Seven days, airport to airport
The classic loop condensed into a week, with a slightly different emphasis from our other seven-day tour: more time in the gardens and the villages, and a finish on the west coast rather than the far south.
It ends at Bentota or Hikkaduwa, both under two hours from the airport, which makes the last morning genuinely relaxed rather than a dash.
Good for a first visit on limited time, and for families who want variety without long drives.
Day 01
Sigiriya
Collected at Bandaranaike airport and driven four hours north. The Dambulla Cave Temple in the afternoon, then rest at the hotel.
Hotel, Sigiriya
Day 02
Kandy
An early climb up Sigiriya, then a village tour with a bullock cart ride and a traditional lunch. South to Kandy via the Matale spice garden, the Temple of the Tooth, and a cultural dance show.
Hotel, Kandy
Day 03
Nuwara Eliya
The Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, the scenic drive up to Nuwara Eliya, a tea factory and plantation, Gregory Lake and Little England itself.
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 04
Ella
The scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella, subject to availability — tea estates, waterfalls and open doors. The Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak on arrival.
Hotel, Ella
Day 05
Yala
A relaxed morning in Ella, then three hours to Yala or Tissamaharama for an evening safari — elephants, leopards and everything else that moves at dusk.
Hotel, Yala or Tissamaharama
Day 06
Bentota
The southern coast road, Galle Fort, the stilt fishermen and a turtle hatchery, then on to Bentota or Hikkaduwa for the beach.
Beach hotel, Bentota or Hikkaduwa
Day 07
Bentota
Morning beach time, or an optional boat safari on the Madu River, then two hours back to the airport.
Your choice of budget, mid-range or luxury. The route is identical; only the hotels change.
Private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide throughout, plus the Nanu Oya to Ella rail leg.
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
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.
