Sri Lanka · Culture

8-Day Sri Lanka Cultural and Wildlife Tour with Sigiriya and Yala

8 Days Round trip from Nuwara Eliya Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Colombo's iconic landmarks and the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
02 Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and enjoy a traditional village experience with ox cart and catamaran rides
03 Visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and tour tea plantations and waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya
04 Experience an exciting jeep safari in Yala National Park to spot elephants and leopards

Experience Sri Lanka's best on this eight day cultural, heritage and wildlife tour from Colombo. Discover the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Enjoy a traditional village experience, tea tasting in Nuwara Eliya, and a thrilling jeep safari in Yala National Park. Explore Colombo's vibrant landmarks and unwind amid scenic landscapes, diverse traditions, and warm Sri Lankan hospitality throughout the journey.

Discover the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.

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 No

Cities Anuradhapura, Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Matale, Sigiriya, Ella, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Minneriya National Park, Habarana, Katunayake, Tissamaharama, Kaudulla National Park

Languages English, German

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Sri Lanka and Colombo City Tour

Arrive at the airport and transfer to Colombo.
Explore the capital's highlights, including Beira Lake, Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square, Galle Face Green, Red Mosque, and Viharamahadevi Park.
Enjoy shopping at Marino Mall and Colombo City Centre.

Overnight stay in Colombo.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB)

Day 02

Journey to Ancient Anuradhapura

Travel to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first ancient capital.
Visit the Bronze Palace, Isurumuniya Temple with Ranmasu Uyana, Mahavihara Monastery, Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, and Mirisawatiya.
See the sacred Bodhi Tree, believed to be an offshoot of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.

Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB)

Day 03

Explore Medieval Polonnaruwa

Explore Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka.
Visit the Gal Vihara rock Buddha statues, the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu, Lankatilaka Temple, Rankoth Vehera, Vatadage, and Gal Potha (Stone Book).
Optional: Jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park.

Overnight stay in the Sigiriya area.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB)

Day 04

Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Village Experience

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the 8th Wonder of the World.
Enjoy a traditional village experience, including an ox cart ride, a walk through rice fields, a local lunch, and a catamaran ride.
Optional: Jeep safari in Minneriya or Eco Park.

Overnight stay in Sigiriya or Habarana.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB) plus local lunch.

Day 05

Dambulla, Matale and Sacred Kandy

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop at a spice and herbal garden in Matale.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and explore Kandy Lake, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, and a Kandyan Cultural Dance Show.

Overnight stay in Kandy.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB).

Day 06

Tea Country Drive to Nuwara Eliya

Take a scenic drive through Sri Lanka's tea country.
Visit tea plantations and a tea factory to learn about Ceylon tea production.
Stop at Ramboda Waterfall and visit Gregory Lake Park, the racecourse, and the colonial post office.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB).

Day 07

Ella Highlights and Yala Safari

Travel via Ella and visit Ravana Waterfall.
Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in Yala National Park and look out for leopards, elephants, deer, and crocodiles.

Overnight stay in Yala or Tissamaharama.

Meal Plan: Dinner and Breakfast (HB).

Day 08

Departure or Beach Extension

Transfer to Colombo Airport or extend your journey with a beach holiday.

Where this trip takes you

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nuwara Eliya 15 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation in standard rooms on a half board basis for 7 nights, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.
Entrance fees to all listed attractions.
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
Transfers from the final destination to the airport.
Services of a chauffeur guide.
City tours of Colombo, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Ella.
All applicable local taxes.
Two 500 ml mineral water bottles per person per day.
Lunch on Day 4.
Safari in Yala on Day 7.

What's Not Included

Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
Mini-bar charges in hotel rooms.
Meals not specified.
Tips and gratuities.
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and porterage.
Video camera permits at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Tickets for the Kandy Esala Perahera.
Visa processing fees.
Services not specified above.
Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Perahera supplements at hotels.

What to bring

Light cotton clothes for warm weather in Kandy and Colombo.
Valid passport and travel insurance documents.
Flight tickets and printed itinerary.
Warm clothing for cool evenings in Nuwara Eliya (12-18°C).
Comfortable walking shoes for city and temple visits.
Socks and easy-to-remove footwear for temples.
Rain jacket or umbrella for hill country weather.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees.
Light scarf or shawl for temple visits.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Reusable water bottle.
Insect repellent.
Camera or smartphone with charger and power bank.
Travel adapter (Type G, 230V).
Small backpack for daily excursions.
Basic medicines for motion sickness, headaches, or allergies.
Personal hygiene items, including toiletries, sanitiser, and tissues.

Know before you go

Rates are subject to change depending on government taxes and hotel availability.
Tailor-made adjustments to the itinerary are available upon request.
Visits to wildlife parks are at your own risk.
Safari vehicles are basic and non-air-conditioned.
Alcohol is not served in public areas during religious holidays.
Modest dress is required at religious sites; shoulders and knees must be covered.
Footwear must be removed before entering temples and religious monuments.
Secure shoe storage is available at most religious sites for a small fee.
National Tourist Guide Lecturers in German and other languages are available on request.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, Canada Friendship Rd, Katunayake, Sri Lanka

Tour start

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.