9-Nights Highlights of Sri Lanka: Dambulla, Kandy & the Coast - Private Guided Experiences from $8,963

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive Colombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Seductive beaches and tempting water sports, magnificent landscapes featuring lazy lagoons, fertile wetlands, ecologically-wondrous types of forest, imposing mountains, bounteous rivers and waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife - much of it endemic - unique ecosystems, inspiring heritage sites from ancient cities to colonial forts, a vibrant culture including fine arts and crafts and grand festivals, and a people of diverse ethnicity and religious persuasion, charming and hospitable.

Arrive and proceed to your hotel.

Hotel: Radisson Hotel Colombo (4 Star Rating)

The Radisson Hotel Colombo is a city center and oceanfront hotel and places guests 700 meters from Wellawatte Beach and an easy drive or tuk-tuk ride from the city's popular neighborhoods. Sleep well in one of the 158 thoughtfully-designed rooms and experience a medley of flavors at a variety of dining venues with Sri Lankan and International cuisine. Radisson Hotel Colombo also features comfortable meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a stylish rooftop with a bar, lounge, and an infinity pool.

Today you will drive to Dambulla. Dating back to the 1st Century BC is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka - The Dambulla Rock Temple. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. This temple is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Continue to Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka's medieval capital & crown jewel of King Parakramabahu I. Walk across its scattered walls of the World Heritage Site - blessed by stupas, resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures. Take a close glance and you will realize a subtle Hindu influence on architecture and statues found in Polonnaruwa. Here you will visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, of King Parakramabahu I built in the 11th Century, The Gal Vihara which is one of the most famous sites in Sri Lanka. It consists of three figures of Lord Buddha carved out of a cliff of granite. The first figure is a sitting Buddha with an artificial cavern cut out of the rock. The other two are an upright Buddha and a reclining Buddha. The reclining Buddha is 14 m (46 ft) in length. Other places that you will visit is The Audience Hall which contains exquisite stone carvings, bas-relief elephants support the base of this building and the entrance has two flights of steps with moonstones flanked by mythical dragons. The Lotus Bath located within the Jetavanarama Monastery is this elegant pond built in the shape of an open lotus. Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a square building with fine rock cut railing going all around the Dalada Maluwa area of the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa. A must see is the Parakrama Samudraya - this vast water reservoir was built by King Parakramabahu-the Great (1153-1186) acres of paddy land is supported by this reservoir.

After your visit proceed to the hotel.

Hotel: Habarana Village by Cinnamon (4 Star Rating)

Bordering a lake and hidden amidst the bushes of Sri Lanka's dry zone in the north central province sits Habarana Village by Cinnamon. The hotel strive to combine the air of a traditional Sri Lankan village with rustic luxury to give you a very different take on the resort experience. Considered to be a great Sigiriya hotel, providing access to myriad historical and natural sites, staying here is the pinnacle of leisure, quiet times and personal exploration.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Today you will drive to Sigiriya - rising 200m straight up over the dusty plains of north central Sri Lanka, the flat-topped rock formation of Sigiriya is not only one of the island's most impressive geological formations but also one of its greatest archaeological legacies. Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka. This is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Thereafter you will drive to Kandy which is the he English name for the city of Maha Nuvara . It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city.

Arrive and proceed to the hotel.

Later today you will explore the city and visit The Temple of the Tooth Relic and it was declared by the UNESCO has a world heritage in 1988. According to Sri Lankan legends, when Buddha died in India his body was cremated in a sandalwood pyre and his left canine tooth was retrieved from the funeral pyre by a spiritual practitioner - Khema who in turn gave it to King Brahmadatte for veneration. Your tour also includes a drive around the Kandy Lake. You will also explore the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts Center, a gem museum and a lapidary!

Hotel: Amaya Hills (4 Star Rating)

Amaya Hills is nestled within scenic mountain ranges radiating old world charm in the Kingdom of Kandy. The property boasts 100 luxurious rooms and suites, all beautifully decorated, with sweeping views of the Hanthana mountain range and perfectly manicured gardens adorning opulent flora all year round.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Today you will drive to Ella - a quaint hill side village offering the most amazing view in all of Sri Lanka, Ella is ideal for leisurely treks. Trudge through tea plantations, temple sites and waterfalls through the day.Welcome the night with clear skies, twinkling stars and the distant glow of light houses in the Southern Coast. En route you will visit a Tea Plantation. Sri Lanka, Tea and Tourism are words which cannot be separated. Take a tour to the cold & misty hills that take pride of an ultimate tea tour, covering lush green blankets of tea plantations. Or just step into a tea factory processing the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea, to observe a rich tradition kept alive up to date. As you observe the hissing and swishing of machines, inhaling the heavenly scent arising from these facilities, make sure to end your day in style over a perfectly blended cup of pure Ceylon Tea.

Hotel: EKHO Ella (4 Star Rating)

EKHO Ella is a mountainous Resort with stunning views. It is located close to popular attractions and hiking trails and offers some of the best views of the “Ella Gap”. The property consists of stylishly designed rooms and offers beautiful dining spaces.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Today you will explore the Ella Gap, a scenic viewpoint that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below and visit The Nine Arches Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, one of Sri Lanka's most iconic structures and stands as a prime example of British railway engineering from the colonial era when the country was still known as Ceylon.

Hotel: EKHO Ella (4 Star Rating)

EKHO Ella is a mountainous Resort with stunning views. It is located close to popular attractions and hiking trails and offers some of the best views of the “Ella Gap”. The property consists of stylishly designed rooms and offers beautiful dining spaces.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Today you will drive to Tissamaharama one of the most pleasant towns in the southern coast! It used to be the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century B.C. Only few buildings from that period can still be seen today. The large artificial Tissa Wewa Lake, which was a part of a sophisticated irrigation system, also dates from that time. Arrive and proceed to the hotel.

Spreading into a vast 1259 sq. km., Yala - with its glory spinning around vast grasslands, shrubs, tanks and dunes - rightfully is the heartland of wildlife in Sri Lanka. As your jeep rumble through the giant gates of Yala, you are not only stepping into the most visited national park in the country, but also the lands of a civilization which thrived during the reign of Sri Lankan kings. You name it, and Yala has it! Its usual inmates cover herds of elephant, sloth bear, spotted dear, jackal, extensively populated birdlife as well as the highest density of leopards in the world that garnish the park to be one of the finest destinations in the country. Feel the rough track as your jeep thunders over rocks and swish passing narrow bends for an exhilarating experience blended with the cries of wilderness under the tropical sun.

This afternoon you will enjoy a safari through the park.

Hotel: Kithala Resort (3 Star Rating)

Surrounded by vast paddy fields and a plethora of natural beauty, the Kithala Resort is a true piece of haven as one explores the magnificence of Southern Sri Lanka. Inspired by the scores of exotic birds one encounters at the hotel and the area is home to, the resort was named Kithala or the Purple Coot.

Meal(s): Breakfast

This morning collect a packed breakfast and proceed to Yala and enjoy another safari through the park. Thereafter you will drive to Galle, the capital city of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The port town of Galle is Sri Lanka's fourth biggest town and its history dates back to 1505 when a Portuguese fleet bound for Maldives was blown off course and took shelter in the Galle Harbor. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Europeans in in south and Southeast Asia and displays the unique blend between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The fort has a colorful history, and is also known as the Dutch Fort or the 'Ramparts of Galle 'withstood the Boxing Day Tsunami which damaged part of coastal are of Galle town. You will also visit The Cathedral of St. Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galle. It is a landmark in the City of Galle, Sri Lanka. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Japanese Peace Pagoda is one of the most tranquil attractions of the city and it exudes a sense of calm. A must-visit for those seeking spirituality and inner peace, this attraction makes for an excellent trek and also offers mesmerizing views from the top of the double-storey structure.

Hotel: Radisson Blu Resort Galle (5 Star Rating)

The Radisson Blu Resort, Galle offers the perfect beach getaway. Appreciate the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and sip your favorite drink at the pool bar. Relax in thoughtfully curated rooms that spell luxury, with each room commanding stunning ocean views from private balcony or terrace. The resort is the perfect escape for couples and families who are looking to experience a vacation of a lifetime.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Today you will proceed to the coastal town of Bentota, check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Hotel: Thaala Bentota (5 Star Rating)

Immerse yourself in the delightful coastal charm of Sri Lanka. The Thaala Bentota radiates comfort and tropical elegance. Wrap yourself up in a perfectly created architectural cocoon and lay claim to a blissful tropical vacation with your loved ones at one of the most desirable Bentota hotels.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day at leisure.

Hotel: Thaala Bentota (5 Star Rating)

Immerse yourself in the delightful coastal charm of Sri Lanka. The Thaala Bentota radiates comfort and tropical elegance. Wrap yourself up in a perfectly created architectural cocoon and lay claim to a blissful tropical vacation with your loved ones at one of the most desirable Bentota hotels.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Proceed to Colombo and proceed to the airport to connect with your onwards flight.

Meal(s): Breakfast