Ayubowan Sri Lanka
Overview
“Ayubowan” — the traditional Sinhala greeting — sets the tone: a warm, culture-first introduction to the island, from Colombo's markets and temples through hill-country Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, the hiking trails around Ella, and a wildlife stop at Udawalawe before finishing on Mirissa's beaches.
Gallery
Highlights
- Colombo — Galle Face Green, Pettah market, Gangaramaya Temple, Lotus Tower
- Kandy Lake, bazaar and the Temple of the Tooth
- Udawalawe National Park — elephants, deer and more
- Mirissa — swimming, snorkelling and a boat excursion
Included & excluded
- Accommodation, 3–4 star hotels or similar, half-board basis
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle for the full itinerary
- Assistance of a chauffeur guide
- Government taxes
- 1 litre bottled water per person per day
- Udawalawe National Park jeep safari
- Entrance fees to sights in Sri Lanka
- Airfare and visa fees
- Early check-in / late checkout charges
- Tips and porterage
- Lunch and any other meals not mentioned
Day by day
Arrival — Colombo
Settle into Colombo with time to explore Galle Face Green at sunset, browse the Pettah markets, and visit the Gangaramaya Temple and Lotus Tower.
Colombo → Kandy
Travel to Kandy, Sri Lanka's hill-country cultural capital, set around a highland lake.
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Visit the Temple of the Tooth before driving up into tea country to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya → Ella
Continue to Ella, known for hiking trails and the Nine Arch Bridge.
Ella → Udawalawe → Mirissa
Stop at Udawalawe National Park for elephant sightings en route to the south-coast beach town of Mirissa.
Mirissa → Departure
A final morning by the sea, with time to swim or snorkel, before transfer to the airport.
Map
Frequently asked questions
What does “Ayubowan” mean?
It's the traditional Sinhala greeting, roughly “may you live long” — this route leans into a culture-first introduction to the island, hence the name.
Is the Udawalawe stop a full safari or just a drive-by?
A proper jeep safari, usually a couple of hours, timed en route between Ella and Mirissa rather than an overnight stop.
Is 6 days enough to properly see Kandy, the hills and the coast?
It's a brisk but workable pace — each stop gets at least a night, though travellers wanting more time in any one place often extend to 8 or 9 days instead.