7-Day Private Tour Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Galle Fort

Follow your own route through Sri Lanka's landmarks with a private driver who knows the back roads.

A 7-day private tour of Sri Lanka with a local driver-guide, starting from Colombo and moving through Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Kandy's cultural sites, the hill-country train to Ella, Yala National Park safari, and the colonial Galle Fort on the southern coast. You set the pace. The guide handles navigation, cultural context, and access to each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Sigiriya area visit

• Visit Elephant Orphanages and Sanctuary
• Explore Pinnawala Iperanigama Theme Park
• Tour Dambulla Cave Temple complex

Day 2: Sigiriya and Pidurangala exploration

• Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Hike Pidurangala Rock
• Experience traditional village life and meal

Day 3: Travel to Kandy and cultural tours

• Explore Kandy city and lake
• Visit spice and herbal garden
• Watch traditional Sri Lankan dance performance
• Tour wood carving workshop

Day 4: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya sightseeing

• Visit gem and jewellery centre
• Visit Ambuluwawa Tower for panoramic views
• See Ramboda Falls

Day 5: Train to Ella and local sights

• Enjoy train journey to Ella
• Hike to Ella viewpoint
• Visit Nine Arch Bridge
• See Ravana Falls
• Explore Buduruwagala Rock Temple

Day 6: Yala National Park and Mirissa

• Jeep safari in Yala National Park
• Visit Coconut Tree Hill viewpoint
• Relax at Mirissa Beach

Day 7: Mirissa to Colombo via nature and city

• Whale and dolphin watching boat tour
• Explore Galle Fort
• Madu River Safari boat ride
• Visit Sea Turtle Hatchery
• Tour Colombo city attractions

The experience

The tour moves through Sri Lanka's central highlands and coast in a private vehicle with a driver-guide who knows the region. Day one takes you from the airport through Pinnawala Ape Gama and into Dambulla, where the cave temple complex spreads across five caves carved into a 160-meter rock face. Day two focuses on Sigiriya Rock Fortress (the 5th-century lion-shaped fortress you climb via the paws), and Pidurangala Rock nearby, a Buddhist temple site with jungle views. A traditional bullock-cart ride and village meal round out the cultural immersion.

Kandy sits on a plateau surrounded by tea plantations and rainforest, and the itinerary includes a spice garden, a wood-carving workshop, and a traditional Kandyan dance performance. The route then climbs toward Nuwara Eliya through gem centers and the Ambuluwawa Tower, which offers 360-degree mountain views. From there, you board one of Sri Lanka's most scenic train journeys through the hill country to Ella, passing tea plantations and misty valleys. In Ella, a hike leads to panoramic viewpoints, and the Nine Arch Bridge (a colonial-era railway crossing surrounded by jungle) is a major photo stop. Ravana Falls and the Buduruwagala Rock Temple, carved with ancient Buddha statues, sit nearby.

The final two days shift to wildlife and coast. Yala National Park offers a jeep safari where leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and birds move through their habitat. Mirissa Beach brings you to Coconut Tree Hill for sunset views and the option of whale and dolphin watching by boat (seasonal, November to April). The tour ends in Galle, where the UNESCO-listed fort sits on the southern coast with colonial architecture, the iconic lighthouse, and ocean views. On the return to Colombo, stops can include the Madu River mangrove safari, a sea turtle hatchery, and the city's temples and markets.

What’s included

• All vehicle expenses and private transport by car, bus or van.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• all fees and taxes.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

4 options

Sri Lanka exploration with Infinite Ceylon TravelsUp to 6 per booking · No fixed timePickup is included

CarUp to 3 per booking · No fixed timePickup is included with car

VanUp to 6 per booking · No fixed timePickup is included with van

BusUp to 12 per booking · No fixed timePickup is included with bus

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Infinite Ceylon Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to move at your own pace through Sri Lanka's major landmarks without coordinating separate guides, drivers, or transport at each stop. The private vehicle and local driver mean you skip the hassle of public transit between regions and get insider knowledge of lesser-known spots alongside the famous sites. If you prefer a fixed group schedule or want meals and entrance fees bundled in, look for an all-inclusive package instead.

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Top questions

What is Sigiriya Rock Fortress and why do people climb it?

Sigiriya is a 5th-century rock fortress shaped like a lion, located near Dambulla in Sri Lanka's central province. You enter through the lion's paws and climb stairs carved into the rock to reach the summit, where ancient frescoes, a mirror wall, gardens, and a pool sit atop the 160-meter rock face. It is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most visited landmarks in Sri Lanka.

Does the train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella take the whole day?

The train journey through the hill country is one of Sri Lanka's most scenic routes, passing through tea plantations, misty mountains, and charming villages. It is a highlight of the central highlands leg, but the itinerary also includes hikes to viewpoints, the Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, and the Buduruwagala Rock Temple in the Ella area, so the day combines the train ride with other stops.

What wildlife might I see on the Yala National Park safari?

Yala National Park is home to leopards, elephants, crocodiles, deer, and many bird species. A jeep safari takes you into the park to observe these animals in their natural habitat, though sightings depend on the season and wildlife movement on the day of your visit.

What is included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes all vehicle expenses, hotel pickup and drop-off, all fees and taxes, bottled water, and private transport. Entrance fees to attractions and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are not included and are paid separately.

Can I choose a different vehicle size for this tour?

Yes, you can select a car, bus, or van at checkout, depending on your group size and preference. The itinerary and stops remain the same. The vehicle type changes to suit your needs.

How does the tour handle the pace? Can I spend more time at certain stops?

The tour is private with a local driver-guide, so the itinerary can be customized to match your interests and pace. Whether you prefer a relaxed journey or want to pack in more activities, the guide works with you to adjust stops and timing within the 7-day framework.