10-day Sri Lanka round tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Yala safari
Ten days to move through Sri Lanka without arranging the route
A 10-day guided round tour of Sri Lanka starting and ending in Hikkaduwa, traveling by private air-conditioned car or van with a certified driver. The itinerary covers Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Minneriya National Park safari, a scenic train journey through tea country to Ella, Yala National Park safari, whale watching from Mirissa, Galle Fort, and snorkeling with sea turtles in Hikkaduwa. Lunch is included. Pickup is available. The operator holds the #1 rating for round tours in Sri Lanka and won Best Cultural Tour Company of the Year in 2022.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Visit Sigiriya Fortress and Village
- Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Taste Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch
Day 2: Sunrise and Safari at Sigiriya
- Visit Pidurangala rock temple at sunrise
- Evening safari at Minneriya National Park
Day 3: Explore Kandy Temples
- Visit Dambulla cave temple at 8 am
- Visit Kandy Temple of Tooth Relic in evening
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya and Surroundings
- Visit tea factory and tea gardens
- See Ramboda Falls at Pussellawa town
- Visit Nuwara Eliya old post office in evening
Day 5: Train Journey to Ella
- Start train journey from Nanu Oya
- Enjoy scenic train ride to Ella
Day 6: Walk and Hike in Ella
- Walk on Nine Arch Bridge
- Hike Little Adams Peak
Day 7: Yala Safari and Waterfall
- Visit Ravana waterfalls near Ella
- Half day safari at Yala National Park
Day 8: Travel to Mirissa with Stops
- Stop at Tangalle for lunch or breakfast
- Visit Coconut Tree Hill viewpoint
Day 9: Whale Watching and Galle Fort
- Early morning whale watching from Mirissa harbour
- Visit Old Galle Fort
Day 10: Beach and Wildlife at Hikkaduwa
- Snorkel and surf at Hikkaduwa Beach
- Evening Madu river boat safari
- Visit sea turtle hatchery near Kosgoda
What’s included
- Lunch throughout the 10 days.
- private air-conditioned car or van with certified, licensed driver.
- pickup included.
- visits to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala rock temple, Minneriya National Park safari, Dambulla cave temple, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, tea factory and gardens, Ramboda Falls, train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella, Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak, Yala National Park half-day safari, Ravana Falls, whale watching from Mirissa, Galle Fort, Hikkaduwa Beach snorkeling with turtles, Madu River boat safari, and sea turtle hatchery near Kosgoda.
Times
- Every day 23:30 00:00 08:00
Before you book
Operated by Hikkaduwa Taxi Service
Prices and times updated 12 days ago
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The experience
Ten days means you move through the whole island without backtracking or deciding which stops fit. The route starts at Sigiriya: an ancient fortress built by King Kashyapa that sits on a rock face and counts as one of the eight wonders of the world. From there you climb Pidurangala rock temple at 5 am to watch the sunrise over Sigiriya's lion rock, then head to Minneriya National Park in the evening for a safari where herds of elephants gather at the lake at sunset.
The middle days take you inland through tea country. You visit Dambulla cave temple to see ancient painted Buddha statues, then the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, which matters most to local Buddhists. Before reaching Nuwara Eliya you stop at a tea factory and tea gardens, and pass Ramboda Falls near Pussellawa. A train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella (described as one of the world's most beautiful railway routes) replaces the car for a morning, and your driver meets you at the station. From Ella you walk the Nine Arch Bridge to photograph trains crossing it, then climb Little Adams Peak for the views.
The route turns toward the coast and wildlife. A half-day safari at Yala National Park in a private 4x4 jeep happens after you visit Ravana Falls. Whale watching boats leave Mirissa harbour at 6 am, and you stop at Galle Fort on the way back to the coast. In Hikkaduwa you snorkel with sea turtles, take optional surf lessons, explore the Madu River by boat to see mangroves and wildlife, and visit a sea turtle hatchery near Kosgoda. Lunch is included throughout. The driver and guide speak English and are certified and licensed.
Is this one for you?Choose the car if you're traveling as a couple or small group. Choose the van if you're traveling with a larger party or prefer extra legroom for the full 10 days of driving. Either way, the route and stops stay the same. You're paying for transport and a guide who knows the itinerary, not deciding it day by day.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Danish, Romanian, Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian, Hindi, Arabic, Czech, Norwegian, Croatian, Russian, Swedish and Dutch.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the difference between booking the car option and the van option for this 10-day tour?
The car is an air-conditioned sedan with good legroom for smaller groups. The van offers the same comfort and air conditioning with more space for larger groups. Both are driven by the same certified guides and follow the identical 10-day itinerary.
Do I have to book the whole 10 days, or can I do a shorter version of this route?
This listing is the full 10-day round tour. The operator sets the price per day for either the car or van, so you can adjust the total cost by the number of days you travel, but the itinerary and route are fixed.
What happens on the train day from Nanu Oya to Ella?
You board a train in the morning at Nanu Oya and ride to Ella: one of the world's most scenic railway journeys through tea plantations and mountain scenery. Your driver meets you at Ella station and continues the tour from there.
Is the whale watching trip included in the 10-day tour, or do I pay extra?
Whale watching boats depart from Mirissa harbour at 6 am on the day you reach that part of the coast. The tour includes transport to the harbour. The boat trip itself is arranged as part of the itinerary, though you should confirm the cost when you book.
Can I do snorkeling with turtles in Hikkaduwa, or is that optional?
Snorkeling with sea turtles in Hikkaduwa is part of the itinerary. Surf lessons and separate snorkeling trips are also available in Hikkaduwa if you want to add them.
10-day Sri Lanka round tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Yala safari
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from US$ 59 per group
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