Sri Lanka · Archaeology

5-Day Sri Lanka Sightseeing Tour from Dambulla with Ella Train Ride

5 Days Round trip from Dambulla Easy pace

View all 6 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Dambulla Cave Temple and the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa
02 Climb Sigiriya Rock and visit its museum
03 Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and enjoy a Kandyan dance performance in Kandy
04 Travel by local Sri Lankan train from Nanu Oya to Ella for an authentic journey
05 See elephants at Udawalawe National Park before heading to Mirissa for beach time

Get a good taste of Sri Lanka on this 5-day tour covering many of the island's world-famous attractions. Explore the Dambulla Rock Temple, the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Fortress, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Peradeniya Botanical Garden, tea plantations, Ella, and the southern coast. Along the way, enjoy a complete Sri Lankan experience with cultural sites, scenic train travel, waterfalls, wildlife, and beach time.

To get the real experience of travelling on a local Sri Lankan train, get dropped off at Nanu Oya railway station and travel to Ella by train.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kandy, Dambulla, Mirissa, Sigiriya, Ella, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Adam's Peak

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Dambulla Cave Temple and Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya

Visit the Dambulla Rock Temple and then travel to Polonnaruwa.
Explore the ancient ruins.
Drive to Sigiriya.

Spend the night in Sigiriya.

Day 02

Sigiriya Rock and Kandy's Sacred Heritage

Climb Sigiriya Rock and then visit the museum there.
Drive to Kandy.
In the evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and enjoy some brilliant Kandyan dancing.

Spend the night in Kandy.

Day 03

Peradeniya Gardens and Scenic Nuwara Eliya

Visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
On the way, drive to Ramboda Falls, the tea plantations, Lake Gregory, and the Hakgala flower gardens.

Spend the night in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 04

Local Train Journey to Ella and Hill Country Sights

To get the real experience of travelling on a local Sri Lankan train, get dropped off at Nanu Oya railway station and travel to Ella by train.
At Ella, get picked up from the railway station.
Visit Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge.
Spend the night in Ella.

Day 05

Ravana Falls, Udawalawe Elephants, Yala and Mirissa

From Ella, go to Ravana Falls.
Then continue to Udawalawe National Park, where you can see lots of elephants.
Proceed to Yala.
Finally, drive to Mirissa for a beach excursion under the warm sun to spend your vacation.