Fourteen days from Negombo to Bentota, the long way round
Fourteen days is where Sri Lanka stops feeling like a checklist. This route covers everything the shorter tours do and then adds the things they always cut: a second safari, a proper day in Nuwara Eliya, the river safari at Balapitiya, and time in Colombo.
Most places get two nights. The drives are spread so that no day is more than about four hours in the vehicle.
It is the itinerary we recommend for a first visit if the time is there.
Day 01
Negombo
Met at Bandaranaike airport and driven to Negombo. The beach, or a lagoon boat ride, the Dutch canal and the fish market.
Hotel, Negombo
Day 02
Sigiriya
The Pinnawala elephant orphanage on the way inland, then on to Sigiriya to check in and rest.
Hotel, Sigiriya
Day 03
Sigiriya
Sigiriya Lion Rock in the morning and the Dambulla Cave Temple after. An optional village tour at Habarana, or a Sri Lankan cooking class.
Hotel, Sigiriya or Habarana
Day 04
Habarana
A leisurely morning, then an afternoon jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla, depending on where the herds have moved.
Hotel, Sigiriya or Habarana
Day 05
Kandy
A spice garden at Matale, then Kandy: the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a Kandyan cultural dance show.
Hotel, Kandy
Day 06
Nuwara Eliya
The Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, then up through the plantations to Nuwara Eliya and a working tea factory.
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 07
Nuwara Eliya
Gregory Lake, Victoria Park and the Seetha Amman temple, with an optional strawberry farm. A full day at altitude with nothing forced.
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 08
Ella
The scenic rail journey into Ella, then the Nine Arch Bridge and the view from Little Adam’s Peak.
Hotel, Ella
Day 09
Yala
Ravana Falls on the way out of the hills, then the transfer to Yala. The evening is free, or a nature walk near the hotel.
Hotel, Yala
Day 10
Yala
An early morning jeep safari in Yala National Park, the best leopard density anywhere, then back to the hotel to rest.
Hotel, Yala
Day 11
Mirissa
The scenic southern coast road to Mirissa, and the rest of the day on the beach.
Beach hotel, Mirissa
Day 12
Mirissa
An early whale watching trip in season, then a day that belongs entirely to the beach.
Beach hotel, Mirissa
Day 13
Bentota
Galle Dutch Fort in the morning, the Madu Ganga river safari at Balapitiya, and on to Bentota or Beruwala.
Beach hotel, Bentota
Day 14
Colombo
Optional water sports at Bentota, then a Colombo city tour if time allows — Galle Face, Gangaramaya, Independence Square — and the airport transfer.
Thirteen nights across seven bases, so most stops are two nights. Available in budget, mid-range and luxury versions.
Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout, one rail leg, and open jeeps in the national parks.
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.
