Grand
Travellers with two weeks · 13 days, 12 nights
Grand Ceylon Circuit
Thirteen days around the whole island: sacred cities, tea hills, leopards and the south coast.
- Negombo
- Anuradhapura
- Sigiriya
- Polonnaruwa
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Ella
- Yala
- Mirissa
- Galle
Overview
Overview
This is the long, complete loop of Sri Lanka. You start among the ruined capitals of the north-central plains, climb into the cool green hill country by road and rail, and come down to safari country and the palm-fringed south.
Two full weeks means time to breathe: an extra night here and there, slow mornings and room to add a beach day whenever you feel like it.
Highlights
The sacred city of Anuradhapura by bicycle
Sunrise on Sigiriya and the ruins of Polonnaruwa
Elephant gathering in Minneriya (in season)
The hill-country train from Nanu Oya to Ella
Leopard safari in Yala and sunset in Galle Fort
Day by day
Theitinerary.
- Day 01
Arrival in Negombo
Your driver-guide meets you at the airport. Rest by the lagoon and try fresh seafood for dinner.
- Day 02
Anuradhapura
Cycle between giant white dagobas and the sacred Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka's first royal capital.
- Day 03
Mihintale and on to Sigiriya
Climb Mihintale at first light, where Buddhism arrived on the island, then drive to the Sigiriya plains.
- Day 04
Sigiriya
Climb the lion rock before the heat, then take a slow village walk and a lakeside lunch.
- Day 05
Polonnaruwa and Minneriya
Explore the medieval city and the Gal Vihara Buddhas, then go on an afternoon jeep safari to see elephants.
- Day 06
Dambulla to Kandy
Visit the painted Dambulla cave temples and a spice garden on the way to Kandy.
- Day 07
Kandy
Walk the Peradeniya botanic gardens and attend evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
- Day 08
Into tea country
Wind up through the tea estates, stop at a working factory and reach Nuwara Eliya by afternoon.
- Day 09
The train to Ella
Ride the most scenic railway on the island, then relax with views across the Ella Gap.
- Day 10
Ella and down to Yala
Walk to Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arch Bridge, then descend to the edge of Yala.
- Day 11
Yala safari
Spend an early morning in the park looking for leopards, sloth bears and elephants, then drive to Mirissa.
- Day 12
Mirissa and Galle
Enjoy a free morning on the beach, then watch the sun set from the ramparts of Galle Fort.
- Day 13
Departure
A smooth transfer to the airport on the southern expressway.
A suggested plan. Every day can be changed, extended or swapped to suit you.
Signature journeys
Compare the routes
See where this tour goes next to the other signature journeys packages. Every route can be mixed and matched.
Make it your own.
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you love. We will reply with a route and a quote, with no obligation.