Essential Sri Lanka
Overview
The highlights for first-time visitors who want culture, mountains, wildlife and beaches without trying to see everything.
Day 1 is the arrival day and the final day is the departure day. Depending on international flight times, additional sightseeing can be added on either of these days.
Itinerary
Touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to the nearby beach town of Negombo to rest and ease into island time before the tour begins in earnest.
Overnight Stay: NegomboHighlights:
- - Settle in, beach walk, fish market, recover from flight
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Dutch canal boat ride
- - St. Mary's Church
- - Lagoon sunset cruise
Head inland into the Cultural Triangle, stopping at Dambulla's cave temple before continuing to Sigiriya, home to the island's most famous rock fortress.
Overnight Stay: SigiriyaHighlights:
- - Dambulla Cave Temple en route
- - Afternoon climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Sigiriya Archaeological Museum
- - Village tour by bullock cart and catamaran
- - Sunset from Pidurangala Rock
Travel south to the hill capital of Kandy, breaking the journey with a spice garden visit, then spend the evening exploring the city's most sacred site.
Overnight Stay: KandyHighlights:
- - Spice garden stop in Matale
- - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- - Evening cultural dance show
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Kandy Lake walk
- - Local market
- - Bahirawakanda Buddha statue viewpoint
Climb into tea country via the scenic Kandy–Nanuoya train or a winding mountain road, arriving in the cool colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight Stay: Nuwara EliyaHighlights:
- - Scenic train (Kandy–Nanuoya) or road via tea estates
- - Working tea factory visit
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Gregory Lake
- - Victoria Park
- - Hakgala Botanical Garden
Descend from the hills toward the dry southeast, arriving in time for an evening game drive in one of Sri Lanka's premier wildlife parks.
Overnight Stay: Tissamaharama / Yala areaHighlights:
- - Transfer through Ella - Wellawaya
- - Evening jeep safari in Yala National Park
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Second safari block
- - Bird watching around the Tissa tank
An early safari gives the best chance of leopard and elephant sightings before the journey continues to the palm-fringed south coast.
Overnight Stay: Mirissa or UnawatunaHighlights:
- - Early safari for leopards and elephants
- - Transfer to Mirissa or Unawatuna for the beach
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Galle Fort detour
- - Whale watching (seasonal)
- - Coconut Tree Hill
A final relaxed morning by the ocean before transferring to Colombo for the return flight; depending on flight time, a stop in Galle or Bentota can be added.
Highlights:
- - Free morning by the ocean
- - Transfer to Colombo airport for departure
Also worth seeing, subject to available time:
- - Galle Fort stop
- - Bentota turtle hatchery — subject to flight time