14 days · The whole island, including the north and east
Ceylon Complete
For people who want the Sri Lanka most visitors never see. Adds Jaffna and the Tamil north, the east coast at Trincomalee, and Sinharaja rainforest to the full loop. Routed to the season so every beach is in its dry months.
Highlights
- Nallur temple at evening puja
- Pigeon Island reef
- Sri Pada climb in season
- Sinharaja birding with a naturalist
- Five UNESCO sites
Day by day
- Day 01
Colombo
Arrive, settle in, Pettah market and Galle Face sunset if your flight allows.
Sleep in Colombo - Day 02
North to Jaffna
A long drive (or the direct train) to Jaffna. Evening puja at Nallur Kandaswamy.
Sleep in Jaffna - Day 03
Islands and crab curry
Ferry to Delft or Nainativu, Jaffna fort, market and a proper crab curry lunch.
Sleep in Jaffna - Day 04
Anuradhapura
South to the ancient capital. Ruwanwelisaya and the Bodhi tree at dusk.
Sleep in Anuradhapura - Day 05
To the east coast
Mihintale at sunrise, then east to Nilaveli. Afternoon on the beach.
Sleep in Trincomalee - Day 06
Pigeon Island
Snorkel the reef with blacktip sharks and turtles. Koneswaram temple at sunset.
Sleep in Trincomalee - Day 07
Sigiriya
Drive to Sigiriya. Pidurangala at sunset.
Sleep in Sigiriya - Day 08
Lion Rock and Polonnaruwa
Sigiriya at 7 am, Polonnaruwa by bicycle in the afternoon.
Sleep in Sigiriya - Day 09
Kandy
Dambulla caves, Matale spices, Temple of the Tooth evening puja.
Sleep in Kandy - Day 10
Tea country
Peradeniya gardens and up to a tea bungalow. Factory tour.
Sleep in Nuwara Eliya - Day 11
The train to Ella
Horton Plains at dawn, afternoon train to Ella.
Sleep in Ella - Day 12
Yala
Nine Arch Bridge, then down to Yala for an afternoon safari.
Sleep in Yala - Day 13
Rainforest
Dawn safari, then west into Sinharaja. Night walk for endemic frogs.
Sleep in Sinharaja - Day 14
Galle and home
Dawn birding walk, then to Galle for lunch on the ramparts, and on to the airport.
Departure
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur-guide for the whole trip
- All fuel, parking, tolls and the driver's meals and accommodation
- Hand-picked hotels with daily breakfast
- Airport pick-up and drop-off, whatever time your flight lands
- Reserved-seat train tickets where the route includes the hill-country train
- Licensed site guides at UNESCO sites
- Unlimited bottled water in the vehicle and a local SIM card on arrival
- 24-hour WhatsApp line to a real person in Colombo
- Two naturalist-led walks in Sinharaja
- Pigeon Island boat and snorkel gear
- Tea factory tour and tasting
Not included
- International flights
- Entrance fees (we list every one in your quote so there are no surprises)
- Lunches and dinners, unless stated
- Jeep safari fees and boat charters, unless stated
- Travel insurance and visa
- Tips
