Highlights of Sri Lanka in 10 Days

Duration: 10 Days | 9 Nights
Destination: Sri Lanka

Experience the beauty and culture of Sri Lanka on a 10-day, 9-night guided tour. From the bustling streets of Colombo to the serene beaches of Galle, explore national parks, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and vibrant local markets. Enjoy daily guided tours, safaris, and a blend of cultural experiences.

The weather in Sri Lanka is dictated by two monsoon seasons which bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry. Temperatures are constant year-round, with coastal regions enjoying average temperatures of 25-30C and the highlands 15-18C on average.

Sri Lanka is a year-round destination since there is something for every discerning traveler. From pilgrim experiences to adventure, beach holidays, culture, honeymoon, or even special interest experiences, there is something you can do in Sri Lanka anytime of the year. 

Day 1: Airport → Negombo (16 KM / 20-30 Min)
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Arrive at the Colombo International Airport, here, you will be met by a designated guide. After the formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and then transfer to Negombo. Your first destination will be Negombo. Overnight at hotel.

Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Negombo 1 Night

Day 2: Negombo → Wilpattu (130 KM / 3h30m)
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing in Negombo is a small fishing and now a modern-day tourist hotspot as it’s closer to the Airport. Still, the people of Negombo engage in fishing, the traditional livelihood and the amazing Sea Street offers many seafood restaurants with delicious dishes and food options. Thereafter leave for Wilpattu. The drive from Negombo to Wilpattu is an interesting drive as leaving the busy streets of Negombo and arriving at the rural areas of Sri Lanka is quite the transition. Upon arriving at Wilpattu, check-in at the resort and gear-up for the evening safari at the Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu National Park is the largest wildlife reserve of Sri Lanka. Wilpattu National Park is known for its diverse array of flora and fauna, as well as its large population of leopards. The park covers an area of 131,693 hectares and is home to a variety of animals, including elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, and a variety of bird species. The park is also home to several ancient villages and several lakes known as "villus," which are unique to the park. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Meal: breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Wilpattu 2 Nights

Day 3: Wilpattu (N/A)
Scrumptious breakfast at the hotel, and next visit Wilpattu Village. Wilpattu Village, explore the rural villages in the area. Even though Wilpattu is an already famous location for the safari, the rural villages offer many authentic and original village concepts found in Sri Lanka. Still untouched by modern luxuries, the villagers themselves make a genuine effort to carry on with their daily chores with many village-type practices that you can see for yourself during a visit. Return to the resort and in the evening, enjoy the resort facilities. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Meal: breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Wilpattu → Dambulla→ Sigiriya → Matale (135 KM / 3h)
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Featuring impressive mural paintings and 157 statues, including a massive Buddha monument, it's a sacred pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of the place dates back to the first century BCE, when King Valagambahu took refuge here. Today, it's worth visiting not only for the cave temple but also for the beautiful view over the countryside. Leave for the climb to one of the most interesting sites in Sri Lanka – the Sigiriya Rock fortress. The rocky monolith rises high out of the lush jungle and is home to the remains of an ancient fortress built in the late 5th century CE. The name translates to “Lion Rock,” a reference to the way visitors traditionally began their final ascent to the top of the monument, passing through the open jaws and throat of a lion. Today, the only remains of this lion figure today are the gigantic paws sculpted into the side of the rock. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Meal: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Matale for 1 Night

Day 5: Matale→ Kandy → Nuwara Eliya (100 KM / 3h)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit a Spice Garden in Matale & proceed to Kandy Upon arriving at Kandy, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and thereafter enjoy a cultural show. Kandy, strategically situated between three mountain ranges, and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The impressive temple complex, dating back to the 16th century, is made up of numerous buildings decorated with paintings and carvings depicting Buddha. As the name suggests, it's home to an important relic, the tooth of the Buddha, which is carefully guarded by security night and day. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea plantation. Head to one of the region’s preeminent harvesters of world-famous Ceylon tea. One of Sri Lanka’s main exports, tea, shapes the lives of hundreds of locals who work on plantations and in factories. By visiting a working plantation, you will gain an entirely new perspective on daily life in Sri Lanka and how much goes into every humble cup of tea. Overnight at hotel.

Meal: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Nuwara Eliya for 1 Night

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya → Yala → Tissamaharama (185 KM / 4h30m)
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to the wilderness of Yala. Jeep Safari at Yala is considered to be the world’s highest leopard-density National Park. Located in the southeast region of the country, Yala is the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife that you’ll have the chance to see on a Jeep safari. Leopards are the stars here, but the park is also home to the large herds of elephants, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, jackal, and mongoose. The birds are also fantastic, and many species such as Rosy Starlings, Paradise Flycatchers, Crested Hawk Eagles, Blue-tailed Bee-Eaters, and Common Loras inhabit the area. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Meal: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Tissamaharama for 1 Night

Day 7: Tissamaharama → Weligama → Galle (190 KM / 2h30m)
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to the beautiful beaches of the South visiting Stilt Fisherman in Weligama. Visit the ancient port of Galle was Sri Lanka's first international center of trade. Today, this town is a bustling administrative center and the provincial capital of the southern region. Despite the presence of modern architecture and civic amenities, Galle still hosts a stunning collection of sites dating back over hundreds of years. On your trip to Galle, you will also experience the unforgettable Unawatuna Bay, which is surrounded by a reef and home to the namesake Galle Fort. Surrounded on three sides by the ocean, the 36-hectare fort was built by the Portuguese in 1587 and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Meal: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Beach stay for 2 Nights

Day 8: Galle (N/A)
Breakfast at hotel. Free and easy. Overnight at hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 9: Galle → Colombo (120 KM / 2h30m)
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Colombo, Afternoon Balapitiya Madu River Boat Safari is a scenic boat tour that takes visitors through the tranquil waters of the Madu River, located in the southern part of Sri Lanka. The boat safari offers a unique opportunity to explore the lush mangrove forests, and observe the diverse wildlife, such as crocodiles, monkeys, and various bird species that call this region home. Visitors can also visit the small islands located within the Madu River, where they can explore the temples, cinnamon plantations, and traditional handicraft workshops. Colombo, drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens, Visit Fort, the former British administrative Centre and military garrison, Lotus Tower, Sea Street – the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfe dhal dating back to 1749. Colombo Shopping Tour: Take a fascinating journey in the capital of the isle paradise. This commercial and administrative hub of the country proves to be a blend of cultural texture, religions, and socioeconomic classes. Visit bargain markets, Independence Square, Odel Shopping Mall, Colombo City Center, One Galle Face, Shopping at Laksala state owned Handicraft’s emporium. Overnight at hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Colombo stay for 1 Night

Day 10: Colombo→ Airport (40 KM / 45m)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Airport for the departure flight.

Tour Price
• Price shown is for a person based on per twin share accommodation.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Depending on your needs and group size (individual, couple, family, group, etc.) we will provide the final pricing for your tour.

Inclusions:
• Daily Guided Tours, excursions and transfers based on schedule
• Accommodation as specified on the itinerary
• Meal Plan as per specified on the itinerary
• Entrance tickets to all sites specified on the itinerary
• 2 Jeep Safari’s in Wilpattu & Yala National Parks
• Arrival Grand Welcome by Esna Holidays
• Welcome Drinks at Every Hotel
• Traditional welcome in Hotel in Kandy
• Bottle/Filtered water during tour & hotel
• Coffee/Tea Making Facilities at every hotel
• Local Experiences English Speaking Guide
• All Taxes

Exclusions:
• Meals not specified
• Tips & Porter age
• Visa Charges
• Spa & Laundry

Compliments:
• Wi-Fi during the tour

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.