Sri Lanka · 10 days · 9 nights

Sri Lanka – Light of Asia

Duration: 10 days · 9 nights
Group size: Private journey for 2 or more guests

Overview

This ten-day trip covers Sri Lanka from its ancient cities to its south coast. The first days are spent in the Cultural Triangle, with the Dambulla rock cave temple, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a bullock-cart ride and traditional oruwa boat at Hiriwadunna, and Matale's spice garden on the way to Kandy.

From Kandy, with the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the route climbs into the tea country of Nuwara Eliya. Then comes the famous train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella, with Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge.

The trip ends in the south, with a safari in Udawalawe National Park, a beach stay in Mirissa, and city tours of Galle and Colombo before your departure.

The route

Day by day, at a glance

Day 1 · Dambulla
Arrival and Dambulla
Day 2 · Dambulla
Sigiriya and Hiriwadunna
Day 3 · Kandy
Matale and Kandy
Day 4 · Kandy
Pinnawala and Peradeniya
Day 5 · Ella
Tea Country and the Train to Ella
Day 6 · Ella
Ella
Day 7 · Udawalawe
Udawalawe Safari
Day 8 · Mirissa
Elephant Transit Home and Mirissa
Day 9 · Colombo
Galle and Colombo
Day 10 · Colombo
Departure

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 1 · Dambulla
Arrival and Dambulla
Welcome and assistance on arrival at Colombo International Airport. Transfer to Dambulla (about 160 km, 4 hours), stopping at Kurunegala for refreshments. Check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Dambulla rock cave temple. Overnight in Dambulla.
Day 2 · Dambulla
Sigiriya and Hiriwadunna
After breakfast, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. In the afternoon, enjoy a bullock-cart ride and a traditional oruwa boat ride at Hiriwadunna. Overnight in Dambulla.
Day 3 · Kandy
Matale and Kandy
After breakfast, set off for Kandy, stopping at Matale to visit a spice garden and a batik workshop with a demonstration. In the afternoon, visit Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. In the evening, enjoy a traditional cultural show. Overnight in Kandy.
Day 4 · Kandy
Pinnawala and Peradeniya
After breakfast, visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala, then have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, first laid out as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and later expanded by the British. Continue into Kandy by tuk-tuk. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kandy.
Day 5 · Ella
Tea Country and the Train to Ella
After breakfast, head to Nuwara Eliya. On the way you may see the Ramboda Falls, which at 109 m (358 ft) are the 11th-highest falls in Sri Lanka. Visit a tea plantation and tea factory. In the afternoon, go to Nanu Oya station and take the train to Ella (14:50 to 17:15). Overnight in Ella.
Day 6 · Ella
Ella
After breakfast, visit Little Adam's Peak. In the afternoon, visit the Nine Arch Bridge. Overnight in Ella.
Day 7 · Udawalawe
Udawalawe Safari
After breakfast, head to Udawalawe, stopping at the Ravana waterfall on the way. Check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, a safari in Udawalawe National Park. Overnight in Udawalawe.
Day 8 · Mirissa
Elephant Transit Home and Mirissa
After breakfast, visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, then continue to Mirissa. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure on the beach. Overnight in Mirissa.
Day 9 · Colombo
Galle and Colombo
After breakfast, a city tour of Galle, then continue to Colombo. In the afternoon, a city tour of Colombo. Check in to the hotel. Overnight in Colombo.
Day 10 · Colombo
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport (about 40 km, 1 hour) for your departure.

Where you'll stay

Accommodations

Accommodation for this trip is tailored to your dates and travel style — your specialist will confirm the exact properties when shaping your itinerary.

How it works

Made to order

Every Tourcan trip is built by a specialist, not a template — the route, hotels, and pace are tuned to how you want to travel.
Dates are flexible. There are no fixed departures; we plan around your calendar.
Quotes and bookings happen by phone and email with your specialist — no automated checkout, just a real conversation.

What's included

Inclusions and exclusions

Included

Accommodation in hand-picked hotels on a twin-sharing basis, hotel taxes included
Daily breakfast, plus meals as noted in the itinerary
Private arrival and departure transfers
All touring and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
English-speaking local guides for sightseeing
Entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
All current government taxes

Not included

International flights and airport taxes
Visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone and bar bills
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Any services not mentioned in the itinerary

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included in the price of any Tourcan itinerary. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and baggage.

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Your specialists