Loading
Phone+44 1483 968 737AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

11-Day History, Culture and Nature in Sri Lanka

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

Tap into a little of what Sri Lanka has to offer on this bespoke luxury tour that covers the essentials; history, culture and nature.

Tour the ancient capitals and delve into ancient history in Sigiriya and Anuradhapura before you step into Sri Lanka's colonial past in the tea country of Nuwara Eliya before finishing your trip in some of the best hotels in the country as you spend a day in Yala National Park in search of leopards.

Your Sri Lanka tour package will finish in Weligama, where you can kick back in luxury while catching a spectacular sunset in Galle.
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Cycling

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Colombo

Hide details accordion
Arrive in Colombo

Arrive at the airport and be taken through the VIP express service where your bags will be collected for you and you'll be taken directly to your transfer car. When you arrive at the hotel, the day will be yours to relax and unwind! You'll be located in southwestern Sri Lanka, in the town of Kotugoda which serves as an excellent base from which to explore the scenic surrounding area which is covered in coconut plantations, rice paddies and tea fields.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Wallawwa5 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bandaranaike International Airport to The Wallawwa

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Gampaha

Day 2

Travel to Sigiriya

Hide details accordion
Travel to Sigiriya

Today you will catch the scheduled Cinnamon Air seaplane to travel to Sigiriya. You will meet your chauffeur guide at Sigiriya Airbase who will drive you to Ulagalla. Today, you may wish to visit Dambulla Cave Temple which is an hour from your resort. Dambulla cave temple is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ulagalla Resorts5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dambulla Cave TempleOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Plane from Negombo to Sigiriya

    Private Driver from Sigiriya to Ulagalla by Uga Escapes

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Gampaha

    North Central Province

    Dambulla

Day 3

Ancient Capitals

Hide details accordion
Ancient Capitals

After early breakfast today, you will be taken to Sigiriya to climb the ancient rock fortress. The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I lie on the slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180 metres high, the Lion's Rock. A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion provides access to the site. In the evening, you will enjoy a cycle ride in Anuradhapura, the capital of Sri Lanka for more than 1000 years in ancient times.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ulagalla Resorts5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sigiriya Lion Rock

    Cycling in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ulagalla by Uga Escapes to Sigiriya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    North Central Province

    Sigiriya

    Anuradhapura

Day 4

The Cultural Capital of Kandy

Hide details accordion
The Cultural Capital of Kandy

After a lovely breakfast today, you will be taken to Kandy the cultural capital in Sri Lanka, have lunch at the Royal Bar & Hotel when you arrive. In the evening you will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.  

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Kandy House5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sri Dalada Maligawa

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Royal Bar & Hotel

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ulagalla by Uga Escapes to Kandy

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    North Central Province

    Kandy

Day 5

Catch a Train to the Countryside of Tea

Hide details accordion
Catch a Train to the Countryside of Tea

Get onboard a vintage local train which is how the British used to travel during the colonial times in the late 1800s. You will have reserved seats for you and witness the beautiful ride alongside forests, villages, waterfalls and tea estates and the train journeys to the sleepy town amidst the hills that will take you to Hatton. Once you reach the destination you will be met by your Chauffeur Guide who will drive you to your bungalow. Relax and unwind.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ceylon Tea Trails5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Train: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hatton to Dick oya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kandy

    Central Province

Day 6

Dunkeld Tea Factory

Hide details accordion
Dunkeld Tea Factory

This guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory is the quintessential tea experience in Sri Lanka. Your resident Tea Planter will passionately delve into all aspects of tea in just the right amount of detail – from a look back to the early days of “planting” and the lifestyles of the early colonial settlers to the manufacturing process, and how flavours are created to suit various palates – he will get it covered. You'l have the rest of the day free.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ceylon Tea Trails5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ceylon Tea Trails - Dunkeld Tea Factory

    Nuwara EliyaOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Province

    Nuwara Eliya

Day 7

Seaplane to Yala National Park

Hide details accordion
Seaplane to Yala National Park

After breakfast, you'll take the seaplane to Weerawila and transfer to you accommodation in Yala. Designed to blend with its surroundings, you'll feel immersed in Sri Lanka' natural landscape today as birds fly around your huts and the rainforest comes to life at night. You'll have dinner under a blanket of stars tonight.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Chena Huts by Uga Escapes5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Relax around Chena Huts by Uga EscapesOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Plane from Hatton to Weerawila

    Private Driver from Weerawila to Yala

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Province

    Southern Province

Day 8

A Day in Yala National Park

Hide details accordion
A Day in Yala National Park

Today you will enjoy morning and evening private jeep safaris in Yala National Park. Take a privately hosted jeep ride into the national park in search of the elusive leopards, sloth bears, wild elephants, wild boar, sambur deer, spotted deer, water buffalo and many bird species. The park is one of the best places in the world to see leopards. Early morning and late in the afternoon are the best times to settle in for some leopard and bear sightings.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Chena Huts by Uga Escapes5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Yala National Park

    Afternoon Game Drive in Yala National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Province

Day 9

Drive to Cape Weligama

Hide details accordion
Drive to Cape Weligama

After a lovely breakfast, you will drive towards Weligama. Cape Weligama has become the most celebrated resort along this fabled island's palm-fringed shores. Thirty minutes east of Galle, Cape Weligama inhabits 12 manicured acres atop a singular promontory rising 40 metres above the Indian Ocean. Stunning panoramas await you, naturally complementing the 39 private retreats designed by one of Asia's most celebrated architects, Lek Bunnag.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cape Weligama Relais & Chateaux5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cove Pool at Relais & ChateauxOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Yala to Weligama

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Province

Day 10

Cook and Tour Galle Fort

Hide details accordion
Cook and Tour Galle Fort

Today you will experience a cook like a local with your lovely host. In the centre of the Dutch fort learn to prepare a delicious meal with a Galle based host whose expertise in cooking has brought her much fame in the area. Whether it’s a Biryani, a seafood feast or hot hoppers with accompaniments, she will take you on a culinary journey. In the afternoon, meet up with an expert in the UNESCO Galle Fort who will take you around this magical heritage city showing you the hidden gems.


  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cape Weligama Relais & Chateaux5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Galle Fort

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Cook Like A Local

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Province

    Galle

Day 11

VIP Departure

Hide details accordion
VIP Departure

Today concludes your Sri Lanka tour package. You will be taken from Weligama to the airport outside of Colombo. You will be dropped off by your chauffeur guide as a VIP entrance to the departure lounge and a dedicated porter will help with your luggage. Afterwards, proceed directly towards the executive lounge where you can wait until the gates open for your flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Cape Weligama - Relais & Chateaux to Colombo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Province

Included in Price

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • 8 activities
  • 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners