The Best of Sri Lanka

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where your local representative welcomes you and accompanies you to Kotugoda near Minuwangoda for your first evening in Sri Lanka. This gentle introduction to Sri Lanka travel sets the tone for the journey ahead, unhurried and thoughtfully arranged.

After settling in, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at your own pace. Unwind by the pool beneath swaying palms, wander through nearby village lanes and quiet temples, or take a peaceful sunset walk along the river as the light softens.

As night falls, rest in the calm surroundings of Minuwangoda, easing into the rhythm of the island.

Begin with breakfast in Kotugoda before driving to Sigiriya. Along the way, your driver guide shares local insights that enrich the journey.

Stop at Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom, where a striking rock fortress and 13th-century ruins recall Sri Lanka’s medieval past. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, known for its painted cave shrines and meditation spaces.

Arrive in Sigiriya, check in, relax, and enjoy dinner at Sparkling Wild Sky restaurant.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa for a guided exploration of its UNESCO listed ruins. Visit the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihara with its four rock carved Buddhas, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, and the vast Parakrama Samudraya reservoir, while hearing the stories behind this former royal capital.

In the afternoon, continue to Minneriya National Park for a safari known for close encounters with wild elephants and diverse birdlife. Return to your hotel in the evening to relax.

Today, visit the village of Hiriwadunna, one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka for an authentic glimpse of rural life.

Walk through scrub jungle, cross a lake in a traditional oruwa boat, and spend time with a local farming family to learn about and taste dishes prepared in clay pots over an open fire. Enjoy a hearty village lunch before continuing your day.

In the afternoon, climb Pidurangala Rock for a striking view of Sigiriya and wide panoramas across the surrounding countryside.

After breakfast, climb the dramatic Sigiriya Rock Fortress to see its renowned frescoes and the reflective Mirror Wall, as your private guide shares the site’s history and hidden details. From the summit, take in sweeping views across the plains.

In the afternoon, travel to Kandy for a tailored tour of Sri Lanka’s cultural heart. Visit Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth, and walk along the lakeside while your guide explains the city’s royal past and living traditions.

Relax by the pool overlooking Kandy’s hillside, with jungle birdsong and distant temple bells setting the rhythm of the day. This quieter chapter of your Sri Lanka itinerary invites you to slow down and take in the surroundings.

Explore nearby villages on foot or by bike at your own pace, meeting locals and gaining insight into everyday life. An optional Ayurvedic treatment with a local therapist can also be arranged. As evening settles over the hills, return to your hotel in Kandy for a restful night.

Today, travel toward Ella, stopping in Nuwara Eliya, often called Little England for its cool climate and colonial charm. Visit a working tea factory to learn about the production process and, if you wish, try tea picking for a hands-on glimpse into estate life.

Take a brief tour of Nuwara Eliya before continuing to Ella. For a memorable alternative, opt for the scenic train journey through misty mountains and rolling tea fields, one of the island’s most striking landscapes.

Enjoy a guided morning in Ella, set amid tea plantations and rugged mountain scenery. Visit Ravana Falls, pause at Ella Gap for sweeping valley views, walk across the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, and, if you wish, hike to Ella Rock for wide panoramas over the countryside.

For something more adventurous, try the Flying Ravana zipline for an aerial perspective, or cool off with a refreshing dip near Ravana Falls.

Begin the morning with a guided hike up Little Adam’s Peak, where gentle trails lead to wide views across the tea-covered hills. Along the way, learn about local history and life in the highlands. Named for its resemblance to the sacred Adam’s Peak, it offers an accessible and rewarding climb that can be tailored to your pace.

After breakfast, transfer to Koggala for the beach chapter of your journey. En route, look out for Sri Lanka’s iconic stilt fishermen and the striking silhouette of Taprobane Island. Arrive at your coastal retreat and unwind with personalized beach activities by the sea.

Unwind in Koggala with time to enjoy the beach at your own pace. Swim, stroll along the shore, explore nearby village life, and savor fresh seafood by the sea.

In the afternoon, you may visit the Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery to learn about local conservation efforts and the protection of hatchlings before their release. Alternatively, take a boat safari on Koggala Lagoon to explore mangroves, small islands, and the area’s rich birdlife.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before easing into a relaxed morning by the beach. Swim in warm waters, unwind on the sand, or read beneath swaying palms as the ocean sets an easy rhythm.

Later, head to Weligama for surf lessons and a lively coastal atmosphere, or visit Mirissa for whale watching and fresh seafood dinners, both just a short tuk-tuk ride from your resort. Return to Koggala in the evening, where the calm of the lagoon offers a peaceful close to your coastal day.

Spend the morning at the beach, enjoying the sun and the easy rhythm of coastal life. Later, transfer to Galle and step into the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, a living colonial enclave of narrow lanes, boutiques, and cafés.

Walk the sea-facing ramparts, explore historic buildings and craft shops, and meet local artisans as you hear the stories that shaped the fort. If the weather allows, end the day with a striking sunset over the Indian Ocean from the ramparts.

Spend a relaxed day in Galle exploring the UNESCO-listed Fort at your own pace. Browse local boutiques featuring art and handcrafted pieces, linger in intimate Sri Lankan restaurants, and enjoy curated moments overlooking the sea as the light softens toward sunset.

For a memorable final dinner, return to your hotel’s lively Fort restaurant and sample the lobster curry, a coastal classic.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Galle before taking a final stroll through the Dutch Fort. Browse boutique shops, pick up handcrafted souvenirs, and savor a last taste of local specialties as the morning light fills the cobbled streets.

When ready, a private transfer will take you to the airport at a time that suits your schedule, with attentive local support ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated farewell to your Sri Lanka trip.