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11-Day Discover and Unwind in Sri Lanka

Customisable Itinerary
5.0 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

Formerly known as Ceylon, this Sri Lanka round trip will take you to its many beaches, lagoons, mountains and forests, with landscapes and scenery that will take your breath away.

You'll journey towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa Ancient City and take an exciting trip to Minneriya National Park to view the famous gathering of the wild elephant herds - both highlights of this trip.

Enjoy a train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, a stunning train journey through the rolling tea plantations that depicts Sri Lanka's true beauty. Towards the end of your trip, you'll hit the road to the south of the country, passing through the wide Ravana Falls to see the water gushing down a concave rock.

Venture to the coastline for some whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa; one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your holiday!

Finally, you'll end your adventure at Colombo, a must-see city in Sri Lanka with a rich colonial heritage.
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts

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Itinerary

Day 1

The Arrival Tour

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The Arrival Tour

After being picked up from the airport, you'll visit the World Heritage Site, Dambulla Cave Temple on the way to Sigiriya, your first stop on your Sri Lankan adventure. Home to the “fifth-century Fortress in the Sky” - Lion's Rock is the fantastic single wonder of the island. It was known as such because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dambulla Cave TempleOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bandaranaike International Airport to Sigiriya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dambulla

    Avudangawa

Day 2

Climb Pidurangala and Sigiriya Rock

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Climb Pidurangala and Sigiriya Rock

Wake up for sunrise and climb Pidurangala Rock to get a birds-eye view of Sigiriya. In the afternoon, climb Sigiriya itself to get a closer look of its frescoes and fifth-century ruins. Both hikes are challenging at times, but ultimately rewarding, offering stunning views and an insight into one of the many aspects of Sri Lanka's history.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pidurangala RockOptional Activity

    Sigiriya Lion RockOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Oak Ray Elephant Lake to Sigiriya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dambulla

    Avudangawa

    Sigiriya

Day 3

Polonnaruwa Ancient City

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Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Journey towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa Ancient City. Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capital in the 11th-century. Have a look at the great Parakrama Samudra, a shallow reservoir. In the afternoon, get ready for a half-day jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the evening at Oak Ray Elephant Lake with calming views of the lake.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ancient UrinalOptional Activity

    Parakrama Samudra

    Minneriya National Park SafariOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Oak Ray Elephant Lake to Polonnaruwa

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dambulla

    Avudangawa

    North Central Province

Day 4

The Road to Kandy

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The Road to Kandy

Drive in the morning to the World Heritage Site, the city of Kandy. Take a guided tour around the spice garden, introducing you to the wonderful world of spices and herbs at Iswara Ayurvedic Village. The city's' heart is scenic Kandy Lake, which is popular for strolling around. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth shrine.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Regency Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Isiwara Ayurvedic VillageOptional Activity

    Sri Dalada MaligawaOptional Activity

    Kandyan Cultural Dance ShowOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Elephant Lake

    Aloy Restaurant

    Oak Ray Regency Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sigiriya to Kandy

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dambulla

    Avudangawa

    Sabaragamuwa Province

    Kandy

Day 5

Nuwara Eliya - 'Little England'

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Nuwara Eliya - 'Little England'

Continue your Sri Lanka round trip with a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens where you can see beautifully kept flowers and vegetation native to Sri Lanka. In the afternoon, visit the Ramboda waterfall; the cascading water is a sight to behold. Drive on to Nuwara Eliya which is a city in the hill country. Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". Have a tour around Lake Gregory which is surrounded by lush scenery and a fresh mountain breeze.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Ashford3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Peradeniya Royal Botanic GardensOptional Activity

    Ramboda Falls

    Gregory Lake

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Regency Hotel

    Hotel Ashford

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kandy

    Central Province

    Nuwara Eliya

Day 6

Train Journey to Ella

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Train Journey to Ella

Experience the panoramic view from the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, ‘Piduruthalagala Mountain’. Enjoy a scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, which is a small and quaint mountain village. Climb Ravana Ella caves, part of a network of caves said to be connected to the Ravana Ella waterfall, to discover unseen history. Walk to the top of Small Adam's Peak to see the view and beautiful sunset that never ceases to amaze visitors.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ella Gap Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pidurutalagala

    Train Ride from Kandy to Ella

    Ravana Falls

    Little Adam's Peak

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Hotel Ashford

    Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Nuwara Eliya to Nanu Oya Railway Station

    Private Driver from Ella Railway Station to Ella

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Province

    Nanuoya

    Uva Province

    Ella

Day 7

Yala Nature Reserve

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Yala Nature Reserve

We take the road to the south of the country, passing through the wide Ravana falls and see the water gushing down a concave rock. Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park and is home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species. It contains the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, as well as Asian elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, and crocodiles.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oak Ray Lake Tissa Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Yala National ParkOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel

    Oak Ray Lake Tissa Resort

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ella to Tissamaharama

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ella

    Tissamaharama

    Southern Province

Day 8

Mirissa

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Mirissa

Today head to Mirissa and visit the Hummanaya blowhole along the way. This geological feature is sometimes found along coastal regions, the phenomenon occurs when the tide fills underwater caverns with seawater. Then witness stilt fishing; a fishing method unique to the people of Sri Lanka. Relax at beautiful crescent-shaped, sandy beach surrounded by palm trees.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Insight Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hummanaya Blow Hole

    Stilt Fishermen

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Oak Ray Lake Tissa Resort

    Insight Resort

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tissamaharama to Mirissa

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tissamaharama

    Kudawella

    Galle

    Ahangama

Day 9

Adventure at Sea, Whale and Dolphin Watching

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Adventure at Sea, Whale and Dolphin Watching

Today you'll have an adventure at the sea as you head out on a boat to go whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa, one of the most exciting water activities in the area. In the afternoon, take some time to relax at the beach and enjoy a stunning sunset over the water.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Insight Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Whale and Dolphin Watching TourOptional Activity

    Mirissa Beach

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Insight Resort

    Insight Resort

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ahangama

    Mirissa

Day 10

Colonial Heritage Port City

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Colonial Heritage Port City

As you journey towards Colombo, you'll visit World Heritage Site, Galle Fort. Take a river cruise in Madhu River and a visit the turtle hatchery with a chance to see baby turtles being released to the water. Colombo city is a contrast itself, with mansions, lush gardens, temples, monuments and fine dining options. Go shopping in ODEL with boutiques filled with international brands and local art and fabrics. You may want to walk on Mount Lavinia beach in the evening.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Berjaya Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Galle Dutch Fort

    Madu River Boat SafariOptional Activity

    Sea Turtle HatcheryOptional Activity

    Independence Square

    Dutch Hospital Shopping PrecinctOptional Activity

    Galle Face Green

    ODEL Shopping ComplexOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Insight Resort

    Berjaya Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Mirissa to Colombo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ahangama

    Galle

    Southern Province

    Habaraduwa

    Colombo

    Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

Day 11

Goodbye Sri Lanka!

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Goodbye Sri Lanka!

This is sadly the end of your incredible Sri Lanka round trip. You will be transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport after breakfast this morning in time for your departing flight home.

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Berjaya Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Mount Lavinia to Bandaranaike International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

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What’s included?

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • 12 activities
  • 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 10 dinners
  • 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

Inspiration for you

Explore the authentic activities in Sri Lanka

Parakrama Samudra, North Central Province, Sri Lanka|Ramboda Falls, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Gregory Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Train Ride from Kandy to Ella, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Ravana Falls, Uva Province, Sri Lanka|Little Adam's Peak, Uva Province, Sri Lanka|Pidurutalagala, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Hummanaya Blow Hole, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Stilt Fishermen, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Galle Dutch Fort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Galle Face Green, Western Province, Sri Lanka|Independence Square, Western Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Regency Hotel, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Aloy Restaurant, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Regency Hotel, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Hotel Ashford, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel, Uva Province, Sri Lanka|Hotel Ashford, Central Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel, Uva Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Lake Tissa Resort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Oak Ray Lake Tissa Resort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Insight Resort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Insight Resort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Insight Resort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Insight Resort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Berjaya Hotel, Western Province, Sri Lanka|Berjaya Hotel, Western Province, Sri Lanka

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