Ready-made itinerary · 12 days
Safaris at Wilpattu, Minneriya, Udawalawe and Yala, with a day at sea at Mirissa in whale season.
2 adults · Balanced · Mid-range
8 stops · 921 km · about 24 hr driving
Lines join overnight stops in order. They are not road paths.
Land at Bandaranaike International Airport, pick up your SIM card and meet your driver.
A long sea-front lawn and promenade, busy with families, kite flyers and street-food stalls from late afternoon.
The hill where the monk Mahinda is said to have met King Devanampiya Tissa and brought Buddhism to the island. A long stone stairway climbs to stupas and a rock with wide views.
A half-day or full-day jeep safari through forest and villus, looking for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, deer, crocodiles and water birds.
Night in Sigiriya
The Minneriya elephant gathering, and the rock at first light.
An afternoon jeep safari to see elephants grazing at the great tanks. Drivers choose Minneriya, Kaudulla or the Hurulu Eco Park on the day, depending on where the herds are.
The palace-fortress on the rock, with water gardens, frescoes, the Mirror Wall and the lion staircase. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An 8th-century stone shrine in the style of South Indian temples, with Buddhist and Hindu features, moved stone by stone when a reservoir flooded its old site.
A former monastery rock facing Sigiriya. The last section is a short scramble over boulders; the reward is the classic view of Sigiriya.
Sri Lanka's largest botanic garden, on a bend of the Mahaweli river, known for its avenues of royal palms, orchid house and giant Javan fig tree.
Night in Nuwara Eliya
The Horton Plains walk, early, for the plateau's birds and deer.
A reservoir from the British period at the edge of town, with a lakeside path and boats for hire.
Day 8 has about 6 hr 15 min on the road, longer than your chosen pace usually allows.
A half-day jeep safari (about 06:00 to 10:00, or 14:30 to 18:00) from the Palatupana gate, looking for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and birds across scrub, lagoons and rocky outcrops.
An ancient reservoir with birdlife and a lakeside road, near the restored Tissamaharama dagoba.
A free day with nothing booked. Rest, swim, or wander at your own pace.
A small headland of leaning palms above the sea at the east end of the bay. Busy at sunset.
Flight home from CMB
Check out and drive to the airport. Aim to arrive three hours before your flight.
Mid-range · 2 adults · February
Estimated ranges, not quotes. Based on published 2026 prices, reviewed 22 Oct 2026. Excludes flights and visas. Tickets are counted where a price is known.