Private journey · Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Ancient Cities, Tea Hills and the South Coast
Sigiriya and the ancient cities, elephants at Minneriya, Kandy and the tea country, leopards in Yala and the old fort town of Galle.
- Duration
- 12 nights · 13 days
- Route
- Negombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Tea country · Yala · Galle
- Best months
- December to April
- Hotels
- Boutique lodges, tea estate bungalows and coastal villas
- Pricing
- Tailored to your choices
Why this journey
Why this Sri Lanka tour
This Sri Lanka tour travels the island in thirteen days, from the ancient cities around Sigiriya to Kandy and the cool tea country. It ends on the south coast, with safaris in Yala and the old fort at Galle. Like every Sri Lanka tour we plan, it can be shaped around your dates, pace and interests. For background, see our guide to travelling in Sri Lanka.
01
The Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla and the ruined royal city of Polonnaruwa, all within easy reach.
02
Elephants and leopards
Elephants gathering at Minneriya or Kaudulla, and leopards and sloth bears in Yala.
03
The hill country by train
One of the world’s great rail journeys, past tea estates and over the Nine Arch Bridge.
The route
Your route
A private chauffeur-guide drives you throughout, with one stretch by train through the hill country. You begin near the airport, travel north to the ancient cities, then south through the hills to the coast.
Day by day
Your Sri Lanka tour, day by day
Day 1 Arrive in Sri Lanka
You are met at Colombo airport and driven to a quiet hotel in Negombo to rest.
Overnight: Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo
Day 2 To Sigiriya
Drive inland to the Cultural Triangle. The afternoon is free.
Overnight: Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya
Day 3 Sigiriya
Climb Sigiriya rock early in the morning. Later, a village walk or a bicycle ride through the paddy fields.
Overnight: Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya
Day 4 Polonnaruwa and the elephants
The ruins of Polonnaruwa, then an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla, depending on where the elephants are gathering.
Overnight: Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya
Day 5 Dambulla to Kandy
The painted cave temples of Dambulla, then on to Kandy. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the evening.
Overnight: King’s Pavilion, Kandy
Day 6 Kandy
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya and a walk around Kandy lake.
Overnight: King’s Pavilion, Kandy
Day 7 Kandy to the tea country
Up into the hills by road, with a stop at a working tea factory.
Overnight: Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton, tea country
Day 8 The tea country
A walk through the estates with a planter, and an afternoon to yourselves.
Overnight: Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton, tea country
Day 9 Train to Ella, on to Yala
The scenic train ride through the hills to Ella, a stop at the Nine Arch Bridge, then down to the edge of Yala National Park.
Overnight: Uga Chena Huts, Yala
Day 10 Yala
Early morning and late afternoon jeep safaris for leopard, elephant, sloth bear and birdlife.
Overnight: Uga Chena Huts, Yala
Day 11 Yala to Galle
Along the south coast to Galle.
Overnight: Amangalla, Galle
Day 12 Galle
The ramparts and lanes of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and time on the beach.
Overnight: Amangalla, Galle
Day 13 Depart Colombo
Drive to Colombo airport for your flight home.
Where you’ll stay
Hotels on this Sri Lanka tour
These are the hotels we usually suggest for this route. We confirm each one with you, and can suggest alternatives at a similar level if you prefer.
Jetwing Lagoon
Negombo · 1 night
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Sigiriya · 3 nights
Ceylon Tea Trails
Hatton, tea country · 2 nights
Uga Chena Huts
Yala · 2 nights
Amangalla
Galle · 2 nights
Make it yours
Shape it around you
This Sri Lanka tour is a starting point. These are some of the changes our travellers most often ask for.
Questions
Questions about this Sri Lanka tour
When is the best time to visit?
December to April is the dry season on the west and south coasts and in the hills, which suits this route. The east coast is at its best from May to September, and we can plan a different route for those months.
Do we need a visa?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before arrival. We will tell you what applies to your passport.
Is Yala open all year?
Parts of Yala can close for a few weeks in the dry season, usually around September. We check the dates when we plan your journey.
How long are the drives?
Most drives are three to four hours, with stops on the way. Roads in the hills are slow and winding, so we never rush them.
Sri Lanka
Enquire about this Sri Lanka tour
Tell us when you would like to travel and who is coming. We will reply personally to arrange a call at a time that suits you.
Prefer to write directly? contact@alluring.travel · WhatsApp +91 92119 13735
