Sri Lanka10 days
Sri Lanka: Elephant Sanctuaries, Rock Fortresses & Safari — 10 Days
From Colombo to Yala: Pinnawala, Sigiriya, tea estates, and coastal wildlife viewing
This ten-day itinerary moves across Sri Lanka's central highlands and southern coast, balancing cultural monuments with wildlife observation and botanical interest. The route begins in Colombo, travels inland through Kandy to the rock fortress at Sigiriya and the cave temple at Dambulla, then ascends to the tea-growing region around Hatton for walks among working plantations. A multi-day stay at Yala National Park follows, with early-morning and evening game drives through dry-zone habitat. The journey concludes at the southern coastal town of Thalpe, with a visit to the seventeenth-century Dutch Fort at Galle. Accommodation ranges from urban hotels to a tea-estate mansion to a safari camp within the national park.
Highlights
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: hand-feeding and observing rescued elephants at a facility established to house animals abandoned by their mothers
- Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden near Kandy: walking among one of South Asia's largest orchid collections set beside the Mahaweli River
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress: climbing the UNESCO World Heritage site that served as the fifth-century palace and pleasure garden of King Kassapa
- Dambulla Cave Temple: a UNESCO complex of five rock-cut chambers dating to the second and third centuries BC, carved into a monolithic outcrop
- Tea estate walks in the Dickoya valleys: trekking among working tea plantations in mountain terrain, observing harvesting methods and the daily routines of estate workers
- Yala National Park game drives: early-morning and evening safaris in search of leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and water buffalo across dry-zone scrubland
- Dutch Fort at Galle: exploring the best-preserved colonial sea fort in South Asia, set on a promontory near the island's southern coast
Day by day
1Arrival in ColomboColombo International Airport · central Colombo
Arrival at Colombo International Airport and transfer to the capital city, a drive of approximately one hour. Check-in to accommodation in central Colombo.
2Kandy: Elephant Orphanage and Botanical GardenKandy · Colombo to Kandy · Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage · Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Transfer from Colombo to Kandy, a drive of approximately four hours. Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a facility established to care for young elephants separated from their mothers. Afternoon visit to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, located near the Mahaweli River and notable for its collection of orchids and tropical plants. Overnight in Kandy.
3Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave TempleSigiriya · Dambulla Cave Temple · Kandy
Transfer to Sigiriya, approximately three hours. En route, visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage complex of five rock-cut chambers carved into a monolithic outcrop, dating from the second and third centuries BC. At Sigiriya, climb the rock fortress—a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as a fifth-century royal palace and pleasure garden for King Kassapa. The ascent passes through terrace gardens and former palace foundations. Return to Kandy for overnight stay.
4Hatton: Warleigh Church and Tea-Estate RegionHatton · Warleigh Church · Governor's Mansion
Transfer to Hatton in the central highlands, approximately three hours. En route, visit Warleigh Church, built in 1878 by Governor William Scott in nineteenth-century British ecclesiastical architecture. Arrive at Governor's Mansion in Hatton for overnight stay on a full-board basis, with afternoon tea service featuring estate-grown tea.
5Tea Estate Walks in the Dickoya ValleysDickoya Valleys · tea estates · Governor's Mansion
A full day of walking among the tea estates that sprawl across the valleys of Dickoya. The terrain is mountainous, with views across planted slopes and surrounding ranges. Guests walk between tea bushes, observing the harvesting methods of tea pluckers and the daily routines of estate workers. The experience offers context for understanding tea production from field to leaf. Estate-grown tea is served throughout the day. Return to Governor's Mansion for overnight stay on a full-board basis.
6Yala National Park: Arrival and First Game DriveYala National Park · Hatton to Yala · Yala Junction · Yala Safari Camp
Transfer from Hatton to Yala, approximately five and a half hours. Meet safari crew at Yala Junction at midday and transfer into Yala Safari Camp. Afternoon game drive through the dry-zone habitat of the national park. Dinner and overnight stay at the safari camp on an all-inclusive basis.
7Yala National Park: Full-Day SafariYala National Park · safari camp
Early-morning game drive through the national park, returning to camp for breakfast. Daytime rest at the camp. Evening game drive. Overnight stay at the safari camp on an all-inclusive basis, with a barbecue dinner.
8Yala to ThalpeYala · Yala to Thalpe · Thalpe · camp
Early-morning game drive. Return to camp for breakfast and check-out. Transfer to Thalpe on the southern coast, approximately four hours. Overnight stay in Thalpe.
9Galle and Southern CoastDutch Fort at Galle · Thalpe
Visit to the Dutch Fort at Galle, located near the island's southern point and considered the best-preserved colonial sea fort in South Asia. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in Thalpe.
10Departure from ColomboThalpe to Colombo International Airport
Transfer from Thalpe to Colombo International Airport, approximately three hours.
Where you go
- 1Kandy
- 2Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- 3Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
- 4Sigiriya
- 5Dambulla Cave Temple
- 6Kandy
- 7Yala National Park
- 8Yala
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
- 2 nights at 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
- 2 nights at Apa Villa in Thalpe on bed and breakfast basis