Itinerary

1. Day 1: Colombo – Pinnawala – Dambulla – Sigiriya

   • Meet your Sri Lankan tour guide and driver at your Colombo or Negombo hotel in the morning. Pick up can be arranged from Bandaranaike International Airport for morning arrivals only.

   • Drive to Pinnewala in your air-conditioned vehicle (~3 hours). 

   • Reach Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in time to see the orphaned baby elephants. 

   • Have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the river, where the elephants can be seen bathing and playing.

   • Proceed to Dambulla after lunch (~3 hours). 

   • Climb up to the world-renowned cave temples and admire the fascinating interiors with vibrant décor and impressive Buddha statues. 

   • Get back on the road to Sigiriya later in the evening for a short 30 minutes to 1-hour drive. 

   • Check-in, have dinner and stay overnight in Sigiriya.

2. Day 2: Sigiriya – Kandy

   • Beat the heat and crowds by visiting the Sigiriya Lion Rock in the morning after an early breakfast at the hotel. 

   • Climb down and explore the Royal Water Gardens at the base and take stunning photos of the rock.

   • Proceed for lunch, followed by the drive to Kandy.

   • On route, you can visit a Spice & Herb Garden, the Nalanda Gedige (~3 to 5 hour drive depending on stopovers).

   • Check-in, have dinner and stay overnight in Kandy.

3. Day 3: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

   • Start the day with a visit to the world-famous 'Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic'. There is also a small museum that showcases stories and information on Buddhism.

   • After lunch, get back on the road for the drive to Nuwara Eliya. En-route, see tea plantations and spectacular views, including those of waterfalls (~4 - 6 hours' drive).

   • Reach 'Little England' in the evening and experience a transition in the landscape and weather, a welcome relief from the sweltering cities.

4. Day 4: Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala National Park

   • After breakfast at your hotel in the morning, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya.

   • See Gregory lake, take a stroll in Victoria Park, visit the Post Office operating in a colonial Tudor Manor or the Hakgala Botanical Garden.

   • Head to Nanu Oya Railway Station by noon to catch your train to Ella. After dropping you off at the station, your driver will travel to Ella with your luggage by road and wait for your arrival. Though it is only a short distance, the trail meanders through tea plantations, hills and nature at its best, giving you about 3 hours of uninterrupted picturesque views.

   • Upon arrival in Ella, meet your driver outside the station.

   • Drive towards Yala and reach by evening (~3 hours drive).

   Overnight stay in Yala.

5. Day 5: Yala National Park – Tangalle

   • Early in the morning, go for a game drive in Yala National Park.

   • Later, after having breakfast, get back on the road to Tangalle. (~2 hours) In Tangalle, you can go canoeing, and its Hiriketiya beach is famous for surfing.

   • Reach Mirissa by afternoon.

   • Enjoy the untouched beauty of the white sand beach for the rest of the day.

   • Visit Rekawa beach to explore turtles life and egg-laying activities at night. 

   Overnight stay in Tangalle.

6. Day 6: Tangalle to Mirissa

   • In the afternoon after lunch, start the drive to Tangalle. (2 hours drive)

   • On your way to Mirissa, visit Hummanaya blowhole.

   • Have lunch close to Mirissa.

   • Rest of the day, relax on Mirissa beach.  

   Overnight stay in Mirissa.

7. Day 7: Mirissa – Galle

   • Early in the morning, you could go on a Whale Watching tour. (Price not included in tour cost – optional). 

   • Spend the day on the beaches of Mirissa. 

   • In the evening, drive to Galle (~2 hours drive)

   Overnight stay in Galle.

8. Day 8: Galle – Colombo

   • Have breakfast and set out for a full-day sightseeing tour. There’s so much to see in this vibrant city. 

   • Visit the Galle Fort - a Portuguese-built and Dutch-fortified 16th-century fort. You will also see the lighthouse here. 

   • Spend the day at Unawatuna beach.

   • Drive along the highway to reach Colombo late in the evening. (~3 hours’ drive)

   • According to your departure timings, the driver will drop you off at the international airport/hotel for your onward journey.