10 days
Wild and coast
A first night in Negombo, the ancient cities, tea country, and a safari before the flight home.
A starting journey
Ten days adds a first night by the coast and a full day in Kandy before the hills. The train still crosses from Nanu Oya to Ella, then Yala or Bundala, with Galle Fort only if you want it on the way to the airport.
Choose Yala or Bundala, add Galle Fort on the last morning, or give one place an extra night. The route is a starting point.
The spine
Sigiriya & Cultural Triangle — Kandy — Nuwara Eliya — Ella — Yala — Galle & South Coast
Day by day
How the days might unfold.
01
A first night by the coast
Negombo
Meet at the airport and settle in Negombo, close enough that the first evening does not become a long drive.
02
Inland to Sigiriya
SigiriyaTravel from Negombo to the Cultural Triangle. Night in Sigiriya, with Lion Rock on the skyline.
03
Sunrise, then the elephants
SigiriyaClimb Sigiriya Rock in the early morning for sunrise. In the evening, an elephant safari in Minneriya National Park. A second night in Sigiriya.
04
The ancient city
PolonnaruwaA day among the ruins of Polonnaruwa. Return to Sigiriya for the night.
05
Caves, spice, and Kandy
KandyTravel to Kandy, stopping at Dambulla Cave Temple and a spice garden. The first of two nights in Kandy.
06
Temple, gardens, and dance
KandyThe Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and a cultural dance show in the evening. A second night in Kandy.
07
Tea and waterfalls
Nuwara EliyaContinue to Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea factory and waterfalls on the way. Night in the highlands.
08
The train toward the wild
TissamaharamaTravel south to Tissamaharama, riding the train from Nanu Oya to Ella on the way. Night near the parks.
09
Yala or Bundala
YalaA safari in Yala National Park, or Bundala if you would rather spend the morning with birds and wetlands.
10
Airport, with Galle if you wish
GalleTravel from Tissamaharama to Colombo Airport. Stop at Galle Fort if you would like a last walk on the ramparts.
Other starting journeys
07Stone, tea, and the wild
Sigiriya at sunrise, the hill-country train, a day in Yala, and Galle Fort on the way to the airport.
12Time in the hills
The ten-day route, with a free day in the highlands and a night on the south coast.
14The island, unhurried
Tea country, a night in Ella, the wild, and a last day by the sea.
Ready to make this
yours?
Choose Yala or Bundala, add Galle Fort on the last morning, or give one place an extra night. The route is a starting point.