Arrive and relax after your flight in the lagoon-side town of Negombo. Evening stroll along the beach and the colourful fish market.
- Airport welcome
- Negombo lagoon & beach
- Seafood dinner
- Overnight:
- Negombo
- Meals:
- Dinner
- Travel:
- 20 mins · 10 km
Classic Tour · 9 Nights · 10 Days
The Grand Ceylon Tour
The complete island in ten days — ancient kingdoms, temples, tea hills, leopard safaris, whale watching and the southern beaches.
- Duration
- 9 Nights / 10 Days
- Tour type
- Classic · Private
- Best time
- December – April
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors who want it all
Overview
About this journey
If you only visit Sri Lanka once, make it this. The Grand Ceylon Tour loops the island at a comfortable pace with time to linger.
From Negombo’s fishing lagoon to Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and the golden coast of Mirissa and Galle, every day brings a completely different landscape.
Route
- Negombo
- Sigiriya
- Polonnaruwa
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Ella
- Yala
- Mirissa
- Galle
- Bentota
Tour highlights
- Sigiriya, Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
- Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth
- Tea country & scenic train to Ella
- Yala leopard safari
- Blue whale watching in Mirissa
- Galle Fort & Bentota beach
Day by Day
Detailed itinerary
Every day can be adjusted — add nights, swap hotels or include extra experiences.
- Day01
- Day02
Drive north to Dambulla to explore the cave temples, then check in near Sigiriya. Optional sunset hike at Pidurangala Rock.
- Dambulla cave temples
- Pidurangala sunset hike
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 4 hrs · 150 km
- Day03
Climb Lion Rock in the cool of the morning, then cycle among the medieval ruins of Polonnaruwa and the Gal Vihara Buddhas.
- Sigiriya Lion Rock
- Polonnaruwa ancient city by bicycle
- Gal Vihara
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 1 hr · 60 km
- Day04
Visit a spice garden at Matale on the way to Kandy. Evening cultural dance show and the Temple of the Tooth.
- Matale spice garden
- Kandyan dance
- Temple of the Tooth
- Overnight:
- Kandy
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 2.5 hrs · 90 km
- Day05
Climb into tea country via Ramboda Falls. Tour a tea factory and explore the colonial charm of Nuwara Eliya.
- Botanical gardens
- Tea factory
- Gregory Lake
- Overnight:
- Nuwara Eliya
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 3 hrs · 80 km
- Day06
Ride the legendary hill-country train to Ella. Afternoon at the Nine Arches Bridge and a sunset walk up Little Adam’s Peak.
- Scenic train ride
- Nine Arches Bridge
- Little Adam’s Peak
- Overnight:
- Ella
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 3.5 hrs by train
- Day07
Descend to Yala National Park for an afternoon jeep safari in search of leopards, elephants and sloth bears.
- Ravana Falls
- Yala jeep safari
- Overnight:
- Yala
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 2.5 hrs · 110 km
- Day08
Follow the coast west to Mirissa. Afternoon on the beach and sunset from Coconut Tree Hill.
- Coastal drive
- Mirissa beach
- Coconut Tree Hill
- Overnight:
- Mirissa
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 3 hrs · 130 km
- Day09
Early morning whale-watching cruise (seasonal), then explore Galle Fort before continuing to Bentota for your final night.
- Blue whale watching (Nov–Apr)
- Galle Fort
- Bentota beach
- Overnight:
- Bentota
- Meals:
- Breakfast · Dinner
- Travel:
- 2 hrs · 100 km
- Day10
Morning at leisure, optional Colombo city tour, then transfer to the airport.
- Leisure morning
- Optional Colombo tour
- Airport drop-off
- Overnight:
- —
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Travel:
- 2 hrs · 100 km
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
- Whale-watching cruise (Nov – Apr)
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
No payment needed — we'll send a personalised quote within 24 hours.
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