Sri Lanka Highlights - Sigiriya, Yala & Scenic Train Journey

Let’s start our Sri Lanka holiday! Depart on our flights to Colombo.

We have arrived in Colombo, we meet our guide and transfer by coach to the coastal town of Negombo, just north of Colombo approximately 55km.

Let’s settle in and relax after our journey and soak up the local atmosphere.

Dinner is included for the 11 nights of our stay in Sri Lanka. Meals are typically simple and inspired with some local flavours.

This morning, we rise early, at approximately 6.30am, and travel by coach to one of the nearby fishing villages to experience a glimpse of everyday life along Sri Lanka’s coast. We visit the lively town of Negombo, once an important centre for the cinnamon trade and now one of the island’s most active fishing communities. Here we explore the bustling fish market before the heat of the day rises, one of the best times to see local fishermen bringing in and selling their fresh catch. The market can be a little strong in smell at times, but this is all part of the authentic experience and offers a fascinating insight into daily life.

Afterwards we return to our hotel for breakfast before continuing our journey inland to Habarana. The drive takes approximately four hours and covers around 150 kilometres. Along the way we can sit back, relax and enjoy views of Sri Lanka’s lush tropical countryside. Our Sri Lankan holiday is truly underway.

We arrive in Habarana in the afternoon and check in to our hotel before setting out for a memorable village safari. This experience offers a wonderful introduction to rural Sri Lankan traditions and daily life. Surrounded by tranquil countryside, we travel by traditional bullock cart past green paddy fields, small village shops and mud thatched houses that reflect the simple beauty of rural village life. After this unique experience, we check-in to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

For those who want to energise and start the day in a positive way, there may be the opportunity for you to join in on a yoga session this morning (subject to availability).

This morning, we set off by coach to one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, located approximately 30 minutes from Habarana. On our guided visit we explore this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa I between 477 and 495 AD. Often known as ‘Lion’s Rock’, this spectacular fortress rises dramatically from the surrounding plains and was once an ancient rock palace, encircled by the remains of beautifully designed royal gardens.

The climb to the summit involves more than 1,200 steps along a narrow staircase and requires a moderate level of fitness. Along the way there are several platforms where we can pause, catch our breath and take in the beauty, with views stretching across the surrounding countryside. During our visit we will also see the elegant Water Gardens, colourful frescoes painted high on the rock face and fascinating ancient graffiti, all part of what makes Sigiriya one of Sri Lanka’s greatest historical treasures.

After our climb we descend the rock and return to our coach for the journey back to the hotel for a well-earned rest.

The afternoon is yours to relax after a busy morning. Soak up the lush countryside surroundings of your hotel. Sit back, relax and make the most of your down time this afternoon. A perfect time to enjoy that novel you have been wanting to read.

This morning, we say farewell to Habarana and travel by coach to the historic city of Kandy on a full day excursion. Set among forested hills and centred around a peaceful lake, Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most attractive and culturally rich cities.

This morning, we say farewell to Habarana and set off by coach for the historic city of Kandy. Along the way we visit the remarkable Dambulla Cave Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive cultural highlights. Built by King Valagamba of Anuradhapura in the 1st century BC, this sacred site is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest and best preserved of Sri Lanka’s cave temples.

The complex consists of five caves filled with beautiful statues of Gautama Buddha and remarkable Buddhist murals. With more than 2,000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings, it is believed to contain the largest continuous area of ancient paintings in the world.

After our visit we continue our journey to Kandy, a charming and lively city surrounded by green hills and centred around a tranquil lake. The journey takes approximately three hours and covers around 96 kilometres, passing through scenic countryside along the way. 

On arrival in Kandy, we uncover more history and culture with a visit to The Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic, a centre for the Buddhist faith. This 16th-century temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which was brought to Sri Lanka from ancient India in the 4th century. 

After we transfer to our hotel in Kandy where we will spend the next two nights. Enjoy the evening at leisure after a day of sightseeing.

On today’s tour we set off by coach to discover the beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, one of the island’s most impressive botanical gardens. Located just outside Kandy, the gardens are home to a remarkable collection of exotic plants, including coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and cinchona. As we explore the beautifully landscaped grounds we will see highlights such as the arboretum, the Orchid House and maybe even a colony of large flying foxes resting in the trees.

After our visit we continue our exploration of Kandy with an exciting tuk tuk ride, one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the city. During this two-hour journey we pass several local highlights including the British Garrison Cemetery, Kandy, the residential area of Aniwatta, the lively Kandy Central Market and the scenic Kandy Lake, before finishing with wonderful views from the Kandy View Point.

After our sightseeing we return to the hotel, where we can relax and reflect on a memorable day exploring this beautiful hill city. 

All aboard! This morning on our full day tour we travel to Kandy Railway Station and board one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic rail journeys. Our vintage style train travels through sub-tropical forests, lush green tea plantations and dramatic mountain landscapes as we make our way towards Nuwara Eliya. Along the route we also pass small villages, local shops and everyday scenes of life in the Sri Lankan highlands. The journey can take up to two - three and a half hours pending the route taken (subject to availability).

Please note that due to operational reasons, we may use an alternative scenic train route on a different day.

On arrival in Nuwara Eliya we continue by coach to visit a local tea plantation and tea factory. Tea production, once known as Ceylon tea, plays an important role in Sri Lanka’s economy, with the country recognised as one of the world’s leading tea producers and exporters.

During our visit we enjoy an informal opportunity to meet the local tea plucker’s and learn more about their daily lives in this truly unique experience. We see their living quarters and enjoy a cup of traditional Ceylon tea at their home, offering a genuine insight into life in Sri Lanka’s tea country. During our time in the area, we may also admire views of Pidurutalagala as our backdrop, the highest mountain in the country.

In the evening, we check into our hotel for the night; settle in and enjoy our new surroundings.

This morning, we depart Nuwara Eliya and make our way towards Yala. Enroute we stop at Ella Waterfalls and take in the beauty. Today's journey will take approximately five hours (185km).

On arrival we board our jeep for a safari in Yala National Park, the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, covering around 979 square kilometres. Home to elephants, leopards, bears, water buffalo, crocodiles and other animals and birds, Yala’s vast landscape and dense vegetation means it can sometimes take patience and sharp eyes to spot wildlife, adding to the sense of adventure. Yala National Park has been featured in Discovery and National Geographic documentaries focusing on leopard research and conservation. Yala National Park is home to the highest number of leopards, still they are elusive and not always easy to spot.

After our adventure, we continue to our hotel which will be our place of stay for the next two nights.

Please note: Pending our arrival time, we may change this safari drive to the following day.

This morning, we set out once again in search of wildlife in Yala National Park, one of the island’s most famous nature reserves. With its dense jungle, open grasslands and lagoons, the park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. We keep our eyes peeled for the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, as well as Asian elephant, sloth bear, wild boar and many other species. The excitement lies in the adventure and the thrill of spotting these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

After our safari we return to our hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure. It is the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and soak up the beauty of Sri Lanka’s countryside after the excitement of our wildlife experience.

After breakfast we depart Yala National Park and travel along the southern coast towards Beruwala. Along the way we stop to visit the historic Galle Fort, one of the country’s most impressive colonial landmarks.

Originally built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later extensively fortified by the Dutch from 1649 onwards, the fort remains one of the best-preserved examples of a European built fortress in South Asia. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has a rich and colourful history and is home to a vibrant, multiethnic and multi religious community. Today the beautifully preserved streets, ramparts and historic buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka’s colonial past.

After our visit we continue our journey by coach to Beruwala, where we check in to our hotel and look forward to relaxing by the coast. 

We spend the next three nights here.

We have the next two days to enjoy our surroundings, soak up the ocean air and enjoy some down time at the beach.

Take a walk along the golden beach. Stroll through the nearby town and shop for local handicrafts, shop in the small markets. Visit a small local fishing harbour and watch colourful boats unloading their catch of the day, the choice is yours. Make the most of your relaxing beach time. 

We say farewell to Sri Lanka and all the highlights we visited as we make our way back to Colombo airport by coach. The drive will take approximately two hours 90km.

We check in for our flight home after a memorable journey through Sri Lanka.