Grand Island Tour — 10 Days Around Sri Lanka
All three ancient capitals, two safaris, the tea highlands, the famous train, whales and the southern beaches — the complete island at a humane pace.
Ten days, the whole story
The route the 7-day tour wishes it had time for — with Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya's elephants and the whale coast added in.
Arrival · Negombo
Airport meet & greet and a gentle first night by the beach at Negombo — lagoon prawns for dinner and an early night before the island opens up.
Anuradhapura, the first kingdom
North to Sri Lanka's ancient capital: 2,300-year-old dagobas taller than most cathedrals, the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, and monastery ruins spread across parkland best explored by bicycle.
UNESCOSigiriya Rock & village life
Morning climb of the Lion Rock, afternoon village experience — catamaran across the tank, a home-cooked lunch on a mud-hut veranda, bullock cart back.
UNESCOPolonnaruwa & Minneriya safari
The medieval capital's stone Buddhas and palace ruins by morning; by late afternoon, the famous elephant Gathering at Minneriya — herds a hundred strong around the reservoir.
Elephant gatheringDambulla → Kandy
The painted caves of Dambulla, spice gardens at Matale, and into Kandy for the evening temple ritual and a Kandyan dance performance.
Temple of the ToothKandy → Nuwara Eliya
Climb into high tea country past waterfalls and estates. Tour a working tea factory, then an evening in 'Little England' — lake walks, colonial hotels, log fires.
Ceylon teaTrain to Ella
The classic Nanu Oya–Ella rail stretch, the most beautiful hours of railway in Asia. Afternoon at Nine Arch Bridge and dinner overlooking Ella Gap.
Scenic trainElla → Yala
Little Adam's Peak at sunrise, Rawana Falls on the descent, and into safari country. Optional evening game drive if you can't wait for dawn.
Yala safari → Mirissa
First-light leopard drive in Yala, then west along the coast to Mirissa — whale-watching capital and the island's most photogenic beach curve.
Leopard countryGalle Fort → departure
Optional dawn whale-watching (Nov–Apr), a morning in Galle's Dutch fort lanes, then the southern expressway home — timed to your flight.
Blue whalesWhat's covered
Included in every tour
- Private air-conditioned car or van for your whole trip
- Licensed English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Airport pickup & drop-off with name-board meet & greet
- Fuel, parking, highway tolls and all vehicle costs
- Driver's accommodation and meals
- Bottled water on board, local SIM assistance
- Free itinerary changes before and during the tour
Not included
- Hotel accommodation (we book on your behalf at direct rates, or travel with your own bookings)
- Entrance tickets to sites and national parks
- Meals and personal expenses
- Safari jeep hire inside national parks
- Tips (at your discretion)
No payment until your route & hotels are confirmed
Quick facts
- Duration
- 10 days / 9 nights
- Route
- Full-island loop from BIA
- Style
- Private chauffeur-guided
- Best months
- Dec–Apr for whales
- Start / end
- Colombo Airport (BIA)
Got 14 days?
Add the wild east coast, Jaffna's Tamil north or slow beach days — the two-week version of this route is our favourite tour to build.
Ask about 14 days