10-Day Sri Lanka Tour Itinerary

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Route

Katunayake → Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Yala → Mirissa → Galle/Bentota → Katunayake

Day 1 – Katunayake → Dambulla → Sigiriya

• Airport pickup from Katunayake
• Drive to Dambulla
• Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
• Continue to Sigiriya/Habarana
• Optional Sri Lankan village tour
• Relax at hotel
• Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana

Day 2 – Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

• Early morning Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
• See Gal Vihara, ancient stupas and ruins
• Return to Sigiriya/Habarana
• Optional evening safari at Minneriya National Park
• Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana

Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa provide two of Sri Lanka's major ancient cultural highlights.

Day 3 – Sigiriya → Matale → Kandy

• Drive towards Kandy
• Visit a spice garden in Matale
• Optional traditional Sri Lankan lunch
• Arrive in Kandy
• Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Kandy Lake
• Overnight: Kandy

Day 4 – Kandy City Tour

• Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
• Kandy city sightseeing
• Bahirawakanda Buddha statue
• Kandy Lake
• Optional Kandyan cultural dance
• Free time for shopping
• Overnight: Kandy

Day 5 – Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

• Scenic drive through the central highlands
• Visit Ramboda Falls
• Tea plantation and tea factory
• Tea tasting
• Arrive in Nuwara Eliya
• Gregory Lake / city tour
• Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 6 – Nuwara Eliya → Ella

• Morning sightseeing
• Optional scenic train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella
• Tea-covered mountain scenery
• Visit Nine Arch Bridge
• Ella town
• Overnight: Ella

Day 7 – Ella Sightseeing → Yala

• Little Adam's Peak
• Ella Rock – optional
• Ravana Falls
• Drive towards Yala/Tissamaharama
• Evening relaxation
• Overnight: Yala / Tissamaharama

Day 8 – Yala Safari → Mirissa

• Early morning Yala National Park Jeep Safari
• Wildlife viewing
• Drive towards the southern coast
• Stop at Weligama / Mirissa
• Beach relaxation
• Overnight: Mirissa

Yala is particularly well known for wildlife safaris, including opportunities to see leopards and elephants.

Day 9 – Mirissa → Galle → Bentota

• Relaxing morning at Mirissa
• Drive along the southern coast
• Visit Galle Dutch Fort
• Explore the old fort streets and ramparts
• Continue to Bentota
• Beach relaxation
• Overnight: Bentota

Galle Fort is a major historic attraction with preserved colonial architecture, fortifications and ocean views.

Day 10 – Bentota → Katunayake

• Morning beach time
• Optional Madu River boat safari
• Optional turtle hatchery visit
• Drive to Katunayake
• Airport drop-off ✈️
• End of tour

Tour Highlights

🏛️ Culture: Dambulla • Sigiriya • Polonnaruwa • Kandy
🌿 Mountains: Nuwara Eliya • Tea plantations • Ella
🚂 Experience: Hill-country scenic train journey
🐘 Wildlife: Minneriya/Yala safari
🏖️ Beaches: Mirissa • Bentota
🏰 History: Galle Dutch Fort
🚤 Adventure: Madu River boat safari
✈️ Start & End: Katunayake Airport

What's Included