Sri Lanka14 days
Sri Lanka: Ancient Capitals, Tea Estates & Wildlife — 14 Days
From Anuradhapura's UNESCO ruins and Sigiriya Rock to Yala's leopards and the tea valleys of Dickoya
This 14-day itinerary moves through Sri Lanka's central cultural and natural geography: the ancient Buddhist capitals of Anuradhapura and Kandy, the 5th-century rock fortress of Sigiriya, the high-altitude tea estates of Hatton, and the wildlife sanctuary of Yala National Park, finishing on the southern coast near Galle. The pacing allows two days of rest at Anuradhapura and three on the beach, with inclusive accommodation at each stop and daily transfers by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Activities range from temple visits and botanical gardens to jungle kayaking, tea estate walks, and game drives in search of leopard and elephant.
Highlights
- Visit Anuradhapura's UNESCO World Heritage ruins, the ancient capital of Sri Lankan kingdoms
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress to the 5th-century palace and pleasure gardens of King Kassapa
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple complex, a UNESCO site carved in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC
- Walk through tea estates in Dickoya's mountain valleys and observe the tea-making process
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the island's most venerated Buddhist shrine
- Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden's orchid collection near the Mahaweli River
- Early morning game drives in Yala National Park for sightings of leopard, elephant, and water buffalo
- Visit Galle Fort, the best-preserved sea fort in South Asia, near the island's southernmost point
Day by day
1Arrival in ColomboColombo · Colombo International Airport · Lake Colombo
Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Transfer to the capital by car, approximately one hour, with check-in at Lake Colombo for overnight stay.
2Transfer to Anuradhapura & Jungle KayakingAnuradhapura · Ulagalla Resort · Wannemaduwa Tank
Transfer northward to Anuradhapura, approximately 5 hours by car. Check-in at Ulagalla Resort. In late afternoon, a guided kayaking outing on Wannemaduwa Tank departs from the resort. The paddling follows quiet waterways through lotus islands and reed beds bordered by overhanging vegetation, with opportunities to observe water birds and other wildlife during the active periods at dusk. Overnight at Ulagalla Resort.
3Anuradhapura Ancient CityAnuradhapura · Ulagalla Resort
Full day at Anuradhapura, an UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Sri Lanka's most important ancient capitals. The ruins reflect the power of the early Buddhist kingdoms and preserve remnants of ancient urban planning, monasteries, stupas, and palaces. Overnight at Ulagalla Resort.
4Rest Day in Anuradhapura
Free day at the resort. Overnight at Ulagalla Resort.
5Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Dambulla Cave Temple to KandySigiriya Rock Fortress · Dambulla Cave Temple · Kandy · Ellerton
After breakfast, transfer to Kandy (approximately 4 hours). En route, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the UNESCO-listed palace and pleasure gardens of King Kassapa. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO complex of caves with Buddhist sculptures and frescoes dating to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. Arrive in Kandy for overnight stay at Ellerton.
6Kandy: Botanical Garden & Temple of the Tooth RelicTemple of the Tooth Relic · Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden · Ellerton
Morning visit to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, situated on a peninsula within the Mahaweli River and known for its extensive orchid collection and mature tropical plantings. Afternoon visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the most venerated Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka, housing a relic believed to be a tooth of Buddha. Overnight at Ellerton in Kandy.
7Transfer to Hatton & Warleigh ChurchHatton · Warleigh Church · Governor's Mansion
Transfer westward to Hatton in the central highlands, approximately 3 hours by car. En route, stop at Warleigh Church, a structure built in 1878 in British ecclesiastical style during the colonial period. The building reflects the architectural heritage of the tea plantation era. Afternoon at leisure at Governor's Mansion. Dinner and overnight stay.
8Tea Estate Walk in Dickoya ValleyDickoya valley plantations · Governor's Mansion
Full day in the tea estates surrounding Hatton. A guided walk through the Dickoya valley plantations provides views across the rolling terrain and mountain ranges. The walk passes through areas of active tea cultivation, offering opportunities to observe the tea-picking process and learn the methods of tea production from estate staff. Walkers move among tea bushes at mid-altitude, experiencing the working landscape of the plantations and the daily routines of workers and pickers. Photography opportunities include both landscape and cultural documentation. Dinner and overnight stay at Governor's Mansion.
9Transfer to Yala National ParkYala Junction · Yala Safari Camp
Transfer to Yala – 5 hour drive approximately Meet the safari staff at Yala Junction at noon and transfer to Yala Safari Camp. Lunch at the camp and an evening game drive to begin wildlife observation. Overnight at the camp.
10Yala Game DrivesYala National Park
Early morning and evening game drives in Yala National Park, with opportunities to spot leopard, elephant, and deer. Daytime at leisure in camp. Overnight stay.
11Yala to Coastal SouthYala · Apa Villa in Thalpe · Yala to Thalpe
Early morning game drive and breakfast at camp. Check out and transfer southward to Thalpe on the coast, approximately 4 hours by car. Overnight at Apa Villa in Thalpe.
12Galle Fort & Beachbeach · Dutch Fort at Galle · Apa Villa in Thalpe
Visit the Dutch Fort at Galle, close to the island's southernmost point, has the distinction of being the best-preserved sea fort in South Asia. The structure reflects Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial periods. Remainder of day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at Apa Villa in Thalpe.
13Beach Rest Daybeach · Apa Villa in Thalpe
Free day on the beach. Overnight at Apa Villa in Thalpe.
14DepartureColombo International Airport
Transfer to Colombo International Airport, approximately 3 hours by car, for departure.
Where you go
- 1Colombo
- 2Anuradhapura
- 3Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- 4Dambulla Cave Temple
- 5Kandy
- 6Temple of the Tooth Relic
- 7Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
- 8Yala National Park
- 9Yala
Included
- Accommodation in mentioned hotels
- Meals as per mentioned meal plans
- Air conditioned transfers with an English speaking chauffeur guide
- All mentioned activities and park entrance fees
- Prices may vary plus/minus depending on the season
- Accommodation and meals (For 2 Adults)
- 1 night at Lake Colombo on bed and breakfast basis
- 3 nights at Ulagalla Resort in Anuradhapura on bed and breakfast basis
- 2 nightsat Ellerton in Kandy on bed and breakfast basis
- 2 nights stay at Governor’s Mansion in Hatton on full board basis
- 2 nights Yala camping on all inclusive basis
- 3 nights at Apa Villa in Thalpe on bed and breakfast basis