Sri Lanka · UNESCO Heritage Sites

8-Day Sri Lanka Heritage and Wildlife Tour with Scenic Train Ride

8 Days Round trip from Canada Friendship Rd Moderate pace

View all 12 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Climb the marvellous Sigiriya Rock Fortress
02 Pay your respects at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Sri Mahabodhi Tree
03 Visit a spice garden and batik factory in Matale
04 Enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park
05 Explore the ancient World Heritage cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
06 Visit a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda and cruise the Madu Ganga River

Explore some of Sri Lanka's greatest World Heritage Sites, including the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. This journey also includes a scenic train ride to Nuwara Eliya, a wildlife jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, and cultural visits such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Along the southern coast, visit a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda and enjoy a boat safari on the calm waters of the Madu Ganga River.

After breakfast, leave to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, known as the 8th wonder of the world.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Anuradhapura, Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Matale, Bentota, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Minneriya National Park, Katunayake, Kosgoda, Beruwala, Balapitiya

Languages English, Japanese

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Colombo and Transfer to Anuradhapura

AM: Welcome at the airport on arrival, then transfer to Anuradhapura World Heritage City.
PM: Visit the Sri Mahabodhi Tree, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Thuparamaya, Abhayagiri, Jetavanaramaya, and more.

Overnight stay at HERITAGE HOTEL Anuradhapura.

Day 02

Mihintale Monastery Complex and Polonnaruwa Heritage Site

After breakfast, leave to visit the Mihintale Monastery Complex, where the Buddhist missionary Arahath Mahinda Thero met local King Devanampiyatissa in the 4th century BCE.
Have lunch at a restaurant, and in the afternoon, visit the Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site.

Overnight stay at SIGIRIYA VILLAGE HOTEL.

Day 03

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Village Tour and Minneriya Safari

After breakfast, leave to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, known as the 8th wonder of the world.
Then go on a village tour, with a local lunch at a village house.
Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari at Minneriya National Park.

Overnight stay at SIGIRIYA VILLAGE HOTEL.

Day 04

Dambulla Cave Temple, Matale and Kandy

After breakfast, leave to visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a World Heritage Site.
Then visit a spice garden and a batik factory in Matale.
Have lunch at a restaurant and then drive to Kandy. Visit the gem museum and lapidary workshop, later witness a cultural dance show, and then pay respect to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha.

Overnight stay at THILANKA HOTEL.

Day 05

Scenic Train Ride to Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, catch a train to Nuwara Eliya, one of the best train rides in the world.
You may have to take packed lunch or have lunch late in Nuwara Eliya.
Enjoy the city of Nuwara Eliya.

Overnight stay at ALPINE HOTEL or similar.

Day 06

Tea Country Journey to Bentota

After breakfast, leave for Bentota down the south coast, visiting a tea estate and a factory en route.
Have lunch at a restaurant, and then stop at local fruit shops and for king coconut by the roadside.
Enjoy the drive from Nuwara Eliya.

Overnight stay at THE PALM at Beruwala.

Day 07

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and Madu Ganga Boat Safari

After breakfast, leave to visit a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda, a conservation project for sea turtles.
Enjoy a boat safari on the beautiful Madu Ganga River at Balapitiya.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the beach.

Overnight stay at THE PALM at Beruwala.

Day 08

Departure and Airport Drop-off

Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy some leisure time there.
Leave the hotel according to the time of your departure flight.
Get dropped off at the airport.

End of the tour.

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, scenic train to Nuwara Eliya, Madu Ganga River

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Canada Friendship Rd 14 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Professional private guiding services
Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle (2 pax = car / 4-6 pax = van / 7-12 pax = mini coach)
Accommodation on an HB basis, including dinner and breakfast, at up to 3-star category hotels (the selected hotels in the itinerary are subject to availability)
Private care for all passengers
Expressway toll fees, parking fees, and fuel for the total trip
Gem lapidary and museum, spice garden, batik factory, wood carving, and tea factory visits
All taxes

What's Not Included

World Heritage Sites entrance tickets
- Anuradhapura 25 USD, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree 750 LKR, Mihintale 750 LKR
- Polonnaruwa 25 USD
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress 35 USD
- Dambulla Rock Cave Temple 2000 LKR
- Temple of the Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha 1500 LKR
Other sites and activity entrance tickets
- Minneriya National Park is approximately 50 USD
- Village tour lunch included 4000-6000 LKR
- Turtle Hatchery 1000 LKR
- Boat safari on the Madu River 8000 LKR per boat for up to 6 pax
Lunches
Any expenses for your personal needs
Tips and gratitude
Anything other than what is mentioned in the inclusions

What to bring

Suitable clothing for hot weather.
- Light/white-coloured full-cover dress for temple visits.
Some cash for personal expenditure.
- Entrance fees
- Food and drinks, etc.
- Shopping
Your medicines and some paracetamol, in case you may need them.

Know before you go

Obey local customs in certain places like temples.
- Go barefoot.
- Wear decent dress that covers the shoulders and knees.
- Do not take photographs in a way that may be considered insulting to Buddha and other gods, such as posing with your back to the statues.
Sri Lanka is hot during the day, averaging 25-34 centigrade, so prepare yourself.
Explore some of the greatest ancient cities of South Asia. Walk through ruins and imagine the incredible civilization they had on this small island. The culture of Sri Lanka is enriched by Buddhist philosophy and all the traditions attached to the faith. Documented history goes back to the 6th century BCE, while the Epic Ramayana tells a much older story about a war between King Ravana and Rama around 6000 years ago. In addition, the island is full of natural beauty, and most travellers describe it as a living paradise after their first visit. Come and explore my country, and I will tell you more stories about it.

Logistics