Highlights
- Cross Nine Arches Bridge on one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world
- Zipline over the cool forests of Ella in Sri Lanka's highlands
- Spot elusive blue whales during a boat tour off the coast in Mirissa
- Discover the ancient Dutch fort in the coastal city of Galle
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Kandy, Guided Tour of Historic Kandy | Kandy |
| Day 2 | Scenic Train Journey to Ella via the Nine Arches Bridge | Ella |
| Day 3 | Visit Ravana Falls, Hike to Little Adam's Peak, Ravana Zipline Experience | Ella |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Yala National Park via the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home | Yala National Park |
| Day 5 | Morning Safari in Yala National Park, Transfer to Mirissa | Mirissa |
| Day 6 | Whale Watching Tour in Mirissa, Explore Historic Sights of Galle | Mirissa |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Colombo, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Kandy, Guided Tour of Historic Kandy
Welcome to Sri Lanka! After you arrive, your driver will be waiting to transfer you for four hours into the central highlands and the city of Kandy, the gateway to Sri Lanka's gorgeous Hill Country. The area is surrounded by mountains and rolling hills blanketed with Sri Lanka's famous green tea fields. There's much history in town, like the Sacred City of Kandy, an ancient Buddhist site that was the last capital of the Sinhala Kingdom (543 BCE-1815 CE).
After settling into your hotel, hit the ground running on a guided city tour, starting at the Royal Palace. Admire the distinctive Kandyan architecture, with intricately carved wooden paths, elegant tiled floors, and expansive verandas overlooking the serene Lake Kandy. Nearby is the Dalada Maligwa (Temple of the Tooth), a popular pilgrimage site that purportedly contains the left canine tooth of Lord Buddha. Then, walk through the city's lively streets to get to the Canbuy Gem Museum, home to a vast collection of gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, and topaz.
You'll visit local batik factories to learn about the ancient art of dying traditional motifs and contemporary designs on cloth. End the tour at Bahirawakanda, home to one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, which is 88 feet (26 m) tall. From the temple's hilltop location, you can also take in panoramic views of the surrounding hills and cityscape below. If you're not too tired, opt for a cultural show in the evening featuring traditional dances, energetic, acrobatic performances, and stunts like plate-spinning and a dramatic fire walk.
Day 2: Scenic Train Journey to Ella via the Nine Arches Bridge
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast in Kandy, you'll head to the Kandy Railway Station to board a memorable 6.5-hour train ride to the highland village of Ella. Considered one of the most spectacular rail journeys on earth, this stretch of track winds through the cool and misty valleys of the Hill Country, passing verdant tea plantations, crashing waterfalls, and emerald fields dotted with tea pickers draped in colorful saris.
It also passes over an incredible historical landmark: the Nine Arches Bridge. This "bridge in the sky" was commissioned by the British in 1921 and was constructed entirely of brick and cement. Upon arrival in Ella, you'll check in to your hotel. The town, located in the central highlands, has a wonderfully cool climate, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to the south coast of Sri Lanka. Ella is also a perfect base for relaxing, with lots of fantastic walks that lead through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls.
Day 3: Visit Ravana Falls, Hike to Little Adam's Peak, Ravana Zipline Experience
In the morning, you'll drive into the misty mountains around Ella to reach the three-tiered Ravana Falls, a must-visit for any outdoor adventurer. Here, water from a tributary of the Kirindi Oya River cascades 82 feet (25 m) over ledges, creating rock pools on the way down. Ravana is easily accessible from the road, and there are other attractions at the falls, including a limestone cave perfect for exploring.
Then you'll visit Little Adam's Peak. Also located just outside Ella, this mountain is so named due to its resemblance to the larger Adam's Peak, located farther west. But the little brother isn't so small—rising 3,743 feet (1,141 m) above sea level, this is one of the tallest peaks in Sri Lanka. It also offers a leisurely and scenic mountain hike, which you'll discover for yourself. The relatively easy trail ascends through tea plantations for a couple of hours up to lookout points, offering panoramic views of the valleys below.
Once the hike is over, enjoy one last adventure as you soar across the green tea estates of Ella on an adrenaline-pumping excursion in the Flying Ravana Adventure Park. This two-wire zipline stretches for more than 1,500 feet (457 m) and carries riders at maximum speeds of 50 mph (80 kph), offering a bird's-eye view over the Hill Country's surrounding tea plantations, rolling hills, and misty peaks.Day 4: Transfer to Yala National Park via the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home
Say goodbye to Ella this morning as you continue your journey south on a two-hour transfer to Yala National Park, the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. On the way, stop at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, a wildlife protection facility that cares for orphaned elephant calves with minimum human interaction. The transit home provides food, medical care, and everything else a young elephant needs. When the elephants are big and strong enough, they're released into the wilderness and start living a "normal" elephant life.
Learn about the facility and its rehabilitation efforts, then meet the elephants and watch them eat, play in mud baths, and interact with their caregivers. Back in the car, complete the drive to your resort located just outside the national park.
Day 5: Morning Safari in Yala National Park, Transfer to Mirissa
Rise early this morning to search for the elusive Sri Lankan leopard in the wilds of Yala National Park. Covering almost 621 square miles (1,608 sq km), the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and its savanna-like landscape of dry thorn scrub and forest glades makes it the perfect environment for wildlife spotting. On today's Jeep safari, you'll spot a diverse array of flora and fauna, from peacocks to elephants, and if you're lucky, a glimpse of Sri Lanka's biggest cats.
After your safari adventure, you'll check out of your lodgings at the park and take a private transfer to Mirissa. A fishing village surrounded by rubber and coconut plantations, ancient temples, spice gardens, and exotic wildlife, this destination is famous for its whale watching and crescent-shaped Mirissa Beach. Check into your hotel and take some free time in the afternoon to relax before the next day's whale watching tour.
Day 6: Whale Watching Tour in Mirissa, Explore Historic Sights of Galle
The south coast of Sri Lanka is one of the world's best places to see blue whales. From November to April, when the whales are on their annual migratory route from the Horn of Africa up to the Arabian Sea, they can be easily seen in the waters around Mirissa. Sperm whales and various kinds of dolphins may be spotted, too, on today's whale watching boat ride off the coast. You'll start the day early, taking a packed breakfast with you on the excursion to maximize your chance of spotting whales.
After lunch, you'll head to south to nearby Galle, Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trade center, for a guided city tour. The ancient port city is famous for Unawatuna Bay, whose calm waters are protected by an offshore reef, and the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. The fortress is surrounded on three sides by the sea, its ramparts protecting the harbor.
Finish the tour with a short drive outside town to see the Japanese Peace Pagoda. This Buddhist shrine was built in 2005 by a small order of Japanese Nichiren Buddhists and given to Sri Lanka as a symbol of peace. Getting there requires a short hike up Rumassala Hill, where you'll likely want to snap photos of the sweeping views.
Day 7: Transfer to Colombo, Depart
It's time to say goodbye to Sri Lanka. At the appointed time, you'll be transferred two hours back to the airport in Colombo for your flight home. If there's time, your driver may opt for the coastal route, passing lush palm groves, serene lagoons, and traditional stilted houses rising from the Indian Ocean. Try to catch a glimpse of the fishermen perched on stilts waiting patiently to catch fish. Once you reach the capital, head straight to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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