10-Day Sri Lanka Tour: Culture, Hills & Beaches
Ancient cities, Kandy, tea hills, a Yala safari and a full south coast finish.
- ✈️ Airport to airport
- 🚗 Private vehicle and driver
- 🛠️ Fully customisable
Route at a glance
- Airport
- Sigiriya
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Ella
- Yala
- Mirissa
- Galle
- Bentota
- Airport
About this tour
A full loop of the island at a steady pace. You start in the Cultural Triangle, climb through Kandy and the tea hills to Ella, then come down to Yala and the south coast, finishing at the beach before the airport. You can add Anuradhapura or swap Yala for Udawalawe.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1: Airport to Sigiriya
Drive north, stopping at the Dambulla Cave Temple on the way, and settle in near Sigiriya.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 4 to 5 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Sigiriya
- 2
Day 2: Sigiriya Rock and Polonnaruwa
Climb Sigiriya Rock early. In the afternoon, explore Polonnaruwa, or take a jeep safari at Minneriya if elephants are gathering.
- 🚗 Driving:
- Short to medium drives
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Sigiriya
- 3
Day 3: Sigiriya to Kandy
Drive to Kandy with a stop at a spice garden near Matale. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 3 to 3.5 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Kandy
- 4
Day 4: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, then drive through tea country to Nuwara Eliya, with a tea factory stop.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 3 to 3.5 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Nuwara Eliya
- 5
Day 5: Horton Plains to Ella
Start early for the World's End walk at Horton Plains, then drive to Ella via the tea hills.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 5 to 6 hours of driving, plus the walk
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Ella
- 6
Day 6: Ella to Yala
See the Nine Arches Bridge in the morning, then drive to the Yala area for an afternoon jeep safari.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 3 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Tissamaharama or Yala area
- 7
Day 7: Yala to Mirissa
Go on an early-morning safari, then drive to the south coast and relax on the beach at Mirissa.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 2.5 to 3 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Mirissa
- 8
Day 8: Mirissa to Galle
Take an optional early whale-watching trip (roughly November to April). Stop at Coconut Tree Hill and Weligama, then enjoy Galle Fort at sunset.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Galle
- 9
Day 9: Galle to Bentota
Stop at Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa on the way, then spend the afternoon in Bentota, with an optional visit to Brief Garden or a river boat trip.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- Bentota
- 10
Day 10: Bentota to the airport
Enjoy a relaxed final morning, then drive to the airport.
- 🚗 Driving:
- About 2 to 2.5 hours
- 🛏️ Overnight:
- None (departure day)
Driving times are estimates and change with traffic, weather and road works. Your driver will plan the day around your pace.
Tour highlights
- ✅ Dambulla, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
- ✅ Temple of the Tooth
- ✅ Tea country and Horton Plains
- ✅ Ella and the Nine Arches Bridge
- ✅ Yala jeep safari
- ✅ Mirissa whale watching (seasonal)
- ✅ Galle Fort and Bentota
Included
- ✅ Airport pickup and drop-off
- ✅ Vehicle
- ✅ Fuel
- ✅ English-speaking driver
- ✅ Driver accommodation
- ✅ Highway toll fees
- ✅ Parking fees
Not included
- ➖ Entrance and safari fees
- ➖ Your hotels and meals
Places on this tour
Frequently asked questions
Can I change this itinerary?
Yes. This 10-day tour is a starting point. Tell us your interests and dates and we will adjust the route, the number of nights and the stops.
Is airport pickup included?
Yes. Your driver meets you at the airport on day 1 and takes you back for your flight on the last day. Send us your flight details when you book.
What is included in the price?
The price includes the vehicle, fuel, an English-speaking driver, the driver's accommodation, highway tolls and parking. Entrance and safari fees, and your own hotels and meals, are not included.
Can you help with hotels?
Hotels are booked separately and are not included in the price. Tell us your budget and preferences, and we will suggest suitable places along the route.
How do I book?
Message us on WhatsApp or send an inquiry with your dates and group size. We will send a clear quote, and we confirm payment and cancellation terms in writing before you book.
