Culture, wildlife and beach — ten days, nine nights
The fullest version of the classic route. It adds Polonnaruwa to the Cultural Triangle and gives the south coast three separate bases instead of one, so the last third of the trip is genuinely a holiday.
Nine nights across eight places, with two nights wherever it matters. Nothing is seen from a bus window on the way to somewhere else.
This is the itinerary we send to European travellers who want heritage and wildlife and beaches and are not willing to drop any of the three.
Day 01
Sigiriya
Met at the airport and driven north. The Dambulla cave temple on the way, then check in and rest.
Hotel, Sigiriya
Day 02
Sigiriya
Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the morning, the ruins of Polonnaruwa in the afternoon, and a village experience before dinner.
Hotel, Sigiriya
Day 03
Kandy
A spice garden at Matale, the Kandy city tour, the Temple of the Tooth, and a cultural dance show.
Hotel, Kandy
Day 04
Nuwara Eliya
The mountain road into the estates, a working tea plantation and factory, and Ramboda Falls.
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 05
Ella
The famous scenic rail journey, then the Nine Arch Bridge and Ella town.
Hotel, Ella
Day 06
Yala
Little Adam’s Peak and Ravana Falls, then down to the dry south-east for a Yala National Park safari.
Hotel, Yala
Day 07
Mirissa
A relaxed coastal drive to Mirissa. Coconut Tree Hill, the beach, and sunset.
Beach hotel, Mirissa
Day 08
Mirissa
Optional whale watching at first light, a Weligama surf lesson, and an afternoon that is entirely yours.
Beach hotel, Mirissa
Day 09
Unawatuna
Galle Fort and its Dutch colonial streets, Unawatuna beach, and a sunset dinner.
Beach hotel, Unawatuna
Day 10
Colombo
Free beach time, an optional Colombo city tour, and the airport transfer.
A mix of dry-zone hotels, a hill-country property and beachfront hotels on the south coast. Available at three levels on request.
Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout, one rail leg, and jeeps in the park.
See more in the full gallery.
Culture & Heritage
Culture, hill country, safari and the south coast in ten days
The full anticlockwise loop at a pace that still leaves room to swim: cave temples, the rock fortress, tea country by train, a Yala safari and the Galle coast.
Culture & Heritage
Culture, tea country, the scenic train, safari and the south coast
Everything most first-time visitors come for, in a single week: the rock fortress, the Temple of the Tooth, the tea train, a Yala safari and Galle Fort.
Culture & Heritage
Four days through the ancient capitals
Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Mihintale and the Temple of the Tooth — the whole Cultural Triangle in four days.
