Sri Lanka · Archaeology

7-Day Sri Lanka Sightseeing Tour with Sigiriya and Mirissa Whales

7 Days Round trip from Canada Friendship Rd Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Head to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress on a bullock cart
  • 02 See the catchment of the Minneriya tank and admire the wildlife
  • 03 Travel to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy
  • 04 Enjoy a scenic rail ride to the peaceful village of Ella

Explore the natural and archaeological highlights of Sri Lanka on a 7-day journey from Colombo to Mirissa. Visit Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe, and Mirissa, discovering ancient fortresses, sacred temples, scenic highlands, beautiful villages, and wildlife-rich landscapes along the way. Enjoy a bullock cart ride to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a scenic rail ride to Ella, and whale and dolphin watching at Mirissa Beach. This tour combines cultural heritage, rural experiences, wildlife encounters, and coastal adventure across some of Sri Lanka's most memorable destinations.

Enjoy a bullock cart ride to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a scenic rail ride to Ella, and whale and dolphin watching at Mirissa Beach.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Anuradhapura, Kandy, Dambulla, Mirissa, Sigiriya, Ella, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Minneriya National Park, Katunayake, Udawalawe National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival at Bandaranaike Airport and Transfer to Sigiriya

  • Pick up from Bandaranaike International Airport and travel to Anuradhapura.
  • Check in at a hotel in Sigiriya and freshen up.
  • Head to Sigiriya Rock Fortress on a bullock cart.
  • Witness Sri Lankan rural life and have an Ayurvedic massage in one of the villages on the way.
  • Arrive at the fortress, the most exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art, architecture, and landscaping, built over 1,600 years ago.
  • See the beautiful frescoes of semi-naked nymphs and a large gatehouse in the form of a lion that guarded the entrance to the innermost sanctum of the city, the Sky Palace.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Sigiriya.

2
Day 02

Polonnaruwa Archaeological Site and Minneriya National Park

  • Pick up from the hotel in Sigiriya and visit the Polonnaruwa archaeological site, including Vatadage, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, and other highlights.
  • Continue to Minneriya National Park, situated in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.
  • See the catchment of the Minneriya tank and the wildlife in the surrounding area.
  • Look for large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants that are attracted to the grass fields on the edges of the reservoir during the dry season.
  • Head to Sigiriya and relax at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

3
Day 03

Dambulla Temples and Sacred Kandy

  • Pick up from the hotel in Sigiriya and travel to Kandy.
  • Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil Hindu Temple, and a spice garden on the way.
  • Travel to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world, which houses the relic of Lord Buddha's tooth.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kandy.

4
Day 04

Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

  • Pick up from the hotel in Kandy and travel to Nuwara Eliya.
  • Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and check in at a hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

5
Day 05

Scenic Train Ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella

  • Pick up from the hotel in Nuwara Eliya and enjoy a scenic rail ride to Ella, a peaceful village in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.
  • Discover the village's natural beauty, with its waterfalls, greenery, and hills.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Ella.

6
Day 06

Journey to Udawalawe National Park

  • Pick up from the hotel in Ella and travel to Udawalawe National Park, which lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka.
  • Explore the national park, created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Udawalawe.

7
Day 07

Whale and Dolphin Watching in Mirissa

  • Pick up from the hotel at 5:30 am and travel to Mirissa Beach to enjoy the whale and dolphin watching tour, one of the most thrilling water activities in Sri Lanka.
  • Spot blue whales, Bryde's whales, sperm whales, fin whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and sometimes killer whales.
  • Look for spinner dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and sometimes striped dolphin.
  • Check out of the hotel and depart for Bandaranaike International Airport.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Temple of the Tooth Relic, Mirissa Beach

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Temple of the Tooth Relic, Mirissa Beach

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Canada Friendship Rd 11 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • English-speaking Sri Lanka driver/guide
  • Bottled water
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Local insurance for the vehicle
  • Passenger insurance cover
  • Sri Lanka Tourism Board registered license

What's Not Included

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • National Park fees
  • Local taxes

What to bring

  • Passport
  • Tour booking confirmation

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Canada Friendship Rd, Katunayake, Sri Lanka
Tour start
Canada Friendship Rd, කටුනායක 11450, Sri Lanka
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Canada Friendship Rd.

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