Sri Lanka10 days
Sri Lanka: Wildlife, Ruins & Hill Country — 10 Days
From Wilpattu's leopard safari through UNESCO sites at Anuradhapura and Sigiriya to the tea highlands and Horton Plains
This 10-day itinerary moves across Sri Lanka's central cultural and natural zones: a wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park in the northwest, the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura, the rock fortress of Sigiriya with its fifth-century palace and gardens, the cave temple complex at Dambulla, and the hill-station towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The route includes the scenic train journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya, gardens at Peradeniya, the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, and a nature trail through Horton Plains National Park to Baker's Waterfall and World's End point. Accommodations are in established hotels and resorts; all transfers include an English-speaking driver, and park entrance fees and activities are included.
Highlights
- Leopard safari in Wilpattu National Park during morning and evening game drives
- Ancient city of Anuradhapura — UNESCO World Heritage site and former capital of the Silla Kingdom
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress — climb to the fifth-century palace and pleasure gardens of King Kassapa
- Dambulla Cave Temple complex — UNESCO site with carvings dating to the third and second centuries BC
- Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden near the Mahaweli River, noted for its orchid collection
- Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, housing one of Buddhism's most sacred relics
- Scenic train route from Kandy to Nanu Oya through tea plantations and highland terrain
- Four-hour nature trail in Horton Plains National Park to Baker's Waterfall and World's End viewpoint
Day by day
1Arrival in ColomboColombo International Airport · central Colombo · Lake Colombo hotel
Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Driver and English-speaking guide meet in the arrival lounge. Transfer to central Colombo takes approximately one hour. Overnight accommodation at Lake Colombo hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
2Wilpattu National Park SafariWilpattu National Park · Colombo · Wilpattu National Park campsite
Morning departure from Colombo for the approximately five-hour drive northwest to Wilpattu National Park. Arrival at the park entrance around midday, followed by transfer to the campsite. Afternoon evening game drive within the park (typical wildlife viewing times: dawn and late afternoon). Dinner provided at the camp. Overnight accommodation within Wilpattu on an all-inclusive basis.
3Wilpattu to AnuradhapuraWilpattu · Wilpattu to Anuradhapura · Ulagalla Resort
Morning game drive before checkout. Transfer to Anuradhapura, approximately two hours east. Accommodation for two nights at Ulagalla Resort on a bed and breakfast basis.
4Anuradhapura Ancient CityAnuradhapura · Ulagalla Resort
Full day in Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site and ancient capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. The city contains extensive ruins of temples, stupas, and other structures spanning centuries, with archaeological sites preserved throughout the modern city. Guided tour with driver and guide. Overnight at Ulagalla Resort.
5Sigiriya, Dambulla & KandyDambulla Cave Temple · Sigiriya Rock Fortress · Ellerton hotel
Drive south from Anuradhapura toward Kandy, approximately four hours with stops. Route includes Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with five chambers carved into rock and decorated with carvings and paintings dating from the first century BC onward. Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress; climb to the summit to see the ruined palace and pleasure gardens of King Kassapa. Overnight at Ellerton hotel in Kandy on a bed and breakfast basis.
6Kandy: Gardens & Sacred TemplePeradeniya Royal Botanical Garden · Temple of the Tooth Relic · Ellerton
Morning visit to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, situated near the Mahaweli River and noted for its extensive orchid collection and plant displays. Afternoon visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, the most venerated Buddhist site in Sri Lanka, housing a relic believed to be the tooth of Buddha. Overnight at Ellerton in Kandy.
7Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by Mountain TrainNanu Oya station · Heritance Tea Factory hotel · Kandy to Nanu Oya
Departure from Kandy by scenic train to Nanu Oya at 8:55 AM. Route ascends through tea plantations and highland valleys. Driver meets the group at Nanu Oya station for transfer to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight at Heritance Tea Factory hotel on a bed and breakfast basis for two nights.
8Horton Plains National Park Nature TrailHorton Plains National Park · Heritance Tea Factory
Day in Horton Plains National Park for a four-hour guided nature trail walk over grassland and forest terrain to Baker's Waterfall and World's End point, a cliff edge with views toward the southern lowlands. Moderate terrain. Overnight at Heritance Tea Factory.
9Nuwara Eliya to NegomboNuwara Eliya to Negombo · Jetwing Blue
Five-hour drive from Nuwara Eliya westward to Negombo, a coastal town north of Colombo. Overnight at Jetwing Blue on a bed and breakfast basis.
10DepartureColombo International Airport
Airport transfer and departure from Colombo International Airport.
Where you go
- 1Colombo
- 2Anuradhapura
- 3Dambulla Cave Temple
- 4Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- 5Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
- 6Temple of the Tooth Relic
- 7Horton Plains National Park
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 at Ulagalla Resort in Anuradhapura on bed and breakfast basis
- 2 nights at Ellerton in Kandy on bed and breakfast basis
- 2 nights at Heritance Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya on bed and breakfast basis
- 1 night at Jetwing Blue in Negombo on bed and breakfast basis