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

Seven days following your own route through Sri Lanka's wildlife, temples, and tea country

A 7-day private guided tour of Sri Lanka based in Hikkaduwa, visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the hill country town of Ella, with wildlife safaris, train rides, and stays in 4-star hotels. You customize the itinerary day by day; your English-speaking driver-guide handles transport, timing, and navigation while you decide what to see and how long to linger. Airport or hotel pickup is included, as are fuel, tolls, and accommodation on a half-board basis—entrance fees to attractions are paid on-site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Wilpattu Safari

• Arrive at airport or hotel
• 4x4 jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park
• Overnight at Thimbiri Wewa Resort Wilpattu

Day 2 — Wilpattu to Sigiriya Exploration

• Traditional village tour in Hiriwadunna
• 4x4 jeep safari in Kaudulla or Minneriya National Park
• Climb Pidurangala Rock at sunset
• Ayurvedic wellness experience in Sigiriya
• Overnight at Kassapa Lion Rock hotel

Day 3 — Sigiriya to Kandy Cultural Tour

• Visit Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress
• Tour Herbal and Spice Garden in Matale
• Visit Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil temple
• Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy
• Enjoy Kandy Lake Club Cultural Show
• Stop at Kandy View Point
• Overnight at Hotel Topaz

Day 4 — Kandy to Ella Scenic Journey

• Visit Ambuluwawa Tower in Gampola
• Tour Blue Field Tea Factory in Ramboda
• Stop at Ramboda Waterfall viewpoint
• Visit Nine Arch Bridge in Ella
• Scenic city tour of Ella
• Overnight at La Ella Breeze hotel

Day 5 — Ella to Mirissa Adventure

• Scenic Ella train ride
• Hike to Little Adam’s Peak
• Stop at Ravana Ella Falls
• Zipline at Flying Ravana Adventure Park
• Overnight at Madara Resort

Day 6 — Mirissa Ocean Activities

• Morning diving adventure in Mirissa
• Evening kayak safari in Kamburugamuwa
• Whale watching cruise
• Sea turtle observation with local guides
• Overnight at Madara Resort

Day 7 — Hikkaduwa and Southern Coast

• Visit Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project
• Visit Kalutara Bodhiya temple
• Boat safari on Madu Ganga River
• Visit Coconut Tree Hill viewpoint

The Experience

Seven days means you're not rushing between checkpoints on a fixed schedule. You have a professional local driver-guide who speaks English and knows the routes, the wildlife patterns, and where the light hits best at different hours. The vehicle is private—no other travelers, no shared stops—so if you want to spend an extra hour at Sigiriya's summit or skip a temple to rest, you simply tell your guide. The itinerary arrives as a suggestion, not a mandate.

The route moves through three distinct landscapes. Start with a 4x4 safari in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest, where leopards, sloth bears, and herds of elephants move through natural lakes and grasslands. From there, head inland to the Cultural Triangle: climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a 5th-century palace rising nearly 200 meters above the plains, with frescoes and a Mirror Wall along the way; visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, one of Buddhism's holiest sites; explore a traditional Herbal and Spice Garden in Matale; and take a second safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, where you may witness the Elephant Gathering during the dry season. A scenic train ride carries you from Ella through tea plantations and misty mountains—one of the world's most photographed railway journeys. In Ella itself, hike to Little Adam's Peak for panoramic views of the Ella Gap, visit the Nine Arch Bridge, and stop at Ravana Falls. The final days move south to the coast: whale watching and diving in Mirissa, a boat safari through mangrove forests on the Madu Ganga River, and a visit to the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project near Hikkaduwa, where you observe rescued turtles and hatchlings before release.

Accommodation is in carefully selected 4-star hotels on a half-board basis—breakfast and dinner included, lunch left to your choice. The driver waits at your hotel each morning; the vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped for long drives. Your guide speaks English and can arrange optional activities like Ayurvedic massage in Sigiriya, the Kandy Lake Club Cultural Show, or the Flying Ravana zipline in Ella. Entrance fees to attractions are paid directly on-site, not bundled in advance, so you control which sites matter most to you.

What’s included

• Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for all seven days.
• professional English-speaking driver-guide.
• seven nights in 4-star hotels on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner).
• fuel, highway tolls, parking fees, and driver expenses.
• the scenic train ride from Hali Ela to Ella.
• flexibility to customize the itinerary day by day based on your interests.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sundown Tours Sri Lanka

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a relaxed pace with some active days—safaris start early, and climbs like Sigiriya and Little Adam's Peak require steady walking—but your guide adjusts timing and stops to match your energy. Choose this if you want a private vehicle and guide who know the routes and wildlife patterns, so you're not navigating or driving yourself, and you can linger at sites that matter to you without holding up a group schedule.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I see on the safaris in Wilpattu and Minneriya?

Wilpattu National Park is known for Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears, elephants, spotted deer, crocodiles, buffalo, and numerous bird species. Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks are famous for large herds of Asian elephants, especially during the dry season when the Elephant Gathering brings hundreds together near the reservoir; you'll also encounter deer, wild buffalo, crocodiles, and monkeys.

How much time do I spend climbing and walking each day?

The tour mixes driving days with active ones. Sigiriya Rock Fortress involves a substantial climb with stone steps and a rock scramble to the summit. Little Adam's Peak near Ella is a gentler hike of 30–45 minutes through tea plantations. Pidurangala Rock takes 20–30 minutes to reach the top. Other days center on vehicle travel, boat safaris, and shorter walks to viewpoints like the Nine Arch Bridge and Coconut Tree Hill. Your guide adjusts the pace based on your fitness and interest.

Can I really customize the itinerary, or is it set in stone?

The itinerary is fully customizable subject to availability. You decide which attractions matter to you, how long to stay at each, and which optional activities to add—Ayurvedic massage, the cultural show, the zipline, whale watching, or diving. Your driver-guide works around your choices each morning, so the route adapts to what you want to see.

What's included in the hotel stays, and what do I pay separately?

Your 7 nights in 4-star hotels include accommodation and half board (breakfast and dinner). Entrance fees to all attractions—Sigiriya, the temples, national parks, the turtle conservation center—are paid directly on-site when you visit, not pre-booked. Lunch is your choice and expense. Optional activities like diving, whale watching, or the zipline are arranged and paid separately.

Is the train ride from Ella included, and how long does it take?

Yes, the scenic train ride from Hali Ela to Ella is included in the tour. The journey passes through tea plantations, misty mountains, tunnels, and waterfalls, offering some of the most photographed views in Sri Lanka. Your guide will coordinate the timing and help you board; the ride itself is one of the highlights of the hill country section.

What languages does the driver-guide speak?

Your driver-guide speaks English as the primary language. German, Polish, and Russian are also available depending on the guide assigned to your tour. French is available as well. Confirm your language preference when booking.