The essential Sri Lanka in a week: Sigiriya, Kandy, the tea hills of Nuwara Eliya, a Yala safari and whale watching in Mirissa.
A well-balanced seven-day circuit covering the highlights of the island: the Sigiriya rock fortress, the sacred city of Kandy, the cool tea country of Nuwara Eliya, a wildlife safari at Yala National Park and the southern coast, where you can go whale watching from Mirissa and cruise the Madu River.
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where a representative of Nimrodh Travels & Tours will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Negombo.
Leave early in the morning for Sigiriya. Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Leave early for Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka, surrounded by mountains and home to the world-famous Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, tea plantations and rich rainforest. In the evening watch traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers.
Travel to Nuwara Eliya, known as the "Tea Land of Sri Lanka", surrounded by tea estates and mountains with a cool climate. On the way visit tea plantations, tea factories and waterfalls. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya. The next day visit the golf ground, Gregory Lake (boat ride possible) and the Botanical Gardens.
Yala, in southern Sri Lanka, is a vast jungle site divided into five blocks, with light forests, scrub, grasslands, tanks and lagoons. It was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and a national park in 1938. Be at the entrance early in the morning to have the best chance of seeing the animals. After the safari, visit Kataragama Kovil and the Tissa temple, then leave for Mirissa for an overnight stay.
Board a boat at Mirissa fishing harbour for a 2 to 2.5 hour whale-watching trip. Sri Lankan waters are home to blue whales, sperm whales, fin whales, occasional orcas and many types of dolphins. Afterwards visit the southern beach and the famous Madu River, a tourist attraction since the 19th century, where a boat ride lets you see herons, crocodiles and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Then leave for Negombo and the airport.
| Place | Hotel(s) |
|---|---|
| Negombo | Jetwing Lagoon, Amagi Area (5*), Camlet Beach Hotel, Rani Beach Resort |
| Kandy | Hotel Topaz, Hotel Suisse |
| Nuwara Eliya | Windsor Hotel, Heritage Hotel |
| Route | Distance |
|---|---|
| Airport to Negombo | 10 Km |
| Negombo to Sigiriya | 146 Km |
| Sigiriya to Kandy | 90 Km |
| Kandy to Nuwara Eliya | 72 Km |
| Nuwara Eliya to Yala | 193 Km |
| Yala to Kataragama | 3 Km |
| Kataragama to Mirissa (Madu River and back) | 146 Km |
| Mirissa to Negombo and Airport | 182 Km |
| City tours (Negombo 20, Sigiriya 26, Kandy 35, Nuwara Eliya 28, Tissa 16, Mirissa 36) | 161 Km |
| Total | 1003 Km |
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Yapahuwa, Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Sinharaja / Udawalawe and a Bentara river cruise.
Standard BB accommodation (10 nights), air-conditioned vehicle transport, entrance fees.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, two days in Nuwara Eliya, Yala Safari, Mirissa Whale Watching and the Madu River.
Standard BB accommodation, air-conditioned vehicle transport, entrance fees.
Pidurangala Rock hike, cultural dance show in Kandy, Ramboda waterfalls, Yala safari, Madu River boat ride in Bentota.
Private English-speaking driver, air-conditioned vehicle, airport assistance and cultural dance show.
