Tour Plan
This is the 14 days around Sri Lanka tour paln
π Day 1: Arrival in Colombo β Transportation to Sigiriya (Dambulla region)
β’ Private transportation from Bandaranaike Airport to Sigiriya (approximately 3.5 hours).
β’ Choose a mid-range hotel (such as a family-run bungalow, Aliya Resort Sigiriya, or Sigiriya Village).
β’ Light evening: a brief introduction to Ayurveda and spa or a tour of the village.
The reason for starting here is that it reduces the need to go back through the Cultural Triangle.
β’ Sigiriya/Dambulla for the night
π Day 2: Pidurangala + Sigiriya (sunrise option)
β’ Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress early to avoid the heat and crowds.
β’ For an amazing view of Sigiriya, you can choose to climb Pidurangala Rock.
β’ In the afternoon, unwind or take a quick trip to a spice garden.
β’ Sigiriya for the night. (Sigiriya is a must-see UNESCO site.)
π Day 3: Polonnaruwa (Ancient City) β Kaudulla or Minneriya Safari
β’ Drive to Polonnaruwa Ancient City in the morning and ride a bike through the ruins (UNESCO).
β’ A safari in the afternoon to witness elephant gatherings in Minneriya or Kaudulla (the “elephant gathering” in Minneriya if it’s in season).
β’ Sigiriya/Habarana for the night
π Day 4: Sigiriya β Kandy (through the spice garden of Matale)
β’ Take a 2.5β3 hour drive to Kandy.
β’ On the way, make a stop at the Matale Spice Garden.
β’ In the evening, take in a cultural dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth.
β’ Spend the night in Kandy (mid-range options: Hotel Suisse, Theva Residency).
π Day 5: Kandy β Nuwara Eliya (the country of tea)
β’ A morning stroll around the city (markets, Kandy Lake).
β’ Visit a tea plantation and factory while traveling through tea estates to reach Nuwara Eliya.
β’ Take a stroll around Gregory Lake in the evening or unwind at a colonial-style hotel or guesthouse on a tea plantation (mid-range: Araliya Green Hills or Grand Hotel alternatives for mid-range options).
β’ Nuwara Eliya for the night
π Day 6: Early arrival at Horton Plains (World’s End) β Nanu Oya β Train to Ella
β’ The Horton Plains/World’s End hike starts very early (pre-dawn) (cool, best visibility early).
β’ Go back to the Nuwara Eliya/Nanu Oya station and take the scenic train to Ella, which takes about two to three hours. This is one of the most well-known train rides in Sri Lanka.
β’ During the night: Ella (Mid-range: boutique guesthouses, Mountain Heavens, or 98 Acres)
π Day 7: Local sights and optional yoga in Ella
β’ Visit Little Adam’s Peak’s Nine Arches Bridge, unwind with a yoga class or coffee in town, or take one of the optional afternoon tea plantations or short hikes.
β’ During the night: Ella
π Day 8: Afternoon safari with Ella β Yala (drive)
β’ Take four to five hours to drive south to the Yala area.
β’ Yala National Park safari in the afternoon (elephants, birds, and leopards). Although the park is open year-round with occasional seasonal closures and maintenance, the best time to see wildlife is during the drier months. March through August and November and December are usually good windows.
β’ Overnight: Mid-range safari lodges close to Yala and Tissamaharama
π Day 9: Transfer to Mirissa (south coast) or an optional second safari
β’ An extra safari is optional in the morning if you want more opportunities to see leopards.
β’ For beach time and the evening sunset, drive to Mirissa (the coast) after lunch.
β’ Spend the night in Mirissa (mid-range villas and beachfront hotels)
π Day 10: Early Whale Watching in Galle and Bentota
β’ Very early morning whale-watching (Mirissa); the best time to see blue whales is from November to April when the seas are calm. Boats may still operate outside of that window, but visibility and sea conditions may change. Mirissa+1: Whale-watching
β’ At midday, take a drive to Galle Fort and explore its ramparts, cafes, and stores.
β’ Proceed to Bentota for the night.
β’ Bentota (mid-range beach resorts) for the night
π Day 11: Madu River Safari + Turtle Hatchery in Bentota
β’ A boat safari along the Madu River in the morning that includes stops at nearby islands and mangroves.
β’ In the afternoon, go to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery.
β’ Water sports that are optional (banana boat, jet ski, parasailing).
β’ Spend the night in Bentota
π Day 12: Bentota β Unawatuna/Hikkaduwa or free beach day
β’ Option A: travel to the Unawatuna/Galle area for beach time and snorkeling (Unawatuna has calmer beaches; Unawatuna & Hikkaduwa are good for surfing and snorkeling).
β’ Option B: remain in Bentota for a half-day Ayurvedic treatment or additional water sports.
β’ Overnight: South Coast (hotel of your choice in Mirissa, Bentota, or Unawatuna)
π Day 13: Head back north and either relax or take a city tour of Negombo or Colombo.
β’ Return to Colombo by car, making a stop in Galle if you missed anything.
β’ Take a quick tour of the city of Colombo (Galle Face Green, Independence Square, local markets) or unwind at a beach resort if flight time permits.
β’ Colombo or Negombo (close to the airport, convenient for departure) for the night
π Day 14: Departure (airport in Colombo)
β’ Last-minute shopping or breakfast at a Colombo cafΓ© before a private transfer to BIA for departure, depending on the time of the flight.
β’ Tour conclusion
7-Day Sri Lanka Tour Plan (Classic Route)
Route: Colombo β Sigiriya β Kandy β Nuwara Eliya β Ella β Yala β Mirissa β Galle β Colombo
π Day 1: Arrival in Colombo β Transfer to Sigiriya
Activities
- Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport
- Travel to Sigiriya (approx. 3.5 hrs)
- Check-in & relax
- Evening village tour (optional)
Overnight: Sigiriya / Dambulla
π Day 2: Sigiriya & Dambulla
Activities
- Early morning climb Sigiriya Lion Rock
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
- Evening safari at Minneriya/Kaudulla (elephants)
Overnight: Sigiriya
π Day 3: Sigiriya β Kandy
Activities
- Visit a Spice Garden in Matale
- Explore Temple of the Tooth Relic
- Visit Kandy Lake
- Optional: Cultural dance show
Overnight: Kandy
π Day 4: Kandy β Nuwara Eliya (Tea Country)
Activities
- Scenic drive through tea estates
- Visit a Tea Factory & Plantation
- Explore Nuwara Eliya town & Gregory Lake
- Option: Ramboda waterfalls
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
π Day 5: Nuwara Eliya β Ella (Train Journey)
Activities
- Take the world-famous KandyβElla train ride (Nuwara Eliya/Nanu Oya to Ella)
- Visit Nine Arches Bridge
- See Little Adamβs Peak
Overnight: Ella
π Day 6: Ella β Yala β Mirissa
Activities
- Morning drive to Yala National Park
- Safari: leopards, elephants, bears
- Continue to Mirissa beach for relaxation
Overnight: Mirissa
π Day 7: Mirissa β Galle β Colombo
Activities
- Early morning whale watching (optional)
- Visit Galle Fort
- Return to Colombo
- Shopping/city tour depending on flight time
β End of Tour β
π Bentota (1β2 Days)
- River safari on the Bentara River
- Water sports: jet ski, banana boat, parasailing
- Visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
- Madu River boat ride
π Unawatuna / Hikkaduwa (1β2 Days)
- Snorkeling & coral reef exploring
- Surfing (beginner-friendly)
- Jungle Beach hike
- Nightlife in Hikkaduwa
π Trincomalee (2β3 Days)
- Nilaveli beach
- Pigeon Island snorkeling
- Koneswaram Temple
- Ideal from April to September
π» Horton Plains & Worldβs End (1 Day)
- Early morning hike
- Visit Bakerβs Fall
- Beautiful cloud forests
π» Knuckles Mountain Range (1β2 Days)
- Full-day trekking
- Nature camping
- Waterfalls & viewpoints
π» Kitulgala Adventure Day (1 Day)
- White-water rafting
- Canyoning & waterfall jumps
- Rainforest hikes
π Anuradhapura Ancient City (1 Day)
- Sacred Bo Tree
- Giant stupas
- UNESCO heritage sites
π Polonnaruwa Ancient City (1 Day)
- Gal Vihara statues
- Cycling tour through ruins
π Jaffna (2β3 Days)
- Nallur Kovil
- Jaffna Fort
- Delft Island tour
- Local food experience
πΎ Wilpattu National Park (1 Day)
- Less crowded safari
- Leopard & sloth bear sightings
πΎ Udawalawe Elephant Safari (Half Day)
- Elephant Transit Home
- Close elephant encounters
πΎ Sinharaja Rainforest (1 Day)
- Bird watching
- Nature trekking
π Ayurveda Retreat (HalfβFull Day)
- Herbal massages
- Steam baths
- Relaxation therapy
π Yoga Retreat in Ella / Mirissa
- Sunrise yoga sessions
- Meditation
π Colombo City Tour (Half Day)
- Galle Face Green
- Lotus Tower
- Independence Square
- Shopping: One Galle Face, Arcade, Marino
π Negombo (Halfβ1 Day)
- Lagoon boat ride
- Dutch Fort
- Fish market
