Tour Overview
When the monsoon reaches the west and south coasts, the east coast is at its best – calm, sunny and uncrowded. Begin with Sigiriya, then travel down the coast from Trincomalee’s snorkelling reefs to the shallow lagoon of Pasikudah and the surf town of Arugam Bay.
Where you spend the nights
| Area / base | Nights |
|---|---|
| Sigiriya / Habarana | 2 |
| Trincomalee | 2 |
| Pasikudah | 1 |
| Arugam Bay | 2 |
| Total nights | 7 |
Trip at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Tour type | Beach Holiday |
| Group size | Private tour: 1–15 guests |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best season | May – September |
| Approx. road distance | ~1,050 km |
| Guide languages | English, German and Hindi (others on request) |
| Departure dates | Any date – private tour, all year |
Highlights
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee
- Snorkelling at Pigeon Island
- Calm waters of Pasikudah
- Surf lesson in Arugam Bay
- Kumana lagoon safari
Itinerary
Every tour is 100% flexible and customizable. This itinerary is a starting point – we can change the order of the days, add or remove nights, swap activities or extend the tour to match your exact dates, pace and interests.
Hotels and accommodation are not included in the standard tour price. You are free to book your own stays, or let us organise a complete accommodation package for you in your preferred hotel tier (guesthouse, 3★, 4★, 5★ or boutique/villa). We work with hotels across the island and can quote your whole trip as one package.
Please contact us before you place a booking so that we can finalise your customised itinerary and your accommodation plan, confirm availability for your dates and send you a final price.
Family, senior and accessibility friendly. We can arrange an elder-friendly set-up (slower pace, shorter drives, ground-floor rooms, lift-access hotels, wheelchair-friendly vehicles and skip-the-climb alternatives such as the Sigiriya museum and gardens or the Pidurangala base viewpoint) and a child-friendly set-up (child and booster seats, family or connecting rooms, hotels with pools, shorter driving days and kid-friendly meals).
Guides and languages. Our chauffeur-guides work in English, German and Hindi, and we can arrange French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese speaking guides on request.
Meals. The meals shown in the itinerary are what we include when we arrange your accommodation on half board. If you book your own hotels, your meals follow your own hotel booking – tell us which you prefer.
Start dates. This tour is private and runs on any date you choose within its season, subject to availability. It operates in May, June, July, August, September – outside those months the conditions make it either impossible or much less rewarding, and we will say so and suggest an alternative rather than take the booking. Tell us your arrival and departure dates and we will build the itinerary around your flights.
Contact us before booking: [info@lankaitinerary.com] · WhatsApp [+94 XX XXX XXXX]
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
Drive to Trincomalee on the east coast, home of one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Visit the cliff-top Koneswaram Temple, overlooking 'Swami Rock', and watch the sunset over the bay. Check in at Nilaveli or Uppuveli beach.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Trincomalee · Travel: 2.5 hrs from Sigiriya · Distance: ~115 km
Take a short boat ride to Pigeon Island National Park, one of the best snorkelling spots in the country, where you may see blacktip reef sharks, turtles and colourful reef fish. Afternoon free on Nilaveli beach; optional whale watching (March to August).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Trincomalee · Travel: Boat 20 min · Distance: ~20 km
Travel south along the coast to Pasikudah, a wide bay with shallow, calm water that stays waist-deep for hundreds of metres – ideal for families and swimming. Afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Pasikudah · Travel: 2.5 hrs · Distance: ~100 km
Drive to Arugam Bay, a laid-back surf village. Check in, have a board lesson or watch surfers at Main Point, and spend the evening at a beach café.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Arugam Bay · Travel: 3 hrs · Distance: ~185 km
Morning surf lesson with a certified instructor at Whiskey Point or Baby Point (all levels). In the afternoon, take a jeep safari in Kumana National Park or a boat ride on Pottuvil lagoon to see crocodiles, elephants and birdlife among the mangroves.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Overnight: Arugam Bay · Travel: Local · Distance: ~45 km
Long drive back to the airport via Ella or Kandy (about 7–8 hours), or a domestic flight from Ampara on request.
Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: — · Travel: 7–8 hrs · Distance: ~380 km
Includes / Excludes
Price Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed English-speaking chauffeur-guide (SLTDA)
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (daily breakfast and dinner as standard)
- Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Jeep safaris as listed, including park entrance fees
- Whale-watching boat trip with a responsible operator
- Pigeon Island snorkelling boat and equipment
- Surf lesson in Arugam Bay
- Local SIM card with data for the lead traveller
- Bottled water in the vehicle daily
- All government taxes and service charges
- 24/7 support while you travel
Price Excludes
- Accommodation (not included in the standard price – we can book any hotel tier for you; see 'Accommodation options')
- International flights
- Sri Lanka ETA (visa) – free for 40 nationalities since 25 May 2026; fee applies to others
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Lunches and drinks unless listed
- Camera/video permits at some sites
- Tips for guide, driver and safari trackers (suggested USD 10–15/day for your chauffeur-guide)
- Optional activities (e.g. hot-air balloon, zip-line, extra safaris)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone, shopping)
- Early check-in / late check-out
Frequently Asked Questions
May to September. From November to February the east coast gets the north-east monsoon, so we recommend the west and south coasts instead.
Yes. The tour is private for your group with your own vehicle and chauffeur-guide – you won't share with strangers.
Of course. You can add or remove days, change hotels, upgrade to boutique or luxury properties or swap activities. We'll send a revised quote within 24 hours.
The price is per person based on two adults sharing a room in the hotel category shown. Prices vary by season, hotel choice and group size – request a quote for your exact dates.
Send an enquiry or click Book Now. We confirm availability, then you secure the tour with a deposit; the balance is paid before arrival. [Insert your real deposit and payment terms.]