This 12-day odyssey invites you into the wilder side of Sri Lanka—where nature is both the backdrop and the heartbeat of every day. From mist-cloaked peaks to elephant-dotted plains, this journey weaves sacred heritage with thrilling safaris, breathtaking hikes, and moments of stillness under jungle skies.Each day is an unfolding story.
Each place, a chapter of the island’s untamed beauty. Whether you’re standing atop ancient stone, listening to the call of peacocks in the distance, or watching a leopard vanish into the brush—you’ll feel the pulse of something timeless.
With comfortable stays in Handpicked Hotels, this itinerary is for those who want to feel the wild—but sleep in soft linen.
This experience is designed for those who travel with their heart wide open:
“Before the wild calls, the ocean sings you in.”
Day 1 – Negombo
Arrive in Sri Lanka and breathe in your first island breeze. Relax along Negombo’s golden coastline, or opt to explore its bustling fish markets and lagoon by boat. The soft beginning to an extraordinary journey.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Route: Bandaranaike Airport → Negombo
“A palace in the clouds. A lion carved in stone. A legacy that never crumbles.”
Day 2 – Sigiriya
Travel inland to the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climb the lion’s paw to reach 5th-century royal ruins, vibrant frescoes, and ancient gardens that still bloom with ingenuity. The view from the top? Unforgettable.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Negombo → Sigiriya
“In the silence of temples and the thunder of hooves, the sacred and the wild converge.”
Day 3 – Sigiriya & Minneriya
Begin the day on safari in Minneriya National Park, home to the largest Asian elephant gathering on Earth. In the afternoon, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, where over 150 golden Buddhas reside in stone chambers carved into the hillside.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Around Sigiriya
“Where devotion dances in gold and gardens whisper ancient stories.”
Day 4 – Kandy
Step into Kandy, the spiritual heart of the island. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where centuries of faith live in golden halls. Then wander through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where 4,000 plant species bloom in royal serenity.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Sigiriya → Kandy
“Where clouds kiss tea leaves and every sip tells a story.”
Day 5 – Nuwara Eliya
Journey into the highlands, where tea plantations roll like green waves and the air grows cool and clean. Visit a working tea estate, learn about the leaf-to-cup process, and savor the freshness of Ceylon’s most iconic gift.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
“Walk through the clouds and stand at the world’s edge.”
Day 6 – Horton Plains
Rise early for a trek through Horton Plains National Park, a misty moorland of strange trees, wildflowers, and elusive wildlife. Pause at World’s End—a dramatic cliff that plunges into the valley below. Then follow forest trails to Baker’s Falls, a hidden cascade among ferns.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Around Horton Plains
“Between mountain paths and quiet cafés, Ella invites you to linger.”
Day 7 – Ella
Head to Ella, where mountains meet culture in soft, scenic harmony. Visit the curved charm of Nine Arches Bridge, then hike to Little Adam’s Peak for panoramic views that go on forever.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Nuwara Eliya → Ella
“Sometimes the journey is simply about breathing and being.”
Day 8 – Ella
This day is yours. Stroll through town, explore cafés, visit Ravana Falls, or hike Ella Rock for epic scenery. Or do nothing but sip tea and smile.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Around Ella
“Eyes wide. Breath held. The wild is watching you too.”
Day 9 – Yala
Journey to Yala National Park, one of the world’s best places to spot leopards. Go on an afternoon safari through jungles, wetlands, and ancient ruins where elephants roam freely and birds color the sky.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Authentic Sri Lankan Dinner
Route: Ella → Yala
“Where centuries echo through stone and waves shimmer with memory.”
Day 11 – Galle
Travel to Galle Fort, where Dutch-era ramparts guard art galleries, boutique cafés, and colonial charm. Walk the walls. Watch the sea. Feel time bend in this coastal gem.
Stay: Handpicked Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Yala → Galle
“The jungle, the cliffs, the call of the wild—it all leaves with you.”
Day 12 – Departure
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Galle, then head to the airport with your heart full and your senses awakened.
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Galle → Bandaranaike Airport
Most travelers require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Voyages can assist you with visa-related queries and provide guidance to ensure a smooth application process. Contact us for more details.
Yes, we offer flexibility to tailor the itinerary based on your preferences, such as additional activities, special accommodations, or specific dietary requirements. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Pack comfortable clothing, suitable footwear for activities, swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle. A detailed packing list will be provided before your trip.
Yes, travel dates can be changed before the payment is made. However, if you wish to change the travel date after the payment has been completed and the air tickets or accommodations have been booked, additional charges may apply, especially for airline ticket changes and hotel reservations. We recommend finalizing your travel dates before booking to avoid extra costs.
At Sri Lanka Voyages, our customers are our number one priority. All activities included and not included in the packages are clearly defined to avoid confusion. In the unlikely event of unforeseen changes or cancellations, we will provide alternative activities or adjustments to the itinerary. If you feel you have been charged additionally or unfairly, Sri Lanka Voyages takes full responsibility to investigate the matter. You can contact us anytime, and we will ensure that your concerns are addressed promptly and fairly.
Sri Lanka Voyages is delighted to provide a full range of services to our customers. If you would like assistance with booking air tickets and arranging your visa, we are more than happy to offer these services without any hesitation. Our goal is to make your travel experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.
+1 (727) 454-3794
info@pearl-of-the-indian-ocean.com
