Sri Lanka7 days

Sri Lanka: Ancient Kingdoms, Wildlife & Temple Cities — 7 Days

Wilpattu National Park safari, Anuradhapura ruins, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Kandy's Temple of Tooth Relic with unhurried pacing

This seven-day journey moves through Sri Lanka's central cultural and natural zones, beginning with a two-night safari camp experience in Wilpattu National Park, where leopard sightings and open grassland game drives form the wildlife component. From there, the itinerary turns inland toward the ancient kingdoms: a full day at Anuradhapura, a UNESCO site preserving the ruins of Sri Lanka's most significant ancient capital, followed by a climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress — the palatial stronghold of King Kassapa — and a stop at Dambulla Cave Temple, a complex of Buddhist caves dating to the second and third centuries BC. The final two days centre on Kandy, where the Temple of Tooth Relic houses one of Buddhism's most venerated relics, and the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya displays extensive orchid collections along the Mahaweli River. Throughout, accommodation alternates between a wildlife camp and heritage hotel properties; all transfers include an English-speaking driver-guide.

Highlights

Early morning and evening game drives in Wilpattu National Park in search of leopards and other wildlife across open grassland and lakes
Walking through the ruins of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with preserved structures spanning centuries of Buddhist and royal history
Climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress to view the fifth-century pleasure gardens and palace ruins of King Kassapa
Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO site containing Buddhist cave chambers carved between the second and third centuries BC
Seeing the tooth relic of Buddha housed in Kandy's Temple of Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most sacred sites
Walking through the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya, set along the Mahaweli River and known for its extensive orchid collections

Day by day

1Arrival in ColomboColombo International Airport · central Colombo · Lake Colombo

Arrival at Colombo International Airport and transfer to central Colombo, approximately one hour by road. Accommodation at Lake Colombo for the first night.

2Wilpattu National Park: Safari Camp Arrival and Evening Game DriveWilpattu National Park · safari camp · camp · Colombo · safari campsite

Early departure from Colombo with a four-hour drive northwestward to Wilpattu National Park. Check-in at the safari campsite at midday. Lunch at the camp, followed by an evening game drive through the park's open grasslands and lake systems. Dinner at camp and overnight stay.

3Wilpattu Morning Game Drive and Transfer to AnuradhapuraWilpattu · Anuradhapura · Ulagalla Resort

Morning game drive before departing the park. Transfer to Anuradhapura, approximately one hour south, an ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is spent exploring the ruins of this former powerhouse of Sri Lankan civilization, with its well-preserved structures spanning centuries of Buddhist and royal history. Overnight at Ulagalla Resort.

4Rest Day in Anuradhapura

Full day at the resort with no scheduled activities.

5Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave TempleSigiriya Rock Fortress · Dambulla Cave Temple · The Kandy House

Departure for Kandy, a four-hour drive southeastward. En route, a stop at Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO site containing Buddhist chambers carved between the second and third centuries BC. Continuation to Sigiriya, where the climb of the Rock Fortress ascends to the fifth-century pleasure gardens and palace ruins of King Kassapa. Overnight at The Kandy House in Kandy.

6Kandy: Temple of Tooth Relic and Royal Botanical GardenTemple of Tooth Relic · Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya · The Kandy House

Morning visit to the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy, housing one of Buddhism's most venerated relics. Afternoon visit to the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya, set along the Mahaweli River and noted for its extensive orchid collection. Overnight at The Kandy House.

7Departure from KandyKandy

Transfer to the airport for departure, approximately three and a half hours by road.

Where you go

Map: Sri Lanka: Ancient Kingdoms, Wildlife & Temple Cities — 7 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Colombo
2Anuradhapura
3Sigiriya Rock Fortress
4Dambulla Cave Temple
5Kandy

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
1 night Wilpattu camping on all inclusive basis
2 nights stay at at Ulagalla Resort in Anuradhapura on bed and breakfast basis
2 nights at The Kandy House in Kandy on bed and breakfast basis