Sri Lanka · Safari

8-Day Sri Lanka Tour from Sigiriya to Colombo with Safari and Whales

8 Days Round trip from Sigiriya Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit the famous Tooth Relic Temple and Dambulla Golden Temple
02 Explore tea estates and a tea factory in Nuwara Eliya
03 Admire the beautiful waterfalls in Ramboda
04 Look for whales and dolphins in Mirissa Fisheries Harbour

Start in Sigiriya and travel towards Colombo through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala or Udawalawa, and Mirissa. Discover this exceptional island country through its tea plantations, scenic mountains, and a unique fusion of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Along the way, visit famous temples, admire beautiful waterfalls, experience a jungle safari, and look for whales and dolphins in Mirissa.

Discover this exceptional island country through its tea plantations, scenic mountains, and a unique fusion of Hindu and Buddhist architecture.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Matale, Mirissa, Sigiriya, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Pinnawala, Horton Plains National Park, Tissamaharama, Udawalawe National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Sigiriya via Pinnawala and Dambulla

Drive to Sigiriya via Pinnawala with your local guide.
Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Dambulla Golden Temple.

Stay the night in Sigiriya.

Day 02

Sigiriya to Kandy via Matale

Drive from Sigiriya to Kandy.
Pay an early morning visit to Sigiriya.
Spend some time at the Batik factory and Wood Carving Factory, as per your choice.
Enjoy elephant riding and the village tour of Sigiriya.
Visit the Gedige in Nalanda, Ash Temple, and a colourful Hindu Kovil in Matale.
Visit the herbal garden in Matale.

Overnight stay in Kandy.

Day 03

Kandy City Tour and Cultural Sights

Go on a Kandy city tour and visit the Tooth Relic Temple.
Enjoy an Upper Lake drive and spend some time near the beautiful Kandy Lake.
Take photos of Bahirawa Mountain.
Visit the Botanical Gardens and take part in the Kandy traditional dance show.
Pay obeisance at Degaldoruwa Temple.

Stay the night in Kandy.

Day 04

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Tea Country

Drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
Visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ramboda.
Stop for some time at the hill country tea estate and visit a tea factory.
Spend some time near Gregory Lake, New Zealand Farm, and Galway Forest in Nuwara Eliya.
Go to Horton Plains in Nuwara Eliya. If you want to go there, you will have to leave the hotel at 6 am the next day.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 05

Nuwara Eliya to Ella by Road or Train

Drive from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.
Catch a train to Ella, if you wish. The daily train schedule is 9.30 am, 12.30 pm, and 3.30 pm.
Pick up from Ella Railway Station and visit Little Adam's Peak, Rawana Temple, and Rawana Waterfall, and stop by the Nine Arch Bridge.

Stay the night in Ella.

Day 06

Ella to Yala or Udawalawa

Visit Demodara Railway Station to see the very amazing railway tracks.
Drive to Yala or Udawalawa, depending on your choice.
Visit Buduruwagala on your way there, which is an ancient Buddhist temple.
Admire the stunning Yudaganawa and Maligavila.

Overnight stay at Tissa or Udawalawa.

Day 07

Jungle Safari and Transfer to Mirissa

Leave for a jungle safari early next morning around 6 am so that you can move to Mirissa by noon.
Rest on the beach in the evening.

Overnight stay in Mirissa.

Day 08

Whale Watching and Colombo Transfer

Leave in the morning to see the whales and dolphins in Mirissa Fisheries Harbour.
Make your way to Colombo to see the stilt fishermen, Turtle Hatchery, and Mask Museum, and if you want to, enjoy a boat safari on the Madu River.

Night stay in Colombo or drop-off at the airport.