Medium tour

7-Day Sri Lanka Highlights Tour: Culture, Wildlife Safari & Beach

Sri Lanka

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Tour type
Culture, Nature & Beach
Location
Sri Lanka

Overview

If you have one week and want to see the whole story of Sri Lanka, this 7-day Sri Lanka highlights tour is the classic choice. You will explore ancient royal cities, walk among tea plantations, search for leopards in Yala National Park and end the week on the golden beaches of the south coast.

Every day mixes sightseeing with comfortable travel times and time to relax. Expect UNESCO World Heritage sites, a spice garden walk, a tea factory tasting, a leopard safari in Yala and a final day by the sea in historic Galle. The tour suits first-time visitors, families with older children and couples looking for variety in one trip.

Highlights

  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Polonnaruwa ancient city
  • Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth
  • Tea country and Nuwara Eliya
  • Yala National Park leopard safari
  • Galle Fort
  • Southern beaches

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Colombo Airport (Negombo) to Sigiriya

    Meet your driver at the airport and travel north to the Cultural Triangle (about 4 to 5 hours). Stop at Dambulla to visit the Cave Temple with its ancient Buddha statues and murals. Check in at your Sigiriya hotel and rest. Overnight in Sigiriya.

  2. Day 2

    Sigiriya Rock and Polonnaruwa

    Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the cool of the morning. After lunch, explore Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital, where you can see the Gal Vihara rock carvings, the royal palace ruins and the Quadrangle. Cycling between the monuments is a popular option. Overnight in Sigiriya.

  3. Day 3

    Sigiriya to Kandy

    Drive to Kandy (about 3 hours), stopping at a spice garden in Matale on the way. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and enjoy an evening cultural dance show. Overnight in Kandy.

  4. Day 4

    Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

    Travel into the hill country (about 3.5 to 4 hours) through Ramboda and tea plantations. Visit a tea factory for a tour and tasting, then explore Nuwara Eliya's lake, gardens and colonial buildings. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

  5. Day 5

    Nuwara Eliya to Yala via Ella

    Descend from the hills through Ella and the Ravana Falls viewpoint (about 4.5 to 5 hours of driving with stops). Arrive in the Yala area by late afternoon and relax at your hotel. Overnight near Yala.

  6. Day 6

    Yala Safari and Drive to the South Coast

    Take an early-morning jeep safari in Yala National Park, home to one of the world's highest leopard densities, plus elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and birds. After breakfast, head to the south coast (about 2.5 to 3 hours) and spend the rest of the day at the beach. Overnight at a beach hotel in Mirissa or Galle.

  7. Day 7

    Galle Fort and Departure

    Stroll the ramparts of Galle Fort, a UNESCO site with Dutch-era streets, cafes and boutiques. Join the Southern Expressway to Colombo Airport (about 2.5 hours) for your departure flight.

Good to Know

Safari seasons differ by park. Yala is open most of the year, but parts of the park are usually closed for a period around September and October, so check dates before booking.