Tour Overview
Nineteen days, one grand loop, and very little left out. This tour takes in the sacred cities of the Cultural Triangle, the eastern beaches of Trincomalee, the scenic central highlands, the wild plains of Yala and the colonial charm of Galle, finishing with two nights in Colombo.
What sets it apart is the pace. With two or three nights in most bases you unpack properly, take full days rather than half days, and have time for the optional hikes and beach afternoons that shorter itineraries have to cut. Perfect for travellers who want to genuinely immerse themselves in the island rather than tick it off.
Want a different length, a different hotel category or an extra beach day? This itinerary is fully flexible – we can stretch or shorten the 19 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
- Two full days in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, including Mihintale and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala at sunset and the Dambulla Cave Temple.
- Two nights on the east coast at Nilaveli, with Koneswaram Temple and Pigeon Island.
- The World's End hike at Horton Plains and the Seetha Amman Temple.
- The scenic train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, plus Nine Arches Bridge and Ella Rock.
- A Yala jeep safari, Galle Fort, Unawatuna beach days and a full Colombo city tour.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Pickup from Bandaranaike International Airport and a short transfer to Negombo.
- Relax at the beach, or enjoy a peaceful lagoon boat ride through the mangroves.
Overnight: Negombo
Drive north along the coast and then inland to Sri Lanka's first capital.
- Visit Munneswaram Temple and Chilaw Beach en route.
- Evening exploration of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
A full day among the ruins and shrines of the ancient capital.
- Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
- Isurumuniya Temple and its famous rock carvings.
- Ruwanweliseya stupa and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest recorded planted tree in the world.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
A short transfer south-east into the heart of the Cultural Triangle.
- Climb Pidurangala Rock for sunset over Sigiriya, or take a village safari experience instead.
Overnight: Sigiriya
The two great monuments of the Cultural Triangle in one day.
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds.
- Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, filled with ancient murals and Buddha statues.
Overnight: Sigiriya
A two-and-a-half-hour drive east to the coast.
- Relax on Nilaveli or Uppuveli Beach, famous for calm turquoise water.
Overnight: Trincomalee
Culture and coastline on the Trincomalee peninsula.
- Visit Koneswaram Temple, Lover's Leap and the Kanniya Hot Springs.
- Optional snorkelling trip to Pigeon Island Marine National Park.
Overnight: Trincomalee
A scenic inland drive south into the hill capital.
- Stop at the Matale Hindu temple and a spice garden en route.
- Evening walk around Kandy Lake and a traditional cultural dance show.
Overnight: Kandy
A full day in the cultural capital.
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most sacred Buddhist site.
- Explore the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden.
- Drive up to a city viewpoint for panoramic views over Kandy.
Overnight: Kandy
One of the most beautiful drives in the country, climbing through rolling tea hills.
- Stop at Ramboda Falls.
- Visit a tea factory and plantation.
- Evening stroll around Gregory Lake.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
An early start for the island's most dramatic hike.
- Morning visit to Horton Plains National Park for the World's End hike and Baker's Falls.
- Afternoon visit to the Seetha Amman Temple, linked to the Ramayana epic.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
The famous hill country rail journey.
- Scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella, widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
- Visit the Nine Arches Bridge.
- Climb Little Adam's Peak for sunset views.
Overnight: Ella
A relaxed day in the mountains with an optional serious hike.
- Visit Ravana Falls.
- Optional hike to Ella Rock, roughly four hours return.
- Afternoon at leisure in the cafes and gardens of Ella town.
Overnight: Ella
Descend from the mountains to the dry southern plains.
- Evening jeep safari in Yala National Park to spot leopards, elephants and exotic birds.
Overnight: Near Yala
A coastal drive west to the island's most beautiful colonial town.
- Visit Galle Fort and explore its ramparts, lighthouse and boutiques.
- Relax at Unawatuna Beach.
Overnight: Galle
A full free day on the southwest coast.
- Enjoy Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa Beach.
- Optional whale watching in Mirissa (seasonal, November to April).
Overnight: Galle
Drive north to the capital along the Southern Expressway.
- City tour including Galle Face Green, Pettah Market and Independence Square.
Overnight: Colombo
A final full day in the capital.
- Shopping and leisure in Colombo's markets and malls.
- Visit Gangaramaya Temple and the Lotus Tower for panoramic city views.
Overnight: Colombo
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight. Airport is roughly forty-five minutes from central Colombo.
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 19-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.