package-culture-hills-beaches.jpg
Culture · Hills · Wildlife · Beach and Wellness

Culture, Hills and Beaches

5 Nights / 6 Days Colombo → Sigiriya → Dambulla → Minneriya → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella → Galle Private tour
Overview

About this journey

The complete sampler of everything Sri Lanka does best. Rock fortresses and cave temples, a wildlife safari in Minneriya, the world famous scenic train to Ella, and the colonial charm of Galle on the southern coast.

Highlights

Trip highlights

  • Minneriya wildlife safari
  • The scenic train ride to Ella
  • The historic fort town of Galle
Ideal for

Travellers who want culture, wildlife and a taste of the coast in under a week.

Itinerary

Day by day

  1. 1
    Day 01
    Colombo to Sigiriya

    Transfer from Colombo to Sigiriya.

  2. 2
    Day 02
    Sigiriya, Dambulla to Minneriya Safari

    Climb Sigiriya, visit the Dambulla cave temples, then enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, famous for its wild elephants.

  3. 3
    Day 03
    Sigiriya to Kandy

    Travel to Kandy and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth beside the lake.

  4. 4
    Day 04
    Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

    Journey into the hills to Nuwara Eliya through tea estates and cool mountain scenery.

  5. 5
    Day 05
    Nuwara Eliya, Ella (Train Ride to Ella)

    Take the famous scenic train ride from the hill country to Ella, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.

  6. 6
    Day 06
    Ella to Galle or Departure

    Continue to the south coast and the historic town of Galle, or transfer for your departure.

What is included

  • Accommodation throughout the tour
  • Private vehicle with a licensed English speaking driver
  • All activities and sightseeing listed in the itinerary (final inclusions confirmed on enquiry)
Not included

International flights · Sri Lanka visa / ETA · Entrance fees to sites and parks · Lunches and personal expenses

Best time to travel

December to April is ideal for this route.

Route

Places you will visit

1. Colombo2. Sigiriya3. Dambulla4. Minneriya5. Kandy6. Nuwara Eliya7. Ella8. Galle
Gallery

Photo gallery

Colombo — destination-colombo.jpg
Colombo
Sigiriya — destination-sigiriya.jpg
Sigiriya
Dambulla — destination-dambulla.jpg
Dambulla
Minneriya — destination-minneriya.jpg
Minneriya
Kandy — destination-kandy.jpg
Kandy
Nuwara Eliya — destination-nuwara-eliya.jpg
Nuwara Eliya
Ella — destination-ella.jpg
Ella
Galle — destination-galle.jpg
Galle
Ready to book

Let's plan your journey

We will share a tailored quote within 24 hours of your enquiry. A small deposit confirms your dates.

Travellers

What guests on this tour say

Real journeys, real memories, from travellers who took this exact trip.

testimonial-3.jpg
The Dubois Family
France
Travelling with two young children can be stressful, but the team made it effortless. The pace was perfect for the kids and our driver was patient and kind. One hotel was a little tired, though the team moved quickly to make it right. The elephants at Minneriya were the highlight of their year.
Culture, Hills and Beaches tour
testimonial-9.jpg
Rachel and David
United States
This was our first time in Asia and we were a little nervous. The team put us completely at ease. Our driver became our friend and guide, teaching us about the culture along the way. The scenic train to Ella was the trip of a lifetime.
Culture, Hills and Beaches tour