AUTHENTIC SRI LANKA
This 11-day journey through Sri Lanka is a compact yet immersive experience, designed to cover the island’s highlights in a well-balanced rhythm of exploration and relaxation.
The first 8 days are activity-rich, taking you through ancient cities like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, iconic landmarks such as Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, cultural experiences in Kandy, scenic hill country routes, and thrilling wildlife encounters including safaris in Minneriya National Park and Yala National Park.
After this packed journey of culture, history, and adventure, the tour slows down with a few relaxed days along the southern coast —perfect for unwinding on golden beaches, enjoying the ocean, and reflecting on an unforgettable island experience.
11 days / 10 nights
FROM
1,100.00€
PRICE FOR ONE PERSON
(Double sharing basis)
Itinerary
Arrival in Negombo, followed by a short transfer to your hotel. Ease into your journey with a relaxed evening by the beach, enjoying the town’s vibrant seaside restaurants known for fresh seafood, while traditional fishing boats and bustling lagoon life offer a glimpse into Negombo’s long-standing coastal heritage.
Enjoy your delicious breakfast in the hotel and start visiting the sacred city of Anuradhapura early in the morning. This sacred city was established around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment’, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again. Your tour guide will help you to visit all the important places in this massive site in a convenient way. It is important as some parts of it may get too hot unless visited before the sun is strong. When you have completed, you will do a road trip of 1.5 hours to arrive in Sigiriya Village. You will relax in the hotel and enjoy your dinner there.
Enjoy your delicious breakfast in the hotel (Early breakfast on this day) and leave to visit the ancient city of Sigiriya. The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high (the ‘Lion’s Rock’, which dominates the jungle from all sides). A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site. You have the option to enjoy an authentic lunch in this area and/or you will take another scenic road trip of 1 hour to visit the Polonnaruwa ancient city. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. You will return to the hotel in Sigiriya after the visit, relax in your resort and enjoy the delicious dinner!
Travel from Sigiriya to Kandy through Sri Lanka’s cultural heartland, passing scenic countryside and rural villages along the way.
En route, visit the impressive Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient rock-carved caves filled with Buddha statues and vibrant mural paintings dating back over 2,000 years.
Continue to Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, where you visit the sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Later, explore the city’s colonial charm, lakefront views, and lively streets before settling in for an overnight stay in Kandy.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and set off to discover the little England of Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya! It is a scenic road trip of approximately 3 hours. Your first stop will be at Ramboda waterfall. You will be able to reach all the way to the bottom of the waterfall through Ramboada falls hotel.Your next stop would be at a tea factory. The factories in this route are traveler friendly and have organized tea production and tasting demonstrations to the travelers who visit. You can refresh your selves there and enjoy a cup of home made tea. Then you will proceed to Nuwara Eliya city. Nuwara Eliya is much loved by Britain’s early day settlers and tea planters, who enjoyed its rolling hills, conifer forests and cool climate. Nuwara Eliya is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. Your first You will visit a tea plantation on your way to Nuwara Eliya and discover the tea culture. You will enjoy a delicious cup of tea in the cool climate at the tea production center. Later you will check-in to your hotel and relax. It’s also a good idea to make a walk in the neighborhood or to enjoy a warm cup of coffee in the garden. A delicious dinner will be prepared for you in the night.
The journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic hill country drives, descending through misty mountains, cascading waterfalls, and endless tea plantations. En route, a memorable stop in Haputale offers a 2-hour tuk-tuk ride through a working tea estate, where you’ll witness pluckers harvesting the prized “two leaves and a bud” and experience the authentic rhythm of plantation life.
The ride continues up to Lipton’s Seat, perched nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, with breathtaking viewpoints along the way. From the top, enjoy sweeping panoramas across multiple provinces—just as Sir Thomas Lipton once did. The journey then carries on to Ella, with its relaxed atmosphere and iconic hill country charm.
The journey from Haputale to Yala National Park transitions beautifully from cool hill country to the dry-zone wilderness. You may opt for a short, scenic train ride between Haputale and Ella—one of the most picturesque rail stretches in the country—before continuing by road.
En route, visit Buduruwagala, home to a remarkable set of ancient rock carvings, including a towering 15-meter Buddha statue dating back to the 10th century. As the landscape gradually shifts to open plains and scrub, you arrive at Yala in time for an exciting evening safari, where encounters with elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and even the elusive leopard await.
Enjoy your breakfast in the hotel and set off to your preferred beach resort in the South of Sri Lanka. You will have a calm, blue sea from November to April in the South! Your beach resort will serve delicious meals and awesome beach cocktails throughout your stay and you can engage in many activities including awesome beach parties, surfing, and boat trips! Southern beaches (Rekawa and Kosgoda) are also nesting spots of marine turtles.
Enjoy your beach stay. Be it windsurfing, kayaking, yachting, water skiing, scuba diving or just lazing around for the perfect tan! Sri Lanka offers it all!
Explore the southern coast starting with a visit to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture, charming streets, and ocean views. Continue to a local turtle hatchery, where conservation efforts protect and nurture endangered sea turtles before they are released back into the ocean.
Later, drive to your beach resort for a relaxed evening by the sea.
Departure transfer (2.5 hours drive to the airport from the South beach, depending on which beach)
This journey is available throughout the year, offering a seamless exploration of Sri Lanka’s rich culture, scenic landscapes, and wildlife.
The ideal travel period is from November to May, when the southern coast—including beautiful beach escapes in Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Bentota—enjoys calm seas and sunny days, perfect for relaxation and coastal experiences.
Outside of this season, the itinerary can be thoughtfully adjusted to match the best weather conditions across different regions of the island, ensuring a rewarding experience at any time of year.
- Double sharing accommodation in carefully selected hotels, offering comfort, character, and excellent service, on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner)*Single supplement is applicable.
- Private air-conditioned transportation throughout the journey
- Services of a professional English-speaking guide, ensuring insightful and seamless travel
- All entrance tickets to cultural sites and attractions
- National park entrance fees
- Private safari jeeps with experienced trackers for an immersive wildlife experience
- Service of a dedicated tour manager and ground support at all times
- Lunches throughout the journey
- Expenses of a personal nature (beverages, laundry, telephone calls, etc.)
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, unless otherwise specified
Gratuities (Recommended):
Tipping is not mandatory but is warmly appreciated for good service. As a general guideline:
- Guide & Driver: USD 15–20 per day (per couple/group)
- Restaurants: Approximately 10% of the bill, if not already included
- Luggage handlers & support staff (including safari jeep drivers): Around USD 5 per service
Plan your journey
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Email – info@travelisrilanka.com
