11-Day Sri Lanka Car and Driver: Anuradhapura to Galle
The train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella winds through tea plantations and mountain passes you see from your seat.
An 11-day private tour of Sri Lanka with your own driver and air-conditioned car, traveling from Anuradhapura's ancient stupas through Polonnaruwa's royal ruins, up Sigiriya Rock, and across the central highlands to the coast. You visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, ride the scenic train to Ella, spot wildlife on a Yala safari, and finish at Galle Fort. The itinerary is customizable within 1,300 kilometers of included mileage.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Colombo to Anuradhapura
- Drive from Colombo to Anuradhapura
- Visit the oldest historically documented tree
- See Ruwanwelisaya stupa
- Visit a tall ancient stupa
- Explore the first stupa enshrining Buddha's relic
- View unique rock carvings at Isurumuniya
- See ancient bathing pools
Day 2: Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa
- Drive from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa
- Visit a rock temple with Buddha statues
- Explore the circular relic house
- See the large stupa built by King Nissanka Malla
- View the man-made reservoir by King Parakramabahu
- Visit the brick structure with standing Buddha statue
Day 3: Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya
- Drive from Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya
- Climb Sigiriya Rock fortress
- Climb Pidurangala Rock nearby
- Take jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park
- Explore Dambulla Cave Temple
Day 4: Sigiriya to Kandy
- Drive from Sigiriya to Kandy
- Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- View Kandy city from Rajapihilla Mawatha viewpoint
- Explore Royal Botanical Gardens
- Take guided spice garden tour
- Attend traditional cultural show
Day 5: Kandy to Nuwaraeliya
- Drive from Kandy to Nuwaraeliya
- Tour tea factory
- Visit Ramboda Falls and scenic stops
- Enjoy Gregory Lake activities
- Walk in Victoria Park
Day 6: Nuwaraeliya second day
- Trek Horton Plains to World’s End
- Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden
Day 7: Nuwaraeliya to Ella by train
- Take scenic train from Nuwaraeliya to Ella
- Visit Nine Arches Bridge
- Hike Little Adam’s Peak
- Explore Ravana Cave and Temple
- Hike Ella Rock
Day 8: Ella to Yala
- Visit Buduruwagala rock temple
- Stop at Diyaluma Falls
- Take jeep safari in Yala National Park
Day 9: Yala to Mirissa
- Visit Weligama stilt fishermen and surf spots
- Relax at Mirissa Beach
- Go whale watching in Mirissa
Day 10: Mirissa to Galle
- Explore Galle Fort
- Visit turtle hatcheries
- Relax at Unawatuna beach near Japanese Peace Pagoda
Day 11: Galle to Bandaranaike Airport
- Drive from Galle to Bandaranaike International Airport
What’s included
- Private transportation with driver and air-conditioned vehicle.
- WiFi on board.
- fuel, highway tickets, and parking fees.
- driver accommodation.
- customizable itinerary within 1,300 kilometers of included mileage.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Do Travel Sri Lanka
Prices and times updated today
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
The route begins in Anuradhapura, where you explore the Ruwanwelisaya stupa and the sacred Bodhi tree (a cutting from the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment) before driving roughly four hours from Colombo. From there, the car takes you to Polonnaruwa to walk among royal statues and the Gal Vihara's four massive Buddha figures carved into granite. The drive between these ancient cities runs about two and a half hours, with your driver handling the route while you rest or watch the landscape change.
Sigiriya Rock comes next: you climb the UNESCO site to see King Kashyapa's palace ruins, the frescoes of the Sigiriya Maidens, and the Mirror Wall, then stand at the summit for views across the valleys. A two-hour drive from Polonnaruwa gets you there. In Kandy, you visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and wander the Royal Botanical Gardens, which holds over 4,000 plant species including rare orchids. The journey to Nuwara Eliya takes about three hours and passes Ramboda Falls, a 109-meter cascade, and tea fields where you can stop for a factory tour to see how Ceylon tea moves from leaf to cup. At Gregory Lake, you can boat or walk the shore. From Nuwara Eliya, your baggage travels by train while you ride the scenic route to Ella, arriving to find your driver waiting at the station. Train tickets book one month ahead and cost more if booked closer to your travel date.
The southern leg combines wildlife and coast. A jeep safari in Yala National Park puts you in range of leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and water buffalo, with morning and evening departures offering the best sightings. Mirissa Beach follows: a palm-lined stretch on the southern coast where whale-watching tours run November to April to spot blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins. You stop at Weligama to watch stilt fishermen balance on poles in the shallows, then finish at Galle Fort, a Portuguese-built, Dutch-expanded UNESCO site where cobbled streets and colonial architecture fill the walled compound. The final drive to Bandaranaike International Airport takes roughly two hours from Galle.
Is this one for you?Choose the 3–6 traveler option if your group fills one vehicle comfortably and wants to share the driver cost. Pick the up-to-2 traveler car if you prefer more space or are traveling as a couple. Either way, having your own driver means you set the pace at each stop (linger at temples, skip sites that don't appeal, or add detours within your mileage) without waiting for a group schedule.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, and why does it matter to the tour?
The Bodhi tree is a cutting grown from the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, making it one of the world's oldest historically documented trees. It stands in Anuradhapura as a central spiritual site on the first day of the tour.
Can I customize the 11-day itinerary, or is it fixed?
The tour is customizable. You work with the operator to plan your own route within the allocated 1,300 kilometers of included mileage. If you travel beyond that distance, additional kilometers cost USD 0.33 each.
How does the train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella work?
Your driver sends your baggage ahead by train while you ride the scenic route yourself. The driver meets you at Ella station before the train arrives. Train tickets must be booked one month in advance. Booking closer to your travel date costs more, and the operator arranges this for you.
What wildlife might I see on the Yala safari?
Yala is known for leopards, but you may also spot elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles, and various birds. Morning and evening safaris in a 4x4 jeep offer the best chances of sightings, and what you see depends on the season and which area of the park you visit.
Are entrance fees to temples and national parks included in the tour price?
No. Admissions are paid separately to each site. Entrance fees include Sigiriya (USD 36), Anuradhapura Temple Complex (USD 30 per person), Yala Safari (USD 30 per person), Horton Plains (USD 30 per person), and several others listed in the booking details.
What is included in the private transportation?
The tour includes a private driver, air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, highway tickets, parking fees, and driver accommodation. WiFi is available on board, and the itinerary can be adjusted to suit your preferences within the mileage allowance.
11-Day Sri Lanka Car and Driver: Anuradhapura to Galle
11d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 1,320 per group
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.