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14-Day Authentic Sri Lanka

Customisable Itinerary
4.0 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

Experience the real Sri Lanka during this 14-day unique tour with authentic accommodation and bespoke tours that allow you to indulge in the real flavour of Sri Lanka. You'll learn the way of life while engaging with local people.

On this Sri Lanka sightseeing tour, you will experience staying in a treehouse which was once used to spot wild elephants coming towards the village, enjoy typical cooking lessons, boat rides, the scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella, tuk-tuk tours, camping in a national park and so much more.

The highlights of the trip will be climbing up to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, visiting local villages, a boat ride on the Negombo lagoon, visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple, the Yapahuwa ancient kingdom and the Temple of the Tooth Relic and finally, hiking around the beautiful hills of Ella.
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Beach & Sea

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!

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Welcome to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!

You will be greeted by your Sri Lankan representative at the airport and will be guided you to the car that will take you to the hotel in Negombo which is about a 30 minutes drive away. Upon arrival, you'll check into your villa and relax after your long journey. Negombo is a popular fishing village and some call this the 'Small Rome of Sri Lanka'. You will be able to explore tomorrow.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Beach Boutique Pamunugama3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in NegomboOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bandaranaike International Airport to Negombo

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Negombo

Day 2

Negombo Boat Tour

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Negombo Boat Tour

One of the best ways to explore Negombo is by boat. You will enjoy a boat ride in the lagoon or sea by catamaran which is used by the fisherman most commonly. You'll pay a visit to the local fish market called 'Lellama' and buy some of your favourite seafood items. Then, you will visit a local family where you will cook the seafood you have just bought in the Sri Lankan way with many spices. You'll enjoy a seafood lunch with the family and later, return back to your villa.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Beach Boutique Pamunugama3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Negombo Boat Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Negombo

Day 3

Yapahuwa Kingdom to Dambulla Cave Temple and Habarana

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Yapahuwa Kingdom to Dambulla Cave Temple and Habarana

This morning you'll wake up to the sound of the sea breeze and enjoy your breakfast before starting your journey to the cultural triangle. On the way, you will stop by Yapahuwa Kingdom which was one of the capitals in Sri Lanka. You'll continue your journey to the Dambulla Cave Temple, which consists of five caves with painted walls and ceilings which have more than 150 images of Buddha. Later, you will arrive at the unique accommodation spot for the night, a watch hut built on top of a tree.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Elephant Watch Hut3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

    Dambulla Cave Temple

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Negombo to Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

    Private Driver from Yapahuwa Rock Fortress to Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple

    Private Driver from Dambulla to Habarana

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Negombo

    North Western Province

    Dambulla

    Habarana

Day 4

The Local Villages of Habarana

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The Local Villages of Habarana

Today, you'll start your village tour with a walk through the back roads of the villages and on the way, you'll stop by a blacksmith and stop to help the family to carve a knife under the blacksmith's guidance. You'll then continue your journey to visit a Saree weaving family to see how they do it in the traditional way. Then, afterwards, you will stop by another local home for a cooking session where you'll prepare some freshly-harvested vegetables in clay pots in an open wood fire.

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    Accommodation

    Elephant Watch Hut3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Explore the Rural Lifestyle of Habarana

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Habarana

Day 5

Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Pidurangala Rock

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Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Pidurangala Rock

In the morning, you'll climb up to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress before the rock gets too hot with the sun. After lunch, you'll start to climb Pidurangala Rock, opposite Sigiriya Rock, where you can admire the sunset over the Sigiriya Rock. Here, you can sit for a while and enjoy your surroundings whilst taking lots of pictures of the 360-degree view. Later, you will return back to your watch hut for the night and try to spot wild elephants roaming close to the property.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Elephant Watch Hut3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sigiriya Lion Rock

    Pidurangala Rock

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Habarana

    Sigiriya

Day 6

Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Kandy & Explore

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Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Kandy & Explore

Today, you'll discover the famous city of Kandy, another UNESCO World Heritage City. Upon arrival, you'll head out on a city tour by tuk-tuk. Among many other sites, you'll visit the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, some gem museums and souvenir shops or Batik factories. The Royal Botanical Garden, KCC Shopping Mall, the ancient lake and more ancient attractions will also fill your day in Kandy. Later on, you can also witness a colourful cultural show performed by the local traditional dancers.

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    Accommodation

    Polwaththa Eco-lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tuk-Tuk Tour of Kandy

    Sri Dalada Maligawa

    Kandyan Cultural Dance Show

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Habarana to Kandy

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Habarana

    Central Province

    Kandy

Day 7

Village Tour from Kandy

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Village Tour from Kandy

Today you will visit a local village close to Kandy. After a short hike, you will visit a local school where you will donate some pens and exercise books to the school children and engage in a short lesson. After a 20-minute ride on a local bus, you will arrive at a jungle path which leads to a waterfall hidden in the jungle! If you wish to have your lunch at the waterfall, you can inform the guide before leaving the Lodge. After an exciting journey, you will return by tuk-tuk to the lodge.

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    Accommodation

    Polwaththa Eco-lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rural Village Tour from Kandy

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Province

    Kandy

Day 8

Scenic Train Journey to Ella

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Scenic Train Journey to Ella

Today you will travel like a local on the world-famous scenic train journey from Peradeniya (Kandy) to Ella through the misty mountains and tea plantations accompanied by breathtaking views the entire way. The journey is one of breathtaking scenery, gushing waterfalls, nature and tunnels that make it an absolute must on your adventure on the island. You'll arrive at Ella station where your driver will meet you and take you to your accommodation for the night.

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    Accommodation

    Ella Mount Heaven3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Train Ride from Kandy to Ella

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Province

    Nanuoya

    Badulla

Day 9

Explore Ella

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Explore Ella

After breakfast at the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. Ella is a beautiful part of the country to spend a few days and there is a lot to do in this area, especially if you like being active. During this day on your Sri Lanka sightseeing tour, the possibilities are endless. You can hike to Ella Rock to witness the most amazing views, trek to Little Adam's Peak, visit Rawana Falls, trek to the Nine Arch Bridge and so much more.

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    Accommodation

    Ella Mount Heaven3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    EllaOptional Activity

    Little Adam's PeakOptional Activity

    Ravana FallsOptional Activity

    Nine Arch BridgeOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Badulla

    Ella

    Uva Province

    Demodara

Day 10

Ella to Yala National Park

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Ella to Yala National Park

This morning you'll enjoy a lovely breakfast at the homestay before you travel to Yala National Park, home of the mass elephant gatherings. On the way, you will pass by local vegetable and fruit shops by the road. It is suggested to buy some goods which will help the local community in their day-to-day life. Later in the afternoon, you'll arrive at the campsite and relax in your tent in the wild for the evening.

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    Accommodation

    The Yala Adventure4 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ella to Yala National Park Sri Lanka

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Badulla

    Hambantota

Day 11

Local Village Tour & Half-Day Safari in Yala National Park

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Local Village Tour & Half-Day Safari in Yala National Park

Today, you will visit a local village close to Yala National Park and meet a local family manufacturing pottery to make an income to learn about the art of pottery-making and make your own. In the afternoon, you will do a half-day safari in Yala National Park where you will spot wild elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, boar, deer and the famous Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bear (if you are lucky). After a thrilling safari, you'll return to your camp and enjoy a BBQ dinner with a bonfire.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Yala Adventure4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Local Village Tour in Yala

    Yala National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hambantota

    Southern Province

Day 12

To the Beach!

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To the Beach!

Today you will travel to Sri Lanka's beach area in the south for the last few days of your trip. On the way, you can visit Galle, the beautiful colonial town along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Galle is popular for the 300-year-old fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that it is home to. After exploring Galle, you'll arrive at your beach resort where you'll be able to relax for the rest of the day.

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    Accommodation

    Garton's Cape4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Galle

    Galle Dutch Fort

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Yala National Park to Unawatuna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hambantota

    Galle

    Ahangama

Day 13

Relax at the Beach

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Relax at the Beach

Today, you can spend the day relaxing at the beach, sunbathing and cooling off in the Indian Ocean. If you'd like to be a little more active on the final day of your trip, you can head off to witness the gentle giants of the ocean by taking a boat ride to go whale watching in Mirissa. Mirissa is a wonderful beach to relax on and there are also some great surf spots if you'd like to try that out.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Garton's Cape4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Whale Watching in MirissaOptional Activity

    Mirissa BeachOptional Activity

    Surfing at Mirissa BeachOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ahangama

    Mirissa

Day 14

Explore Colombo & Fly Home

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Explore Colombo & Fly Home

After scrumptious breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean, you will be taken to Colombo, the commercial capital city. On a brief tour, you'll drive by the Galle Face Green, Old Parliament and stop for a short break at the Dutch Hospital Complex to sip a beer and have a small snack. Afterwards, your Sri Lanka sightseeing tour will be complete and you'll be taken to the airport for your departing flight.

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    Activities

    Galle Face GreenOptional Activity

    Old Parliament BuildingOptional Activity

    Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Unawatuna to Colombo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ahangama

    Colombo

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What’s included?

  • 13 nights accommodation
  • 15 activities
  • 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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