Journeys
Three ways to see the island. All with your own driver.
Sample 7, 10 and 14-day round trips in a comfortable private vehicle with a local driver-guide. Use one as it is, or as a starting point we shape together on WhatsApp, for free.
Short on time
7-Day Classic
The island’s highlights in one week: the rock fortress at Sigiriya, Kandy’s sacred temple, the train through tea country, a leopard safari in Yala and a last walk around Galle Fort.
The route
- Airport
- Sigiriya
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Ella
- Yala
- Galle
- AC private vehicle
- English-speaking driver
- All tolls & fuel included
- Hotel booking assistance
Day-by-day plan for the 7-Day Classic
-
Day 1: Airport to Sigiriya
Your driver meets you at arrivals at Bandaranaike International Airport. A relaxed drive north to the Cultural Triangle, stopping for lunch on the way.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 2: Sigiriya and Dambulla
Climb Sigiriya Rock at opening time, before the heat. After lunch, visit the painted cave temples at Dambulla.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 3: Into the hills to Kandy
Drive up to Kandy with a stop at a spice garden. In the evening, join the puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
Overnight: Kandy
-
Day 4: Tea country
A winding climb past tea estates and waterfalls, with a tea factory visit and tasting. Evening in cool Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
-
Day 5: The train to Ella
Ride the scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella. Your driver goes ahead by road with your bags and meets you there.
Overnight: Ella
-
Day 6: Ella to Yala
An easy sunrise walk up Little Adam’s Peak, then down to the lowlands for an afternoon jeep safari in Yala.
Overnight: Near Yala
-
Day 7: Galle and the airport
West along the coast to Galle Fort for a walk on the ramparts, then the expressway back to the airport for your flight.
Airport drop-off
From roughly $78–$120 a day for your private vehicle and driver-guide, with no hidden fuel or toll charges and no surprise fees for your driver’s accommodation. Hotels are separate, and we’re happy to help book them.
Made for a 10-day holiday
10-Day Island Highlights
The ancient cities, tea country, the Ella train, a safari and the south coast, at a pace that gives you time to enjoy each place instead of rushing through it.
The route
- Airport
- Sigiriya
- Polonnaruwa
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Ella
- Yala
- Mirissa
- Galle
- AC private vehicle
- English-speaking driver
- All tolls & fuel included
- Hotel booking assistance
Day-by-day plan for the 10-Day Island Highlights
-
Day 1: Airport to Sigiriya
Your driver meets you at arrivals at Bandaranaike International Airport and takes you north to the Cultural Triangle.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 2: Sigiriya Rock
Climb Sigiriya at opening time, or Pidurangala for the view of it. A free afternoon by the pool or on a village walk.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 3: Polonnaruwa and Minneriya
Cycle around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, then an afternoon jeep safari to see elephants at Minneriya or nearby Kaudulla.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 4: Dambulla to Kandy
Visit the Dambulla cave temples on the way into the hills, with a stop at a spice garden. Evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
Overnight: Kandy
-
Day 5: A slow day in Kandy
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, a walk around the lake and a Kandyan dance show in the evening.
Overnight: Kandy
-
Day 6: Tea country
Up through tea estates and past waterfalls to Nuwara Eliya, with a tea factory visit along the way.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
-
Day 7: The train to Ella
Ride the scenic train to Ella while your driver brings your bags by road. Afternoon at the Nine Arches Bridge.
Overnight: Ella
-
Day 8: Ella to Yala
Little Adam’s Peak at sunrise, then down to Yala for an afternoon jeep safari.
Overnight: Near Yala
-
Day 9: To the south coast
Along the coast to Mirissa for an afternoon on the beach and sunset at Coconut Tree Hill.
Overnight: Mirissa
-
Day 10: Galle and the airport
Whale watching if it’s in season, or a slow morning. Then Galle Fort and the expressway to the airport.
Airport drop-off
From roughly $78–$120 a day for your private vehicle and driver-guide, with no hidden fuel or toll charges and no surprise fees for your driver’s accommodation. Hotels are separate, and we’re happy to help book them.
The whole island
14-Day Ultimate
Two weeks to see it all: the sacred northern cities, the east coast beaches, the highlands, a safari and the south. Best from May to September, when the east coast is calm.
The route
- Airport
- Negombo
- Anuradhapura
- Sigiriya
- Trincomalee
- Kandy
- Ella
- Yala
- Galle
- AC private vehicle
- English-speaking driver
- All tolls & fuel included
- Hotel booking assistance
Day-by-day plan for the 14-Day Ultimate
-
Day 1: Airport to Negombo
Your driver meets you at arrivals. A short drive to Negombo for a gentle first evening by the sea.
Overnight: Negombo
-
Day 2: Anuradhapura
North to Sri Lanka’s first great capital: giant white dagobas and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
-
Day 3: Mihintale to Sigiriya
Climb the stone steps at Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have arrived in Sri Lanka, then on to Sigiriya.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 4: Sigiriya and Dambulla
Sigiriya Rock at opening time, then the painted cave temples at Dambulla.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 5: Polonnaruwa and Minneriya
Cycle the ruins of Polonnaruwa, then an afternoon elephant safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla.
Overnight: Sigiriya
-
Day 6: East to Trincomalee
Across to the east coast for an afternoon on the white sand at Nilaveli or Uppuveli.
Overnight: Trincomalee
-
Day 7: Pigeon Island
Snorkel among reef fish at Pigeon Island, then visit Koneswaram Temple on its clifftop.
Overnight: Trincomalee
-
Day 8: Back into the hills
A long, scenic drive west and up into the hills to Kandy, in time for the evening puja.
Overnight: Kandy
-
Day 9: Tea country
Up through tea estates and waterfalls to Nuwara Eliya, with a tea factory visit.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
-
Day 10: Horton Plains to Ella
An early walk to World’s End on Horton Plains, then on to Ella.
Overnight: Ella
-
Day 11: A free day in Ella
Little Adam’s Peak, the Nine Arches Bridge and Ella’s cafés, at your own pace.
Overnight: Ella
-
Day 12: Yala
Down to the lowlands for an afternoon jeep safari in Yala.
Overnight: Near Yala
-
Day 13: The south coast
West along the coast to Mirissa for an afternoon on the beach.
Overnight: Mirissa
-
Day 14: Galle and the airport
A morning in Galle Fort, then the expressway to the airport for your flight.
Airport drop-off
From roughly $78–$120 a day for your private vehicle and driver-guide, with no hidden fuel or toll charges and no surprise fees for your driver’s accommodation. Hotels are separate, and we’re happy to help book them. Travelling between October and January? We’ll suggest swapping the east coast days for more time on the south coast.
How it works
From first message to arrivals hall
Planning is free and happens on WhatsApp, at whatever pace suits you. Ask as many questions as you like before you decide.
-
Tell us your dates
Send your dates, group size and anything you’d love to see. A sample journey is a great place to start.
-
Get a plan and a fixed price
We shape the route around you and send a 100% fixed-price quote, with no hidden fuel or toll charges.
-
We meet you at arrivals
Your driver is waiting at Bandaranaike International Airport, and we’re on WhatsApp 24/7 for the whole trip.
Not quite right?
Build your own journey
Start from the places and experiences you love instead. Add them to your trip as you browse, and we’ll turn them into a route that fits your dates.
