Eight days in Sri Lanka takes you from the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya and the cave temples of Dambulla through the misty tea plantations of Ella and Nuwara Eliya, the sacred tooth relic temple of Kandy, and down to the colonial fort and whale watching waters of Galle. Sri Lanka is compact, culturally deep, and one of the most rewarding trips in Asia.
Eight days in Sri Lanka takes you from the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya and the cave temples of Dambulla through the misty tea plantations of Ella and Nuwara Eliya, the sacred tooth relic temple of Kandy, and down to the colonial fort and whale watching waters of Galle. Sri Lanka is compact, culturally deep, and one of the most rewarding trips in Asia.
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Colombo. Afternoon at Galle Face Green, the ocean-side promenade for fresh air and street food vendors selling isso vadai, spiced prawn fritters. Walk through Pettah Market, Colombo's chaotic old bazaar district, for textiles, spices, and the energy of a Sri Lankan market. Evening at the Colombo Fort area for dinner at a rooftop restaurant. Overnight Colombo.
4-hour drive into the Cultural Triangle. Morning at Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five caves containing 157 Buddha statues and extraordinary 2000-year-old ceiling murals. Afternoon at Sigiriya, the 5th-century rock fortress rising 200 metres from the jungle, reached by climbing past the famous frescoed Maidens and the Lion Paw entrance. The view from the summit over the surrounding forest is extraordinary. Overnight near Sigiriya.
Early morning jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, famous for the Gathering, one of Asia's largest congregation of wild Asian elephants at the Minneriya reservoir between June and October - up to 300 elephants in a single afternoon. Drive 4 hours to Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital and the last royal capital. Evening walk around the Kandy Lake. Overnight Kandy.
Morning at the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist site which houses a tooth of the Buddha in a golden casket. Walk through the colonial pavilions of the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, 60 hectares of extraordinary tropical plants including the double coconut palm and giant bamboo avenue. Evening traditional Kandyan cultural show with fire dancers, stilt walkers, and drummers. Overnight Kandy.
Board the famous Kandy to Ella train, consistently ranked one of the world's most scenic rail journeys, 6 hours through cloud forest, waterfalls, and emerald tea plantations with open doors to hang out of. Arrive in Ella, a charming mountain village. Walk to the Nine Arch Bridge, Sri Lanka's most photographic colonial viaduct, as a tea train crosses above the jungle. Evening hike up Little Adam's Peak for sunset views. Overnight Ella.
Morning at Ravana Falls, one of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls in the Ella gap. Drive through the tea highlands to Nuwara Eliya at 1800 metres, the colonial hill station called Little England with its mock Tudor buildings and rose gardens. Afternoon guided tour of a working tea estate and factory to understand how Ceylon tea goes from leaf to cup. Overnight Nuwara Eliya.
Early morning jeep safari in Yala National Park, which has the highest density of leopards in the world. Morning drive through the scrub forest and lagoons for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and enormous mugger crocodiles. Drive 3 hours west to Galle on the southern coast. Afternoon walk around Galle Fort, the best-preserved Dutch colonial fort in Asia, still inhabited within its ramparts. Overnight Galle.
Morning walk through Galle Fort's Dutch colonial streets past the lighthouse, old church, and boutique shops in converted warehouses. Optional boat trip for blue whale watching off Mirissa - the waters off southern Sri Lanka have the highest blue whale density on earth from November to April. Drive 2.5 hours to Colombo Airport. End of tour.
We reply within 1 hour with quotes and itinerary.
