10 days Culture, Hills and Beach

This is our most popular route for a first visit. It balances ancient sites, cool green hills, wildlife and beaches, with no more than one long travel day in a row.

Every trip is tailored. Use this plan as a starting point, and a local expert will adjust it to your dates, pace and budget.

Highlights

• Sunrise climb at Sigiriya or Pidurangala
• Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
• The Kandy to Ella train through tea country
• Leopard safari in Yala
• Whale watching and beach days in Mirissa
• Sunset on the ramparts of Galle Fort

Day by day

1. Day1

   Arrive in Sri Lanka

   Your driver meets you at the airport. Short drive to Negombo, a walk along the beach and a seafood dinner to recover from the flight.

   Overnight: Negombo

2. Day2

   To the Cultural Triangle

   Drive inland to Sigiriya (about 4 hours), stopping for king coconut and a roadside lunch. Afternoon elephant safari in whichever park the herds are in this week.

   Overnight: Sigiriya

3. Day3

   Lion Rock and the cave temple

   Climb Sigiriya early before the heat. Rest at midday, then visit the Dambulla cave temple in the afternoon. Village-style dinner.

   Overnight: Sigiriya

4. Day4

   Spice garden and Kandy

   Drive to Kandy (about 2.5 hours) with a stop at a spice garden. Walk around Kandy Lake and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening ceremony.

   Overnight: Kandy

5. Day5

   The train to Ella

   Take the famous train through tea country to Ella, about 7 hours. Your driver takes your luggage by road and meets you at the station.

   Overnight: Ella

6. Day6

   Ella hikes

   Sunrise on Little Adam's Peak, then walk to the Nine Arch Bridge. Free afternoon, or a cooking class with a local family.

   Overnight: Ella

7. Day7

   Down to Yala

   Drive to Tissamaharama (about 2.5 hours) past Ravana Falls. Afternoon jeep safari in Yala National Park, looking for leopards, elephants and sloth bears.

   Overnight: Tissamaharama

8. Day8

   To the south coast

   Drive west to Mirissa (about 2.5 hours). Afternoon on the beach and sunset at Coconut Tree Hill.

   Overnight: Mirissa

9. Day9

   Whales and beach

   Early morning whale watching trip in season. Afternoon free to swim, surf in Weligama or relax.

   Overnight: Mirissa

10. Day10

    Galle Fort and departure

    Drive to Galle for a walk around the fort, lunch and the ramparts. Continue to the airport on the expressway (about 3 hours) for your flight.

    Overnight: Flight home

Places on this route

Negombo → Sigiriya & Dambulla → Kandy → Ella → Yala & Tissamaharama → Mirissa → Galle