Best of Sri Lanka Circuit
Highlands, Wildlife & South Coast Retreat
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Location
- Gallery
A well-paced 9-day journey that delivers culture, tea country views, safaris, and beach bliss from east to south.
What's included
Destination
Ella , Galle , Kandy , Mirissa , Negombo , Nuwara Eliya , Polonnaruwa , Sigiriya , Yala Discover Destinations
Departure Location
Katunayake International Airport, Sri Lanka
Return Location
Katunayake International Airport, Sri Lanka
Price includes
- Bottled Water
- Hotel accommodations with breakfast
- Jeep Safaris
- Train Ride
Price does not include
- Entrance tickets
- Lunches/dinners
- optional-activities
Start from Sigiriya, climbing the iconic Lion Rock and exploring its ancient frescoes. Next, dive into the serenity of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural heart, and ascend into the scenic tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya. Ride the train to Ella, hike the hilltops, and descend into the wilds of Yala for a wildlife safari. The final stretch offers beach time in Mirissa and Bentota, with optional visits to Galle Fort and turtle hatcheries.
Perfect For: Couples and small groups with moderate time
- Tour Timeline
Tour Timeline
DAY 1
Airport → Negombo
- Airport pickup and transfer to Negombo.
- Relax at the beach or enjoy fresh seafood.
Overnight Stay: Negombo
DAY 2
Negombo → Sigiriya
- En route visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
- Evening visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock or Pidurangala.
Overnight Stay: Sigiriya
DAY 3
Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya
- Full-day trip to ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa.
- Option to explore by bike.
Overnight Stay: Sigiriya
DAY 4
Sigiriya → Kandy
- Visit Spice Garden and Matale Alu Viharaya.
- Kandy city walk, Temple of the Tooth visit.
Overnight Stay: Kandy
DAY 5
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
- Explore Royal Botanical Gardens, tea plantations.
- Waterfalls and cool climate of Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight Stay: Nuwara Eliya
DAY 6
Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Yala
- Scenic train ride (optional) to Ella.
- Ella sightseeing: Nine Arches Bridge & Ella Gap.
- Proceed to Yala.
Overnight Stay: Yala
DAY 7
Yala Safari → Galle
- Morning Jeep Safari at Yala.
- Southern coastal drive to Galle via Mirissa.
Overnight Stay: Galle
DAY 8
Galle Exploration
- Explore Galle Dutch Fort and local markets.
- Madu River Safari or stilt fishermen en route to Colombo.
Overnight Stay: Colombo
DAY 9
Colombo → Airport
- Quick city tour if time allows.
- Airport drop off for departure.
More about Ella Discover Ella
Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna.
More about Galle Discover Galle
Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.
More about Kandy
Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.
More about Mirissa Discover Mirissa
Mirissa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 150 kilometres south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres above sea level. Mirissa's beach and nightlife make it a popular tourist destination.
More about Negombo Discover Negombo
Negombo is a city on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. Near the waterfront, the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort now house a prison. Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermen’s huts, feeds into the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal. The canal leads south to Colombo. Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, completed in the 1920s, features a ceiling decorated with vivid religious paintings.
More about Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple, a colorful Hindu shrine, is decorated with religious figures. Densely forested Galway's Land National Park is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory bird species, including bulbuls and flycatchers.
More about Polonnaruwa Discover Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, also referred as Pulathisipura and Vijayarajapura in ancient times, is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
More about Sigiriya
Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of granite approximately 180 m high.
More about Yala Discover Yala
Yala National Park is a huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, in southeast Sri Lanka. It’s home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. Inland, Sithulpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery. Nearby caves contain centuries-old rock paintings. Southwest, Magul Maha Viharaya also has ancient Buddhist ruins. Both are pilgrimage sites.
