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Ceyvon LankaTravels & Tours

Cultural Tour · 6 Nights · 7 Days

Heritage & Highlands

Climb Sigiriya, explore cave temples and ancient capitals, then ride the famous hill-country train to Ella before a safari in Yala.

Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
Tour type
Cultural · Private
Best time
January – April, July – September
Ideal for
Culture lovers, couples, photographers

Overview

About this journey

Our most popular week-long journey, this route covers the UNESCO treasures of the Cultural Triangle and the island’s cool, green heart.

Expect sunrise at Lion Rock, golden Buddhas in Dambulla’s caves, Kandy’s sacred temple, the iconic blue train through tea estates and a leopard safari to finish.

Route

  1. Negombo
  2. Dambulla
  3. Sigiriya
  4. Kandy
  5. Nuwara Eliya
  6. Ella
  7. Yala
  8. Bentota

Tour highlights

  • Sunrise climb of Sigiriya Lion Rock
  • Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
  • Temple of the Tooth & Kandyan dance
  • Scenic train ride to Ella
  • Nine Arches Bridge & Little Adam’s Peak
  • Jeep safari in Yala National Park

Day by Day

Detailed itinerary

Every day can be adjusted — add nights, swap hotels or include extra experiences.

  1. Day01

    Meet your chauffeur guide at the airport and head north into the Cultural Triangle. Afternoon at leisure by the pool or an optional village safari by bullock cart and catamaran.

    • Airport meet & greet
    • Optional village safari
    • Traditional Sri Lankan dinner
    Overnight:
    Dambulla / Sigiriya
    Meals:
    Dinner
    Travel:
    4 hrs · 150 km
    Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka
  2. Day02

    An early start beats the heat for the climb up Sigiriya, past the frescoed maidens and the Lion’s Paw terrace to the summit palace. Afternoon visit to the Dambulla cave temples.

    • Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress
    • Frescoes & Mirror Wall
    • Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
    Overnight:
    Dambulla / Sigiriya
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    30 mins · 20 km
    Day 2: Lion Rock & the Cave Temples
  3. Day03

    Stop at a Matale spice garden to learn about cinnamon, cardamom and Ayurveda, then continue to Kandy for a cultural dance performance and the evening ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth.

    • Matale spice garden
    • Kandyan cultural dance show
    • Temple of the Tooth
    Overnight:
    Kandy
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    2.5 hrs · 75 km
    Day 3: Spice Gardens to Sacred Kandy
  4. Day04

    Visit the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, then climb into the highlands past waterfalls and endless tea terraces to the colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya.

    • Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
    • Tea plantation & factory
    • Gregory Lake
    Overnight:
    Nuwara Eliya
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    3 hrs · 80 km
    Day 4: Into Tea Country
  5. Day05

    Board the blue train at Nanu Oya for a breathtaking ride through mist, tunnels and tea estates to Ella. Your driver meets you at the station; afternoon walk to the Nine Arches Bridge.

    • Scenic train journey
    • Nine Arches Bridge
    • Ella Rock / Little Adam’s Peak
    Overnight:
    Ella
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    3.5 hrs by train
    Day 5: The World’s Most Scenic Train Ride
  6. Day06

    Descend past Ravana Falls to the dry south-east. An afternoon jeep safari in Yala National Park offers some of the best leopard sightings anywhere in the world.

    • Ravana Falls
    • Afternoon jeep safari in Yala
    • Elephants, crocodiles & birdlife
    Overnight:
    Yala / Tissamaharama
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    2.5 hrs · 110 km
    Day 6: Leopards of Yala
  7. Day07

    Follow the southern coast to Galle Fort for a walk on the Dutch ramparts, then continue by expressway to the airport for your departure.

    • Southern coastal drive
    • Galle Fort walking tour
    • Airport drop-off
    Overnight:
    —
    Meals:
    Breakfast
    Travel:
    5 hrs · 280 km
    Day 7: Coastal Road & Departure

What's included

Included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur guide
  • Hand-picked hotel accommodation on twin / double share
  • Daily breakfast (and meals as noted in the itinerary)
  • Airport meet & greet with welcome refreshments
  • Fuel, highway tolls, parking and driver’s accommodation
  • Bottled water in the vehicle throughout the tour
  • All government taxes and service charges
  • First-class reserved train tickets Nanu Oya → Ella

Not included

  • International flights and Sri Lanka ETA visa
  • Entrance fees to sites and national parks (can be pre-arranged)
  • Lunch and dinner unless stated
  • Camera / video permits at heritage sites
  • Tips, personal expenses and travel insurance

Book or customise

Enquire about this tour

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