Classic 2 weeks Highlights Tour of Sri Lanka

Day 1 - Welcome to Sri Lanka

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Meet your private chauffeur guide who will be looking after you for the days ahead, and transfer to your hotel just a short drive away on the Negombo lagoon.

Settle in to Villa Hundira, a family-owned villa offering excellent food and a comfortable environment to adjust to the new timezone.

Day 2 - To the Cultural Triangle

Check out after breakfast and head to the Cultural Triangle. Check in to your hotel, a rustic getaway surrounded by inviting paddy fields and a perfect base to explore the area.

In the afternoon visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The site was the domain of King Kashyapa whose aim was to build an impregnable fortress and within it, a heavenly abode. Today, the climb of 1200 footsteps rewards you with a scenic view and a fascinating perspective of 5th century urban-planning.

Day 3 - Polonnaruwa

This morning, visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, recognized as one of the best planned archaeological relic sites of the country.

Enjoy the impressive sculptures and temples with intricate carvings before returning to the hotel for a restful afternoon

Day 4 - Optional: Hues of Habarana

Enjoy a well deserved rest day today, or enjoy a thrilling bike ride today.

Optional Tour – Hues of Habarana

Set out on a village cycling tour with a local guide, which explores the lifestyle of the local villagers, keeping an eye out for birdlife on the way. Expect flat terrain and a manageable pace. 

Stop to learn more about local, traditional industry, including making bricks out of clay, manufacturing brooms, some village dancing and ayurvedic oil blending. Wrap up the day with a Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch. 

Day 5 - Dambulla Cave Temples

Check out and transfer to Kandy today, stopping to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple on the way. One of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO world heritage sites, this is a well preserved and very interesting cave temple complex.

Later, continue the drive to Kandy and check in at your next hotel, overlooking the lake and well situated to explore the city.

Day 6 - Explore Kandy City

Explore Kandy City with your chauffeur guide today, looking out for the colonial touches in the architecture and and stopping to soak up the atmosphere in the markets. And no visit to Kandy is complete without a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, the most iconic building in the city and home of the sacred tooth relic.

Optional Tour: Curries, claypots and kandyan flavours. 

If you like, push the city tour to the afternoon and start the day with a special Sri Lankan dining experience. Shop in the markets for spices and seasonal vegetables, then join a local woman to learn authentic cooking techniques in claypots, and taste everything you make. 

Day 7 - Scenic Train

Check out after breakfast, then drive to join the scenic train through the hill country, boarding at Nanu Oya.

Your chauffeur guide will follow with the luggage and pick you up at the Ella Railway Station. It’s a hassle free process, just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Check in at your hotel, perched high in the hills with stunning views across the tea plantations and mountains.

Day 8 - Hiking and Exploring in the Hill Country

Explore the area on foot today.

Early in the morning is the ideal time to set out on a short hike to the Little Adams Peak in the cool, fresh air.  Later proceed to the famous Nine Arch Bridge, constructed in the 1920’s.

Day 9 - Tea Tasting

Early this morning, set out on a more challenging trek to Ella Rock. The walk will take you along the railroad tracks and onto a hanging metal bridge, then through a eucalyptus forest, rewarding you with stunning views from Ella Rock.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and free time to rest and enjoy the facilities at the hotel such as the inviting swimming pool.

In the afternoon, visit a small family run estate to see the process of how they produce artisanal tea and coffee. Depending on the production schedule, you may also be able to see how they hand-process their tea and other products and even try your hand at plucking and rolling your own batch of tea. Afterwards you can enjoy a tea tasting session as well.

Day 10 - Safari in Yala

Check out and drive to Yala National Park after breakfast.

Check in at your hotel, and in the afternoon dress in your most neutral colours and set out for a safari ride at Yala National Park.

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most famous park and with good reason as it is home to an amazing range of wildlife, including elephants, peacocks, leopards and bears. Expect thick lush foliage so pay close attention!

Day 11 - South-Coast Beach stay

It’s time to head to the beach!

Settle into your quiet villa hotel situated right on the beach, just a 40 minute drive away from the hustle and bustle of Galle Fort. The rooms here are spacious and individually designed.

You are perfectly placed to dine at a different place every evening, visit a turtle hatchery, join a whale watching boat trip, enjoy some water sports in Mirissa – and more.

Stay here for 4 relaxing nights

Day 15 - Galle Fort / Departure

Today after breakfast you will be collected from your beach hotel and driven the short distance to Galle for a guided tour around the historic living monument.

Take the day at your pace, enjoy some lunch and go shopping, then continue to the airport for your departure flight this evening.

Come back soon!