📅 13 days📍 6 destinations🚕 Private tour & chauffeur-guide
From$755
This 13-day tour links Sri Lanka's main Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage sites with the island's hill country, wildlife and southern coast, travelling from Colombo through the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla and the hill capital of Kandy, before descending to Nuwara Eliya's tea country, Udawalawa's national park and the beaches around Bentota, with a final city tour of Colombo before departure.
Travellers visit the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the pilgrimage site of Mihintale, and the ruins of Polonnaruwa, taking in the monuments, monasteries and stupas that trace the arrival and development of Buddhism on the island over two millennia. The route also builds in time for the Sigiriya rock fortress, the Dambulla cave temples, a Kandyan cultural show, the Temple of the Tooth city of Kandy, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, a tea factory visit in Nuwara Eliya, a safari in Udawalawa National Park, and the coastal towns of Galle and Hikkaduwa.
The tour is run in a private vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide throughout, who handles transfers between regions and airport arrival and departure. Accommodation, meals, entrance fees and personal expenses are arranged separately from the tour price.
On arrival at Colombo International Airport you are met by your chauffeur guide and driven to Colombo, with time to enjoy the coast at Negombo.
Negombo Enjoy the sandy beaches of Negombo on the western coast and watch its centuries-old fishing industry at work. Try water sports or diving among the corals, including a dive to a 50-year-old shipwreck just off the coast that is now home to many varieties of fish.
Days 2–3
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Two days are spent exploring the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura and its surrounding sites, followed by the ruins of Polonnaruwa.
Ancient City of Anuradhapura Walk through the ruined city that served as Sri Lanka's capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD, taking in pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds scattered across the site. Landmarks include the Jetavanarama stupa, once one of the tallest structures of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi, and the ruins of the Abhayagiri Monastery.
Mihintale This mountain peak near Anuradhapura is held to be the site where the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa, an encounter that marked the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site with several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa Explore the ruins of Sri Lanka's second major capital, which flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. Key monuments include the Gal Vihara, the Vatadage, the lotus bath, the Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu, whose reign is regarded as the city's golden age.
Day 4
Kandy
Dambulla → Kandy
The day combines the rock fortress of Sigiriya with the cave temples of Dambulla before continuing to Kandy, where a cultural show rounds off the evening.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Climb the 5th-century AD rock fortress built by King Kasyapa, entering through the remains of a giant lion's paws that give the site its name, Lion Rock. See the well-preserved frescoes for which Sigiriya is famous, climb to the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns, and walk through the tunnels leading to the former palace.
Cave Temple in Dambulla Enter the caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which date back to the 1st century BC, to see murals depicting the life of the Buddha and hundreds of Buddha and deity figures across the five main caves, including the Cave of the Divine King, the Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. A giant golden Buddha statue stands a short distance outside the cave complex.
Kandy Cultural Show This hour-long performance presents some of Sri Lanka's traditional art forms, including fire dancers, sword dancers and Kandyan dancers performing to drumming.
Days 5–6
Kandy
Kandy
Two days are set aside to explore the city of Kandy and its botanical gardens.
City of Kandy Walk through Kandy's lively streets, taking in its monuments, street food stalls, garland makers and a Hindu temple, along with a short three-wheeler ride.
Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya Formed in the early 19th century, these gardens hold over 4,000 species of plants, including orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Highlights include the cannonball tree, a suspension bridge, hedge mazes and large, climbable trees along avenues shaded by rare specimens.
Day 7
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
The day is given over to the tea country around Nuwara Eliya.
Tea Factory Visit a working tea factory and plantation to see how Ceylon tea is produced. Tea was first brought to Ceylon from China in 1824 and planted at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, before James Taylor introduced commercial cultivation after settling at the Loolecondera estate in 1852.
Day 8
Udawalawa
Udawalawa
The day is spent on safari in Udawalawa National Park.
Udawalawa National Park A three-hour safari covers the marshes, forests and grasslands of a park created as a wildlife sanctuary in the 1970s. The park is known for its water birds and Sri Lankan elephants, alongside other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies.
Days 9–10
Bentota
Bentota
Two days are based in Bentota, with excursions to Galle's colonial fort and the beach at Hikkaduwa.
Galle Fort Explore Galle, once a headquarters for the Portuguese and Dutch, and its fort, one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. See the Maritime Museum, the Galle National Museum and the lighthouse, and walk the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names.
Hikkaduwa Spend time on one of Sri Lanka's best beaches, with warm sun, soft sand and sea breezes. Watch turtles come ashore to nest, relax at the hotels along the beach, or try water sports such as jet-skiing and windsurfing.
Day 13
Departure
After checking out, a city tour of Colombo precedes transfer to the airport for departure.
City Tour of Colombo See the capital's historic landmarks, including the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, the Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, the Gangarama Temple and the National Museum, with time for Independence Square, boutique shops and designer stores before continuing to the airport.
✓ What’s included
Transport in a Private Vehicle, Fuel, Parking & Highway tolls.
Service of English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
All prevailing taxes and service charges.
2 x 500ml Water Bottles per Person per Day.
✕ Not included
Hotel Accommodation and Meals.
Entrance fees to the respective sites.
Chauffeur Guide's Accommodation.
Expenses of personal nature.
Visa and Related Expenses.
Tips & Portages.
🎁 Complimentary
1 x 1 Litre water bottle per person per day.
1 x Local SIM card per room.
Your service advisor
Chathum Executive
Have questions about this service or want it arranged around your dates? Reach Chathum directly — replies usually within a few hours during Sri Lanka business hours.
