) and the ancient city, and a sea turtle hatchery.
Evening
Check in at the beach hotel, and time to unwind.
Overnight Hikkaduwa Hotel Coral Rock by Bansei — Hikkaduwa Drive time 200 km · approx. 3 hrs
A Sri Lankan leopard standing alert on open ground in Yala National Park

Day 12

Leisure and beach life

Full day
A completely free day to enjoy the beach as you wish.
Overnight Hikkaduwa beach Hotel Coral Rock by Bansei — Hikkaduwa Drive time Leisure day
Coral and tropical fish in clear shallow water off Hikkaduwa

Day 13

River boat safari and the Colombo capital

Morning
Start travelling to Colombo.
En-route
Madu River boat safari — mangrove channels, islands and birdlife.
Afternoon
Check in, then Colombo city highlights: Gangaramaya Temple, the National Museum, Galle Face Green and the Lotus Tower.
Overnight Colombo Hotel Cinnamon Red — Colombo Drive time 100 km · approx. 2 hrs
The Lotus Tower rising above the Colombo skyline

Day 14

Departure

Departure
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, timed to your flight.
Drive time 30 km · approx. 30 mins

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

Palms and the turquoise sea seen from the Cardamon Hotel at Nilaveli beach

Cardamon Hotel — Nilaveli

Beachfront · Nights 4–5

The exterior and pool deck of Hotel Cassendra in Kandy

Hotel Cassendra — Kandy

4-star · Nights 6–7

Araliya Green Hills hotel set against the hills at Nuwara Eliya

Araliya Green Hills — Nuwara Eliya

4-star · Night 8

A room at Onrock Boutique Hotel in Ella, its window open to the hills at sunset

Onrock Boutique Hotel — Ella

Boutique · Night 9

Garden chalets and pool at Hotel Elephant Reach near Yala

Hotel Elephant Reach — Yala

4-star · Night 10

Beachfront pool and palms at the Coral Rock by Bansei hotel

Coral Rock by Bansei — Hikkaduwa

4-star · Beachfront · Nights 11–12

The Cinnamon Red hotel tower in central Colombo

Cinnamon Red — Colombo

4-star · Night 13

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

$1,350 / 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

$1,580 / person

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

Get a quote

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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