Sri Lanka · Culture

9-Day Sri Lanka Culture Tour with Sigiriya, Ella Train and Yala Safari

9 Days Round trip from Sigiriya Easy pace
Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya
Lion Pow at Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Drinking King Coconut
Tooth Relic Temple Kandy
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The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Marvel at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • 02 Explore the stunning ancient city of Polonnaruwa
  • 03 Visit the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple
  • 04 Go on a Kandy city tour and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic
  • 05 Visit tea plantations and a tea factory

Experience 2500 years of rich history and culture in Sri Lanka, together with the natural scenic beauty of the hill country and sandy beaches. This journey includes several World Heritage Sites, traditional local foods such as Idiappa (String Hoppers), Appa (Hoppers), Kottu, Roti, and seafood, and meaningful interactions with villagers through day-to-day local activities. You will also visit one of the island's national parks to experience its rich biodiversity.

In the evening, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy the sunset from the top.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla, Matale, Bentota, Sigiriya, Ella, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Minneriya National Park, Katunayake, Hikkaduwa, Tissamaharama, Kaudulla National Park
Languages Cantonese, English, French, German, Hindi, Russian, Tamil

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival and Sunset at Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  • Arrive at Colombo airport, receive a welcome, and transfer to Sigiriya.
  • In the evening, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy the sunset from the top.

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

2
Day 02

Full-Day Excursion to Polonnaruwa

  • Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, proceed to Polonnaruwa and commence a sightseeing tour of the ancient city.
  • In the evening, return to the hotel and enjoy free time to experience a traditional Ayurveda massage.

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

3
Day 03

Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Village Safari

  • Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, proceed to Dambulla and visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.
  • Thereafter, return to Sigiriya and experience a village safari followed by a traditional Sri Lankan homemade lunch.
  • In the evening, relax at leisure or enjoy a safari in Minneriya / Kaudulla National Park to experience the behaviour of the Asian elephants.

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

4
Day 04

Matale Spice Garden and Kandy Cultural Highlights

  • Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, leave for Kandy.
  • En route, visit a spice garden in Matale to identify and familiarise yourself with Ayurvedic and herbal plants and their uses.
  • Reach Kandy and commence a sightseeing tour, including Upper Lake Drive, Lakeside, Gem Lapidary, Batik Factory, and the Art & Craft Center.
  • In the evening, witness a cultural dance performance.
  • Afterwards, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

5
Day 05

Peradeniya Gardens to Nuwara Eliya's Hill Country

  • After breakfast at the hotel, visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Thereafter, leave for Nuwara Eliya. En route, visit:
    • Hanuman Temple
    • Ramboda Waterfall
    • A tea plantation and tea factory, and enjoy a cup of world-famous Ceylon tea
  • Reach Nuwara Eliya and enjoy the scenic city known as 'Little England'.

Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

6
Day 06

Scenic Train Ride to Ella and Nine Arch Bridge

  • Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to Nanu Oya Railway Station to take the train to Ella. This is one of the world's most famous and scenic train rides.
  • You will be picked up at Ella Railway Station and visit Nine Arch Bridge in the evening.
  • Enjoy the rhythm of the small town of Ella in the evening.

Dinner and overnight stay in Ella.

7
Day 07

Ravana Falls and Yala Jeep Safari

  • Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, leave for Yala.
  • En route, visit Ravana Falls.
  • In the afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari in Yala National Park. If you are lucky enough, you may spot a leopard lying on a tree or crossing the road, as this national park has the highest density of leopards in the world.

Dinner and overnight stay in Yala / Tissamaharama.

8
Day 08

Galle Fort and Beach Relaxation

  • After breakfast, transfer to Galle and visit Galle Fort, built during colonial times.
  • Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach.

Dinner and overnight stay in Galle.

9
Day 09

Departure or Extended Beach Stay

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight, or extend your stay on the beautiful beaches of Galle, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, and more.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress at sunset, Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, Nine Arch Bridge, Yala National Park

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya Rock Fortress at sunset, Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, Nine Arch Bridge, Yala National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Sigiriya 16 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 8 nights of hotel accommodation
  • Daily breakfast and dinner
  • All sightseeing entrance fees (excluding Minneriya / Kaudulla Safari)
  • Transportation in an A/C vehicle
  • Service of an English-speaking driver
  • Jeeps for the safari in Yala National Park
  • Village safari

What's Not Included

  • Lunch
  • Cost of Ayurveda massage
  • Safari in Minneriya / Kaudulla National Park
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

What to bring

  • While visiting temples, you have to cover your knees and shoulders, so please bring suitable clothing.
  • Nuwara Eliya has a cool climate, around 12-15 degrees at night, so you may need suitable clothes.
  • Comfortable shoes.

Know before you go

  • Visa on arrival is available for most countries.
  • You can apply for an ETA before you depart from your country.
  • An online visa can be applied for.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake, Sri Lanka, or any other hotel / place given by guests
Tour start
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 days finish where they began, in Sigiriya.

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Starting from

USD 1,180 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,180.00 — $1,800.00
Double Sharing $1,180.00 — $1,400.00

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