Essential Sri Lanka Tour

After breakfast, head to Pinnawala to visit the famous Elephant Orphanage. Then, continue your journey to explore the Dambulla Cave Temple and Golden Temple.

Pinnawala: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a sanctuary for orphaned elephants. Here, you can observe the elephants being fed, bathing, and playing in the river.

Dambulla:

Famous for the five cave Temples on a rock. The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here. 

Dinner and overnight stay at Dambulla hotel.

After breakfast, you will have to climb up 1200 steps to the Sigiriya Rock.

Sigiriya: Home to the 5th-century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defense, the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a sumptuous palace and gardens, complete with a swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of the Frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness. 

Participate in a popular village tour.

Hiriwadunna Village: It is a small village situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The village is not overly crowded with tourists. The limited number of tourists who visit the Hiriwadunna village has the chance to explore the village in bullock carts, boat rides, take a short walk within the paddy fields & vegetable cultivation and also get to taste a delicious homemade traditional Sri Lankan lunch which includes rice and a number of local vegetable curries.

Next, travel to the town Kandy which is famous for a temple of the tooth, a Buddhist temple.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess‘ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession. Royal botanical garden. Afterwards you will Enjoy the Kandy city tour including Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Kandy Lake Walk and local market. 

Stroll around Kandy Lake and the market for spices, crafts & batik. Visit a local artisan workshop and learn wood carving or brass making. 

Dinner and overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast visit Peradeniya royal botanical gardens.

Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya: near Kandy, is one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured natural attractions. Covering over 140 acres, it showcases a spectacular collection of more than 4,000 plant species, including orchids, palms, spices, and medicinal plants. Once a royal retreat during the Kandyan Kingdom, it was later transformed by the British into a world-class botanical garden.

Travel up to the mountains in Nuwara Eliya. En route visit Ramboda waterfall.

Nuwara Eliya: often called the “Little England” of Sri Lanka, is a picturesque hill station nestled in the central highlands. Surrounded by rolling tea plantations, misty mountains, and cool climates, it offers a refreshing escape from the island’s tropical heat. The town’s colonial charm is reflected in its old British-style bungalows, gardens, and the famous Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. Visitors can explore tea factories, stroll around Gregory Lake, and visit nearby attractions like Horton Plains and Lovers’ Leap Waterfall.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, Scenic Train Ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.

Ella Train Ride: The train ride to Ella is one of the most scenic journeys in the world, offering breathtaking views of Sri Lanka’s lush hill country. Winding through tea plantations, misty mountains, waterfalls, and quaint villages, the ride, especially from Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, captures the island’s natural beauty at its best. The journey is slow and peaceful, allowing travelers to soak in panoramic landscapes and wave to locals along the way.

Drive to the Yala National Park.

Yala National Park: located in Sri Lanka’s southeast, is the country’s most famous wildlife reserve and a must-visit for nature lovers. Known for having one of the world’s highest leopard densities, Yala offers incredible safari experiences through its diverse landscapes of dry forests, grasslands, and lagoons. Visitors can also spot elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, and a rich variety of birdlife.

Dinner and overnight at the Yala hotel.

After breakfast, travel to the tropical city of Bentota. En route visit Coconut Tree Hill, Mirissa.

Galle Dutch Fort: Explore the historic Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture and scenic views. 

Galle Lighthouse: Visit the lighthouse, which offers picturesque views of the Indian Ocean. 

Galle City Tour: Discover more of Galle’s charming streets and its cultural heritage. 

Dinner and overnight at a beach hotel.

After hotel check out, you will be dropped off at Colombo airport or another central location in Colombo.

Please note that there is a possibility of extending a relaxing stay in Sri Lanka.