12 days
Time in the hills
The ten-day route, with a free day in the highlands and a night on the south coast.
A starting journey
Twelve days keeps the same path through Negombo, the ancient cities, Kandy, and tea country, then gives Nuwara Eliya a second day — at leisure, or up to Horton Plains. After the safari there is a night in Mirissa or Galle before the flight, with Colombo if the timing allows.
Choose Horton Plains or a quiet highland day, Yala or Bundala, and Mirissa or Galle Fort. Tell us how you like to travel, and we adjust the nights.
The spine
Sigiriya & Cultural Triangle — Kandy — Nuwara Eliya — Ella — Yala — Mirissa — Galle & South Coast — Colombo
Day by day
How the days might unfold.
01
A first night by the coast
Negombo
Meet at the airport and settle in Negombo, close enough that the first evening does not become a long drive.
02
Inland to Sigiriya
SigiriyaTravel from Negombo to the Cultural Triangle. Night in Sigiriya, with Lion Rock on the skyline.
03
Sunrise, then the elephants
SigiriyaClimb Sigiriya Rock in the early morning for sunrise. In the evening, an elephant safari in Minneriya National Park. A second night in Sigiriya.
04
The ancient city
PolonnaruwaA day among the ruins of Polonnaruwa. Return to Sigiriya for the night.
05
Caves, spice, and Kandy
KandyTravel to Kandy, stopping at Dambulla Cave Temple and a spice garden. The first of two nights in Kandy.
06
Temple, gardens, and dance
KandyThe Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and a cultural dance show in the evening. A second night in Kandy.
07
Tea and waterfalls
Nuwara EliyaContinue to Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea factory and waterfalls on the way. Night in the highlands.
08
The highlands, unplanned
Nuwara EliyaA free day in Nuwara Eliya, or a visit to Horton Plains. A second night in the hills.
09
The train toward the wild
TissamaharamaTravel south to Tissamaharama, riding the train from Nanu Oya to Ella on the way. Night near the parks.
10
Yala or Bundala
YalaA safari in Yala National Park, or Bundala if you would rather spend the morning with birds and wetlands.
11
The south coast
Mirissa or Galle
Travel from Tissamaharama to Mirissa for the beach, or to Galle Fort. Night on the south coast.
12
The city, if the flight allows
ColomboTransfer to Colombo Airport. If the departure is later, there is time to see something of the city first.
Other starting journeys
07Stone, tea, and the wild
Sigiriya at sunrise, the hill-country train, a day in Yala, and Galle Fort on the way to the airport.
10Wild and coast
A first night in Negombo, the ancient cities, tea country, and a safari before the flight home.
14The island, unhurried
Tea country, a night in Ella, the wild, and a last day by the sea.
Ready to make this
yours?
Choose Horton Plains or a quiet highland day, Yala or Bundala, and Mirissa or Galle Fort. Tell us how you like to travel, and we adjust the nights.