Tour Overview
A comprehensive ten-day expedition connecting Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, central highlands and wildlife parks with the golden southern coast. Ride the famous blue train across high viaducts, track leopards in Yala and explore 17th-century colonial ramparts in Galle.
It is a genuinely balanced route – two distinct safaris, two ancient cities, one great train journey and enough coastal time at the end to actually rest before you fly home. It works equally well for families and for couples.
Want a different length, a different hotel category or an extra beach day? This itinerary is fully flexible – we can stretch or shorten the 10 days, swap destinations and arrange your accommodation at any star rating. Message Sri Lankan Spring Tours on WhatsApp at +94 77 226 6629, email info@srilankanspringtours.com, or use the enquiry form and you will have a tailored quotation within 24 hours.
Tour Highlights
- Explore the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa by bicycle or private car.
- Experience the world-famous scenic blue train ride from Kandy to Ella.
- Walk across the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and hike up Little Adam's Peak.
- Track leopards, sloth bears and crocodiles on a full 4x4 Yala safari.
- Stroll the cobblestone streets of UNESCO-listed Galle Dutch Fort.
- Cruise the mangroves on a Madu Ganga boat safari and visit a sea turtle project.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Welcome at Colombo Airport and a scenic private transfer to your Sigiriya resort. Relax and recover from the flight surrounded by jungle and paddy fields.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Ascend Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the cool morning air, then spend a relaxed afternoon in the villages below.
- Traditional catamaran ride across a lotus-filled village lake.
- Bullock cart ride through the paddy fields.
- Home-cooked Sri Lankan curry lunch served on banana leaves.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Ancient history in the morning, big wildlife in the afternoon.
- Discover the royal palaces, the stone-carved Buddhas of Gal Vihara and the great stupas of Polonnaruwa.
- Late-afternoon open jeep safari in Minneriya National Park to see the famous gathering of wild elephants.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Move south into the hills with two classic stops on the way.
- Visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple and its painted shrines.
- Stop at an aromatic spice garden in Matale.
- In Kandy, explore the Royal Palace complex and the Temple of the Tooth Relic, followed by an evening cultural show.
Overnight: Kandy
The single most photographed day of any Sri Lanka itinerary.
- Tour the sprawling Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens.
- Board Sri Lanka's iconic blue train for the journey through mist-shrouded tea plantations and over mountain passes to Ella.
Overnight: Ella
A morning of walking, then the descent to the wildlife plains.
- Walk along the historic Nine Arches Bridge viaduct.
- Easy, rewarding hike up Little Adam's Peak.
- Stop at the roaring Ravana Falls before descending to Yala.
Overnight: Yala / Tissamaharama
An early morning game drive in the park with the world's highest density of leopards.
- 4x4 safari jeep with a park tracker, looking for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer and vibrant birdlife.
- Free time by the pool in the afternoon, or an optional second evening drive.
Overnight: Yala / Tissamaharama
A beautiful coastal drive west along the southern shoreline.
- Witness the traditional stilt fishermen at Koggala and Weligama.
- Arrive at Galle Dutch Fort and spend the late afternoon among its cobbled streets, ramparts, lighthouse and artisan boutiques.
Overnight: Galle
A gentle penultimate day on the southwest coast.
- Motorised boat safari down the biodiverse Madu Ganga, weaving through mangrove tunnels and stopping at Cinnamon Island.
- Visit the sea turtle hatchery and sanctuary at Kosgoda.
- Afternoon free on the beach at Bentota.
Overnight: Bentota
Soak up a last morning on the beach, then transfer along the Southern Expressway to Bandaranaike International Airport. A short Colombo city drive can be added if your flight allows.
What's Included / Excluded
Includes
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full tour (sedan, luxury van or mini-coach to suit your group size).
- Licensed, English-speaking chauffeur guide registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
- Airport pick-up on arrival and drop-off at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
- Hotel accommodation arranged on request - budget, 3-star, 4-star, 5-star, boutique villas or eco-lodges, quoted to match your budget.
- All fuel, expressway tolls, parking charges and driver meals and lodging.
- Complimentary bottled mineral water in the vehicle throughout the journey.
- Infant car seats and toddler booster seats on request at no extra charge.
- 24/7 WhatsApp support on +94 77 226 6629 while you are travelling.
- All local government taxes and road surcharges.
Excludes
- International airfare and the Sri Lanka Online ETA visa fee.
- Entrance tickets to monuments, national parks and safari jeeps (we can pre-book these and bundle them into your quotation).
- Meals and beverages that are not listed in the day-by-day itinerary.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Optional activities such as water sports, whale watching, hot-air ballooning and spa treatments.
- Tips and gratuities for your driver guide and hotel staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both options work. Sri Lankan Spring Tours can arrange every night of your stay - budget guesthouses, 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels, boutique villas or eco-lodges - and we will send you the property names and photos before you confirm. If you prefer to book your own hotels, we simply run the tour as a private transport and guiding package and your chauffeur guide collects you from wherever you are staying. Tell us which you prefer when you enquire on +94 77 226 6629.
Yes. Every tour we run is private, so nothing here is fixed. We regularly shorten this 10-day route, extend it with extra beach or safari days, or rebuild it around your flight times and interests. Send us your arrival and departure dates and what you would most like to see, and we will redraw the day-by-day plan for you free of charge.
There are no fixed departure dates - this is a private tour that starts on any day you choose. Send your travel dates, the number of adults and children, and the hotel category you would like to info@srilankanspringtours.com or WhatsApp +94 77 226 6629. You will receive a full written quotation, usually within 24 hours.
Yes. We provide clean, international-standard infant car seats and toddler booster seats on request, we build in rest stops on the longer drives, and we can slow the pace down or add pool days wherever you like. Please mention your children's ages when you enquire so we can pick family-friendly hotels and adjust the driving hours.
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so the island is in season somewhere all year round. The west and south coasts and the hill country are at their best from December to April, while the east coast around Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Arugam Bay is best from May to September. We run private tours every month of the year and will advise you on the best route for your dates.
Once you are happy with the itinerary and the quotation, we confirm your dates in writing and reserve your vehicle, guide and any hotels we are booking for you. We will need your flight numbers, passport names and the ages of any children. Contact Sri Lankan Spring Tours on +94 77 226 6629 or info@srilankanspringtours.com for current booking and payment options.