Delve into the rich cultural and natural wonders of Sri Lanka on our most popular itinerary. From the royal capital of Polonnaruwa to exploring Yala National Park for wildlife, you will have every opportunity to see the diversity of the nation over 13 days. This well-paced itinerary gives you the chance to experience the wonders and traditions in Kandy, relax on the white sandy beaches of Bentota and then explore the bustling capital of Colombo.
13 days - from $2,250
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy a jeep safari to view the famous leopards of Yala National Park
- Experience local cuisine with a traditional lunch served in a village house
- Journey with an expert guide to a local tea plantation for a tea-tasting session
DAY 1 Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel in the seaside village of Negombo.
Stay at: Goldi Sands Hotel (3 star), Jetwing Sea Hotel (4 star) or Jetwing Blue Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 Negombo – Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Dambulla
Depart Negombo and travel along the bustling Kandy Road past small villages, chaotic towns and roadside carts selling an array of local produce to reach Sigiriya Rock Fortress, or Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights. Take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its sheer vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient 5th century city. Continue to your hotel for check in.
Stay at: Tropical Life Resort & Spa (3 star), Aliya Resort & Spa (4 star) or Jetwing Lake Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 3 Dambulla / Polonnaruwa
Explore the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, one of the most beautiful centres in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Discover on foot, or by bicycle, the wonderful treasures that remain in the archaeological park including the four beautiful rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara Temple. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to meet with the locals and experience village life. Taste authentic local cuisine while you experience first-hand the cooking methods of this local family.
Later this afternoon, you may wish to join an optional jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park, one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. At certain times of the year Kaudulla National Park or Hurulu Eco Park can be visited instead.
Stay at: Tropical Life Resort & Spa (3 star), Aliya Resort & Spa (4 star) or Jetwing Lake Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 4 Dambulla– Kandy
Proceed to Kandy, stopping enroute to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Dambulla Cave Temple, the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. This Buddhist place of worship is thought to date back to the 1st century and houses the country’s most sacred Buddha images. Travel through Matale, where you have an opportunity to explore the Spice Garden. On arrival in Kandy, you will explore the UNESCO listed city of Kandy and Sri Lanka's last royal capital with your guide, before hotel check in and your evening at leisure.
Stay at: Randholee Resort (3 star), Fox Resort (4 star) or Golden Crown Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 5 Kandy
Today, explore the Royal Botanical Gardens where you can admire the beautiful terrace gardens and ornamental plants. This afternoon is reserved for a traditional Kandyan Dance performance, a colourful spectacle including fire-walkers. Following this, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a complex said to hold the tooth of the Lord Buddha himself, and witness the evening Pooja Ceremony, the daily worship ritual that is deeply rooted in tradition and significance.
Stay at: Randholee Resort (3 star), Fox Resort (4 star) or Golden Crown Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 6 Kandy – Ramboda – Nuwara Eliya
Today, your journey leads you through the scenic high country to Nuwara Eliya, stopping enroute at Ramboda village to admire breathtaking views of the waterfall and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Further along the journey to Nuwara Eliya, discover the journey from tree to cup of the world-famous high-grown Ceylon Tea. With your guide, walk through a local tea plantation, meet with a Tea Plucker and visit the factory to see the processing stage followed by a tea-tasting session. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, begin your exploration of the city where the colourful chaos of Sri Lanka meets colonial bungalows, well-tended lawns and red telephone boxes.
Stay at Araliya Red Hotel (3 star), Araliya Green Hills (4 star) or Grand Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 7 Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy the views as you depart early for Horton Plains National Park, travelling on scenic village roads past Ambewela and Pattipola. This stunning National Park lies in the shadows of some of Sri Lanka’s highest peaks and offers excellent hikes for all levels including World’s End and Baker’s Falls. You can choose to hike or simply enjoy the stunning scenery and wait for wildlife to appear. Return to Nuwara Eliya to experience high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel where you can enjoy a selection of small sandwiches washed down with a cup of local tea.
Stay at Araliya Red Hotel (3 star), Araliya Green Hills (4 star) or Grand Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 8 Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala National Park
A short distance from Nuwara Eliya is the Nanu-Oya train station, here you board the local train travelling to Ella, a journey considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful. You will travel along the edge of mountains, passing tea estates in the spectacular high country whilst rolling in and out of pockets of mist filled mountain air. On arrival in Ella you will drive to Yala, visiting the sacred Kataragama Temple along the way, a captivating spiritual site honouring both the Buddhist guardian Kataragama Deviyo and the Hindu war god Murugan.
Stay at Elephant Reach Hotel (3 star), Cinnamon Wild (4 star) or Jetwing Yala (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 9 Yala National Park
Depart early for your jeep safari in Yala, the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka and home to a great diversity of wildlife, most famous of which is the leopard. Look out for elephants, sloth bears, water buffaloes, peacocks, wild boars, crocodiles, and of course, leopards. Yala is known as one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive big cat.
Stay at Elephant Reach Hotel (3 star), Cinnamon Wild (4 star) or Jetwing Yala (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 10 Yala National Park – Galle – Bentota
Travel along Sri Lanka’s picturesque southeast coast on a scenic journey to the historic city of Galle in the southwest. Upon arrival, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, a captivating blend of colonial history and vibrant local life. Wander through charming cobblestone laneways lined with Dutch-colonial architecture, boutique shops, and quaint cafes, while learning about the fort’s rich trading past and cultural significance. On your way to the beach town of Bentota, make a meaningful stop at a Turtle Hatchery, where you can discover efforts to protect and nurture endangered sea turtles, and maybe even witness baby turtles being released into the ocean. Finish your day relaxing on the pristine beaches of Bentota, soaking up the sun and sea breeze.
Stay at Earl's Reef Hotel (3 star), NH Bentota Ceysands Resort (4 star) or Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 11 Bentota
Sri Lankan beaches are world-class and Bentota is one of the best. Enjoy a full day to experience the country’s coast and all it has to offer. You will still have access to your driver should you wish to explore the surrounding areas, perhaps take an optional visit to The Brief Gardens, and wander through the winding paths framed by vibrant tropical flowers, sculpted hedges, and towering trees. The garden’s unique charm lies in its playful design elements and unexpected surprises, from whimsical statues to secret courtyards.
Stay at Earl's Reef Hotel (3 star), NH Bentota Ceysands Resort (4 star) or Taj Bentota Resort & Spa (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 12 Bentota – Colombo
Today explore the country’s capital, a diverse mix of people, architecture and religion influenced by ancient kingdoms and European settlers. Your guided tour will drive along the crystal white Race Course, visit the Pettah Bazaar and the newer 'Arcade', revamped Independence Square where designer boutiques are located along with a 'walk over fish tank'. The evening is free for you to explore this vibrant city.
Stay at Fairway Hotel (3 star), Ramada by Wyndham Colombo (4 star) or Amari Colombo (5 star), or Hilton Colombo (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 13 Colombo
Your tour concludes with a departure transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
- Private 13 day tour
- 12 nights in hotel accommodation
- English-speaking Chauffeur-Guide
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Scenic high country train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
- Entrance fees
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Services of a local representative
- 12 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 1 high tea
- 12 dinners
- 2 x 500ml mineral water bottles per person per day
Excursions & Experiences
- Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Polonnaruwa Tour
- Cultural Triangle cooking demonstration
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
- Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy
- Kandy Cultural Dance
- Kandy Tour including the Royal Botanical Gardens
- Visit Horton Plains National Park
- Tea Experience – Plantation and Factory Tour
- Yala National Park Safari
- Galle Fort Walking Tour
- Colombo Tour
| 3 star option | ||
|---|---|---|
Twin/Double Single | ||
| 19 Sep 2025 - 31 Oct 2025 | $2,310 $4,740 | |
| 1 Nov 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | was $2,600 $2,480 was $5,320 $5,060 | |
| 20 Dec 2025 - 15 Jan 2026 | $2,880 $5,920 | |
| 16 Jan 2026 - 31 Jan 2026 | $2,650 $5,440 | |
| 1 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 | was $2,650 $2,520 was $5,440 $5,180 | |
| 1 Apr 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 | was $2,360 $2,250 was $4,840 $4,600 | |
| 1 Jul 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 | was $2,510 $2,390 was $5,150 $4,900 | |
| 1 Sep 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 | was $2,360 $2,250 was $4,840 $4,600 | |
| Price per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) |
This is a private tour that can depart any day of the year.
Travelling on a private tour gives you the flexibility to explore your destination at your own pace, customise your itinerary, and accommodation level to suit your interests and budget.
