Long-stay holidays

Sri Lanka Grand Tour

Ten days around the island: ancient cities, tea hills, the Ella train and Galle Fort.

Trip at a glance

Duration11 days / 10 nights
Starts inColombo
RouteColombo · Sigiriya & Dambulla · Kandy ·…
Places6 destinations
CountrySri Lanka
Ideal forCultural holidays
Trip stylePrivate, customisable
Package codeNX-14UEAU

Best time to visit: December to March

Request a quote See the day-by-day plan

Galle Fort – Galle

Trip overview

Ten days around the island: ancient cities, tea hills, the Ella train and Galle Fort.

The route spends 1 night in Colombo, 2 nights in Sigiriya & Dambulla, 2 nights in Kandy, 1 night in Nuwara Eliya, 2 nights in Ella and 2 nights in Galle, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits cultural holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.

Highlights

Gangaramaya TempleGalle Face GreenPettah MarketSigiriya Rock FortressPidurangala RockDambulla Cave TempleTemple of the ToothKandy LakeRoyal Botanical Gardens, PeradeniyaTea factories

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Colombo

Arrive via Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and transfer to your hotel
Check in and settle in
Later: Pettah Market: Bustling bazaar

Day 2Colombo to Sigiriya & Dambulla

Travel from Colombo to Sigiriya & Dambulla by private vehicle, with stops on the way
Check in at your Sigiriya & Dambulla hotel
Village tour

Day 3Sigiriya & Dambulla: Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple

Sigiriya Rock Fortress: Palace atop the rock
Dambulla Cave Temple: Cave shrines with murals

Day 4Sigiriya & Dambulla to Kandy

Travel from Sigiriya & Dambulla to Kandy by private vehicle
Check in at your Kandy hotel
Kandy Lake: Lakeside walk

Day 5Kandy: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya and Garden walk

Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya: Orchids and giant trees
Garden walk

Day 6Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Travel from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya by private vehicle
Check in at your Nuwara Eliya hotel
Tea factories: Tea tours and tastings

Day 7Nuwara Eliya to Ella

Travel from Nuwara Eliya to Ella by private vehicle
Check in at your Ella hotel
Little Adam's Peak: Easy hike with views

Day 8Ella: Lipton's Seat and Nine Arches Bridge

Lipton's Seat: Tea estate viewpoint near Haputale
Nine Arches Bridge: Colonial railway viaduct

Day 9Ella to Galle

Travel from Ella to Galle by private vehicle, with stops on the way
Check in at your Galle hotel
Galle Fort: Dutch fort and lighthouse

Day 10Galle: Unawatuna Beach and Mirissa whale watching

Unawatuna Beach: Sheltered swimming bay
Mirissa whale watching: Blue whales (seasonal)

Day 11Depart from Galle

Breakfast and hotel check-out
Transfer to Colombo (CMB) for your journey home

How this version is planned

Rest days built in every few days
Laundry stops planned
Travel insurance covering the full trip recommended
Licensed local guides at the major heritage sites
Timed tickets booked for sites that need them

This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.

Good to know

Colombo: Use Colombo as your arrival night, then head inland early.
Sigiriya & Dambulla: Climb Sigiriya at opening time to avoid the heat and crowds.
Kandy: Board the Kandy–Ella train for one of the world's most beautiful rail journeys.
Nuwara Eliya: Start the Horton Plains hike by 6 am; mist covers World's End by late morning.
Ella: Check train timings at Nine Arches to see one cross the bridge.
Galle: Walk the fort ramparts at sunset.

At a glance

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Route: Colombo, Sigiriya & Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Galle
Ideal for: Cultural holidays
Best time: December to March; January to September; January to April; November to April
Trip style: Private, customisable
Package code: NX-14UEAU

Plan this trip

Request a customised quote

Prices depend on dates, hotel category and group size, so we quote each trip individually.

Request a quote WhatsApp us Call +91 73059 71481

Typically included

Hotel stay for 10 nights with daily breakfast (hotel category as per your quote)
Airport transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary (private or shared, stated in your quote)
Entry tickets for the sightseeing listed in your quote
Visa documentation guidance before you travel
Trip support from our Chennai team on WhatsApp

Not included

International flights unless added to your quote
Visa fees and travel insurance
Lunch and dinner unless stated
Optional activities and personal expenses
City or tourism taxes payable at hotels where applicable
GST and TCS as applicable under Indian tax rules

Final inclusions are listed in your written quote.

FAQs

Questions about this trip

Can I change this itinerary?

Yes. This is a private, customisable itinerary. We can add or remove nights, change hotels, swap sightseeing and adjust the pace before you book.

When is the best time for this trip?

Colombo: December to March. Sigiriya & Dambulla: January to September. Kandy: January to April. Nuwara Eliya: January to April. Ella: January to April. Galle: November to April.

How do I start the trip from Chennai?

The trip begins in Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), about 1 hour 15 minutes from Chennai). We can add return flights from Chennai or any other city to your quote.

How much does this package cost?

We quote each trip individually because the price depends on travel dates, hotel category, room sharing and group size. Request a quote and we send a price on WhatsApp.

What documents do I need?

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is commonly required. Visa and entry rules for Indian citizens vary by country and change, so we confirm the current requirements from official sources when you book.

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