Ultimate Sri Lanka Discovery18 Days North to South · Udawalawe · Kandy · Five-Star Galle
Eleven destinations, two jeep safaris, four UNESCO wonders and the world's most scenic tea-country train ride, all with a dedicated tour director and seamless private transport.
Six unmissable moments
Two Jeep Safaris
Wilpattu & Udawalawe National Parks — leopards, elephants & sloth bears
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
UNESCO-listed rock citadel rising above the jungle
Jaffna & the Far North
Tamil heritage, Hindu gopurams and the star-shaped Jaffna Fort
Scenic Hill Country Train
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya through emerald tea plantations
Five-Star Galle Stay
Two nights oceanfront at Radisson Blu Resort, Galle
Four UNESCO Sites
Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy & Galle Fort
11 destinations, one island
Negombo
Day 1 · Start
Arrival transfer from Colombo (CMB)
Anuradhapura
Days 2-3
via Wilpattu National Park safari
Jaffna
Days 4-5
Sri Lanka's Tamil cultural heart
Trincomalee
Days 6-7
East coast beaches
Dambulla
Day 8
via Hiriwadunna Village lunch
Polonnaruwa
Day 9
via Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Kandy
Day 10
via Matale spice gardens
Nuwara Eliya
Days 11-12
Scenic train from Kandy
Udawalawe
Days 13-14
via Ella & Nine Arch Bridge
Galle
Days 15-16
via the stilt fishermen of the south
Colombo
Days 17-18 · End
Farewell dinner & departure
Route stops follow the day-by-day itinerary and the supplied route map.
What's in your package
17 nights in hand-picked 4 & 4.5-star hotels and resorts
2 nights oceanfront at Radisson Blu Resort, Galle — Deluxe Sea View
Afternoon jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park
Morning jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
Scenic hill country train ride Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Guided visits to Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
Jaffna city tour, Matale spice gardens, Kandy Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Ella Nine Arch Bridge by tuk-tuk, Ravana Falls & Galle Fort walking tour
Daily breakfast plus 14 dinners and 3 lunches, including welcome & farewell dinners
One-hour herbal oil full-body spa treatment in Dambulla
Dedicated English-speaking tour director and small-group touring (max 16 guests)
Air-conditioned private transport throughout, plus group airport transfers
Excludes international flights, visas, single supplement, optional experiences and travel insurance (required).
The island, end to end
Your 18-day itinerary
Arrive Colombo — Negombo
Ayubowan, and welcome to Sri Lanka. Meet your guide at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and transfer to the laid-back coastal town of Negombo. Stay: Jetwing Blue, Deluxe Room. Group transfers are scheduled between 11pm and 12am.
Negombo to Wilpattu National Park to Anuradhapura
Drive north to Anuradhapura, stopping for an afternoon jeep safari through Wilpattu, Sri Lanka's largest national park, famed for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and abundant birdlife. Welcome dinner tonight at your heritage hotel.
Anuradhapura & Mihintale
Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Sri Lanka's first capital: the Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya stupas and the revered Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest human-planted tree with a recorded history. This afternoon, climb the sacred mountain sanctuary of Mihintale.
Anuradhapura to Jaffna
Continue north through dry plains, palm-dotted villages and salt pans to Jaffna, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka's Tamil community. Afternoon at leisure. Optional Sri Lankan cooking class and crab curry dinner available.
Jaffna city tour
Discover the towering gopurams of Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, the star-shaped 17th-century Jaffna Fort, the serene Sri Naga Viharaya, colonial churches, grand libraries and vibrant local markets. Shared dinner this evening.
Jaffna to Trincomalee
Journey to the relaxed east coast town of Trincomalee (approx. five hours). Check in and unwind with coastal walks, time by the pool or simply the sound of the waves before dinner.
Trincomalee at leisure
A free day. Relax on the beach or add optional experiences: snorkelling or diving at Pigeon Island National Park, a marine mammal safari, Fort Frederick and Koneswaram Temple, or the Kanniya hot springs.
Trincomalee to Dambulla
Travel inland to the Cultural Triangle, stopping in Hiriwadunna Village for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch and cooking demonstration. Visit the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, then settle in lakeside at Amaya Lake.
Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
Rise early for Sigiriya Rock Fortress, then a traditional lunch at Priyamali Gedara before exploring the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. Return for a one-hour herbal oil spa treatment and dinner.
Dambulla to Matale to Kandy
Wander the spice gardens of Matale, then continue to the royal city of Kandy for lunch, a welcome tour, Kandy View Point and the UNESCO-listed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by train
Board one of the world's most scenic rail journeys, climbing through tunnels and stone bridges into tea country. Arrive in Nuwara Eliya, known as Little England for its colonial bungalows and cool, misty air.
Nuwara Eliya tea experience
Visit the local tea fields and factory to follow the journey from leaf to cup, and try your hand at tea plucking with skilled locals. Rest of the day at leisure in this elegant hill station.
Nuwara Eliya to Ella to Udawalawe
Descend from the hill country, stopping in Ella to visit the iconic Nine Arch Bridge by tuk-tuk and see Ravana Falls, before checking into your Udawalawe safari resort.
Udawalawe safari
An early morning jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park with a packed breakfast, one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see elephants at close range, plus sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles and prolific birdlife.
Udawalawe to Galle
Continue to the southern coast, stopping to see the stilt fishermen balanced on slender poles in the shallow sea. Check in to your oceanfront Radisson Blu Resort in Galle.
Galle Fort
Morning tour of Sri Lanka's oldest seaport and the UNESCO-listed 16th-century Galle Fort, with boutiques, seaside ramparts and cobbled streets where Dutch, Portuguese and Sri Lankan influences collide.
Galle to Colombo
Travel to the capital and explore Cinnamon Gardens, Independence Square, Galle Face Green and Colombo Fort, with time to browse local shops. Celebrate with an authentic Sri Lankan farewell dinner.
Depart Colombo
A final breakfast, then your transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Group departure transfers are scheduled between 11pm and 1am.
17 nights of comfort
Negombo
Day 1Jetwing Blue — Deluxe Room (Superior Upgrade: Suite)
Anuradhapura
Days 2-3Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura — Deluxe Room (Superior Upgrade: Super Room)
Jaffna
Days 4-5Jetwing Jaffna — Deluxe Room
Trincomalee
Days 6-7Trinco Blu by Cinnamon — Superior Ocean View (Superior Upgrade: Beach Chalet)
Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Days 8-9Amaya Lake, Dambulla — Standard Villa (Superior Upgrade: Deluxe Villa)
Kandy
Day 10Amaya Hills, Kandy — Deluxe Room (Superior Upgrade: Premium Deluxe Room)
Nuwara Eliya
Days 11-12Jetwing St. Andrew's — Superior Room (Superior Upgrade: Heritage Superior Room)
Udawalawe
Days 13-14Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort — Deluxe Room (Superior Upgrade: Luxury Suite)
Galle
Days 15-16Radisson Blu Resort, Galle — Deluxe Sea View (Superior Upgrade: Junior Suite)
Colombo
Days 17-18Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo — Superior King (Superior Upgrade: Executive Room)
Accommodation is subject to availability and may be substituted for a hotel of a similar or higher standard. There is no Superior Upgrade available on Days 4 and 5.
Optional experiences
Add any of these to your tour — just let us know when you book or tell your guide on arrival.
Private arrival transfer outside group window (solo)
Private arrival transfer outside group window (two travellers)
Sri Lankan cooking class and crab curry dinner
Snorkelling at Pigeon Island National Park
Fort Frederick & Koneswaram Temple
Scuba diving, full day
Marine mammal safari (subject to sea conditions)
Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home visit
Additional afternoon Udawalawe safari
Private departure transfer outside group window (solo)
Private departure transfer outside group window (two travellers)
What our clients say
"Eighteen days and not a wasted one. The Jaffna leg was the surprise of the trip, and seeing elephants at Udawalawe was extraordinary."
Greg & Julie P.
Perth
"The hill country train ride was pure magic. Ados handled every detail and the Galle hotel was a beautiful way to finish."
Anita S.
Melbourne
"Small group made all the difference. Our tour director knew everyone by name and the safaris were the highlight of our year."
David & Kim L.
Brisbane
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