Time Out in Sri Lanka
Overview
Take time to experience Sri Lanka at a more relaxed pace on this 11-day, 10-night private Sri Lanka tour. Combining cultural heritage, village life, tea-country scenery, wildlife and beach relaxation, this itinerary is designed for travellers who want to explore without rushing from one attraction to the next.
Discover Sigiriya and Dambulla, experience traditional village life at Hiriwadunna, enjoy a Minneriya wildlife safari, explore Kandy and the tea country of Nuwara Eliya, travel by scenic train towards Ella, visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge, search for wildlife at Yala and finish with relaxing days on the beaches of Bentota.
Gallery
Highlights
- Relaxed arrival on Negombo Beach
- Visit the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Experience a traditional Hiriwadunna village and lake tour
- Enjoy a Minneriya National Park jeep safari
- Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple
- Explore a traditional Matale Spice Garden
- Discover Kandy and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya
- Travel through the scenic tea country of Nuwara Eliya
- Enjoy a Nuwara Eliya–Ella scenic train journey
- Visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
- Experience a Yala National Park jeep safari
- Relax on the beaches of Bentota
- Enjoy optional river and water-based activities
- Finish with Colombo sightseeing and shopping
Included & excluded
- 10 nights' accommodation in selected 3–4 star hotels or similar
- Half-board accommodation
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the itinerary
- Entrance fees to other attractions throughout the itinerary
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Hiriwadunna village and lake experience
- Minneriya National Park jeep safari
- Nuwara Eliya tea plantation and tea factory experience
- Scenic train journey towards Ella
- Yala National Park jeep safari
- Government taxes
- 1 litre bottled water per person per day
- International airfare
- Sri Lankan visa fees
- Entrance fees unless specifically mentioned as included
- Lunches and meals not mentioned
- Optional boat rides and water sports
- Optional cultural performances
- Early check-in or late check-out charges
- Tips and porterage
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Any services not specifically listed under inclusions
Day by day
Arrival — Negombo
Begin your Time Out in Sri Lanka holiday with a short private transfer from Bandaranaike International Airport to the relaxed coastal town of Negombo.
- Airport arrival and private transfer
- Check in to your hotel
- Enjoy free time by the beach
- Optional beach walk or sunset
- Overnight in Negombo
Negombo → Sigiriya → Habarana
Travel inland towards Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, with an introduction to one of the island's most famous landmarks.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Explore the ancient rock citadel and surrounding gardens
- Continue towards Habarana
- Check in and relax
- Free evening at your hotel
Habarana → Minneriya National Park → Habarana
Enjoy a wildlife-focused day without changing hotels, giving you time to relax between activities.
- Relaxed morning at the hotel
- Optional free time around Habarana
- Afternoon or evening Minneriya National Park jeep safari
- Look for wild elephants and other wildlife
- Return to Habarana
Hiriwadunna Village & Lake Experience
Experience rural Sri Lankan life through a relaxed village and lake excursion.
- Travel to Hiriwadunna village
- Enjoy a traditional village experience
- Take a bullock-cart ride through the countryside, where available
- Enjoy a traditional catamaran ride across the lake
- Enjoy a traditional home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch, if selected
- Return to Habarana
- Free evening to relax
Habarana → Dambulla → Matale → Kandy
Continue towards Kandy through the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, with visits to Dambulla and Matale.
- Depart Habarana after breakfast
- Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple
- Visit a traditional Matale Spice Garden
- Continue through the scenic countryside to Kandy
- Check in to your hotel
- Evening at leisure
Kandy Cultural Experience
Enjoy Kandy at an easy pace, with time for culture, gardens and relaxation.
- Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Walk around scenic Kandy Lake
- Explore Kandy's traditional streets and local markets
- Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya
- Enjoy free time for shopping or relaxation
- Optional Kandyan cultural dance performance in the evening
- Overnight in Kandy
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Travel into Sri Lanka's cool central highlands and discover the island's famous tea country.
- Scenic drive from Kandy towards Nuwara Eliya
- Travel through rolling tea plantations
- Visit a working tea plantation
- Visit a tea factory, subject to operating arrangements
- Continue to Nuwara Eliya
- Visit selected viewpoints or explore the town
- Relax in the cool hill-country climate
Nuwara Eliya → Ella by Scenic Train → Yala
One of the most scenic days of the journey, combining Sri Lanka's hill-country railway with Ella's famous landmarks before continuing south to Yala.
- Enjoy breakfast in Nuwara Eliya
- Transfer to Nanu Oya Railway Station
- Board the scenic train towards Ella
- Arrive in Ella
- Visit the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and explore Ella town
- Optional short visit to Little Adam's Peak
- Check in near Yala
- Relax after the day's journey
Yala National Park → Bentota
Start the day with Sri Lanka's famous wildlife experience before travelling towards the south-west coast.
- Early morning Yala National Park jeep safari
- Return to the hotel for breakfast
- Check out and begin the journey towards Bentota
- Check in and relax
- Optional water-based activity, subject to weather and availability
Bentota → Colombo
Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling to Colombo for the final city experience.
- Free morning in Bentota
- Optional beach walk or river excursion
- Depart for Colombo
- Explore selected Colombo city highlights
- Visit Galle Face Green
- Explore the historic Pettah area
- Visit Gangaramaya Temple
- Enjoy last-minute shopping
- Overnight in Colombo
Colombo → Departure
Enjoy your final morning in Sri Lanka before your private airport transfer.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Free time depending on your flight schedule
- Optional final shopping or short city visit
- Private transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Departure from Sri Lanka
Map
Frequently asked questions
What happens on the Hiriwadunna village tour?
A bullock cart ride, a catamaran paddle across the lake, and a home-cooked village lunch — a slower, more local day between the bigger sights.
Is this itinerary more relaxed than your other 11-day route?
Yes, deliberately — it's built around genuine downtime (the village day, a boat ride on Lake Gregory, two nights at Bentota) rather than maximising the number of sights.
Can the village tour be swapped for something more active?
Yes, it's easy to substitute a hike or a different half-day activity if a slower village visit isn't what you're after.