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Soft evening light glows over Kandy City

Highlights of Sri Lanka

Example 11 Day Tour
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This 11-day tour blends Sri Lanka’s iconic highlights with rarely visited places for a deeper, more active experience. Visit ancient ruins at Sigiriya and Ritigala, experience rural life in Makandura, and walk through the sacred sites and markets of Kandy. Ride the scenic train to Ella and hike to panoramic viewpoints. Track wildlife on safari in Yala National Park, then head to Galle to explore colonial fort walls and coastal streets. Discover rainforest trails, waterfalls, and peaceful riverside stays. Explore Yala National Park, where you may have opportunities to see elephants and even a leopard if you're lucky. Connect with the Sri Lankan people in Galle as you learn about the history and take in the landscapes. This tour will leave you wanting to come back for more.
Buddha figures line the Seema Malaka temple in ColomboMarvel at the World Heritage Site of SigiriyaExplore lush GalleVisit the Buddhist temple of the sacred tooth in KandyWatch for painted storks in the national parks of Sri LankaSoft evening light glows over Kandy City
Highlights
  • Explore Ritigala Monastery ruins and meditate on ancient sacred paths
  • Visit the ancient fortress of Sigiriya and discover the abode of King Kashyapa
  • Learn about the colonial history of Kandy, still visible today in neoclassical buildings
  • Take a safari ride through Yala National Park, where you may see leopards and elephants
Places Visited
Activity Level: Easy Active
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Sri Lanka | Transfer to Makandura

Arrive in Colombo and meet your private chauffeur guide after clearing immigration. Travel one hour north to the quiet village of Makandura and check in to Notary’s House, a restored country estate set beside a lake and surrounded by lush gardens.

In the afternoon, join the house butler, Saman, for a guided walk through the village. Visit a local temple and stop at a traditional kade, where you’ll be welcomed with a cup of tea and jaggery by a village elder. Choose a leisurely loop or ask for a longer route, Saman will tailor the walk to your pace.

Back at the house, sit down to one of Sri Lanka’s most memorable rice and curry meals. Savor dishes like tempered banana blossoms, passion fruit leaf mallum, and spiced aubergine, all made with fresh, seasonal ingredients grown nearby.
 

Day 2: Pidurangala and Habarana

After breakfast, depart Makandura and travel approximately three hours to Habarana, located in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Check into your hotel and take time to settle in.

In the afternoon, head to a quiet spot near Sigiriya for a picnic-style Sri Lankan high tea. Enjoy pol roti, a flatbread made with grated coconut and flour, served with seeni sambol, a sweet and spicy onion relish. Sample kokis, a crispy, deep-fried snack made from rice flour and coconut milk, and pani pol pancakes filled with treacle and shredded coconut. Sip some ginger black tea while seated outdoors, surrounded by open landscapes and a cool breeze.

Day 3: Sigiriya Rock Fortress Hike | Ritigala Monastery

Wake early this morning to climb the magnificent rock fortress of Sigiriya. Also known as Lion Rock, Sigiriya is a rare jewel among the many treasures in Sri Lanka. Ascend 1,200 stone steps to reach the summit and take in sweeping views of the surrounding plains. Along the way, Sigiriya frescoes, pass the polished Mirror Wall, and explore the ruins of a 5th-century royal citadel at the top. The Sigiriya experience takes approximately 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your pace. After this morning's excursion, transfer to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon, drive approximately 1 hour to Ritigala Archaeological Monastery, a hidden gem far from Sri Lanka’s popular sights. Spend 1 to 1.5 hours exploring the site in-depth, walk the meditation pathways through dense jungle, reach the higher terraces, and discover large stone-lined reservoirs. Take time to pause and connect with nature on these ancient sacred grounds. After the visit, return to your hotel to relax or explore at your leisure.

Day 4: Transfer to Kandy

After breakfast, begin a 3-hour drive to Kandy, the final kingdom of the Sinhalese kings. Known for resisting colonial rule, Kandy remained independent until it was taken by the British in the 19th century. Arrive in Kandy and take a guided walk through the city center. Pass colonial-era buildings like the Queen’s Hotel and explore the local market, bypassing tourist-focused spice gardens. With your guide, browse authentic spice stalls and shop for cinnamon, turmeric, and other regional staples where locals do.

Stop at Midlands Cafe inside the market for a traditional lunch of fresh bread with curry and a strong cup of Ceylon tea. Before leaving, browse seasonal fruits like jackfruit, rambutan, mangosteen, and the distinctly pungent wood apple.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist site. Join worshippers as they move through incense-filled halls to view the sacred relic, housed in a series of ornate golden caskets.

Day 5: Train Ride to Ella

After breakfast, board the train in Kandy and travel through Sri Lanka’s central highlands on a scenic rail journey to Ella. Pass misty peaks, dense tea plantations, and rural villages as the train winds through one of the world’s most iconic rail routes. Watch daily life unfold from your window while your chauffeur transfers your luggage separately for a hassle-free ride.

Arrive in Ella, a hill town known for its cool climate, lush vegetation, and laid-back charm. Hike through emerald hills or relax with fresh fruit and Ceylon tea in this popular highland escape.

Visit the historic Nine Arch Bridge, a 1920s engineering marvel built entirely of brick, stone, and cement—no steel involved. Walk along the tracks and admire the graceful arches set against the surrounding jungle, a testament to British-era ingenuity and local legend.

Day 6: Hike to Ella Rock

Wake early this morning for the hike to Ella Rock. Set out at dawn for a challenging 3- to 4-hour guided trek. Follow the railway tracks, cross a hanging metal bridge, and climb through eucalyptus forest as the trail steepens. Reach the summit for sweeping views across the lush highlands, especially striking on a clear morning. A local farmer will accompany you, offering guidance and benefiting directly from your visit.

Return for breakfast, then enjoy a relaxed afternoon at your own pace, taking in the peaceful mountain scenery of Ella.

Day 7: Yala National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, travel approximately 2.5 hours to Yala National Park for a distinctive wildlife experience. Check in at Kulu Safari Camping or Makini Bush Camp, both offering authentic, crowd-free accommodations.

By entering Yala through the Kataragama gate, you bypass the main tourist influx and access quieter areas of the park. A two-night stay opens opportunities to explore remote blocks 3 and 5, where wildlife encounters are more intimate and less crowded.

Enjoy a half-day shared safari game drive after settling in, maximizing chances to observe Yala’s diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.

Day 8: Yala National Park

Start early with a half-day shared safari ride in Yala National Park. Track diverse wildlife including majestic elephants, vibrant peacocks, elusive leopards, and great sloth bears in their natural environment. While leopard sightings are a highlight, Yala offers abundant encounters with buffalo herds, wild boar, pythons, jackals, and a rich variety of birdlife. Patience rewards every safari enthusiast.

Return to camp and spend the afternoon at your leisure, soaking in the natural beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.

Day 9: Transfer to Galle

After a relaxed breakfast, travel approximately four hours to Galle, the vibrant heart of Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

In the afternoon, join a guided walk through Galle Fort. Wander cobbled streets steeped in over 400 years of history—from Arab traders to Portuguese and Dutch colonial influences. Explore colonial homes with red-tiled roofs and take in views from the imposing ramparts overlooking the Indian Ocean. Experience a living monument where generations of families continue to reside, offering a rare glimpse into authentic local life before tourism transforms the area.

In the evening, savor a Southern Blend dining experience at a local family home. Enjoy traditional dishes prepared with care, featuring fresh fish, coconut-based specialties like coconut roti and sambol, and a unique dessert of crepes stuffed with pani pol. Share in genuine hospitality with your hosts, creating a memorable meal that outshines any restaurant in the fort.

Day 10: Galle | Kanneliya Rainforest Hike

After an early breakfast, drive to Kanneliya Rainforest for a day of exploration and adventure. Hike shaded forest trails with a local guide who will point out endemic birds, reptiles, and native plant species. Visit a small bat-inhabited cave and continue to a waterfall clearing where you can rest, dip your feet, and watch for butterflies, dragonflies, and freshwater crabs.

Exit the forest and head to the Nannikitha River. Enjoy a refreshing rum cocktail by the water and take a swim if you wish. Wrap up the experience with a traditional rice and curry lunch prepared by a local cook, highlighting the region’s bold spices and homestyle flavors.

Return to Galle and enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Day 11: Depart for Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Enjoy your final morning to relax or explore at your own pace. Later, transfer approximately 2.5 hours to the airport to catch your flight home.

Note: Check-out time varies by hotel. Please confirm the details with your Trip Planner.

Accommodations

Fort Bazaar

Notary's House

Notary's House
Facade
Dining Area

Kulu Safari

Tents at camp at night
Ensuite toilet and shower
Kulu Safaris_Dining

98 Acres

98 Acres Aerial View
98 Acres Bar
Dining

Kumbukgaha Villa

Swimming pool
Dining area
Outside of the Private Villa

Simpson's Forest

Bungalow Aerial View
Simpson's Forest Pool
Bungalow Aerial View

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$3,573 2-3 travelers

Notes

Select a Date
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • 2 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Regenerative Tourism Fee
  • Bottled water in vehicles
  • Transfers and tours with local English-speaking Chauffeur guide in private air-conditioned vehicle
  • All entrance fees and boat fees as mentioned in the program
  • Village walk at Notary’s House with the butler
  • High Tea & Roti Experience
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Ritigala Archeological Monastery
  • Explore the Kandy Town and Local Markets
  • Kandy Temple of the Tooth
  • Train ride from Kandy to Ella
  • Visit to Nine Arch Bridge
  • Hike to Ella Rock
  • Two half-day Safari Rides in Yala National Park on a Shared Basis
  • Galle Fort walk with the guide
  • Supper with a Southern Blend
  • Rainforests & Rum, Caves & Waterfalls
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Drinks with meals
  • International airfare to/from Sri Lanka
  • Surcharges for other language guides
  • Electronic Travel Authorization fee for Visas upon arrival (Please note that an ETA is compulsory for nationalities besides nationals from the Republic of Singapore and Maldives)
  • Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program
  • Accommodation in shared double rooms with private bathroom
  • Surcharges for Christmas & New Year's Eve
  • Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges will be advised at the time of booking
  • Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities, etc.
  • Meals unless otherwise specified
  • Optional Tours
  • Domestic airfare (quoted separately, if requested)
  • Meals and services other than mentioned in the program

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin

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