Long tour

14-Day Complete Sri Lanka Tour: Jaffna to Galle, Culture, Wildlife & Beaches

Sri Lanka

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Tour type
Grand island circuit
Location
Sri Lanka

Overview

This 14-day Sri Lanka grand tour covers the island from its Tamil cultural capital in the far north to the Dutch ramparts of Galle in the south. It is the most complete two-week Sri Lanka itinerary we offer, and it goes beyond the usual tourist trail with time in Jaffna and Trincomalee.

You will taste Jaffna’s famous crab curry, visit Hindu temples and island villages, then relax on the east coast at Nilaveli before turning inland for the ancient cities, Sigiriya Rock and Kandy. From there the route climbs into tea country, drops down to Yala for a leopard safari and ends with beach days on the south-west coast and an optional Colombo city tour. A private chauffeur-guide, hand-picked hotels and well-paced driving days make this long tour comfortable for couples, families and returning visitors who want to see more of Sri Lanka.

Highlights

  • Jaffna Fort and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
  • Trincomalee and Nilaveli beach
  • Koneswaram Temple
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Sigiriya Rock
  • Kandy
  • Tea country and Ella
  • Yala safari
  • Mirissa and Galle Fort
  • Colombo city tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Colombo Airport (Negombo) to Anuradhapura

    Travel north through Kurunegala and Dambulla (about 4 to 5 hours). In the afternoon, visit the Sri Maha Bodhi and the great stupas of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

  2. Day 2

    Anuradhapura to Jaffna

    Drive north on the A9 highway to Jaffna (about 4 to 5 hours), passing through Vavuniya and Kilinochchi. Visit the colourful Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in the late afternoon. Overnight in Jaffna.

  3. Day 3

    Jaffna Peninsula Exploration

    See the Dutch-built Jaffna Fort, the old market and the public library, then drive out to the peninsula's villages, Keerimalai springs and Casuarina Beach. Try local seafood and Jaffna-style cuisine. Overnight in Jaffna.

  4. Day 4

    Jaffna to Trincomalee

    Travel south-east to Trincomalee (about 6 to 7 hours) with rest stops along the way. Arrive in the afternoon and watch the sunset over the harbour. Overnight in Trincomalee.

  5. Day 5

    Trincomalee and Nilaveli

    Visit the Koneswaram Temple on its clifftop, then relax on Nilaveli or Uppuveli beach. Weather permitting, take a boat trip to Pigeon Island National Park for snorkelling. Overnight in Trincomalee.

  6. Day 6

    Trincomalee to Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya

    Drive to Polonnaruwa (about 3 hours) and explore the ancient capital's Gal Vihara and royal ruins. Continue to Sigiriya (about 1 hour). Overnight in Sigiriya.

  7. Day 7

    Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla and Kandy

    Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the early morning, then visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and a Matale spice garden. Arrive in Kandy for an evening dance show. Overnight in Kandy.

  8. Day 8

    Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

    Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the morning, then drive through tea country (about 3.5 to 4 hours). Tour a tea factory on the way. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

  9. Day 9

    Horton Plains and Ella

    Hike to World's End early in the morning, then continue to Ella. Visit the Nine Arches Bridge and Ravana Falls. Overnight in Ella.

  10. Day 10

    Ella to Yala

    Climb Little Adam's Peak, then drive to Tissamaharama (about 2.5 hours). Take an afternoon safari in Yala National Park. Overnight near Yala.

  11. Day 11

    Yala to Mirissa

    Optional early-morning safari, then travel to the south coast (about 3 hours). Spend the afternoon on the beach or on a whale watching trip, which runs seasonally from November to April. Overnight in Mirissa.

  12. Day 12

    Galle Fort and Bentota

    Walk Galle Fort's ramparts and enjoy cafes and shops, then continue to Bentota for a river cruise and beach time. Overnight in Bentota.

  13. Day 13

    Colombo City Tour

    Drive to Colombo (about 2 hours) for a guided city tour covering Galle Face Green, the Gangaramaya Temple, Pettah Market and the colonial-era Fort district. Overnight in Colombo or Negombo.

  14. Day 14

    Departure

    Transfer to Colombo Airport (about 45 minutes to 1 hour) for your flight home.

Good to Know

The east coast beaches are at their best from roughly April to September, so on a November to March trip, spend extra time on the south and west coast instead.