Discover Sri Lanka’s Wildlife & Culture in 8 Days
Wildlife: Pinnawala, Minneriya, Udawalawe & Yala National Parks – elephants, leopards, and more
Culture: Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya
Scenery: Tea plantations, waterfalls, rural villages, and lakes A well-paced itinerary that balances adventure, heritage, and relaxation.
Day 1: Arrival – Pinnawala → Sigiriya (Jetlag Recovery)
Pickup from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Drive to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (~90 km | 2–3 hrs). Witness feeding & bathing of elephants.
Continue to Sigiriya (~90 km | 2–2.5 hrs).
Hotel check-in and leisure evening for jetlag recovery.
Overnight stay: Sigiriya
Day 2: Sigiriya Village & Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Check-out: 9:00 AM
Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Village Tour
Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage).
Experience a traditional Village Tour: catamaran ride, bullock cart ride, and authentic local lunch.
Overnight stay: Sigiriya
Day 3: Sigiriya → Dambulla → Minneriya Safari → Kandy
Drive to Dambulla (~30 km | 1 hr)
Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Optional: Spice Garden in Matale & Gem Store Vista
Minneriya National Park Safari (~20 km | 30 min) – see wild elephants in their natural habitat
Continue to Kandy (~90 km | 2–3 hrs)
Evening: Kandy Cultural Dance Show
Overnight: Kandy
Day 4: Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Check-out: 9:00 AM
Drive to Nuwara Eliya (~80 km | 2–3 hrs)
Visit Tea Plantation & Factory
Ramboda Waterfall Viewpoint
Visit Nuwara Eliya Post Office (send postcards or souvenirs to your country)
Leisure at Gregory Lake (walk or boat ride)
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya → Ella
Check-out: 9:00 AM
Drive to Ella (~60 km | 2–3 hrs)
Optional: Scenic Train Journey
Visit Nine Arch Bridge & Little Adam’s Peak (short hike)
Leisure in Ella town
Overnight: Ella
Day 6: Ella → Ravana Falls → Udawalawe Safari
Check-out: 9:00 AM
Drive to Ravana Falls (~10 km | 20 min) – visit waterfall
Continue to Udawalawe National Park (~140 km | 4–5 hrs)
Afternoon Safari in Udawalawe – elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles, and exotic birds
Overnight near Udawalawe
Day 7: Udawalawe → Yala → Mirissa
Check-out: 9:00 AM
Drive to Yala National Park (~100 km | 3 hrs)
Optional Yala Safari – leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and birds
Continue to Mirissa (~180 km | 4–5 hrs)
Relax at Mirissa Beach & sunset at Coconut Tree Hill
Optional Secret Beach visit
Overnight: Mirissa
Day 8: Mirissa → Colombo – Departure
Check-out: Flexible / as per departure
Optional early morning whale watching (Nov–Apr)
Drive to Colombo (~130 km | 3–4 hrs) with optional beach stops
Optional Colombo city tour & shopping (time permitting)
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for departure
Tour Highlights
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Sigiriya Village & Rock Fortress
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Kandy City & Cultural Dance
- Tea Plantations, Ramboda Waterfall & Nuwara Eliya Post Office
- Minneriya & Udawalawe Safaris – elephants and wildlife adventures
- Optional Yala Safari – leopards & other wildlife
- Mirissa Beach & optional Secret Beach
