Day 1 - Airport / Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Once you touch down at the airport, you may be welcomed with a cheery “Ayubowan!” – a heartfelt Sinhalese expression that translates as “May you live a long life!”, echoing the goodwill of the locals.

After exchanging greetings, your driver will whisk you and your partner off to the coastal town of Negombo, where you will find ornate cathedrals, bustling markets, and a traditional fishing industry beside the blue-grey waters.

Consider taking a stroll along the coast or a nap to get over the jet lag. You can also head to the famed fish market to watch the fisherfolk clean and gut their catch of the day, selling fresh seafood while drying the rest with traditional preservation methods.

(Travel time from the Airport to Negombo – 30 minutes)
Overnight stay in Negombo

Day 2 – Negombo / Dambulla

Enjoy a quiet moment by the sea before travelling to Dambulla – an ancient city that doubles as a heritage site in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle.

Once you arrive, you may explore the Dambulla Cave Temple, which sheltered King Valagamba (103-77 BCE) for 14 years during the South Indian invasions. This monastery was built shortly after he reclaimed the throne, and today, its worn statues and murals echo a sacred simplicity revered by the Buddhist community.

You can tantalise your taste buds after a short rest with some local delicacies at a nearby village, like pol roti and sambol (coconut flatbread and relish) or traditional sweetmeats over a cup of tea. A bullock cart and a catamaran will be your mode of transport here, letting you appreciate the countryside quietly.

(Travel time from Negombo to Dambulla - 3 hours)
Dinner and overnight stay in Dambulla

Day 3 – Around Dambulla

Ease into the day with a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast and a visit to the mighty Sigiriya Rock Fortress, where King Kashyapa (473-495 CE) sought refuge after ousting his father from the throne. Hailed as the “eighth wonder of the world”, the citadel consists of landscaped gardens, palace ruins, and a functioning hydraulic system that has mystified engineers for centuries.

In the afternoon, you will venture to the grassy plains and muddy marshes of Minneriya National Park for an exciting open-air jeep safari. While witnessing elephants roaming with their calves in herds of up to 50 at a time, you may also glimpse sambar deer, toque macaques, mugger crocodiles, and other critters before heading back to Dambulla for the night.

(Travel time from Dambulla to Minneriya –45 minutes)
Dinner and overnight stay in Dambulla

Day 4 – Dambulla / Anuradhapura / Dambulla

With its brick stupas and archaeological marvels, Anuradhapura stands as the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, and a tour of its timeless heritage by bicycle (or tuk-tuk) awaits you with the promise of a massage afterward.

As you head off the beaten track on quiet lanes past paddy fields and glistening lakes, you can pause to take in the scenery, interact with the locals, and enjoy some snacks along the way. You will then witness Anuradhapura’s wonders, like the Brazen Palace, Sri Maha Bodhi (Tree of Enlightenment), and perhaps even a Buddhist ritual at the mighty Ruwanwelisaya stupa.

In the afternoon, an experienced masseur will soothe your sore muscles with an Ayurvedic massage to lighten your mind and stimulate natural healing.

(Travel time from Dambulla to Anuradhapura – 1 ½ hours)
Dinner and overnight stay in Dambulla

Day 5 – Dambulla / Matale

Today, you will travel to Matale – a quaint town of valleys and foothills, where you and your partner can learn about cultural norms and traditions.

Your hosts’ heartfelt hospitality will make you feel right at home, and you can watch the local community in action as you accompany them to a farm and market to shop for fresh produce. You could even take a walk to appreciate the rustic charm of the countryside and savour the mild sweetness of thal raa (toddy) after observing how it is collected from the palmyra tree.

Later on, you can roll up your sleeves and join your hosts in cooking a variety of creamy curries and spicy sambols, before indulging in a feast of traditional cuisine for dinner.

(Travel time from Dambulla to Matale – 1 hour)
Dinner and overnight stay in Matale

Day 6 – Matale / Kandy

Let the echoes of Sri Lanka’s past guide you to Kandy, where culture abounds at every turn with historical sites that reflect the grandeur of the last Sinhalese kingdom.

Once you arrive, you may admire the enshrined Tooth Relic of Gautama Buddha at the Temple of the Tooth. After offering flowers and prayers for peaceful days ahead, you can also witness an era of splendour in the faded paintings and carvings of gold and silver within.

In the evening, you will watch with bated breath as traditional dancers and local instruments set the stage for an hour-long celebration of Kandyan heritage. This includes a captivating fire show to bring the day to a close, where you will see the performers eat and walk on fire unharmed.

(Travel time from Matale to Kandy – 1 hour)
Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy

Day 7 – Around Kandy

After a delicious plate of kiribath and lunumiris (milk rice with onion relish) for breakfast, you and your partner will become artisans for the day at a batik workshop to learn the ins and outs of this craft under a master.

Interestingly enough, Sri Lanka’s batik industry began as a hobby among Kandyan aristocrats, who learnt the dyeing techniques that were brought over from Indonesia during the Dutch colonial period. So, you can expect a hands-on lesson here that involves dripping beeswax over fabric before dyeing and steaming the cloth, resulting in a finished piece that will be yours to take back home.

You can spend the rest of the day as you please by shopping for souvenirs or taking a stroll through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy

Day 8 – Kandy / Haputale

The lively streets of Kandy fade into the distance as you leave for the emerald valleys of Haputale, where a leafy terrain carpeted with tea plantations is yours to explore at leisure.

Along the way, you may pause to take in the beauty of Ramboda Falls and watch how water gushes amid worn stone and lush greenery. Perhaps you could even drop by a tea factory for a drink to warm you up and a lesson on how Ceylon tea is made with ancient machinery.

Once you arrive, you can nestle down in bed for a nap with your partner and savour a hearty dinner at night. After all, plenty of adventures await the two of you tomorrow, and this hillside haven will be yours to discover then.

(Travel time from Kandy to Haputale – 4 ½ hours)
Dinner and overnight stay in Haputale

Day 9 – Around Haputale

Embrace a slow start to the day with a hot cuppa as you enjoy the morning chill from the comfort of your hotel room.

When you are ready, you will head to Lipton’s Seat – a vantage point with sweeping vistas and a life-sized statue of Sir Thomas Lipton admiring his tea empire. You may take a tuk-tuk to the top and descend on foot to fully appreciate the countryside on your way back and perhaps even join the local children in playing a game.

After a short break, you will leave for a cooking class. This live demonstration doubles as a hands-on lesson; you will learn how spices lend a bold taste to every creamy curry and watch as each ingredient is boiled and sometimes sautéed to perfection.

Dinner and overnight stay in Haputale

Day 10 – Haputale / Yala

Let the call to adventure guide you and your partner on a journey to the southeast, where the overgrown forests and thickets of Yala shelter highest density of leopards in the world.

During your stay here, you will venture to the leafy wilderness of Yala National Park for a thrilling open-air jeep safari. From peacocks, jackals and deer in the grasslands to buffaloes, fishing cats, and elephants by the waterways, you and your companion will observe how animals behave in their natural habitat and glimpse all kinds of critters lazing around or wandering with their young in search of food and water.

Though, be sure to hold your camera steady as you may spot the shambling sloth bear and elusive leopard if Lady Luck is on your side.

(Travel time from Ella to Yala – 3 ½ hours)
Dinner and overnight stay in Yala

Day 11, 12 & 13 – Yala / Down South

What better way to wind down from your adventures than a seaside retreat? With the end of your tour in sight, you will head down south to soak up the sun and enjoy Sri Lanka’s breezy beaches for one last time.

With sun-kissed shores to bask in by noon and rusty-red sunsets to admire at dusk, you can settle under the swaying palms for a quiet read, dip your feet into the sparkling waters to cool off from the heat, and treat yourself to a feast of spicy calamary and shrimp.

For a change of pace, you can explore the ramparts of the Galle Fort, shop for souvenirs at Pedlar Street, visit a turtle hatchery, and even take your partner on a boat safari.

(Travel time from Yala to Down South – 2 ½ hours)
Dinner and overnight stay in Down South

Day 14 – Down South / Airport

All good things must come to an end, and your tour of Sri Lanka is no exception. If you have time to spare before your flight, you can spend a period of quiet reflection by the sea after a delicious breakfast.

When the time is right, you will leave for the Colombo airport, where your driver will assist you with your luggage before heading home. If you are satisfied with his services, you may tip him around USD 10-25 per day as this act of kindness will mean the world to him.

Once you board the plane and bid farewell to this land of eternal summers, just know that although your tour has come to an end, the memories you and your partner made on these shores will last forever.

(Travel time from Down South to Airport – about 2 ½ hours)
End of the tour

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Frequently asked questions

1. How much does it cost?

The tour cost depends on the month you travel, number of adults and children participating the tour and the quality of the accommodation that you choose. Please drop us a message specifying your requirements, so we can send you the exact cost for this tour.

2. Will you be able to customize this itinerary according to my needs?

Absolutely. Travellers Isle specialize in tailor-made holidays. We are more than happy to customize this itinerary according to your needs.

3. For which months is this itinerary most suitable?

December, January, February, March, April, July and August are the best months for this itinerary. For other months, itinerary should be adjusted to avoid bad weather.

(In July and August, the sea of the southern beaches is too dangerous/rough for swimming. If swimming in the ocean is a high priority, the itinerary should be modified with an east coast beach.)

4. Is it possible to replace the beach stay of this tour with the Maldives?

Yes, we can easily plan the beach stay of this tour in the Maldives. Please check our Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays section for more information.

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