8-Day Sri Lanka Classic Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy & Wildlife Safari

Summary

Sri Lanka Round Trip: Ancient Cities, Tea Hills & National Parks

This 8-day private Sri Lanka tour packs ancient cities, wildlife safaris, lush tea hills and coastal charm into one seamless trip—with local guides who really know their stuff and comfy rides throughout.

What’s the experience like?

Stepping out of Bandaranaike Airport, the air felt thick and warm—kind of like stepping into a greenhouse after rain. Our driver greeted us with a quick smile and a garland that smelled faintly sweet, then whisked us away in a van that had cold water bottles ready (a small but welcome touch). The drive to Sigiriya took a few hours, but honestly, I barely noticed—I was too busy watching tuk-tuks zip past and spotting roadside fruit stalls stacked with king coconuts. By the time we checked into our hotel in Habarana, all I wanted was a shower and to stretch out for a bit. No rush here; the rest of the day was ours to just settle in.

The next morning started early with Polonnaruwa. Walking among those ancient ruins, you can almost hear echoes from centuries ago—monkeys darting between stone columns, the sun already hot on your back by 10am. Our guide explained how this city was once the heart of Sri Lankan royalty; he pointed out faded carvings I’d have missed on my own. Lunch was simple—rice and curry at a local spot where everyone seemed to know each other—and then it was off to Minneriya National Park. We timed it right: around late afternoon, elephants began gathering near the reservoir’s edge. There must’ve been over a hundred, some so close you could see their ears flicking away flies. Back at our Sigiriya hotel that night, I couldn’t stop replaying those moments.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is something else up close—climbing those steep metal stairs with wind whipping around you isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the view from the top is worth every shaky step. If you’re up for it, ask about the village tour; we did one by ox cart and even tried our hand at making coconut sambol with locals who laughed at our clumsy attempts. On the way to Kandy, we stopped at Matale’s Hindu temple—the colors on that gopuram are wild—and wandered through a spice garden where cinnamon bark actually smells spicy when scraped fresh.

Kandy itself feels cooler than the lowlands—a relief after all that sun. The Temple of the Tooth Relic draws crowds (and drummers), but there’s something peaceful about walking barefoot inside while incense hangs in the air. We circled Kandy Lake as dusk settled and poked around little shops in Kandy City Center; I picked up some Ceylon tea for home.

The train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella is famous for good reason—windows wide open, wind in your face, endless green hills rolling past dotted with women picking tea leaves in bright saris. Sometimes clouds drift right through your carriage if it’s misty enough. In Ella, we hiked up Little Adam’s Peak before breakfast (bring water—it gets humid fast) and watched trains cross Nine Arch Bridge while kids played cricket nearby.

Heading south toward Tissamaharama meant stopping at Ravana Falls—a quick photo op—and then gearing up for Yala National Park’s jeep safari. There’s nothing quite like spotting a leopard slinking between bushes or seeing wild peacocks strut across dusty tracks as dusk falls. Our guide knew exactly where to wait quietly for elephants without disturbing them.

Mirissa brought sea breeze and slower mornings. On our way there we wandered through Galle Fort—old ramparts overlooking turquoise water and narrow lanes lined with quirky cafés (I grabbed an iced coffee at Poonie’s Kitchen). Mirissa itself is laid-back; perfect for unwinding before heading back to Colombo airport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Transfer to Sigiriya

• Arrival at Colombo Airport and transfer to Habarana
• Hotel check-in and leisure time

Day 2 — Polonnaruwa and Minneriya Safari

• Visit Polonnaruwa Ancient City and Minneriya National Park
• Return to Sigiriya hotel

Day 3 — Sigiriya and Travel to Kandy

• Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Optional village tour
• Visit spice garden and Hindu temple en route to Kandy
• Hotel check-in in Kandy

Day 4 — Kandy City Tour

• Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• Visit Kandy View Point and walk around Kandy Lake
• Shopping at Kandy City Center

Day 5 — Travel to Ella via Nuwara Eliya

• Drive to Nuwara Eliya and train ride to Ella

Day 6 — Ella to Yala Safari

• Visit Little Adam’s Peak and Nine Arch Bridge
• Visit Ravana Falls (20 minutes)
• Jeep safari in Yala National Park (5 hours)
• Overnight stay in Tissamaharama

Day 7 — Transfer to Mirissa and Galle Fort

• Visit Galle Dutch Fort
• Check-in and overnight in Mirissa

Day 8 — Departure from Mirissa

• Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Absolutely! Baby seats are available in all vehicles and activities can be adjusted based on your family’s needs.

Are meals included during the tour?

Lunch is included daily; breakfast is usually provided by your hotel. You’ll also get bottled water and occasional coffee or tea stops along the way.

Can I request extra stops or customize parts of the itinerary?

Your driver-guide is flexible—just let them know what interests you most! Small detours or extra stops can often be arranged if time allows.

How accessible are these sites for travelers with mobility needs?

The vehicles are wheelchair accessible and most main attractions offer reasonable access; let us know any specific requirements ahead of time so we can help plan accordingly.

What’s included

You’ll travel in an air-conditioned private vehicle (car or van) with free Wi-Fi onboard and bottled water always handy. An English-speaking driver-guide handles everything from navigation to local tips. Lunches are covered each day plus coffee or tea breaks when possible. All highway fees are included too—and if you’re traveling with little ones or need special seating arrangements, just mention it ahead of time so we can set things up comfortably for you.