Sri Lanka Experience
Overview
Experience the highlights of Sri Lanka on a 7 Days / 6 Nights private tour combining the island's west coast, ancient cultural heritage, misty tea country, wildlife and colonial-era southern coast.
From the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress, sacred Dambulla Cave Temple, historic Kandy, scenic tea estates around Nuwara Eliya, a Yala National Park jeep safari, and the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, this itinerary offers a varied introduction to Sri Lanka without rushing from place to place.
Designed with a comfortable pace, the journey allows time to enjoy each destination rather than spending every day on long road transfers. It is well suited to couples and independent-minded travellers who are looking for a private Sri Lanka holiday with culture, nature, wildlife and authentic local experiences.
Gallery
Highlights
- Climb the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Discover the Dambulla Cave Temple
- Experience Sri Lankan culture and scenery around Matale and Kandy
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth and explore Kandy
- Walk through a working tea estate and factory near Nuwara Eliya
- Enjoy the cool mountain scenery of Sri Lanka's hill country
- Experience a Yala National Park jeep safari
- Search for leopards, elephants, buffalo and other wildlife
- Explore Galle Fort, its historic walls, lighthouse and atmospheric lanes
- Enjoy a relaxed final morning on the southern coast
Included & excluded
- 6 nights accommodation in the selected hotel category
- Daily breakfast & Dinner
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Airport pickup and departure transfer
- All transportation and sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to attractions and heritage sites as mentioned in the itinerary
- 1 litre of drinking water per person per day
- Driver and vehicle-related expenses
- Hotel and applicable government taxes
- Yala National Park jeep safari
- Tea plantation and tea factory visit
- Assistance during the tour
- International flights and airfare
- Sri Lanka visa / ETA fees
- Other attraction entrance fees unless specifically mentioned as included
- Lunches
- Optional Kandyan cultural dance performance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, drinks and shopping
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Early check-in or late check-out charges
- Any activities or services not specifically mentioned under Included
- Any additional transportation caused by changes to the itinerary or personal requests
- Any increase in entrance fees, taxes or government charges after booking
Day by day
Arrival — Colombo
A warm welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport, followed by a short private transfer to Colombo.
- Airport arrival and private transfer to Colombo
- Check in to your hotel and relax after your flight
- Explore Colombo's vibrant city centre
- Visit the historic Fort and Pettah areas
- See colonial-era buildings and landmarks
- Visit Galle Face Green and enjoy a relaxed walk by the sea
- Explore local shops and markets
- Overnight in Colombo
Colombo → Sigiriya
Leave the west coast and travel inland towards Sri Lanka's cultural heartland.
- Scenic private drive towards Sigiriya
- Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Climb the ancient rock citadel, subject to weather and personal fitness
- Check in to your hotel
- Relax and enjoy the peaceful countryside around Sigiriya
- Overnight in Sigiriya
Sigiriya → Dambulla → Matale → Kandy
Continue through the cultural triangle towards the hill capital of Kandy.
- Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple
- Visit a local spice garden in Matale
- Learn about traditional Sri Lankan spices and Ayurvedic plants
- Continue through the green central highlands to Kandy
- Visit Kandy Lake
- Explore the historic centre and local bazaar
- Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Optional evening Kandyan cultural dance performance
- Overnight in Kandy
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Travel deeper into Sri Lanka's famous tea country, with mountain scenery and cool highland air.
- Travel through tea-covered mountain slopes
- Visit a working tea plantation
- Tour a tea factory and learn about traditional tea production
- Enjoy a tea tasting
- Continue to Nuwara Eliya
- Explore the colonial-style town
- Walk around Gregory Lake, subject to time and weather
- Relax at your hotel in the cool hill-country climate
- Overnight in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya → Yala National Park
Leave the tea country behind and descend towards Sri Lanka's wildlife-rich south.
- Scenic train journey from Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) to Ella
- Visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
- Arrive near Yala National Park
- Check in and have time to relax
- Afternoon or evening Yala jeep safari, depending on park conditions and itinerary
- Search for wild elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and birdlife
- Possibility of spotting leopards and sloth bears
- Return to your hotel after the safari
- Overnight near Yala
Yala → Galle
Continue along Sri Lanka's southern coast towards the historic city of Galle.
- Scenic journey towards the south coast
- Arrive in Galle
- Explore Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Walk along the historic fortifications
- Visit the iconic Galle Lighthouse
- Explore atmospheric colonial streets
- Discover independent cafés, galleries and small local shops
- Enjoy sunset around the fort or coast
- Overnight in Galle
Galle → Departure
Enjoy a relaxed final morning before your private transfer to the airport.
- Leisurely breakfast at the hotel
- Free time to explore Galle or enjoy a final coastal walk
- Optional tuk-tuk ride or souvenir shopping
- Private transfer towards Bandaranaike International Airport
- Departure from Sri Lanka
Map
Frequently asked questions
Is one safari at Yala enough, or should we do two?
One is included in this itinerary; a second morning drive can be added for a better chance at a leopard sighting, at extra cost.
Is the Nanu Oya to Ella train included?
Yes — it's part of Day 5, with your chauffeur meeting you at Ella to continue by road to Yala; seat availability depends on the railway's own schedule.
Does this itinerary suit a first trip to Sri Lanka?
Yes — it's built to cover the cultural triangle, hill country, a safari and the south coast in one week, a fairly complete first look at the island.