6-Day Sri Lanka Tour from Galle: Private Guide & Luxury Car

Six days following Sri Lanka's highlights with a local who knows the country inside out

A 6-day private tour of Sri Lanka from Colombo to Galle with a local English-speaking guide, luxury air-conditioned vehicle, and hotel pickup included. The itinerary covers Sigiriya's Lion Rock fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy's botanical gardens and colonial architecture, the scenic train ride to Ella, three waterfalls, and the Galle Fort on the coast. Meals and accommodations are booked separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Colombo to Sigiriya

• Village safari in Hingula
• Climb Lion Rock in Sigiriya

Day 2: Sigiriya to Kandy

• Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
• Return to Sigiriya
• Arrive in Kandy and explore city

Day 3: Kandy to Ella

• Visit Botanical Garden near Kandy
• Visit Nuwara Eliya and Victoria Park
• Train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
• Explore Ella and dine

Day 4: Ella to Mirissa

• Visit Nine Arch Bridge
• Visit Diyaluma Waterfalls
• Stop at Rawana Falls
• Relax at Mirissa Beach

Day 5: Mirissa to Galle

• Explore Galle Dutch Port

Day 6: Galle to Colombo Airport

• Travel to Bandaranayake International Airport

The experience

Sigiriya is the anchor of this tour. You climb the Lion Rock, a 5th-century fortress site and UNESCO World Heritage location, to walk among the ruins and see the old city spread below. Before that, the route starts with a village safari in Hingula, where you move through actual Sri Lankan life outside the tourist zones: you watch how people prepare meals, learn what gear they use, and eat fresh food made there. That immersion sets the tone for everything that follows.

From Sigiriya, the tour moves north to Dambulla Cave Temple, five caves carved into rock 150 meters above the road, holding some of Sri Lanka's oldest religious art: statues and drawings around 2000 years old. The view from up there reaches back to Sigiriya itself. Then Kandy, the cultural capital, where you walk the lake and colonial old city at your own pace, and the next morning visit the Royal Botanical Garden, one of Lonely Planet's top choices, thick with birds and monkeys in the trees. The train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is famous for its route through mountains and untouched nature. Once you arrive in Ella, the guide shows you the small city and you eat together before staying the night.

The southern leg moves through three waterfalls: the Nine Arch bridge near Ella (a photo stop), Diyaluma Falls with natural bathtubs at the top if you hike, and Rawana Falls, one of Sri Lanka's highest. You end in Mirissa Beach, where you can sit with fresh fish and cocktails, feet in the sand. From there, the route finishes at Galle Fort, a UNESCO site with Dutch colonial architecture and views of the Indian Ocean, before the final drive to Colombo Airport. Your guide is a Sri Lankan born and raised here, traveling the country since childhood, and the vehicle stays air-conditioned throughout.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for all six days.
• English-speaking local guide throughout.
• hotel pickup on day one.
• village safari in Hingula.
• entry to Sigiriya's Lion Rock fortress.
• Dambulla Cave Temple visit.
• Royal Botanical Garden near Kandy.
• train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.
• stops at Nine Arch bridge, Diyaluma Falls, and Rawana Falls.
• Galle Fort visit.
• final transfer to Colombo Airport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Pinki Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a local guide who knows Sri Lanka intimately and can share insider perspectives on each region. You'll visit Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, and Mirissa with someone who grew up traveling these areas.

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Top questions

What is the village safari in Hingula actually like?

The village safari in Hingula takes you through real Sri Lankan life outside tourist areas. You ride around and watch how people prepare meals, learn what tools and gear they use daily, and eat fresh food made there. It's the closest you can get to an authentic experience in a short time.

Can I ride the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella?

Yes, the train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is part of the tour and famous for its beauty. It moves slowly through mountains and untouched nature. Once you arrive in Ella, the guide shows you the city and you eat together before the night stay.

What is Dambulla Cave Temple?

Dambulla Cave Temple consists of five caves carved into rock, holding some of Sri Lanka's most important religious art. The oldest statues and drawings are around 2000 years old, and the caves sit 150 meters above the road with views that reach back to Sigiriya.

Is the Galle Fort included in this tour?

Yes, Galle Fort is the final stop before the drive to Colombo Airport. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture, narrow streets, and views of the Indian Ocean.

What waterfalls do we visit on the way to Mirissa?

You stop at three waterfalls: the Nine Arch bridge near Ella (a famous photo location), Diyaluma Falls (which has natural bathtubs at the top if you hike), and Rawana Falls, one of Sri Lanka's highest, where you can rest and take pictures.