Epic Sri Lanka Train Journey
Colombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Minneriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Ella, Udawalawe, Mirissa, Galle, Hikkaduwa
Day-by-Day Itinerary
14 days of adventure
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Colombo. Spend the evening at leisure, exploring the vibrant cityscape or relaxing at your hotel.
Begin your adventure with a thrilling seaplane ride to Dambulla, home to the iconic Dambulla Cave Temple. Explore the ancient temple complex with its stunning Buddha statues and intricate murals. Travel to Sigiriya and climb the towering Rock Fortress for panoramic views and ancient frescoes.
A thrilling safari in Minneriya National Park, known for vast grasslands and rich wildlife. Spot herds of elephants gathering around the Minneriya Tank, leopards, sloth bears, and various bird species on an exciting 4x4 jeep ride.
Explore the ancient ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihara with its rock-carved Buddha statues, the Vatadage, and the vast Parakrama Samudra reservoir.
Spend the day in Matale visiting the peaceful Alu Viharaya rock temple, the colourful Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil Hindu temple, and one of the famous spice gardens where cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom grow in fragrant rows.
A well-deserved rest day in Kandy. Stroll around Kandy Lake, enjoy a boat ride, sip Ceylon tea at a local cafe, or explore artisanal crafts and traditional products for souvenirs.
Explore Kandy at Leisure
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most sacred sites. Explore the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya with its lush landscapes and orchid houses. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kandyan dance and drumming performance.
Explore Gardens
One of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Board in the morning for a breathtaking ride through rolling hills, tea plantations, misty forests, and charming villages. Arrive in Ella by late afternoon and hike to Little Adam's Peak or visit the Nine Arch Bridge.
Explore Ella by Train
An exciting 4x4 jeep safari through Udawalawe National Park. Watch elephants bathe in rivers and move through grasslands. Spot water buffalo, deer, birds, and crocodiles. Visit the Elephant Transit Home where orphaned baby elephants are cared for.
Explore Matara's historic Dutch Fort and bustling markets, then head to Mirissa for golden beaches and a laid-back vibe. Optional boat trip to spot blue whales and dolphins. Seafood dinner by the shore at sunset.
Explore Mirissa
Explore the Galle Dutch Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk the cobbled streets past charming cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries in centuries-old colonial buildings. Watch the sunset from the lighthouse.
Explore Galle Fort
A full day to unwind in Galle. Indulge in a spa treatment, lounge by the pool, or wander the fort's quiet corners discovering hidden treasures. Pure luxury and relaxation by the coast.
Explore Galle at Leisure
A vibrant beach town famous for golden sands and coral reefs. Snorkel among colourful fish, try surfing on gentle beginner waves, visit a turtle hatchery, and enjoy fresh seafood as the sun sets.
After a leisurely meal, transfer via the highway to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Tour Overview
This 14-day journey takes you across the full breadth of Sri Lanka, from the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle to the palm-fringed beaches of the deep south. Along the way you will climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya, walk among the thousand-year-old ruins of Polonnaruwa, ride one of the most celebrated train routes on the planet from Kandy to Ella, track wild elephants on safari, and wind down with three nights in the colonial splendour of Galle Fort.
The itinerary is designed to balance exploration with rest. You get three nights in Kandy and three in Galle, giving you time to settle into each place rather than just passing through. Between the active days - safaris in Minneriya and Udawalawe, temple visits in Matale, snorkelling in Hikkaduwa - there are deliberate pauses built in so you arrive home feeling like you actually experienced the island rather than merely photographed it.
What Makes This Tour Special
The centrepiece is the Kandy to Ella train, a six-hour journey through rolling tea plantations, misty hill-country forests, and villages perched on impossibly green slopes. It is widely regarded as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, and this tour is structured so the days either side of it let you savour the experience rather than rushing to the next stop. You spend a full day at leisure in Kandy beforehand and arrive in Ella with time to hike to Little Adam's Peak or watch the sunset from the Nine Arch Bridge.
Beyond the train, the tour strikes a careful balance between Sri Lanka's three great draws: culture, wildlife, and coast. The Cultural Triangle days cover Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Polonnaruwa without cramming them into a single breathless morning. The two safaris - Minneriya for the famous elephant gathering, Udawalawe for a more intimate encounter - are spaced a week apart so they feel distinct rather than repetitive. And the south coast stretch from Mirissa through Galle to Hikkaduwa gives you beaches, heritage, and coral reefs in equal measure, with enough free time to do as much or as little as you choose.
Route
Colombo (1 night) - Sigiriya (2 nights) - Kandy (3 nights) - Ella (1 night) - Udawalawe (1 night) - Mirissa (1 night) - Galle (3 nights) - Hikkaduwa (1 night)
Who Is This Tour For?
Find out if this trip suits you
Ideal for
- Train enthusiasts and slow-travel lovers
- First-time visitors wanting the complete Sri Lanka experience
- Couples and families with older children
- Photographers and wildlife lovers
Not the best fit if
- Travellers with limited time (this is a full two weeks)
- Those who prefer staying in one place
What Guests Say
Photo Gallery
A visual journey through the tour
The train winding through greenery
A memorial hall for independence and freedom
Wildlife encounters in Udawalawe
Ancient temple complex in Polonnaruwa
Cap off your evening with a suspenseful performance
The train winding through greenery
A memorial hall for independence and freedom
Wildlife encounters in Udawalawe
Ancient temple complex in Polonnaruwa
Cap off your evening with a suspenseful performance
Common Questions
About this tour
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