A blue train crossing Nine Arch Bridge in the green hills near Ella

9 days with room to linger

4-Star Highlands & Beach Journey

Combine Sigiriya and Minneriya with Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella’s bridge, hiking and zipline experiences, followed by Bentota and Colombo. Eight proposed 4-star hotel nights include half-board.

Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Package price
US$995 per person
Party total
US$1,990 total for 2 adults
Accommodation
4-star hotels

The route

Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Bentota · Colombo

Two adults who want more time in the Cultural Triangle, a stay in Ella and a two-night coastal pause.

  1. 01Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Minneriya safari and Pidurangala Rock
  2. 02Dambulla, Kandy’s Tooth Relic temple and a 5 PM dance performance
  3. 03Tea country, Gregory Lake and Ella’s Nine Arch Bridge
  4. 04Little Adam’s Peak and the Flying Ravana zipline
  5. 05Turtle conservation, Madu River, Cinnamon Island and Colombo sightseeing

Preparing your island route…

The island, day by day

Follow your Sri Lanka journey

From one place to the next, see how your days connect across the island. Follow the route as you explore the suggested itinerary.

Proposed hotels and half-board stays follow this route. Entrance tickets, safari jeeps, boat rides and other paid activities are not included in the package price. Your final quote confirms the daily schedule, hotels and availability.

Your island journeyYour complete Sri Lanka route
Day 01Sigiriya

Pinnawala, village life & Sigiriya

Begin at Pinnawala, experience traditional village life with a local lunch, boat ride and bullock cart journey, then climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress before checking in to your hotel.

  1. Elephants bathing in the river at Pinnawala Elephant OrphanageStop 01
    Photo: Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    See the elephants up close, learn about their daily routines and enjoy the feeding experience, with time to explore the traditional village surroundings.

  2. A thatched bullock cart beside green paddy fields in rural Sri LankaStop 02
    A representative photo of the traditional bullock cart journey.Photo: Dileep Kaluaratchie · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    Experience traditional Sri Lankan village life with a local lunch, a peaceful boat ride, a bullock cart journey and a walk through the village surroundings.

  3. Sigiriya Rock Fortress rising above the surrounding forestStop 03

    Discover the historic rock fortress and climb its approximately 1,200 steps for spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes.

Proposed stay
Tropical Life
Overnight area
Sigiriya & Dambulla
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Sigiriya & Dambulla travel guide
Day 02Sigiriya

Minneriya safari & Pidurangala

Keep your Sigiriya-area base for a Minneriya National Park jeep safari and a climb up Pidurangala Rock for views towards Sigiriya.

  1. Wild elephants grazing beside a Sri Lankan reservoirStop 01
    A representative photo of wild elephants by a reservoir. Wildlife sightings vary.

    Enjoy an exciting jeep safari, spotting wild elephants and observing other wildlife in their natural habitat.

  2. Sigiriya Rock Fortress seen across the forest from the top of Pidurangala RockStop 02
    The view of Sigiriya from the top of Pidurangala Rock.Photo: Gayomiw · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    Take on the climb and admire breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Proposed stay
Tropical Life
Overnight area
Sigiriya & Dambulla
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Sigiriya & Dambulla travel guide
Day 03Kandy

Dambulla & Kandy

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple on the way to Kandy. Explore gem centres, spice gardens and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, followed by the 5 PM dance performance and your hotel stay.

  1. Seated Buddha statues and painted ceilings inside Dambulla Cave TempleStop 01

    Admire the impressive collection of Buddha statues, ancient wall paintings and beautifully preserved cave interiors.

  2. Trays of cut Sri Lankan gemstones presented in KandyStop 02
    Gemstones presented in Kandy; a representative photo of the gem centre visit.Photo: Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized

    Discover Sri Lanka’s traditional craftsmanship and the island’s famous gemstones with a visit to a gem centre.

  3. Shaded plants along a path in a Sri Lankan spice gardenStop 03
    A spice garden in Matale; a representative photo of the spice garden visit.Photo: Pierre André Leclercq · CC BY 4.0 · resized

    Walk through a spice garden and explore the aromatic spices Sri Lanka is known for.

  4. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic beside Kandy LakeStop 04

    Visit the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, one of Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist religious sites.

  5. Dancers in traditional white and red costumes on stage in KandyStop 05
    A representative photo of a Kandyan dance performance.Photo: Peter van der Sluijs · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized

    Witness Sri Lankan culture through a traditional dance performance, with colourful costumes, rhythmic music and graceful movements.

Proposed stay
Earl’s Regent
Overnight area
Kandy
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Kandy travel guide
Day 04Nuwara Eliya

Ramboda, tea country & Nuwara Eliya

Travel into the highlands via Ramboda Falls and Damro Labookellie Tea Centre & Estate. Enjoy a Gregory Lake boat ride before settling into your Nuwara Eliya hotel.

  1. Ramboda Falls dropping through a forested gorge in the hill countryStop 01
    Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · resized

    Take in the stunning views of Ramboda Falls and the natural beauty of the surrounding waterfalls along the way.

  2. Rolling green tea fields at Labookellie EstateStop 02
    Photo: Julie Anne Workman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized

    Explore the tea centre and estate, learn about the tea-making process and discover Sri Lanka’s famous tea industry.

  3. Gregory Lake and the surrounding green hills in Nuwara EliyaStop 03

    Take a relaxing boat ride and admire the scenic hills and cool mountain atmosphere around the lake.

Proposed stay
Galway Heights
Overnight area
Nuwara Eliya
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Nuwara Eliya travel guide
Day 05Ella

Nine Arch Bridge & Ella adventures

Walk the railway track to Nine Arch Bridge, hike Little Adam’s Peak and ride the Flying Ravana zipline, then relax at your mountain hotel in Ella.

  1. A train crossing Nine Arch Bridge in the hills near EllaStop 01

    Take a scenic walk along the railway track to reach the famous bridge, with beautiful views of the surrounding greenery and hills.

  2. Mountain views from Little Adam’s Peak in EllaStop 02
    Photo: MikeWilli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    Hike up Little Adam’s Peak and enjoy stunning views of Ella’s mountains, valleys and natural landscapes.

  3. The Flying Ravana zipline venue set among green tea hills in EllaStop 03
    Photo: Pasan Jayaweera · Unsplash License · resized

    Ride the Flying Ravana zipline for a thrilling glide above the beautiful valley.

Proposed stay
Morning Dew
Overnight area
Ella
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Ella travel guide
Day 06Bentota

Turtle conservation & Bentota coast

Travel to your Bentota base, visit a sea turtle conservation hatchery and enjoy an evening along the coastline with sunset views.

  1. A young sea turtle swimming in a hatchery pool in KosgodaStop 01
    A turtle hatchery on the south-west coast; a representative photo of the hatchery visit.Photo: Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized

    Learn about different sea turtle species and the efforts made to protect these marine creatures.

  2. The sandy west coast beach at BentotaStop 02

    Spend a peaceful evening by the sea, with the calming sound of the waves and beautiful sunset views over the ocean.

Proposed stay
Rockwall
Overnight area
Bentota
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Bentota travel guide
Day 07Bentota

Madu River, Cinnamon Island & beach time

Keep your Bentota base for a boat journey along the Madu River, including Cinnamon Island, then return to the coast for a peaceful beach sunset.

  1. Mangrove-lined waterways on the Madu RiverStop 01
    Photo: Kalaiarasy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized

    Enjoy a scenic boat journey along the Madu River, passing through beautiful waterways and visiting its charming islands.

  2. A woman preparing Ceylon cinnamon bark by hand on a Madu River islandStop 02
    Cinnamon being prepared on a Madu River island; a representative photo of the Cinnamon Island visit.Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · resized

    Stop at Cinnamon Island during your Madu River boat journey.

  3. The sandy west coast beach at BentotaStop 03

    Spend a peaceful evening by the sea, with the calming sound of the waves and beautiful sunset views over the ocean.

Proposed stay
Rockwall
Overnight area
Bentota
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Bentota travel guide
Day 08Colombo

Colombo heritage & seaside city life

Explore BMICH, Old Parliament, Dutch Hospital and Colombo Fort. Enjoy Galle Face Green and local street food, visit Gangaramaya Temple, then check in for your final hotel night.

  1. The white octagonal Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in ColomboStop 01
    Photo: Dan Lundberg · CC BY-SA 2.0 · resized

    See the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, one of the main attractions of Colombo.

  2. The colonnaded Old Parliament Building in ColomboStop 02
    Photo: Grayswoodsurrey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    Discover the Old Parliament, one of the city’s best-known historic landmarks.

  3. The restored Dutch Hospital in Colombo FortStop 03
    Photo: Jan Kranendonk (https://www.jankranendonk.nl) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    Explore the historic Dutch Hospital and experience Colombo’s unique blend of history and modern life.

  4. The historic clock tower in the Fort district of ColomboStop 04
    The Old Colombo Lighthouse clock tower in the Fort district.Photo: Jorge Láscar · CC BY 2.0 · resized

    Walk through the historic Fort area, the old heart of the city.

  5. People enjoying the Galle Face Green seafront in ColomboStop 05

    Relax at Galle Face Green, enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze and try popular local street food in the seaside atmosphere.

  6. Rows of seated Buddha statues at Gangaramaya Temple in ColomboStop 06
    Photo: Dan arndt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

    Discover the cultural and religious significance of this temple, known for its beautiful architecture, religious artefacts and impressive collection of Buddhist treasures.

Proposed stay
Granbell
Overnight area
Colombo
Meals
Half-board (HB)
Room
Standard double room (STD)
Explore Colombo travel guide
Day 09Departure

Departure

Check out of your Colombo hotel and depart Sri Lanka, with timing arranged around your onward travel.

  1. Colombo city and its waterfrontStop 01

    Your departure is arranged around your onward travel. No additional hotel night is scheduled on departure day.

Make it your journey

Like this route? Let’s shape it around you.

Share your dates and the pace you enjoy. We’ll help connect the right places.

Enquire about this journey

Quote structure

What the package price covers

Included

  • 8 nights in proposed 4-star hotels, subject to availability
  • One standard double room for two adults, with half-board (HB) on each hotel night
  • Ground transportation and driver service along the quoted route
  • Airport charges, welcome garlands and a customer gift
  • Train allowance; segment, class and availability are confirmed with your quote

Not included

  • Sightseeing admission, safari jeeps, boat rides, zipline and other paid experiences unless separately confirmed in your quote
  • International flights, visas and travel insurance
  • Lunch outside separately confirmed village experiences, drinks, personal expenses and optional gratuities
  • Extra nights, room upgrades and services outside the confirmed quote