Sri Lanka Tour Itinerary 12 Days
Tour Overview
The 12-day Sri Lanka tour itinerary is intended for explorers, environment enthusiasts, animal lovers, and anybody else who wants to discover this stunning pearl island. Explore Sri Lanka's history while taking in the breathtaking scenery that the tropical island is endowed with. The most breathtaking animals and beautiful mountain ranges in Sri Lanka are just waiting to be explored on foot. Sri Lanka is the most welcoming tourist destination in the world, regardless of whether you are traveling alone or with a group. In this Sri Lanka itinerary, we take you to the top locations where you may savor delectable, original Sri Lankan cuisine as well as the most beautiful locations to give you the full travel experience.
What's Included
Trip Highlights
Day 01 - Polonnaruwa
This Sri Lanka itinerary is a journey through the best Sri Lanka destinations for almost two weeks! The first city in our Sri Lanka itinerary: Polonnaruwa, bears a rich history to be discovered by you. Welcome to the city that was once a kingdom and thus protects some of the best-preserved archeological relics of the world. You walk into the remnants of the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu, the archaeological museum of Polonnaruwa, the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, and many more well-conserved historical sites. You are amazed by the details put to each of these remnants. You then visit a royal Sri Lanka attraction called Parakrama Samudraya, a water reservoir consisting of five lakes. You spend the evening beside one of these lakes surrounded by lush greenery. – A moment to remember!
Day 01 Activities
- Arrive and explore the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa
- Walk through the well-preserved remnants of the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu
- Visit the archaeological museum of Polonnaruwa and the Polonnaruwa Vatadage
- Discover the royal water reservoir, Parakrama Samudraya
- Spend a peaceful evening beside the lake surrounded by lush greenery
Day 02 - Sigiriya
Day 2 of this tour starts with the most visited Sri Lanka attractions. Sigiriya is one of the places where locals believe they must visit, at least once in their lifetime, which is why we included this destination for your Sri Lanka itinerary. Due to the locals’ insisting, you alternate the climb to the Sigiriya rock by hiking through the Pidurangala rock. As you reach the cliff you are rewarded with the breath-taking view of the Sigiriya rock surrounded by the thick forest, beautiful water streams with the perfect breeze that plays with your hair. This golden land; is also home to the stunning ‘Royal Gardens’; which is one of the oldest gardens in the world. You end the day with a soul-tapping walk in the village: the calm before the adventures that await in your Sri Lanka itinerary!
Day 02 Activities
- Wake up to the beautiful Polonaruwa village life
- Take a morning walk around the charming village
- Enjoy the breakfast buffet overlooking the lake
- Taste tropical fruits fresh from the village
- Proceed to the city of Sigirya
- On the way, visit Mineriya National Park for wildlife
- Check in to your beautiful hotel in Sigirya
- In the afternoon, climb Sigirya Rock Fortress
- Back to the hotel and relax
- Devour a humongous dinner buffet at the hotel
Day 03 - Kandy
Waking up on the third day of your Sri Lanka holiday itinerary, all you feel is the luscious nature. Surrounded by bio-diverse rainforests and misty mountain ranges, Kandy is an ancient capital located in the central hills and is one of the best places to visit in your Sri Lanka itinerary. It is among the top Sri Lanka destinations with scenic beauty! So you wander around a royal botanical garden and sip a cup of tea in a café inside: while sinking in its spellbinding natural beauty. There is so much more to do in this city of art and beauty. You check your Sri Lanka itinerary and decide to go on a city tour. You walk through batik and wood carvings shops, visit ancient temples, and end the day with a calming boat ride.
Day 03 Activities
- Start your day with a never-ending breakfast buffet
- Enjoy mouth-watering fresh tropical fruits
- Exit from dry zoon in Sri Lanka to cool hill stations
- On the way stop by at Dambulla cave temple
- Visit Spice village and know about famous Sri Lanka spices
- Enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan meal cooked in spice village
- Check in to the enticing Kandy hotel & refresh
- Visit the most famous Kandy temple
- Enjoy a flavourful dinner buffet at the hotel
- End your day with a refreshing Sri Lankan Lion beer
Day 04 - Ella
Beautiful Sri Lanka is all you are asking for, and we give that on your wonderful Sri Lanka itinerary. Ella town is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka from your Sri Lanka tour itinerary. You experience one of the most picturesque train rides in the world when you pass beautiful mountains, steamy waterfalls, luscious forests, and villages with beaming locals: on the Kandy to Ella train. You climb the Ella rock and walk along the rails on the famous Nine Arch Bridge. As promised by your customized Sri Lanka itinerary, you arrive at the edge of the Diyaluma falls yet, another Sri Lanka attraction. You jump right in the gushing water, and you feel like you are in an infinity pool, but it is all the magic of nature!
Day 04 Activities
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Proceed to Ella
- Enjoy a world famous train ride
- Capture beautiful waterfalls and old style train stations
- Check in to the charming Ella hotel & refresh
- Taste original Ceylon Tea at a tea estate
- Witness the famous Ella Gap
- Visit the beautiful Nine Arch Bridge
- Bath in natural pools of beautiful waterfalls
- Hike mini Adams Peak
- Appetizing Sri Lankan dinner buffet at the hotel
Day 05 - Yala National Park
You have been patiently waiting for the daring adventures in your Sri Lanka itinerary, and finally, it is the day! Yala National Park is one of the most loved Sri Lanka attractions for its jungle ride full of excitement, and it is never an option to miss on your Sri Lanka tour. You are in the jungle, and suddenly you realize that it doesn’t matter at what time you venture into the wilderness because, as the name declares, it is wild! As promised by your Sri Lanka itinerary, you witness the mesmerizing leopards, gigantic elephants, and different species of vibrant birds hovering on tree branches chittering and chattering as you arrive. Even though we planned your Sri Lanka tour itinerary, nothing is planned in the jungle!
Day 05 Activities
- Delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel
- Check out and proceed to Yala national park
- Check in to the tropical hotel in Yala
- Gear up for the jungle safari
- 4 x 4 jeep safari to the jungle in Yala National Park
- Proceed back to hotel for over-night stay
- Enjoy a BBQ dinner with a Sri Lankan Lion beer
Day 06 & 07 - Mirissa
Your Sri Lanka itinerary just got interesting! There are plenty of things to do in Mirissa, and the amount of hype over this beachfront city is undeniable, which is why we added the destination for your Sri Lanka itinerary. When we say your Sri Lanka itinerary is made just for you, it means you are spending three whole days on the beach! You feel your adrenaline still kicking in from the ride to Yala as you get ready to go snorkeling, scuba diving, and kite surfing! You didn’t forget to take an Instagram-worthy snap in the famous Coconut tree spot. Early on the second day, you go dolphin and whale watching in Mirissa beach and enjoy the day with water sports. As the sun is slowly setting, you joyously lie on the soft beach with your loved ones.
Day 06 & 07 Activities
Activities – Day 06
- Enjoy a delicious grand breakfast buffet at hotel
- Take a walk around the Yala village with locals
- Check out from the hotel
- Proceed to breathtaking Mirissa Beach
- On the way, visit Sri Lankan stilt fishermen
- Check in to beach front hotel in Mirissa
- Relax and enjoy your time by the beach
- Taste the Sri Lankan crab dish at the dinner buffet
Activities – Day 07
- Wake up to the sound of the beach waves
- Early morning Yoga session at the beach
- Breakfast buffet at hotel overlooking the beautiful Indian ocean
- Prepare to take a boat ride to visit whales & dolphins
- Take part in a range of exciting water sports
- Later proceed back to your beach hotel & relax
- Witness the most amazing sunset with a cocktail
- Enjoy the BBQ & seafood dinner buffet
- Have fun in a Calypso and sing along beach party
Day 08 & 09 - Sinharaja
From the pristine beaches back to the jungle! Your adventure in this Sri Lanka tour itinerary is not over yet. After a wonderful week in this tropical paradise: it’s time to explore the Sinharaja Rain Forest. You find a beautiful natural water spring surrounded by the luscious forest. You hop into it with a sweet king coconut in your hand. Ah! It sure feels good. After a relaxing time, you get back to the beautiful hotel reserved for you and have a delicious Sri Lankan meal with mouth-watering curries. The following morning of your Sri Lanka itinerary, you go for a village walk in the naturally beautiful Sinharaja with welcoming villagers. You get back to the Sinharaja forest and have your breakfast in the jungle! After all, this is an authentic Sri Lanka itinerary.
Day 08 & 09 Activities
- Wake up to the beautiful bird chirpings
- Start the day with a jungle walk
- Trekkers will stop inside the jungle for breakfast
- Continue jungle trekking in Sinharaja Rainforest
- Proceed back to Sinharaja hotel and relax
- Later, Sink in an Ayurveda spa session
- Enjoy a mouth-watering dinner buffet at the hotel
- Taste sweet & juicy tropical fruits for dessert
Day 10 - Bentota
Love for the sea never ends. On the tenth day of your Sri Lanka tour, you rent a bicycle in Bentota and cycle through the gorgeous city as you come across paddy fields, stunning ancient mural paintings in ‘Mullegoda temple’, and visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. You stop by to chit-chat with the friendly locals and enjoy the delicious local food. It is an amazing Sri Lanka itinerary if it includes the enchanting gardens resting in the heart of Bentota. But when we say Sri Lanka itinerary, no matter where it is: a little adventure awaits. So you jump back into the turquoise waters eagerly for water sports. You sit on the golden beach with your loved ones and think of your Sri Lanka holiday and itinerary while enjoying the beautiful sunset. A real vacation it is!
Day 10 Activities
- Rent a bicycle in Bentota and cycle through the gorgeous city
- Explore stunning ancient mural paintings in the 'Mullegoda temple'
- Visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
- Stop by to interact with friendly locals and enjoy local food
- Dive back into the turquoise waters for exciting water sports
- Relax on the golden beach and watch the beautiful sunset
Day 11 - Colombo
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, and in your Sri Lanka itinerary, this is the best place to end your Sri Lanka tour. The beautiful museum-like Gangaramaya Temple, heavily decorated Old and New Kathiresan Kovils, the gigantic Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque), and the Wolvendaal Church; the only Dutch church in Sri Lanka altogether portray the diverse cultures in the country. The city is full of energy and has the best restaurants and shopping complexes in your Sri Lanka itinerary. It is the last travel day of your Sri Lanka tour, and you spend a wonderful time with the locals in their social hubs like Independence Square, the Arcade, the Viharamahadevi Park, and the Galle Face Beach. As you watch the heart-warming sunset, the Colombo nightlife is calling you for an insane party night!
Day 11 Activities
- Visit the beautiful museum-like Gangaramaya Temple
- Explore the heavily decorated Old and New Kathiresan Kovils
- Witness the gigantic Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque) and Wolvendaal Church
- Spend a wonderful time at Independence Square, the Arcade, and Viharamahadevi Park
- Relax at Galle Face Beach while watching the heart-warming sunset
- Experience Colombo's energetic nightlife and best restaurants
Inclusions
Assistance at the Airport
Private English Speaking driver for the entire Journey
Kandy City Tour – 2 hours
Ceylon Batik clothing factory visit
Sri Lanka Handicraft factory visit
All government taxes
Fuel & local insurance for the vehicle
Accommodation on bed and breakfast will be offered on the basis hotel’s options.
Sri Lanka cultural dance visit are included.
Private semi-luxury car/van (air-conditioned)
Colombo city & shopping tour – 3 hours
Nuwara Eliya city tour – 2 hours
Galle city tour – 3 hours
Tea plantation visit & factory visit – Free tea tasting
Spice Garden visit & 15 min Ayurvedic Massage
Exclusions
This package excludes the sightseeing entrance charges (Unless Specified)
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses are excluded.
Late check outs & early check in charges are excluded.
Camera & Video Permits
Guide/Driver tips
Travel insurance is excluded
There are no Air-tickets included in the tour package
Conditions
Booking information
Once booking details are submitted by you, we will go ahead with the booking process. At this stage, we require a 30% payment from you. A booking confirmation will reach you after 48 hours of making the payment. A balance of 70% of the payment is required, 30 days prior to the tour start date. Then you may go ahead with applying for Visa.
Cancellation Policy
All travel offers listed on our website are discounted. As such, all orders are non-refundable, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Thus, no refund for Cancellations made with less than 30 days from the start of a tour and for No-show.
They are happy
I would recommend Vinoj and his company’s services 100%. He is an asset and as professional as you get. He is an athlete so brings all the energy along. A great human being to have fun with while travelling. Wish all the Best to him 🙌
Honestly he was 10/10, I don’t have a single complaint. He is amazing!
Want to customize tour?
At Nelum Travels, we know that every traveler is unique. This itinerary is just a starting point! Let our local experts tailor-make a personalized holiday that perfectly fits your schedule, budget, and interests. Get a personalized quote within 2 hours!