Highlights of Sri Lanka

Arrive in Colombo and meet your private chauffeur guide after clearing immigration. Travel north to the quiet village of Makandura and check in to your hotel, set in green countryside where, as an old Sinhalese saying goes, the village, the temple, the lake, and the dagoba go hand in hand.

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

Back at your hotel, sit down to a rice and curry dinner. Savor dishes like tempered banana blossoms, passion fruit leaf mallum, and spiced aubergine, all made with fresh ingredients grown nearby, so the menu changes with the season.

Transfer: Colombo Airport to Makandura, approx. 1 hour

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 late afternoon, head to a quiet spot on the outskirts of 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 thought to have come from the Dutch, 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, then return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Transfer: Makandura to Dambulla: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
Transfer: Dambulla to picnic site (Habarana area): approx. 40 minutes each way
 

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, see the 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 to Ritigala Archaeological Monastery, a hidden gem far from Sri Lanka's popular sights. Explore 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.

Hiking Length: 1.5–3 hours (Sigiriya climb)
Transfer: Dambulla to Sigiriya, approx. 30 minutes each way
Transfer: Dambulla to Ritigala, approx. 1 hour 30 minutes each way

After breakfast, 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.

Lunch today is at your own expense. For a local favorite, stop at Midlands Cafe inside the market for 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.

Transfer: Dambulla to Kandy, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes

After breakfast, drive to Nanu Oya and board the train 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.

Transfer: Kandy to Nanu Oya by road, approx. 3 hours
Transfer: Nanu Oya to Ella by train, approx. 3 hours

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.

After a relaxed breakfast, travel to Yala National Park for a distinctive wildlife experience. Check in at your tented safari camp.

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.

Transfer: Ella to Yala, approx. 2 hours 40 minutes

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 wide 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.

After a relaxed breakfast, travel 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, head to a local home for Supper with a Southern Blend, a relaxed dinner hosted by a southern Sri Lankan family. The lady of the house serves the meal, and her husband, a chef, cooks some dishes himself if he is home that day. Alongside baked or curried fish and kadey paan (shop-style bread), coconut takes center stage, from coconut roti and coconut sambol to crepes filled with pani pol for dessert. The idea is simple: share a good meal and an evening of southern hospitality with the family before returning to your hotel.

Transfer: Yala to Galle: approx. 2 hours 45 minutes

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.

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.