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Private Tour · 4★ hotels 12 Days Sri Lanka: Elephants, Tea Hills, Yala Safari & Bentota – 4-Star Hotels4-star hotel version: A wildlife- and scenery-led route: rescued elephants, a dawn Sigiriya climb, Minneriya and Yala safaris, a hill-country train and a rest day at Bentota. Private Tour · 4★ hotelsModerate intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 1,361per person If you are looking for a 12 day Sri Lanka itinerary with Yala safari at its heart, this route gives wildlife the leading role and lets everything else fit around it. You begin with orphaned elephants at Pinnawala, meet wild herds at Minneriya, spend a whole day in leopard country at Yala, and between those highlights you climb a rock fortress, ride a hill-country train and sleep in the cool air of tea country. It suits couples, families with older children and friends travelling together who want variety without rushing every single morning. Stay in 4-star hotelsThis version of the tour is booked in 4-star hotels for all 11 nights: a comfortable 4-star hotel in Waikkal, Amaya Lake in Dambulla, Mahaweli Reach Hotel in Kandy, Araliya Green Hills in Nuwara Eliya, Chaarya Resort & Spa in Tissamaharama and Temple Tree Resort & Spa in Bentota, or similar hotels of the same standard. Rooms are double or twin, or single if you travel alone, with breakfast included each morning. The route, the sightseeing and your private driver-guide are the same as on the 3-star and 2-star version of this tour, so the difference is a more comfortable room, a better restaurant and pool, and in most places a quieter setting. Lunch, dinner, entrance fees, activity fees and train tickets are not included in the price. Who the 12 day Sri Lanka itinerary with Yala safari suitsTwelve days is long enough to breathe. Most nights are spent in pairs: two in Dambulla, two in Kandy, two in Nuwara Eliya, two near Yala and two at Bentota, with a quiet first night near the airport coast at Waikkal. That pattern means you unpack, explore, and only move on every second day. The physical side is moderate. The Sigiriya climb is the only demanding effort, and you can pace it as slowly as you like. Everything else is gentle walking, sitting in a jeep or watching scenery roll past the window. The route and your nightsAfter the flight you drive a short way to Waikkal for a calm beach night. Next day you head inland past Pinnawala to the Cultural Triangle, where the caves of Dambulla and the rock of Sigiriya fill the afternoon. A second day in the area adds a village outing and an evening safari at Minneriya. Then you cross the hills to Kandy by way of the spice gardens of Matale, spend a full day on tea, gems and botanical gardens, and ride the scenic railway up to Nuwara Eliya. From there the road drops past Ella to Tissamaharama, you go into Yala, and the final stretch runs west to the Bentota coast with a mangrove cruise and a rest day before your flight. If you prefer this route as a 12 days Sri Lanka Dambulla Kandy Nuwara Eliya Yala Bentota plan, the order stays exactly the same. Experiences that define the tripThe elephants come first. At Pinnawala you watch the herd walk down to the Maha Oya for its bath, and the mahouts tell you how the orphanage began in 1975. Days later, at Minneriya, you see the same animals as wild, unhurried families on the edge of an ancient reservoir, a very different scene from the river bank. Sigiriya is the second signature. The fortress of King Kashyapa rises from the forest, and you climb past water gardens, painted maidens and the Lion's Paws to the palace ruins on top. After that, the ox-cart and canoe village outing feels like exhale. Kandy gives you the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the evening dance show and a day of tea, gems and the orchid-lined avenues of Peradeniya. The scenic train from Kandy to Nanu Oya is the fourth highlight, a slow climb through tea estates, and the fifth is Yala itself, where a tracker-led jeep safari gives you a good chance of leopard, elephant, crocodile and a long list of birds. No sighting can be promised, which is exactly why a full day helps. Comfort, meals and your driver-guideYou travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide who stays with you throughout. Hotels are chosen for comfort and location, and the bed-and-breakfast plan includes breakfast each morning, so lunch and dinner are the meals you choose yourself; your driver-guide is happy to suggest good local restaurants. Entrance fees and jeep fees are paid separately, and your driver explains them before each visit. Pack a warm layer for Nuwara Eliya, where evenings are properly cold, and light, modest clothing for temples. Best time for this tourYala and the Cultural Triangle are at their best in the drier months, roughly February to September, while the hills and the south-west coast are driest from about December to March. This route crosses all those zones, so there is no perfect month; expect a little rain somewhere in most seasons. Minneriya's elephant gathering is strongest in the dry season, roughly July to October, and you can read more about timing in the FAQ below. Yala has an annual closure, so we always check the park dates before fixing your itinerary. Make it your ownEvery Volata Travels tour is private, so you can change the pace. Some guests turn the Nuwara Eliya rest day into a pre-dawn walk across Horton Plains to World's End, others add Little Adam's Peak at Ella or a whale-watching morning from Mirissa during the sea season. Send us your arrival date, the number of travellers and the things you most want to see, and we will adjust the route and send you a clear plan. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itinerary Your Volata Travels driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall at Bandaranaike Airport and takes you north to Waikkal, a drive of about half an hour. Waikkal is a calm stretch of coast, much quieter than the busier resorts, which makes it a kind place to land after a long flight. Check in, shower and sleep if you need to. There is nothing to see or do today unless you feel like it. A slow walk on the sand before dinner, a swim if the sea looks gentle, and an early night are all the programme asks for. Tomorrow starts with breakfast and a long, interesting drive inland. Accommodation Comfortable 4-star hotel in Waikkal or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you leave the coast and head inland towards the Cultural Triangle. The first stop is Pinnawala, about an hour and a half from Colombo along the Kandy road, where an elephant orphanage sits beside the Maha Oya river. It opened in 1975 on a former coconut estate to shelter elephants found orphaned or hurt in the forest. Today the herd lives in a setting meant to feel natural, with one routine that visitors enjoy: twice a day the elephants are led down to the river to bathe, and young calves are still bottle-fed by their keepers. Plan to arrive in time for the river walk, because watching the whole herd splash about is the best part of the visit. Back on the road you continue to Dambulla. The cave temple here is a UNESCO World Heritage monument, and it takes a short climb up stone steps to reach it. Five caves lie beneath a huge overhanging rock, which rises about 160 metres above the plains. Inside you find 153 Buddha statues, three royal figures and four statues of gods, with painted ceilings that tell the life of the Buddha. Cover your knees and shoulders, and remember that shoes and hats come off at the entrance. With the light softening you then drive on to Sigiriya, the rock fortress that locals sometimes call the eighth wonder of the world. The climb passes through the water gardens and up past the frescoes to the summit. It is a long ascent, so take water, pause often and enjoy the view of green forest from the top. Your driver-guide can suggest how far to go if you are tired. Evening is at your hotel near Dambulla, with dinner of your choice at the hotel or nearby and an early night, since tomorrow brings a village visit and a safari. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Amaya Lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Your second Cultural Triangle day is gentler on the legs and richer in everyday scenes. After breakfast you drive to a farming village near Sigiriya for a half-day countryside experience. The route runs past paddy fields, and you ride a bullock cart along a dirt track before stepping into a traditional outrigger canoe to drift across a village lake. You also visit a chena plot, the traditional method of small shifting cultivation, and see how families grow crops with the seasons. The best part is lunch. A village family shows you how rice and curry is prepared in a home kitchen, with coconut scraped by hand and pots on a wood fire, and then you sit down to eat the result. Take an appetite and ask questions, because the cooks enjoy explaining the spices. After a rest at your hotel, you head out in the late afternoon for the safari at Minneriya park. The park is built around a reservoir dating from the 3rd century, and in the drier months of the year, from about June to October, large herds of wild elephants come down to the shrinking shore to graze and drink. In peak weeks a hundred or more can be in view at once, though numbers vary, so treat any figure as a good chance rather than a promise. You travel in an open 4x4 jeep for roughly two to three hours, and the evening light is lovely for photographs. Birds, deer and monitor lizards are common sightings as well. Return to your hotel near Dambulla, where the hotel restaurant or a place nearby makes an easy dinner. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a light long-sleeved top for the jeep, where dust and insects are part of the experience. Entrance and jeep fees are paid separately. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Amaya Lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you leave the dry plains and climb into the hills, a drive of roughly two and a half to three hours in total, with a stop on the way. The first halt is a spice garden in Matale, a market town north of Kandy. Here guides walk you through plantings of cardamom, pepper vines, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon and explain how each is harvested and processed. Cardamom, a relative of ginger, grows in the shade of taller trees and has to be picked by hand, which explains its price. Many gardens also demonstrate Ayurvedic herbal preparations, and a co-operative of local growers runs a small shop if you wish to buy something. You reach Kandy in the afternoon and check in. Kandy was the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings, and it sits around a quiet lake in a bowl of hills. Your first visit is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where a tooth of the Buddha is kept. The story goes that it reached the island in the 4th century hidden in the hair of a princess from Orissa, and since then it has been Sri Lanka's most treasured relic. Remove shoes at the entrance, dress modestly, and expect a crowded, devout atmosphere during the evening ritual, with drumming, flowers and chanting. The day finishes with a Kandyan cultural show lasting around an hour, starting at about five o'clock. Drummers, acrobatic dancers in elaborate costume and fire-walkers fill the stage, and it is a lively introduction to the highland traditions. Dinner is your choice, with the hotel restaurant the simplest option, since you stay here for two nights. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is a slower Kandy day with no long drives. After breakfast you go out to the hills around the city for a tea estate and factory visit. The central highlands became tea country under British rule, and the first tea bush brought from China was reportedly planted in the botanical gardens at Peradeniya. Inside the factory you follow the leaf through withering, rolling, drying and grading, and you finish with a cup of freshly made Ceylon tea. It is a sweet, aromatic way to understand why tea became the island's leading export. From there, your driver-guide takes you to a gem gallery, where you learn how Sri Lanka's sapphires and other stones are found, cut and set. There is a model of a traditional mine and a workshop, and you are under no obligation to buy anything. Some guests then spend a free hour in the town, wandering through the shops and the market around the lake. In the late afternoon, when the light is kind, you visit the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, a few kilometres west of Kandy. The grounds spread over a bend of the Mahaweli river and hold more than 4,000 plant species, with a famous orchid collection, spice trees, huge old giants and long avenues of palms. Allow about two relaxed hours. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a hat and insect repellent. The gardens date back to royal times and were laid out formally in the early 1800s. You return to your Kandy hotel for a dinner of your choice and a restful evening before tomorrow's train journey. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Mahaweli Reach Hotel or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is about the journey. After breakfast your driver takes you to Kandy railway station, where you board the scenic hill-country train. The line was built by the British in the 19th century to carry tea and coffee down from the estates, and it is now one of the loveliest rail routes in Asia. The carriages climb slowly through tea terraces, tunnels and waterfalls, with doors and windows that you can lean out of, so keep a good grip and watch your camera. The ride to Nanu Oya takes about four to five hours, and seats are reserved in advance, which we arrange for you. Your driver does not take the train. He meets you at Nanu Oya station with the vehicle and carries your luggage ahead, then drives you the short way up to Nuwara Eliya. This arrangement means you can sit back, look at the view and not worry about bags or stations. Nuwara Eliya lies at about 1,900 metres and is nicknamed Little England, thanks to its colonial bungalows, trimmed lawns and flower beds. It is the coolest town on the island, so the first thing to do on arrival is add a layer. After checking in, you are free to explore. Many guests stroll around Gregory Lake or the town centre, or simply settle in front of the fire with tea. For dinner, the hotel restaurant is an easy choice, and your driver can suggest somewhere nearby. Bring a fleece or jumper, a waterproof jacket and something warm for the evening. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Araliya Green Hills or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 A full day in the hills lets you sample Nuwara Eliya at your own speed. If you like early starts, you can ask to make this an optional pre-dawn trip to Horton Plains, a high plateau of cloud forest and grassland where a circular walk leads to World's End, a cliff that drops about 870 metres. Mist usually covers the view by mid-morning, so leaving before dawn is the only way to see it clearly. It is a moderate walk of a few hours, with cold air and good boots recommended. For everyone, the main visit is the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, set on terraced slopes beneath a dramatic rock. The cool mountain climate suits roses, tree ferns and orchids, and monkeys and blue magpies are often seen in the trees. Close to the garden stands the Seetha Amman Temple, a colourful Hindu shrine tied to the Ramayana, where the story says Sita was held in captivity. Its painted figures are a pleasing contrast to the gentle greens outside. Afterwards your driver-guide takes you around the town itself. You can wander the market, see the old colonial buildings and, if you like, visit a tea factory on the surrounding slopes to see how the leaf is handled at this altitude. Victoria Park is another quiet place to stroll. Dinner is your own choice this evening, and the hotel restaurant makes it simple. Because evenings are chilly, many guests enjoy a hot drink by the fireplace and plan for an easy night before the long drive south. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Araliya Green Hills or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 The road south is one of the most scenic of the whole trip. After breakfast you drive down from Nuwara Eliya through tea hills towards Ella, a journey of around three hours, with views opening wide as you descend. Ella is a relaxed village overlooking a gap in the mountains, popular with hikers for its walks to Little Adam's Peak, which takes about an hour and can be added if you feel energetic. The first stop is the Nine Arch Bridge near Demodara. Built by the British in the early 20th century, it carries the railway over a curve of the jungle on stone arches, and it is notable for having been built without steel reinforcement. Time your visit with a train, and you may see a blue carriage glide across. Then comes Ravana Falls, a broad cascade by the roadside, named for the legendary king of the Ramayana story. It is at its fullest after rain and shrinks in the dry months, but it is always a pleasant place for a short photo stop and a cold drink. Lunch is on the way, and then you continue for around two hours to Tissamaharama, the lakeside town that serves as the gateway to Yala. You arrive in the late afternoon, check in and have time to rest before dinner. Tomorrow starts very early, so pack your camera, binoculars and a long-sleeved shirt tonight, and go to bed on time. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Chaarya Resort & Spa or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Wake early. Your driver takes you in the dark to Yala park, with a breakfast pack, so that you are at the gate for the morning safari. Yala is Sri Lanka's most visited wildlife park, and the density of animals is among the highest on the island. Leopards live here in some of the highest numbers recorded anywhere, and you also look for elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, buffalo and peacocks. The safari runs in a 4x4 jeep with a licensed tracker, who knows the waterholes and the habits of the animals. The first hours are the best, when animals move in cool air. You stop often, listen for alarm calls from deer and monkeys, and scan the rocks and branches for a spotted shape. Birds are a constant pleasure, and you may add painted storks, eagles and bee-eaters to your list. Please remember that wildlife is wild. Leopards may be easy to find on one drive and absent on the next, so we say good chance, never certain. After around three hours you return to your hotel for a late breakfast or lunch and a long rest during the hot middle of the day. Some guests swim, others sleep. If you want more, you may arrange a second afternoon drive, which is optional and paid separately, as are entrance and jeep fees. Choose the hotel restaurant for a simple dinner, or ask your driver for a good place nearby. Wear neutral colours, take a hat, binoculars and sunscreen, and keep a light jacket for the cool morning air. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Chaarya Resort & Spa or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is the longest drive of the tour, so start after a leisurely breakfast and settle in. The journey from Tissamaharama to Bentota takes about four to five hours, following the south coast road past palm-lined beaches and fishing villages. Your driver-guide breaks the trip with stops for a swim, a coconut or a walk along the sand, and you can pause at roadside stalls. By the late afternoon you reach the Madu River, a wetland of mangrove islands and narrow channels north of Galle. A boat takes you through the green tunnels of roots, and the water is calm and shaded. Along the way there are small stops: a cinnamon-peeling demonstration where you can see how the bark is rolled, a tiny temple island, and a fish-spa platform where little fish nibble gently at your feet. The ride lasts about an hour and is relaxed, with kingfishers and herons often visible among the branches. On the way to the hotel you also visit a turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, where the coast hosts five species of sea turtle. The hatcheries protect eggs, care for injured animals and release hatchlings into the sea. It is a short and friendly visit that children enjoy in particular. You check in at your beach hotel at Bentota and can choose the hotel restaurant or a place nearby for dinner. The evening is yours to spend on the sand or by the pool. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Temple Tree Resort & Spa or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is yours. There is no programme, no early start and no drive. Bentota has a wide, golden beach, and the river meets the sea nearby, so there is calm water as well as surf. Most guests swim, read and walk along the shore at sunset. If you want to do something, your driver-guide can help arrange it. The river is good for kayaking, banana-boat rides and jet-skiing, and Bentota has a long tradition of Ayurveda treatments, so a massage or herbal treatment is a popular choice. Gardens designed by the Bawa brothers are also nearby for a quiet walk. All of these are optional and paid separately. A gentle morning might begin with a swim before breakfast, when the sand is empty and the water is flat. Many guests then settle under a palm with a book, and walk along the shoreline later to watch the fishermen haul in their catch or to look for shells. The river mouth is a short stroll away, and it is a pleasant place to see herons and kingfishers in the early light. If you would like one small outing, ask your driver-guide about the nearby gardens, a visit to a local temple or a trip into the town for souvenirs. Otherwise keep the day completely free, because after eleven nights of moving and early starts a long, empty afternoon is part of the plan. Pack your bags in the evening, so tomorrow's departure is calm. Dinner of your choice, at the hotel or a seaside restaurant, finishes your last full day, and the sunset over the water makes a quiet end to the journey. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Temple Tree Resort & Spa or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you check out and your driver-guide takes you to Bandaranaike Airport, a journey of about two hours. We plan your departure time around your flight, with a comfortable margin. If you have time before leaving, a last swim or a walk on the sand is a pleasant way to say goodbye to the island. Please keep your passport and travel documents in your hand luggage, and let your driver know if you need a stop on the way for water, snacks or last-minute gifts. The road follows the coast and then joins the highway north, so the journey is smooth and straightforward. Meals Breakfast Included Activities
Landmarks
Route mapWhere you'll stayThese are the hotels we plan to use. If one of them is full on your dates, we book another hotel of the same standard (“or similar”) and tell you its name before you travel. Comfortable 4-star hotel in Waikkal or similarWaikkal 1 night · Bed and breakfast · exact hotel confirmed at booking Amaya Lake or similarDambulla 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Mahaweli Reach Hotel or similarKandy 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Araliya Green Hills or similarNuwara Eliya 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Chaarya Resort & Spa or similarTissamaharama 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel Temple Tree Resort & Spa or similarBentota 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 4-star hotel What's included
What's not included
Pickup & drop-offPickup: Your Volata Travels driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake, with a name board. Pick-up from a hotel in Colombo or Negombo can also be arranged. Drop-off: Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your departure flight, with the timing planned around your flight. Important informationItinerary order and overnight stops can be adjusted to fit your dates and pace — this is a private tour built around you, not a fixed departure. Cancellation policyAll cancellations must be received in writing by your Volata Tour Consultant. 19.1 Unless otherwise specified in your quotation, the following cancellation terms will apply to your booking: 19.1.1 Cancellations received between the date of booking and 61 days prior to departure will result in the loss of the deposit. 19.1.2 Cancellations received 60 – 46 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 25% of the tour price. 19.1.3 Cancellations received 45 – 29 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 50% of the tour price. 19.1.4 Cancellations received 28 – 15 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 75% of the tour price. 19.1.5 Cancellations received 14 days or less prior to departure will be subject to a forfeiture of the entire tour price. 19.2 Cancellation of airline tickets will be subject to the refund policy of each individual airline and may be greater than the percentages above particularly when low cost/net-based fares are used. 19.3 The purchase of special event tickets is subject to the refund policy of each individual event. Please refer to the specific event policy for details. 19.4 Volata reserve the right to charge for financial penalties, fees and losses incurred in excess of your cancellation fee as a result of cancellation.... What travellers say5.0 average from 7 customer reviews AR Arjun Rao, India The airport pickup was seamless, and our hotels and daily transportation were arranged properly. It was reassuring to have all the key travel details handled in advance. AR Aisha Rahman, Bangladesh Sri Lanka was beautiful, and this trip gave us a lovely way to experience it. The itinerary was well paced and included plenty of memorable stops. We especially appreciated having comfortable transport for the journeys between destinations. LA Leesa Anaa, France A memorable journey through Sri Lanka’s mountains. The guide was friendly and made sure the group felt looked after. CH Clara Hoffmann, Germany A fantastic trip with breathtaking views. The guide was professional and friendly throughout. OJ Oliver James, New Zealand Everything was smooth and well planned. Ella’s views were even better than we expected. HM Hannah Müller, Switzerland We loved the combination of history, scenery, and culture. The tour was comfortable and very well organized. KW Kenji Watanabe, Japan Beautiful landscapes and a comfortable tour. Our guide explained the local culture clearly and answered all our questions. You might also like      Ready to plan your Sri Lanka trip?Tell us your dates and interests — we'll put together a private itinerary within a day. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 12 days enough for Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala and the coast?
Yes, it is a comfortable length. You spend two nights in most places, so you are not changing hotels every day, and the long drives are spread out. The longest transfer is the run from Tissamaharama to Bentota, which takes about four to five hours with stops. If you would like fewer drives, we can remove one stop or add a rest night.
What is the best time of year for this route?
There is no single perfect month because the route crosses several climate zones. Yala and the Cultural Triangle are best in the drier months, roughly February to September. The hills and the south-west coast are driest from about December to March. Minneriya's elephants gather mostly from July to October. We help you choose the compromise that matches your priorities.
Will we definitely see leopards in Yala?
No one can promise that. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities known, and trackers are skilled, so there is a good chance of seeing one, but no sighting can be promised. You will almost certainly see other animals, such as elephants, crocodiles, deer and many birds. A full early morning drive, as in this tour, gives the best odds.
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
It is the most demanding part of the tour, with roughly 1,200 steps and some open metal stairways. Most healthy visitors manage it at a slow pace in one to two hours, taking breaks. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and a hat, and tell your driver-guide if you wish to stop early. The lower gardens are worth seeing even if you skip the summit.
How long is the scenic train ride from Kandy?
The train from Kandy to Nanu Oya takes about four to five hours. It is a slow, scenic journey, with open doors and views over tea country. We reserve seats, and your driver meets you at Nanu Oya with the luggage and the car. Delays can happen on any railway, so we keep the afternoon free.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, for children who enjoy being outdoors. They tend to love the elephants at Pinnawala, the bullock cart and canoe at the village, the turtle hatchery and the beach days. The Sigiriya climb and the long drives are the tiring parts, so we suggest a comfortable pace and plenty of stops. Tell us the ages and we adapt the plan.
What should I pack for the hills and the safari?
Bring light, modest clothes for temples, with covered shoulders and knees, and neutral colours for jeep safaris. A fleece or jumper is essential for Nuwara Eliya, where evenings are cold. Add sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and swimwear. A light rain jacket is useful in any season.
Can I add whale watching or Horton Plains?
Yes. Horton Plains is an optional early morning excursion from Nuwara Eliya, and whale watching from Mirissa usually runs from about November to April. Both can be added or swapped for a rest day. Tell us before you travel so we can plan the timing, check availability and adjust the rest of the route around it, with no pressure to decide immediately.
What is included, and what do I pay separately?
The private vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide, hotels with breakfast each morning, and the programme set out above are included. Entrance fees, jeep safari fees and optional extras are paid separately, and your driver explains them before each visit. We confirm every detail in writing when you enquire, so there are no surprises on the road, and you can ask us about any extra you are unsure of.
What's included in the 12-day tour price?
Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport; 11 nights in 4-star hotels (or similar), double or twin room sharing; a single room if you travel alone; Daily breakfast at your hotels (bed and breakfast); All transfers and sightseeing in a private air-conditioned vehicle; English-speaking driver-guide throughout the tour; Fuel, parking, driver accommodation and highway fees. The tour costs USD 1361 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 2603 for one traveller in a single room, for 11 nights / 12 days. These prices are valid for travel from 8 October 2026 to 30 November 2027.
What's not included?
International flights and the Sri Lanka ETA visa fee; Lunches, dinners and drinks (breakfast is included); Entrance fees and activity fees (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock, village experience, Minneriya jeep safari, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and cultural show, Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, Hakgala Botanical Gardens and more); Optional tours and optional activities; Train tickets (if you choose the scenic train); Hotel supplements when you travel on 24 December and 31 December (New Year), and the Christmas supplement on 24 December; Tips, porterage and personal expenses; Early check-in and late check-out at hotels; Travel insurance and bank charges.
Is the price the same on 24 and 31 December?
Not quite. Hotels charge a compulsory supplement for the nights of 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 31 December (New Year's Eve), and these supplements are not included in the tour price. If your dates include either night, tell us when you enquire and we will confirm the supplement for the hotels on your route before you book.
Can I customize this tour?
Yes. The order of stops, the number of nights in each place, the hotels and the activities can all be adjusted to your dates, pace and budget — this is a private tour built around you, not a fixed group departure. Tell us what you would like to change and we will send a revised quote.
What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be received in writing by your Volata Tour Consultant. Cancellations received up to 61 days before departure result in the loss of the deposit. Between 60 and 46 days before departure a charge of 25% of the tour price applies; between 45 and 29 days, 50%; between 28 and 15 days, 75%; and 14 days or less before departure the entire tour price is forfeited. Airline tickets follow the refund policy of each airline, and special event tickets follow the policy of each event. The full Terms & Conditions are at www.volatatravels.com/terms-and-conditions.