Ultimate Sri Lanka

21 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£5,490 per person

(Based on two people travelling in February 2025. Prices can be cheaper with 3* properties or during rainy season, and more expensive with 5* hotels or during school holidays.)

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Anuradhapura

Jaffna

Trincomalee

Kandy

Nuwara Eliya

Yala National Park

Galle

Negombo & Around

Ella & Haputale

Sigiriya and Around

Bentota & West Coast

Colombo

Day 1

Overnight flight to Sri Lanka.

Day 2

This morning / afternoon you will arrive into Colombo, where you will be met by your private chauffeur guide and vehicle. Negombo is a quick 20 minute transfer from the airport and is ideal for a first night stay. A small fishing town, with Dutch canals, local eateries and traditional fish markets, it's great to explore.

Day 3

From Negombo you will head north to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Journey time is in the region of 4 hours. This afternoon you will have a tour of this sacred city, said to be Sri Lanka's first Buddhist city.

Day 4

Today you will head approximately 4 hours north to Jaffna today, an area that has recently opened up to tourism on the island. This afternoon you will learn about Jaffna's turbulent history in our Jaffna City Tour.

Day 5

Today the chauffeur guide will take you to explore Jaffna's low-lying islands, wild, war-torn and untouched by tourism.

Day 6

This morning you'll transfer 4 hours south to Trincomalee on the east coast, where you'll have a short tour of the city's highlights which include Fort Frederick and Koneswaram Temple.

Day 7

This morning transfer 2 hours inland to the Cultural Triangle. This afternoon you have a tour of the magnificent ancient city of Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 8

Today you will climb the magnificent Sigiriya Rock; this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site offers staggering views and ruins of an ancient palace at the top.

Day 9

Head south to the historical hill town of Kandy. This journey takes 3 hours without breaks but en route you will stop at the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is undoubtedly Sri Lanka's largest and best preserved cave temple.

Day 10

Enjoy a Kandy city tour including a visit to the world famous Royal Botanical Gardens and the famous Temple of the Tooth. This evening you will taste the delights of Kandy on a fun walking food tour.

Day 11

This morning you will drive up into the High Tea Country, where you'll be surrounded by beautiful greenery and tea plantations. Tonight you will stay in Nuwara Eliya, known as 'Little England' due to its cooler climate and British colonial influences.

Day 12

Today you will take the train to Haputale or Ella, recognised as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world!

Day 13

Today you have some time at leisure to explore the town and hills around the Ella and Haputale area.

Day 14

Transfer to your safari accommodation close to Yala National Park. You will enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in the park and will hopefully spot wild elephant, crocodile, sloth bear and even leopards.

Day 15

Transfer west to the charming town of Galle stopping along the way at a local turtle hatchery. Journey time from Yala to Galle without stops takes 3.5-4 hours. Hopefully you will see stilt fisherman en-route.

Day 16

Today enjoy a walking tour of Galle and its 17th century fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This afternoon you could do a cycling tour in the countryside, a cooking class, whale watching tour, or simply explore independently.

Day 17

Transfer north to your beach accommodation on the west coast of Sri Lanka for some R&R. We recommend visiting the community tsunami museum and memorial - although harrowing it is definitely worth a visit.

Day 18

Full day at leisure to relax by the pool or beach. If you want to venture out you could check out Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga Gardens, or the Madu Ganga River safari is a must-do for nature lovers!

Day 19

Final day on the beach to relax or sightsee as you wish.

Day 20

Transfer 1.5 hours up to the capital city of Colombo, where you have time at leisure to explore the sights and try the excellent street food.

Day 21

You will be driven to Colombo Airport in good time for your flight home after an incredible 3 week trip around Sri Lanka!

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

Ultimate Sri Lanka is our most comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka, designed for those with time on their side. It’s an excellent option for retirees or for those who don’t think they’ll return to Sri Lanka. The trip packs so much in as Sri Lanka is full of hidden gems. The journey starts with Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s great ancient cities; it takes in Jaffna in the far north, an area that’s only recently come out of isolation; it includes Sri Lanka’s idyllic and untouched east coast; the ancient cities of Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Kandy; the luminous tea growing region; Yala National Park, home to a dense population of leopard and even the colonial fortified town of Galle. It’s a breath-taking and truly diverse trip that we challenge you not to love.

1 night Negombo – 1 night Anuradhapura – 2 nights Jaffna – 1 night Trincomalee East Coast Beach – 2 nights Sigiriya – 2 nights Kandy – 3 nights Tea Country (with train) – 1 night Yala National Park – 2 nights Galle – 3 nights Southwest Coast Beach – 1 night Colombo