8-Day Private Tour Sri Lanka: Kandy to Beaches with Land Cruiser

Kandy's mountain railway to elephant safaris and coral reefs in eight days

An 8-day private guided tour of Sri Lanka starting in Colombo and moving through the central highlands to the south coast, with a Land Cruiser Prado, English-speaking guide, professional photography and drone videography. The itinerary includes a three-hour train ride from Kandy to Ella, a safari in Udawalawa National Park, and stops at Ravana Falls, Nine Arch Bridge, and coastal towns from Unawatuna to Bentota before returning to Colombo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Kandy

• Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport
• Meet tour representative
• Travel to Kandy
• Check in at hotel
• Relax at hotel

Day 2: Train journey from Kandy to Ella

• Travel by train from Kandy to Ella
• Enjoy scenic landscapes
• Explore Ella village

Day 3: Visit waterfalls and safari

• Visit Nine Arch Bridge
• Stop at Ravana Falls
• Travel to Udawalawa
• Check in at hotel
• Go on wildlife safari

Day 4: Travel to Unawatuna beach

• Travel to Unawatuna
• Relax on Unawatuna Beach

Day 5: Boat safari and beach activities

• Boat safari in morning
• Travel to Hikkaduwa
• Snorkel or surf
• Relax on beach

Day 6: Explore Bentota and water sports

• Travel to Bentota
• Boat safari on Bentota River
• Visit Brief Garden
• Enjoy Ayurvedic spa

Day 7: Explore Colombo city

• Travel to Colombo
• Visit Gangaramaya Temple
• Visit National Museum
• Stroll Viharamahadevi Park
• Shop at Pettah Market
• Try local street food

Day 8: Departure from Colombo

• Have breakfast
• Travel to Bandaranaike International Airport
• Prepare for departure

The experience

The route runs from Colombo airport through Sri Lanka's interior and down to the southern beaches. After arrival, you're picked up and driven to Kandy for your first night. The next day brings the signature moment: a three-hour train journey from Kandy to Ella, one of the most photographed rail routes in the world, climbing through tea plantations and mountain passes into the central highlands. Ella itself sits in a valley ringed by waterfalls and green hills, and the itinerary includes a stop at Nine Arch Bridge on the way south to Udawalawa.

Udawalawa National Park is where the safari happens: elephants, leopards and bird species move through the park, and you spend time watching them from the vehicle. The coast comes next: Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa and Bentota each get a day, with boat safaris along the Bentota River and time in the water. The final stretch returns to Colombo for a morning in the city (the Gangaramaya Temple, the National Museum, Viharamahadevi Park) before heading to the airport.

Your guide speaks English, German or Russian, and travels with you the whole way. The Land Cruiser Prado seats your group and carries luggage. Breakfast is included each morning. The photography matters here: the operator shoots with a Canon professional camera and a DJI Mini 5 Pro drone, so you leave with edited video and stills from the route, not just phone snapshots.

What’s included

• Land Cruiser Prado with driver.
• English, German or Russian-speaking guide.
• breakfast each morning.
• professional photography with Canon camera.
• drone videography with DJI Mini 5 Pro.
• bottled water.

Options for this experience

2 options

An 8-day Sri Lanka tour with a private driver and vehicleGuide in English, German or Russian · 06:00Includes pickup in a Toyota LC Prado 150

Eight days of touring in Sri LankaGuide in English, German or Russian · 06:00Includes pickup in a Land Cruiser 150

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

Audio guideEnglish, German and Russian

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 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel with Heshitha

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the highlands and the coast in one trip and value having professional video and photos from the journey. The eight-day span fits the train ride, the safari and three separate beach towns without rushing any of them, and the private guide and vehicle let you adjust the pace at each stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

What is the train ride from Kandy to Ella actually like?

The Kandy to Ella train takes roughly three hours and climbs through the central highlands, passing tea plantations and mountain scenery. It's an open-air journey (windows down, views on both sides), and widely considered one of the world's most scenic train routes. The route ends in Ella, a village in the hills where the itinerary includes time to explore waterfalls and walking trails.

Does the safari in Udawalawa mean we'll actually see elephants?

Udawalawa National Park is home to elephants, leopards and numerous bird species. The itinerary includes a safari in the park, though wildlife sightings depend on the animals' movement and timing. The park is known for elephant populations, and the guide will drive the routes where they're most likely to appear.

What happens on the beach days? Is there time to swim or snorkel?

Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa and Bentota are all coastal towns with beaches and coral reefs. The itinerary includes a boat safari in the morning from Unawatuna, and the remaining time in each town is yours to use as you wish: swimming, snorkeling, water sports or simply resting on the sand are all options.

How does the photography work? Do we get the drone footage and photos?

The guide shoots video on a DJI Mini 5 Pro drone and photographs on a Canon professional camera throughout the eight days. You receive edited video and photographs from the tour, so the memories are captured in higher quality than phone footage and delivered after the trip ends.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Breakfast, the Land Cruiser Prado with driver and guide, bottled water, professional photography and drone videography are included. Lunch, dinner, entrance fees to attractions, safaris, boat rides and personal expenses are separate. Your guide can advise on costs for each activity as you move through the itinerary.