8-day Sri Lanka tour from Negombo: Private driver, all hotels
Climb Sigiriya Rock at dawn, ride the train to Ella through tea plantations, and watch whales from Mirissa's shore.
An 8-day guided tour of Sri Lanka departing from Negombo with a private driver, hotel stays, and city sightseeing included. You travel through ancient temple towns, national parks, and coastal villages (Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Mirissa) with the same English-speaking chauffeur and transport for the full journey. Entrance fees to monuments, safari jeep rides, and train tickets are booked separately. Meal plans and accommodation grade (standard or luxury) are chosen at checkout.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Airport to Sigiriya and Dambulla
- Meet English-speaking driver in Colombo
- Drive to Sigiriya
- Visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
- Evening 4x4 safari at Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco National Park
- Overnight at Sigiriya
Day 2: Sigiriya to Kandy
- Early morning climb Sigiriya Rock
- Return to hotel for breakfast
- Drive to Kandy
- Visit Nalanda Gedige
- Visit Mathale Spice Garden
- Visit Gem Museum and Workshop
- Visit Hindu temple
- Kandy city tour
- Evening traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance Performance
- Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Overnight at Kandy
Day 3: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
- Drive to Nuwara Eliya
- Visit Ramboda Falls
- Visit Tea Plantation and Tea Factory
- Nuwara Eliya city tour
- Overnight at Nuwara Eliya
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya to Ella
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit Gregory Lake
- Visit Victoria Park Garden
- Train ride to Ella
- Evening climb Little Adam’s Peak
- Overnight at Ella
Day 5: Ella to Tissamaharama and Safari
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive to Tissamaharama
- Visit Rawana Waterfall
- Visit Buduruwagala Rock Temple
- Evening safari at Yala or Udawalawe National Park
- Overnight at Tissamaharama
Day 6: Tissamaharama to Mirissa
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive to Mirissa
- Visit snake farm
- Evening leisure at beach resort
- Overnight at Mirissa
Day 7: Whale Watching and Sunset in Mirissa
- Early morning whale watching
- Return to hotel
- Visit Parrot Rock
- Watch sunset over Coconut Tree Hill
- Overnight at Mirissa
Day 8: Departure from Sri Lanka
- Breakfast at hotel
- Check out from hotel
- Visit Sea Turtle Hatchery and Rescue Centre
- Visit Galle Dutch Fort
- Madu River Boat Safari
- Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport or Negombo
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned transport with an English-speaking chauffeur for all eight days.
- hotel accommodations in standard or luxury properties (your choice).
- airport meet-and-greet and transfer.
- city tours and sightseeing at each stop.
- a complimentary SIM card for the group on request.
- bottled water daily.
- and meals for the driver arranged to suit North Indian, Halal, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or Jain requirements.
Times
- Every day 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00
Before you book
Operated by Beauty Lanka Travels
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
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The experience
The tour starts with airport pickup and a drive south to Sigiriya, stopping at Dambulla Cave Temple on the way. That first evening you join a 4x4 safari in one of the nearby eco-parks (Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu) to watch for elephants. The next morning, climb Sigiriya Rock before the heat peaks, then drive west to Kandy. On the way you pass through Nalanda Gedige, visit a spice garden and gem workshop, and tour a Hindu temple. The evening holds a traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance Performance and entry to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
From Kandy, the route climbs into the hill country. You stop at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, then continue to Nuwara Eliya, passing Ramboda Falls and a working tea plantation and factory. The next day brings Gregory Lake and Victoria Park, followed by the 12:40 train to Ella. A scenic ride through tea fields and mountain passes with views that shift as you descend. In Ella, climb Little Adam's Peak in the evening. The following morning you drive south toward the coast, passing Rawana Waterfall and Buduruwagala Rock Temple before reaching Tissamaharama. Here you choose between a safari at Yala or Udawalawe National Park (jeep and entrance paid separately).
The final stretch moves to Mirissa on the south coast. You visit a snake farm on arrival, then spend the evening at leisure on the beach. The next morning departs at 6:30 for whale watching, returning for breakfast before the day opens again. Watch the sunset from Coconut Tree Hill and Parrot Rock. On the last day, you're transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo or Negombo for your flight home. Depending on your departure time, the route may include the Sea Turtle Hatchery, Galle Dutch Fort, and a Madu River boat safari (boat and entrance paid separately).
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Negombo or Colombo without a rental car and want a single driver to handle all eight days of navigation, timing, and logistics: the same person stays with you from the airport through the final transfer, so you move between regions without switching vehicles or guides.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5): free.
What's included in the 8-day tour and what do I pay extra for?
The tour includes your private driver and air-conditioned transport for all eight days, hotel accommodations (standard or luxury, your choice), airport pickup, city tours and sightseeing, a complimentary SIM card on request, and bottled water daily. Entrance fees to temples and monuments, national park safari jeeps, train tickets, and boat rides are booked and paid separately. Meal plans (lunch and dinner) are also optional add-ons at checkout.
Do I need to book the train to Ella in advance, or is it guaranteed?
The 12:40 train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is included in the itinerary, but tickets are not guaranteed. During high season, there is only about a 50% chance of securing seats due to demand, and availability can only be confirmed one day before the scheduled date. Your driver will arrange this as soon as possible, and the operator asks for flexibility if tickets cannot be secured.
Can I choose which national park to visit? Yala or Udawalawe?
Yes. On day five, after arriving in Tissamaharama, you choose between an evening safari at Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park based on wildlife availability and your preference. The jeep and entrance fee for whichever park you select are paid separately and not included in the tour price.
Is the whale watching in Mirissa included, or do I pay separately?
The whale-watching boat departure at 6:30 am from Mirissa is part of the itinerary, but the boat ride itself is not included in the tour package and must be paid separately. Your driver will help arrange it.
What happens on the last day if my flight leaves early?
Your final day includes a transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo or Negombo. Depending on your flight time, the route may include stops at the Sea Turtle Hatchery, Galle Dutch Fort, and a Madu River boat safari on the way to the airport. The boat ride and entrance fees for these stops are not included and are optional.
Is the driver with me the whole eight days, or does it change?
The same English-speaking private driver stays with you for the entire eight-day tour, handling all transport between destinations. The driver's meals and accommodation are included in the package.
8-day Sri Lanka tour from Negombo: Private driver, all hotels
8d · EN
from US$ 665.39 per person
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