Grand Expedition 13 Nights / 14 Days
14-Day Grand Sri Lanka Expedition
Comprehensive Island Exploration from North to South
Negombo Anuradhapura Jaffna Trincomalee Sigiriya Kandy Nuwara Eliya Ella Yala Mirissa Galle → Colombo
Duration 14 days / 13 nights
Destinations 11 stops
Transport Private chauffeur
From $1,490 / person 2 sharing · excl. flights
About This Tour
The most complete circuit we run — the only itinerary that reaches Jaffna and the Tamil north alongside the classic Cultural Triangle, hill country, safari parks and south coast. Two weeks is what it takes to see Sri Lanka properly without spending the trip in the car.
Best time to travel January – March, or July – September
Pace Moderate — a longer drive on transfer days, two nights in most places
Tour Highlights
Jaffna & Cultural North
Cultural Triangle
Highland Tea Country
Yala Safari & Mirissa
Your Day-by-Day Journey
- Day 1
Arrival & Negombo Beach
Negombo- Airport welcome and short transfer to Negombo — 20 minutes rather than an hour to Colombo.
- Recover from the flight; evening walk along the fishermen's beach.
- Day 2
North to Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura- Drive north into the dry zone.
- Afternoon guided tour of Sri Lanka's first capital — Ruwanwelisaya stupa and the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from a cutting of the original bodhi tree.
- Sunset at the Abhayagiri monastery complex.
- Day 3
Onward to Jaffna
Jaffna- Long drive north through the Vanni to the Jaffna peninsula.
- A distinctly different Sri Lanka — Tamil culture, palmyra palms and Hindu temple architecture.
- Evening at Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil.
- Day 4
Jaffna Peninsula & Islands
Jaffna- Jaffna Fort, the public library and the old Dutch quarter.
- Causeway drive to Kayts and Karainagar, or the ferry to Nainativu island.
- Jaffna crab curry for dinner — the regional speciality.
- Day 5
South to Trincomalee
Trincomalee- Coastal drive down the eastern seaboard.
- Koneswaram Temple on Swami Rock, high above the natural harbour.
- Afternoon on Nilaveli or Uppuveli beach.
- Day 6
Trincomalee Beaches & Pigeon Island
Trincomalee- Boat to Pigeon Island National Park for snorkelling over live coral and reef sharks.
- Afternoon at leisure — this coast is at its best May to September.
- Optional whale watching in season.
- Day 7
Polonnaruwa & the Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya- Drive inland to the 12th-century capital of Polonnaruwa.
- Cycle the ruins with a site guide — the Gal Vihara rock Buddhas are the highlight.
- Continue to Sigiriya for two nights.
- Day 8
Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla Caves
Sigiriya- Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock at first light, before heat and crowds.
- Dambulla Cave Temple in the afternoon.
- Optional evening jeep safari at Minneriya.
- Day 9
Spice Gardens & Kandy
Kandy- Matale spice garden and a Hindu temple stop en route.
- Afternoon at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for evening puja.
- Kandyan cultural dance performance.
- Day 10
Tea Country & Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya- Climb through Ramboda into the tea highlands.
- Tea factory tour and tasting; Ramboda Falls stop.
- Evening in 'Little England' — the colonial post office, racecourse and Lake Gregory.
- Day 11
The Blue Train to Ella
Ella- Reserved seats on the Nanu Oya–Ella line, widely rated one of the world's great rail journeys.
- Driver meets you at Ella station with your luggage.
- Sunset from Little Adam's Peak.
- Day 12
Ella to Yala Safari
Yala- Nine Arch Bridge in the morning light, then the descent to the southern plains.
- Afternoon game drive in Yala National Park — leopard, elephant, sloth bear and crocodile.
- Day 13
South Coast & Mirissa
Mirissa- Coastal drive west past stilt fishermen and turtle hatcheries.
- Afternoon free on Mirissa beach; Coconut Tree Hill at sunset.
- Optional blue whale watching, November to April.
- Day 14
Galle Fort & Departure
Galle → Colombo- Walking tour of Galle's UNESCO Dutch fort, ramparts and lighthouse.
- Southern Expressway to the airport, with a Colombo stop if time allows.
Booking Information
How to Proceed
- Let us know if you would like to customise the itinerary above — every tour is a starting point, not a fixed package.
- Once the travel plan is agreed, we send you a written quotation with several accommodation options.
- Accommodation options include 3★, 4★ and 5★ hotels, boutique hotels, nature hotels, villas, and camping or glamping.
- When the plan and accommodation are agreed, you lock the package with an advance payment. The percentage depends on how much time remains before your travel date.
- Payments to Sri Lanka can be made by bank transfer.
- Please read the Cancellation Policy and Terms & Conditions before confirming your reservation.
Inclusions
- 13 nights in 3–4 star boutique hotels and guesthouses
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur-guide
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Jeep and tracker for the Yala game drive
- Fuel, tolls, parking and all driver expenses
Exclusions
- International flights and visa (ETA)
- Heritage site entrance tickets (budget $100–150 per person)
- Lunches, dinners and personal expenses
- Optional activities and train seat reservations
- Tips for driver and hotel staff
Sustainable Practice Policy
- We work with locally owned hotels, guesthouses and villas wherever possible, so the money you spend stays in the communities you visit.
- Our chauffeur guides are Sri Lankan, employed directly, and paid a living wage with accommodation and meals covered on every tour.
- We do not offer elephant rides or any activity involving captive wildlife performance. Wildlife is viewed in national parks, from licensed jeeps, at a respectful distance.
- Vehicles are maintained and routed to reduce unnecessary mileage, and we give every guest a refillable water bottle to cut single-use plastic.
- We follow the SLTDA guidelines on responsible tourism and brief every guest on temple etiquette and local customs before arrival.
Interested in this itinerary?
Tell us your dates and group size and we'll come back with a written quotation, including accommodation options at your preferred star level. No obligation, and every itinerary can be adjusted.
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