Highlights
- Climb the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya
- Take a fragrant tour of the National Spice Garden
- Wind through Sri Lanka's scenic tea country by train
- Search for leopards & elephants on safari in Yala National Park
- Go whale watching off the coast of Galle
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Sigiriya | Sigiriya |
| Day 2 | Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Explore Ancient Polonnaruwa | Sigiriya |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Kandy, Visit the Temple of the Tooth & Matale Spice Garden | Kandy |
| Day 4 | Scenic Train Journey to Ella | Ella |
| Day 5 | Explore Ella: Demodara Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak & Tea Factory Tour | Ella |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Yala National Park, Search for Leopards on Safari | Yala |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Galle, Sunset at the Japanese Peace Pagoda | Galle |
| Day 8 | Explore Galle's Dutch Fort, Whale Watching Excursion | Galle |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Colombo & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Transfer to Sigiriya
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you'll get your first taste of the island's warm hospitality as you're greeted by your representative and escorted to your accommodations in Sigiriya. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure: you can opt to rest up after your flight or head out on safari at nearby Minneriya National Park, the largest gathering place for Asian elephants on earth.
At the heart of the protected reserve, you'll find the great Minneriya Tank Reservoir, built in the 3rd century CE under the rule of King Mahasen. This vast freshwater source draws elephants from all over the country in the dry summer season, who congregate to drink, bathe, and socialize on its peaceful shores. While the elephants may be the star attractions, keep your eyes open as you explore the park by Jeep—its grasslands and forests are also home to rare Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears, langur monkeys, and remarkable birdlife.
Day 2: Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Explore Ancient Polonnaruwa
Explore one of Sri Lanka's most treasured monuments today as you climb the 1,200 steps to Sigiriya, a spectacular carved fortress that dates from the late 5th century CE. Admire the intact 1,600-year-old frescoes and other relics of the UNESCO-listed site as you ascend through giant carved lion's paws to reach the top—where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. The countless hidden wonders along the way make the long climb relatively easy, but you can also opt for a less strenuous hike to the halfway point.
Then it's on to more ancient wonders at Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Once a thriving city that ruled the island from the 11th through 13th centuries, today, you'll find the incredibly preserved ruins of this ancient city dotted around the central, ancient reservoir of Parakrama Samudra. Discover impressive palaces, shrines, and statues within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and don't miss a visit to the Gal Vihara temple complex, where you'll find dozens of statues of reclining, sitting, and standing Buddhas.Day 3: Transfer to Kandy, Temple of the Tooth & Matale Spice Garden
Transfer south today to Kandy, considered Sri Lanka's cultural capital and welcoming gateway to the Hill Country. Discover more of the UNESCO-listed city with a tour of its Royal Palace, which sits on the edge of serene Lake Kandy and houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha within the Dalada Maligwa (Temple of the Tooth). An important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world, an evocative soundtrack of traditional drumming sets the scene as you explore its series of shrines, temples, and gardens.
In the afternoon, visit the National Spice Garden in nearby Matale for a fascinating insight into Sri Lankan history, botany, and gastronomy. The fragrant gardens are home to an exotic collection of trees, bushes, and flowers, all of which lend their flavors and spices to the diverse melting pot of Sri Lanka's cuisine. Follow your guide as they lead you through aromatic cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, mace, chocolate, vanilla, and pepper. At the end, you can even buy some of your favorite spices to bring a little bit of Sri Lanka home with you.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Scenic Train Journey to Ella
Day 5: Explore Ella: Demodara Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak & Tea Factory Tour
Spend today exploring more of the stunning countryside around Ella. Start the morning with dizzying views over dense jungle and pastoral fields at the famous Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, then climb past lush tea estates, waterfalls, and rice fields to reach one of Sri Lanka's highest peaks. Rising 3,743 feet (1,141 m) above the surrounding landscape, the gentle trek up Punchi Sri Pada or Little Adam's Peak rewards hikers with a breathtaking panorama across the valleys and fields below.
If you're feeling adventurous, take an adrenaline-pumping excursion to the Flying Ravana Adventure Park, where you can soar across the Ella Gap by zipline, then end the afternoon with a tour of a local tea estate and factory. Help pick tea leaves in the fields, then visit the factory to learn about the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving, and grading. There are machines for almost every part of the process except the all-important tasting at the end—where you'll discover the difference between varieties and qualities of Ceylon tea.
Day 6: Transfer to Yala National Park, Search for Leopards on Safari
Transfer south this morning toward the wilds of Yala National Park, where you can get settled in and then set out into the park on an afternoon safari. Covering almost 621 square miles (1,000 km), Yala is the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, and its savannah-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, catch a glimpse of an elusive Sri Lankan leopard.
Day 7: Transfer to Galle, Sunset at the Japanese Peace Pagoda
Day 8: Explore Galle's Dutch Fort, Whale Watching Excursion
Discover more of Galle today with a relaxed walking tour. This beautiful colonial town is surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean and houses the largest occupied fort in Asia. Built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663, the UNESCO-listed site spans over 90 acres. Amid the wealth of fascinating architecture, you'll find Dutch-colonial buildings, historic mosques, grand mansions, and museums.
In the afternoon, get out on the water with a whale and dolphin watching excursion. The seas around nearby Mirissa offer some of the best whale spotting in the country, and keen-eyed observers might see blue, Bryde's, sperm, and fin whales breaching and pods of common, bottlenose, and spinner dolphins frolicking in the waves.
Day 9: Transfer to Colombo & Depart
Your adventure draws to a close today as you bid Galle farewell and transfer back to Colombo. If you have time before your flight, explore more of the commercial capital's highlights, like Independence Square, the famous Red Mosque, Colombo Fort, and the Old Parliament. For some quiet, head to the oceanfront Galle Face Green, a favorite hangout spot for locals and tourists alike, or take a break in Viharamahadevi Devi Park, where you'll find tall flowering trees and lots of green space in the city's largest and oldest park.
When the time comes, your driver will transfer you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels and ayubowan (the traditional Sri Lankan blessing of long life).
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