Trip idea · 12 days / 11 nights
Negombo → Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Yala → Mirissa → Galle → Colombo
The classic first trip: ancient cities, tea hills, a leopard safari and lazy beach days, at a comfortable pace.
from €1,200 – €1,800 per person (estimate)
- Length
- 12 days / 11 nights
- Best time
- Dec–Apr
- Suits
- Couple, Family, Friends / group
- Style
- Beaches, Culture & heritage, Hills & tea, Wildlife
Overview
The classic first trip: ancient cities, tea hills, a leopard safari and lazy beach days, at a comfortable pace.
- Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
- Kandy and the hill-country train
- Leopard safari in Yala
- Whale watching from Mirissa (Dec–Apr)
- Galle Fort at sunset
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Negombo
Airport welcome, rest after the flight.
Overnight: Negombo
- Day 2
To Sigiriya
Drive to the Cultural Triangle, stopping at Dambulla caves.
Overnight: Sigiriya
- Day 3
Lion Rock
Climb Sigiriya, afternoon elephant safari at Minneriya.
Overnight: Sigiriya
- Day 4
Polonnaruwa
Cycle the medieval capital, back for a village dinner.
Overnight: Sigiriya
- Day 5
Kandy
Spice garden on the way; Temple of the Tooth in the evening.
Overnight: Kandy
- Day 6
Tea country
Botanical gardens, then up to Nuwara Eliya with a tea factory stop.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
- Day 7
Train to Ella
The scenic train ride to Ella; Nine Arch Bridge at sunset.
Overnight: Ella
- Day 8
Down to Yala
Little Adam's Peak at dawn, then down to Yala for an afternoon jeep safari.
Overnight: Yala
- Day 9
Yala to Mirissa
Early safari for the best leopard chances, then west to the beach.
Overnight: Mirissa
- Day 10
Mirissa
Morning whale-watching boat (season) or a lazy beach day.
Overnight: Mirissa
- Day 11
Galle
Galle Fort, Unawatuna beach and a sunset on the ramparts.
Overnight: Galle
- Day 12
Colombo and home
Coastal drive to Colombo, a little shopping, then your flight.
Usually included
- Private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotels as described, 2 sharing, with breakfast
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Local taxes and the driver's costs
Not included
- International flights
- Sri Lanka ETA (visa)
- Entrance and park fees unless listed
- Lunches, most dinners and drinks
- Tips and personal spending
- Travel insurance
Best months
- Jan(good time)
- Feb(good time)
- Mar(good time)
- Apr(good time)
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec(good time)
About the price
Estimate per person, 2 sharing, mid-range hotels with breakfast, private car with driver-guide; no flights or entrance fees.
Estimate last checked: 13/11/2026
Arranged by: A licensed tour partner based in Sri Lanka
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