9-Day Sri Lanka Tour: Galle, Ella, Kandy, Yala & Mirissa
Explore Sri Lanka’s Cultural and Historical Splendor
Tour Overview
- Duration: 9 Days
- Group Size: Private tour (customizable for individuals or small groups)
- Route: Colombo Airport • Negombo / Colombo • Galle • Mirissa • Yala • Ella • Kandy • Millennium Elephant Foundation • Airport
Travel through Sri Lanka’s southern coast, wildlife areas and central highlands over nine days. The route includes Galle Dutch Fort, Mirissa Beach and optional whale watching, a Yala National Park safari, Ella’s waterfalls and mountain scenery, a scenic hill-country train journey, Kandy’s cultural attractions and a visit to the Millennium Elephant Foundation before departure.
9 Days in Sri Lanka - Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Negombo or Colombo
Meet your chauffeur at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be time for a short visit before resting.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Airport meet and greet
- Private transfer
- Optional Negombo Beach
- Optional Galle Face Green in Colombo
Overnight: Negombo or Colombo.
Day 2: Galle Dutch Fort and Mirissa
Travel south towards Galle and continue to Mirissa after exploring the historic fort area.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Galle Dutch Fort
- Galle Lighthouse
- Historic streets
- Optional turtle conservation visit
- Mirissa Beach
- Sunset in Mirissa
Overnight: Mirissa.
Day 3: Mirissa Beach and Whale Watching
Start early for an optional whale-watching excursion before spending time relaxing around Mirissa.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Whale-watching excursion
- Mirissa Beach
- Coconut Tree Hill
- Optional surfing lesson
- Optional spa experience
- Seafood dinner
*Whale watching is seasonal, with the itinerary noting that conditions are generally most favourable from November to April. Sightings depend on sea conditions and are not guaranteed.
Overnight: Mirissa.
Day 4: Mirissa to Yala National Park
Travel from Mirissa to Yala and check in before the afternoon wildlife safari.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Transfer to Yala
- Yala National Park
- Afternoon Jeep Safari
- Leopards
- Elephants
- Sloth bears
- Crocodiles
- Deer
- Bird species
Overnight: Yala.
Day 5: Yala to Ella
Travel from Yala to Ella through Sri Lanka’s hill country, with stops at waterfalls and scenic attractions.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Scenic drive to Ella
- Ravana Falls
- Nine Arches Bridge
- Ella town
- Optional Little Adam’s Peak hike
Overnight: Ella.
Day 6: Ella Scenic Experience
Experience Ella’s mountain scenery with a scenic train journey and a visit to a tea plantation.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Scenic hill-country train journey
- Tea plantation
- Tea factory
- Ella mountain views
*The train journey depends on the timetable, delays and ticket availability. If tickets are unavailable, the itinerary provides for a scenic tea-country drive and plantation visit instead.
Overnight: Ella.
Day 7: Ella to Kandy
Travel from Ella to Kandy through the central hills, with stops at tea plantations and Ramboda Waterfall.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Tea plantation viewpoints
- Ramboda Waterfall
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Kandyan Cultural Dance Show
- Optional Kandy Lake walk
Overnight: Kandy.
Day 8: Kandy City Experience
Explore Kandy and its surrounding attractions before spending another night in the city.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
- Gem Museum
- Spice Garden
- Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue
- Kandy City Viewpoint
- Local handicraft and souvenir shopping
Overnight: Kandy.
Day 9: Millennium Elephant Foundation and Departure
Leave Kandy and travel towards Bandaranaike International Airport, with a visit to the Millennium Elephant Foundation if the flight schedule allows.
Attractions/Activities to Explore:
- Millennium Elephant Foundation
- Elephant care and responsible tourism experience
- Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport
For an international departure, the itinerary recommends allowing at least three hours at the airport for check-in, security and immigration.
End of tour: Bandaranaike International Airport.
Inclusions:
- Airport meet and greet
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Wi-Fi during the tour
- Bottled drinking water
- Fuel and highway charges
- Government taxes
Exclusions:
- International airfare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Lunch and dinner unless specifically mentioned
- Entrance tickets
- Safari jeep and national park fees
- Whale watching
- Train tickets
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities