8-Day Sri Lanka Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala Safari

Rock fortresses, tea highlands, temple visits, and a wildlife safari across one island

An 8-day guided tour of Sri Lanka starting in Colombo, moving through Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Ella and Yala National Park, ending in Mirissa. You travel by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, stay 7 nights in a hotel of your chosen standard, and meals plus transport are included throughout. The itinerary mixes archaeological sites, a scenic train journey, village experiences and a jeep safari to see wild elephants and leopards.

Options for this experience

4 options

From US$ 692.31 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Economy hotel for a budget stay 07:00 Guide in English Budget hotels come with all the amenities guests need. Room configuration depends on group size, from one single room for 1 guest up to three double rooms for 6 guests. Pickup is included.

Standard hotel rated 3 to 4 stars 07:00 Guide in English Standard hotels provide all the amenities guests need and offer a higher standard than budget hotels. Room configuration depends on group size, from one single room for 1 guest up to three double rooms for 6 guests. Car, van or bus. Pickup is included.

Luxury hotel with a 4-star rating 07:00 Guide in English Luxury hotels offer high-quality rooms with good amenities and better facilities than standard rooms. Room configuration depends on the number of guests, from one single room for 1 guest up to three double rooms for 6 guests. 4 Star Luxury Hotel with car, van or bus. Pickup is included.

Super luxury hotel rated 5 stars 07:00 Guide in English Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Sigiriya

• Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport
• Meet tour representative and receive flower garland
• Transfer to Habarana
• Check in at hotel in Sigiriya
• Relax at leisure

Day 2: Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit archaeological city of Polonnaruwa
• Have lunch
• Drive to Minneriya National Park
• See wild elephants
• Return to hotel in Sigiriya

Day 3: Sigiriya to Kandy via attractions

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Optional village tour
• Visit spice garden
• Visit Hindu temple in Matale
• Drive to Kandy
• Check in at hotel in Kandy

Day 4: Kandy city tour

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

Day 5: Scenic train ride to Ella

• Train ride from Kandy to Ella
• Check in at hotel in Ella

Day 6: Ella to Yala National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Little Adam’s Peak
• Visit Nine Arch Bridge
• Visit Ravana Falls
• Drive to Tissamaharama
• Check in at hotel in Tissamaharama
• Jeep safari in Yala National Park

Day 7: Transfer to Mirissa

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Mirissa
• Check in at hotel in Mirissa

Day 8: Departure from Mirissa

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport
• End of tour

What’s included

• Seven nights in a hotel of your chosen standard.
• air-conditioned private vehicle with driver throughout.
• English-speaking guide.
• lunch most days.
• coffee and tea.
• bottled water.
• free Wi-Fi.
• all highway fees and passenger insurance.
• port pickup and drop-off from Colombo airport.
• local vehicle insurance.

Times

• Every day 07:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Private 2 group tours ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (16 to 80 years) · Senior (81 and older) · Youth (14 to 15 years) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Infant seats available Public transport nearby

Operated by Lanka Safe Tours

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

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The experience

The tour starts when you land at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. A representative meets you with a garland of flowers, then drives you to Habarana near Sigiriya for your first night. The next morning you visit Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital, then head to Minneriya National Park to watch wild elephants before returning to Sigiriya. Day three takes you to Sigiriya Rock Fortress itself (a UNESCO site rising nearly 200 metres above the plateau), where you can spend three hours exploring the ancient ruins. On the same day, your driver stops at a spice garden to show how local spices grow and are processed, and at the Hindu Temple Matale with its 55-metre decorated tower before you reach Kandy.

Kandy holds two days. You visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most sacred sites, walk around Kandy Lake and shop at the city center. The real standout comes next: a three-hour train ride from Nanuoya to Ella, ranked among the world's most scenic rail journeys. The route climbs through tea plantations and misty highlands into a quiet village surrounded by waterfalls and green hills. From Ella, you drive toward the coast, stopping at Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, then pause at Ravana Falls before reaching Tissamaharama. That afternoon you board a jeep for a five-hour safari in Yala National Park, where the park's 130,000 hectares hold Sri Lankan elephants, leopards and water birds across light forests, grasslands and lagoons. Your final stop is Mirissa on the south coast, then an early morning transfer back to Colombo airport to catch your flight home.

The vehicle is air-conditioned throughout, with free Wi-Fi and bottled water on board. Your guide speaks English and holds a Sri Lanka Tourism Board license. Lunch is included most days, along with coffee or tea. Seven nights of accommodation come in your choice of budget, standard or luxury hotels: the price adjusts by tier. National park entry fees and gratuities are separate, but all highway fees, passenger insurance and port transfers are covered.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 15 years); Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is Sigiriya Rock Fortress and how long do you spend there?

Sigiriya is an ancient rock column nearly 200 metres high, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its preserved urban planning and archaeological remains. You spend three hours exploring the fortress and its surroundings on day three of the tour.

Does the tour include the train ride from Kandy to Ella?

Yes. The three-hour train journey from Nanuoya to Ella is part of the itinerary and is known as one of the world's most scenic rail trips, climbing through tea plantations and highlands.

What happens during the Yala National Park safari?

You board a jeep for a five-hour safari in Yala, Sri Lanka's most visited national park. The park spans 130,000 hectares and is home to Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, and aquatic birds across forests, grasslands and lagoons.

Are meals included in the 8-day tour?

Lunch is included throughout the tour. Coffee and tea are also provided. Breakfast is at your hotel each morning. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Can I choose which hotel standard I stay in?

Yes. At checkout you select from four options: Budget/Economy Hotel, 3-4 Star Standard Hotel, 4 Star Luxury Hotel, or 5 Star Super Luxury Hotel. The nightly rate adjusts by your choice.

Does the tour price include national park entry fees?

National park fees are not included in the tour price and are paid separately. All other transport, highway fees, passenger insurance and hotel stays are covered.