Sri Lanka in Seven Days: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella and the Coast
The full circuit, with the hill-country train to Ella and a night under Ella Gap.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Booking
- On request
Seven days is the shortest version of this trip that does not feel rushed, and the only one with room for Ella. The Nuwara Eliya to Ella train — three hours through the tea at walking pace — is the reason to choose it; the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak are what you do when you get off. Sigiriya and Kandy before, Bentota and Colombo after.
Where it goes
14 stops on the map. Pick a day to zoom to it; the rest of the route stays drawn. A stop the operator gave no location is not plotted — the Day by day tab is the full route.
- ArrivingPrivate carDay 1
Arrival, and north to Sigiriya
Straight up into the dry zone, with the elephant orphanage and the Dambulla caves before you check in.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple- Overnight in Sigiriya · 1 night
Private car · 3h - Day 2
Sigiriya rock, then south to Kandy
Climb the rock early, then the drive down to Kandy.
Sigiriya- Matale spice gardenA working spice garden: cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves and nutmeg, and the Ayurvedic uses each is grown for.
- Gem museumSri Lanka's gem trade explained — where the sapphires come from, how they are mined, cut and graded.
- Kandyan cultural dance performanceAn hour of Kandyan drumming and dance, closing with the fire-walking. Optional, and booked for you if you want it.
- Overnight in Kandy · 1 night
Private car · 3h - Day 3
Kandy into the high country
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then the climb to Nuwara Eliya.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic- Kandy LakeThe artificial lake at the centre of the old city, built by the last king of Kandy in 1807. A short walk round it.
- Sri Bhakta Hanuman TempleA Ramakrishna Mission temple above the Ramboda valley, with a 16-foot Hanuman and a long view down the tea slopes.
Ramboda Falls- Tea estate and factoryA working Ceylon tea estate in the high country: the plucking, the withering lofts and the grading floor, then a cup of what comes off it.
Lake Gregory- Overnight in Nuwara Eliya · 1 night
Train · 3h - Day 4
The train to Ella
Seetha Amman on the way to the station, then the Nanu Oya to Ella train — reserved seats, three hours, windows down. Your driver takes the car round and meets you at Ella.
Seetha Amman Temple- Nanu Oya to Ella by trainThe hill-country line, cut by the British to move tea and now the best three hours in the country. Reserved seating; your luggage travels on in the car.
Ella
Pekoe Trail Stage 22: Ella to Nine Arches Bridge
Little Adam's Peak- Ella Gap viewpointThe notch in the escarpment where the hill country drops away to the southern plain, visible to the coast on a clear day.
- Overnight in Ella · 1 night
Private car · 5h - Day 5
Ella down to Bentota
Out through Ella Gap and down to the coast, with the mangroves at the end of it.
- Ravana FallsThe wide multi-tier fall on the Ella-Wellawaya road, named for the king who is said to have hidden Sita in the cave above it.
Madu Ganga Wetland- Kosgoda turtle hatcheryA conservation hatchery for the five sea turtle species that nest on this coast, and the release programme it runs.
- Bentota BeachThe long golden strand between the Bentota river mouth and the sea. Sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Bentota- Overnight in Bentota · 1 night
Private car · 1h 30m - Day 6
Bentota to Colombo
A morning on the river, then the city.
- Bentota water sportsJet ski, banana boat, tube rides and kayaking on the Bentota river. Optional, paid locally, weather permitting.
- Galle Face GreenColombo's ocean-front promenade: kite sellers, isso wade stalls and the city's evening crowd.
- Colombo Port CityA drive through the reclaimed waterfront district being built out beyond the old harbour.
- Independence SquareThe 1948 independence memorial hall, modelled on a Kandyan royal audience chamber, in its colonnaded gardens.
- Lotus Tower — photo stopThe 350 m broadcast tower that now anchors the Colombo skyline. A photo stop, not an ascent.
- Pettah marketColombo's oldest bazaar quarter — spices, tea, textiles and handicrafts, street by street.
Colombo- Overnight in Colombo · 1 night
- LeavingPrivate car · 1h
Included
- 6 nights' accommodation on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner at the hotel)
- Private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking chauffeur-guide throughout
- Airport meet-and-greet on arrival and departure transfer
- Sightseeing as described in the day-by-day itinerary
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
- Complimentary 5 GB local data SIM
- 6 nights, three-star hotels, twin-share
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Private air-conditioned car and chauffeur-guide
- English-speaking chauffeur-guide throughout
Not included
- International flights and the Sri Lanka ETA visa fee (apply at srilankaevisa.lk)
- Entrance tickets to sites and monuments
- Lunch and any meals not listed as included
- Water sports and other optional activities
- Camera and video permits
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Travel insurance, which we require you to hold
- Tips, porterage and anything of a personal nature
- International flights to and from Colombo
- Site and monument entrance fees
- Travel insurance
Per person
Shambala Travels quotes this trip on request rather than by tier.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 21 days before arrival. Between 21 and 7 days we retain 25% of the trip price; inside 7 days, 50%. A cancellation on the day of arrival, or a no-show, is non-refundable. Hotel rooms held on non-refundable rates are excluded from this schedule and are confirmed to you in writing before you pay.
This trip runs on request: Shambala Travels sets the dates with you rather than publishing a departure list.
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Quoted on request