Culture & Coast Combo – 12 Days

Your chauffeur-guide welcomes you at the airport and you head straight inland to the heart of the Cultural Triangle. The drive passes coconut estates, paddy fields and roadside fruit stalls – stop for a fresh king coconut on the way. Check in to your hotel near Sigiriya, surrounded by forest and lakes, and spend the evening by the pool while the rock fortress glows on the horizon.

Meals: Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 4 hrs (160 km) · Distance: ~160 km

Start early (7:00 am) to climb Sigiriya before the heat and the crowds. The 5th-century citadel of King Kashyapa rises 200 m above the jungle: walk through the symmetrical water gardens, see the famous cloud-maiden frescoes and the mirror wall, pass between the giant lion paws and reach the palace ruins on the summit for a 360° view. After lunch, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO), five caves filled with over 150 Buddha statues and painted ceilings. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 40 min each way · Distance: ~45 km

Discover rural Sri Lanka at its most authentic. Ride a bullock cart along a dirt track, cross a lotus-filled lake in a traditional catamaran and walk through chena (slash-and-burn) farms to a village home. Help the family scrape coconuts and grind spices, then enjoy a rice-and-curry lunch served on lotus leaves. Afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Overnight: Sigiriya / Habarana · Travel: 20 min · Distance: ~25 km

Drive south to Kandy through Matale. Stop at a spice garden to see cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and pepper growing and learn how they are used in Ayurveda and Sri Lankan cooking. Continue to Kandy, check in and in the evening watch a traditional Kandyan dance and fire-walking show. Then visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO) for the evening puja, when drummers and pilgrims bring flowers to the golden shrine.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Kandy · Travel: 2.5 hrs (90 km) · Distance: ~95 km

Climb into the tea country on one of the most scenic roads on the island. Stop at Ramboda Falls, then visit a working tea factory to watch leaf being withered, rolled and dried – and taste fresh Ceylon tea at its source. Arrive in Nuwara Eliya, known as 'Little England' for its colonial bungalows, rose gardens, post office and golf course. Take an evening walk around Gregory Lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Nuwara Eliya · Travel: 3 hrs (77 km) · Distance: ~80 km

Take the most famous section of the hill-country railway from Nanu Oya to Ella (about 3 hours). Lean out of the doorway (carefully!) for views of tea-covered hills, waterfalls and villages. Your driver meets you in Ella. In the afternoon, walk to the Nine Arch Bridge and try to time it with a passing train.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Ella · Travel: Train 3 hrs · Distance: ~65 km

Drive to Udawalawe National Park, where herds of elephants graze against the backdrop of the hills – sightings are almost guaranteed. After the safari, visit the Elephant Transit Home at feeding time, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for and later released into the wild (an ethical alternative to captive attractions).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Udawalawe · Travel: 2.5 hrs · Distance: ~105 km

Short drive to the coast. Afternoon on Mirissa beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Mirissa · Travel: 2 hrs · Distance: ~110 km

Set sail at 6:30 am with a responsible operator to look for blue whales, sperm whales, spinner dolphins and turtles off the south coast (best from November to April). Back on land, spend the afternoon on Mirissa beach or climb Coconut Tree Hill for sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Mirissa · Travel: 4–5 hrs boat · Distance: ~40 km

Stop at Galle Fort for a walk on the ramparts, then continue to Bentota with a turtle hatchery visit on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Bentota · Travel: 1.5 hrs · Distance: ~105 km

A free day to enjoy Bentota at your own pace – swim, read, have a massage or book an optional activity with your hotel. Try water sports on the Bentota river: jet-ski, banana boat or windsurfing.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Bentota · Travel: — · Distance: ~30 km

After breakfast (packed breakfast for early flights), your chauffeur-guide transfers you to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight. We hope to welcome you back to Sri Lanka soon!

Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: — · Travel: Transfer to airport · Distance: ~40 km