Classic island tours · SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka Highlights and South Coast

10 days · 9 nights • Customisable itinerary • Colombo → Colombo

Sigiriya Rock Fortress summit ruins

Kandy Lake and surrounding hills

Train crossing Nine Arch Bridge in Ella

A JOURNEY TO MAKE YOUR OWN

The experience

Sri Lanka Highlights and South Coast is a 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary starting in Colombo and finishing in Colombo. Core culture, tea country, safari and southern heritage circuit. Use this route as the starting point for a personalised quote, with the pace, accommodation and activities adjusted to your dates.

Duration: 10 days · 9 nights
Starts in: Colombo
Finishes in: Colombo
Travel style: Private, tailor-made proposal

Your route

Colombo > Sigiriya > Kandy > Ella > Yala > Galle > Colombo

A suggested itinerary. Your operator must confirm the final schedule, stays, activities and price before booking.

THE JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY

Your itinerary

DAY 01SigiriyaArrive and settle in

Day 1 activities

Meet at the agreed starting point in Colombo and travel to your Sigiriya base. Keep arrival-day plans flexible around your actual arrival time.
Visit Sigiriya Rock early; allow time for the climb, gardens and breaks in the heat.

Overnight: Sigiriya
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Colombo to Sigiriya; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 02SigiriyaExplore Sigiriya

Day 2 activities

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple and spend the afternoon at a slower pace around your accommodation.

Overnight: Sigiriya
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 03KandyTravel to Kandy

Day 3 activities

Continue from Sigiriya to Kandy, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth respectfully and take a gentle walk beside Kandy Lake.

Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Sigiriya to Kandy; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 04KandyExplore Kandy

Day 4 activities

Explore Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with enough time for shaded breaks.

Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 05EllaTravel to Ella

Day 5 activities

Continue from Kandy to Ella, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
Walk to Nine Arch Bridge using an agreed public approach and keep clear of the railway tracks.

Overnight: Ella
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Kandy to Ella; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 06EllaExplore Ella

Day 6 activities

Choose Little Adam’s Peak with a guide or a gentler tea-country walk according to conditions.

Overnight: Ella
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 07YalaTravel to Yala

Day 7 activities

Continue from Ella to Yala, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
Take a jeep safari in an open Yala block with an authorised operator; wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Overnight: Yala
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Ella to Yala; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 08GalleTravel to Galle

Day 8 activities

Continue from Yala to Galle, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
Walk Galle Fort with a local guide, exploring its lanes, ramparts and maritime history.

Overnight: Galle
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Yala to Galle; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 09GalleExplore Galle

Day 9 activities

Arrange a Koggala lake and cinnamon-producer visit with local hosts.

Overnight: Galle
Meals: Meal plan selected in your quote.
Travel planning: Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
Transport: Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.

DAY 10ColomboOnward journey

Day 10 activities

After a relaxed start, finish the itinerary in Colombo. Agree the final drop-off and leave enough time for any onward connection.
Airport transfers are included only if your written quote specifies them.

Overnight: No overnight stay planned
Meals: As agreed in your quote.
Travel planning: Road transfer from Galle to Colombo; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
Transport: Final transfer or local drop-off, as agreed.

THE PLACES ALONG THE WAY

Your Sri Lanka route

Use the destination cards or open a place in maps below.

Pins show approximate destination centres. Distances between destinations are straight-line estimates, not driving distances.

The route lists destinations and overnight bases. Exact roads, station transfers and activity meeting points are agreed with your operator.

PLAN THE DETAILS

Shape your package

Accommodation & meals

Choose guesthouse, hotel, boutique stay or villa options in your quote; named properties are not yet allocated.

Breakfast, half board, full board, tastings and special meals are included only when listed in the final quote. Share dietary requirements before confirming.

What to include in your quote

Every overnight stay, room type and agreed meal.
Driver, guide, vehicle, fuel, parking and any station or airport transfers.
Entry tickets, safari jeeps, boats, activity equipment and specialist guides.
Taxes, payment schedule and cancellation terms.

These are items to request, not confirmed inclusions.

Costs to budget separately

Unless specifically included in your quote, allow for international flights, entry requirements, travel insurance, personal spending, tips, optional activities and meals outside the agreed plan.

Season, activity level & suitability

Varies by activity; shorter alternatives on request. Suitable pace and access depend on the activities selected. Tell the operator about mobility requirements, child ages and swimming or walking ability.

Confirm the full itinerary, exact pickup and drop-off points, and a realistic daily schedule with the operator.
Request an itemised quote covering accommodation, transport, guide services, admission, meals, taxes and optional activities.
Check current access, weather and local conditions before travel; the final programme may need to change.

Booking & cancellation

This page is an itinerary proposal, not a confirmed departure. Before paying, obtain the named operator’s written quote, availability, payment terms and cancellation policy. Sending an enquiry does not make a reservation.

LET’S SHAPE YOUR JOURNEY

Request your personalised quote

Tell the Travel Picks team your dates, group size, preferred stays and any changes to this route.

10 days · 9 nightsRequest a quoteEnquire ↗