Grand Sri Lanka Circuit
An Island-Wide Adventure of Culture, Wildlife & Coastal Wonder
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Location
- Gallery
Covering all corners of the island, this grand 18-day itinerary offers the full Sri Lankan experience. Begin in the breezy fishing town of Negombo and make your way to Kalpitiya, known for dolphin watching and kite surfing. Head south into the forests of Wilpattu National Park, and dive into the ancient heritage of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya,...
What's included
Destination
Anuradhapura , Colombo , Ella , Haputale , Hikkaduwa , Kalpitiya , Kandy , Mirissa , Negombo , Nuwara Eliya , Pasikuda , Polonnaruwa , Sigiriya , Wilpattu 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
- Private driver/guide with air-conditioned vehicle
- Train Ride
Price does not include
- Entrance tickets
- Lunches/dinners
- optional-activities
Covering all corners of the island, this grand 18-day itinerary offers the full Sri Lankan experience. Begin in the breezy fishing town of Negombo and make your way to Kalpitiya, known for dolphin watching and kite surfing. Head south into the forests of Wilpattu National Park, and dive into the ancient heritage of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Polonnaruwa.
Enjoy two relaxing nights on the unspoiled eastern shores of Pasikuda, then travel through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Ella, experiencing one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Go on safari in Yala, explore remote Haputale, and unwind in the peaceful coastal towns of Mirissa and Hikkaduwa. Finish with a walk through Galle Fort and a brief city tour in Colombo.
Route: Negombo → Kalpitiya → Wilpattu → Anuradhapura → Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Pasikuda → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Haputale → Yala → Mirissa → Hikkaduwa → Colombo
Extra Tips:
- Best time for east coast (Pasikuda) is May–October
- Wildlife is best viewed between Feb–Apr and July–Sept
Perfect For: Long-stay travelers, retirees, and couples seeking a full island immersion.
- Tour Timeline
Tour Timeline
Day 1
Arrival in Negombo
- Pickup from airport, transfer to hotel. Relax at beach.
Overnight Stay: Negombo
Day 2
Negombo → Kalpitiya
- Drive to the northwest coast.
- Optional dolphin/whale watching tour (seasonal).
Overnight Stay: Kalpitiya
Day 3
Kalpitiya → Wilpattu
- Transfer to Wilpattu National Park.
- Evening jeep safari in search of leopards.
Overnight Stay: Wilpattu
Day 4
Wilpattu → Anuradhapura
- Explore ancient capital: stupas, monasteries, sacred tree.
Overnight Stay: Anuradhapura
Day 5
Anuradhapura → Sigiriya
- Scenic countryside drive with rural stops.
Overnight Stay: Sigiriya
Day 6
Sigiriya Rock & Hiriwadunna Village
- Morning hike to Lion Rock.
- Village tour with cooking demo and lake ride.
Overnight Stay: Sigiriya
Day 7
Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa
- Explore ancient ruins by bike or tuk-tuk.
Overnight Stay: Sigiriya
Day 8
Sigiriya → Pasikuda
- Relaxing drive to east coast paradise.
- Enjoy calm sea, snorkeling or sunbathing.
Overnight Stay: Pasikuda
Day 9
Beach Day in Pasikuda
- Chill on the beach or explore Batticaloa lagoon.
Overnight Stay: Pasikuda
Day 10
Pasikuda → Kandy
- Long drive inland with stops at Hindu temples and spice gardens.
Overnight Stay: Kandy
Day 11
Explore Kandy
- Temple of the Tooth, lake walk, arts and crafts.
Overnight Stay: Kandy
Day 12
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
- Tea plantation, waterfalls, colonial architecture.
Overnight Stay: Nuwara Eliya
Day 13
Train to Ella → Haputale
- Scenic ride to Ella, then short drive to Haputale.
- Visit Lipton’s Seat at sunset.
Overnight Stay: Haputale
Day 14
Haputale → Yala
- Morning in tea estates. Transfer to Yala.
Overnight Stay: Yala
Day 15
Yala Safari & Transfer to Mirissa
- Early safari in Yala.
- Drive along coastal route to Mirissa.
Overnight Stay: Mirissa
Day 16
Beach Day in Mirissa
- Optional: Whale watching, massage, surfing.
Overnight Stay: Mirissa
Day 17
Mirissa → Hikkaduwa
- Visit stilt fishermen, coconut plantations.
- Relax or snorkel in Hikkaduwa reef.
Overnight Stay: Hikkaduwa
Day 18
Hikkaduwa → Colombo & Departure
- Drive to Colombo. Quick city tour and shopping.
- Drop-off at airport
More about Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a major city located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province and the capital of Anuradhapura District. The city lies 205 kilometers north of the current capital of Colombo in the North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malwathu Oya.
More about Colombo Discover Colombo
Colombo is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. The Colombo metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 within the municipal limits. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.
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 Haputale
Haputale is a town of Badulla District in the Uva Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. The elevation is 1431 m above the sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Haputale is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations.
More about Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a seaside resort town in southwestern Sri Lanka. It’s known for its strong surf and beaches, including palm-dotted Hikkaduwa Beach, lined with restaurants and bars. The shallow waters opposite Hikkaduwa Beach shelter the Hikkaduwa National Park, which is a coral sanctuary and home to marine turtles and exotic fish. Inland, Gangarama Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple decorated with hand-painted murals.
More about Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is a coastal town located in western region of Puttalam District. The Kalpitiya peninsula consists of a total fourteen islands. It is developing as a tourist destination.
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 Pasikuda
Pasikudah or Pasikuda is a coastal resort town located 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka.
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 Wilpattu
Wilpattu National Park is a national park in Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" – natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater.
