Amazing Sri Lanka
Overview
Nine days at a comfortable pace, combining ancient cities, traditional village life, hill-country scenery, tea experiences, a scenic train ride and relaxed time on the south-west coast. The journey opens in laid-back Negombo before Pinnawala, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa bring Sri Lanka's ancient heritage to life, with a stop in the traditional village of Hiriwadunna along the way for a look at rural life beyond the main sights.
From there it continues to Kandy and the cool tea country of Nuwara Eliya, with a working tea plantation visit and one of the island's most memorable train journeys towards Ella. From the mountains the route drops to the south coast for time around Weligama and Bentota, finishing in Colombo before departure.
Gallery
Highlights
- Relaxed arrival in Negombo
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Polonnaruwa's ancient medieval capital
- Traditional Hiriwadunna village experience
- Matale Spice Garden
- Kandy and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Nuwara Eliya tea plantation experience
- Scenic hill-country train journey to Ella
- Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
- Weligama beaches and optional surfing
- Bentota river and beach experiences
- Galle Fort
- Colombo city sightseeing and final departure
Included & excluded
- 8 nights accommodation in the selected hotel category
- Daily breakfast & dinner
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Airport pickup and departure transfer
- All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees to attractions and heritage sites
- Scenic train journey towards Ella, subject to availability
- Nine Arch Bridge visit
- 1 litre drinking water per person per day
- Driver and vehicle-related expenses
- Applicable hotel and government taxes
- International flights and airfare
- Sri Lanka visa / ETA fees
- Lunches
- Train tickets
- Optional Kandyan cultural dance performance
- Optional surfing and water sports
- Optional Bentota river boat safari
- Personal expenses, shopping and beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Early check-in or late check-out charges
- Any services not specifically mentioned under Included
Day by day
Arrival — Negombo
Begin your Sri Lankan journey with a relaxed first evening on the west coast.
- Airport arrival and private meet-and-greet
- Transfer to Negombo
- Hotel check-in
- Explore the Negombo coastal area
- Walk along the beach
- Overnight in Negombo
Negombo → Pinnawala → Sigiriya
Travel towards Sri Lanka's cultural triangle with a stop at Pinnawala.
- Breakfast and departure from Negombo
- Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Continue towards Sigiriya
- Check in to your hotel
- Optional village or local experience
- Overnight in Sigiriya
Sigiriya → Hiriwadunna → Polonnaruwa
Combine Sri Lanka's ancient heritage with an authentic rural experience.
- Morning visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Continue to Hiriwadunna
- Experience a traditional village setting
- Continue towards Polonnaruwa
- Evening visit to Polonnaruwa
- Explore selected ancient ruins and monuments during the cooler hours
- Overnight in Polonnaruwa or nearby
Polonnaruwa → Matale → Kandy
Continue towards Kandy through the green landscapes of central Sri Lanka.
- Breakfast and departure from Polonnaruwa
- Visit a traditional Matale Spice Garden
- Discover cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and other Sri Lankan spices
- Continue towards Kandy
- Visit Kandy Lake
- Explore the historic city centre
- Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Optional Kandyan cultural dance performance
- Overnight in Kandy
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Travel into Sri Lanka's famous tea country and experience how Ceylon Tea is produced.
- Breakfast and departure from Kandy
- Scenic drive through the central highlands
- Travel through tea-covered landscapes
- Visit a working tea plantation
- Visit a tea factory
- Learn about tea production from leaf to finished product
- Continue to Nuwara Eliya
- Visit Gregory Lake
- Overnight in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Weligama
Enjoy a combination of mountain scenery, the iconic hill-country railway and Sri Lanka's southern coast.
- Morning transfer to the railway station
- Board the scenic train towards Ella
- Enjoy one of Sri Lanka's most memorable railway experiences
- Arrive in Ella
- Visit Nine Arch Bridge
- Explore Ella town
- Optional Little Adam's Peak walk
- Continue by private vehicle towards Weligama
- Check in to your beach hotel
- Overnight in Weligama
Weligama
Enjoy a slower day on the south coast with time to choose between relaxation and local experiences.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Relax on Weligama Beach
- Optional beginner surfing lesson
- Optional swimming and beach activities
- Explore the local fishing and coastal areas
- Optional visit to Galle Fort
- Discover local cafés, galleries and small shops
- Return to Weligama
- Overnight in Weligama
Weligama → Bentota
Leave the southern coast and continue towards Bentota for a final day of beach and river experiences.
- Breakfast and departure from Weligama
- Scenic coastal journey towards Bentota
- Arrive in Bentota
- Check in to your beach hotel
- Optional Bentota River boat safari
- Optional water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding
- Optional visit to a local turtle conservation centre
- Overnight in Bentota
Bentota → Colombo → Departure
Finish your Sri Lankan holiday with a short introduction to Colombo before your international departure.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Depart Bentota towards Colombo
- Colombo city sightseeing
- Visit Galle Face Green
- Visit Gangaramaya Temple
- Optional last-minute souvenir shopping
- Purchase Sri Lankan tea, spices, handicrafts and gifts
- Continue to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Departure from Sri Lanka
Map
Frequently asked questions
What's the Hiriwadunna village stop actually like?
It's a short, low-key detour between Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa — a traditional rural setting that gives a different view of Sri Lanka than the ancient sites alone.
Is the scenic train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella included?
Yes, it's built into day 6, subject to seat availability on the day — one of the most scenic rail journeys in Sri Lanka, through tea plantations and mountain valleys.
Why does the trip end in Colombo rather than straight from Bentota?
Colombo is on the way to the airport, so we use the final morning for a short city stop and last-minute shopping rather than a dead-end detour.