Culture & Heritage
Sri Lanka Grand Experience
Culture, wildlife and beach — ten days, nine nights
Two UNESCO cities, the tea estates, the scenic train, a Yala safari, whale season at Mirissa and three days working down the south coast.
8 days · Adventure
Adventure Sri Lanka
Hiking, safari, the scenic train, surf and waterfalls
AdventureWildlifeBeach & Coastal
- Duration
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Route
- 8 destinations
- Accommodation
- 7 nights
- Transport
- Private, with guide
Overview
Built for people who would rather walk it than photograph it from the van. Every day has something physical in it, and the drives are arranged so the walking happens in the cool hours.
Nothing here is technical. The hikes are long rather than hard, and everything optional — the zipline, the ATV, the surf lesson — can be swapped for an afternoon doing nothing.
It ends on the south coast, which is the right way round: the effort first, the beach afterwards.
Highlights
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress and a village lunch
- The mountain train from Kandy into Ella
- Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls and a zipline
- Two safaris — Udawalawe in the morning and an evening drive
- Surfing at Weligama and snorkelling at Unawatuna
Day by day
Day 01
Sigiriya
North to Sigiriya
Colombo to the dry zone, with the Dambulla cave temple on the way. A village tour and a traditional lunch in the afternoon.
Hotel, Sigiriya
Day 02
Kandy
The climb, then Kandy
Sigiriya Rock Fortress early, a spice garden, then the Temple of the Tooth and a Kandyan cultural show.
Hotel, Kandy
Day 03
Ella
The mountain train
The scenic rail journey through the mountains and the tea plantations, arriving into Ella in the afternoon.
Hotel, Ella
Day 04
Ella
Ella, on foot and on wire
Little Adam’s Peak, the Nine Arch Bridge, a zipline or an optional ATV run, and Ravana Falls to finish.
Hotel, Ella
Day 05
Udawalawe
Hills to Udawalawe
A morning hike or waterfall, then the drive down to Udawalawe with an evening safari option.
Hotel, Udawalawe
Day 06
Mirissa
Safari, then the sea
A morning game drive in Udawalawe, the coastal road south, and surfing or kayaking before sunset on the beach.
Beach hotel, Mirissa
Day 07
Unawatuna
Surf and snorkel
A surf lesson at Weligama, Galle Fort in the afternoon, and an optional snorkel or dive at Unawatuna. Dinner on the beach.
Beach hotel, Unawatuna
Day 08
Unawatuna
Last of the coast
Free beach time in the morning, then the transfer to Colombo airport.
What is included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Seven nights accommodation with breakfast
- Scenic train leg into Ella
- Airport transfers both ways
- All sightseeing and entrance coordination as listed
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Zipline, ATV, surf lessons, diving and other optional activities
- Safari jeep and park fees unless specified at the time of booking
- Most meals, insurance and gratuities
Accommodation
Practical, well-placed hotels and lodges rather than resorts. Several will be at the trailhead rather than in town.
Transport
Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout, one rail leg, and open jeeps in the national parks.
The route
- 01Colombo
- 02Sigiriya
- 03Kandy
- 04Ella
- 05Udawalawe
- 06Mirissa
- 07Weligama
- 08Unawatuna
Gallery
See more in the full gallery.
Important information
- Bring shoes you can climb 1,200 steps in. Sandals are not enough for Sigiriya or Little Adam’s Peak.
- Udawalawe is the more reliable park for elephants; Yala is the one for leopards. We can swap them.
Request this tour
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