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Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotels 14 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Sigiriya to Yala and the South CoastA relaxed fortnight with two or three nights in every base: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, the tea hills, Yala and three nights on the south-west coast. Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotelsModerate intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 936per person A 14 day Sri Lanka tour from Sigiriya to Yala suits travellers who would rather unpack a handful of times than every single night. Instead of changing hotels daily, this private journey gives most bases two or three nights, so the days are spent looking at things rather than loading the car. It works well for couples, families with teenagers and friends who want the classic island circuit at a gentle rhythm, finishing with a proper stretch of sea air before the flight home. Why choose the 14 day Sri Lanka tour from Sigiriya to YalaYour driver-guide meets you in the arrivals hall and heads inland, stopping at the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala before reaching Sigiriya, where you stay three nights. From there the route runs south: two nights in Kandy, two in Nuwara Eliya, two in Tissamaharama for the park at Yala, three on the coast at Bentota and a final night in Colombo. Hotels are on a bed-and-breakfast basis, which leaves lunch and dinner free so you can eat where the day happens to end. The longest drives come on the transfer days only, and even those are broken up with real stops: a spice garden on the way to Kandy, a tea factory and a waterfall on the climb to the hills, a famous railway bridge and a cascade on the way down to the plains. Everything in between is a short hop. Rock, caves and ruins around SigiriyaThe first three days are the cultural core. You climb the fortress rock at Sigiriya, where a king once built a palace on a summit about 200 metres above the jungle, then visit the cave temple at Dambulla, with its painted ceilings and rows of Buddha figures. An evening in a farming village follows, with a bullock-cart ride, a paddle on the village lake and a rice-and-curry meal cooked over a wood fire. A full day at Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital, completes the picture and is gentler on the legs than the rock. Kandy and the tea countryIn Kandy you see the relic temple, a gem workshop and the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, and an evening dance performance is arranged before you settle in for the night. The hills are next: a working tea estate where you taste the cup straight from the factory, a Hindu temple devoted to Hanuman, the thundering Ramboda Falls and a cool, flower-filled day in Nuwara Eliya, where the evenings call for a jumper and the air smells of eucalyptus and woodsmoke. Yala, Galle and the beach daysThe road down through Ella leads to the Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Falls before you reach the south-east lowlands. At Yala you join an early-morning jeep safari for a good chance of leopard, elephant, sloth bear and crocodile, though wildlife always keeps its own timetable. Then comes the coast: a walk on the ramparts of Galle Fort, a boat ride through the mangroves of the Madu River, a visit to a turtle hatchery and two unhurried days at Bentota with nothing scheduled at all. Comfort, guide and practical detailsYou travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide who stays with you for the whole fortnight. That means flexible start times, room to carry shopping and someone who can adjust the plan if it rains or you simply need a slower morning. Entrance fees and jeep costs are paid separately on the day. Wear light clothing, bring a sun hat, and pack covered shoulders and knees for temples, plus a warm layer for the hills. Best time for this routeNo single month suits every region. The Cultural Triangle and the east are driest from roughly April to September, the hills and the south-west coast from December to March, and Yala is at its most open from about February to September. The months either side of those windows are greener and quieter, and rain tends to arrive as short afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. Make it your ownBecause every Volata Travels itinerary is private, this one can be reshaped. You could swap a beach night for a longer stay in the hills, add the scenic train between Nuwara Eliya and Ella, include whale watching from Mirissa in the right season, or trade the Colombo afternoon for another day by the sea. Tell us what matters most and we will adjust the route and send a quote. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itinerary Your Volata Travels driver-guide is waiting in the arrivals hall with a name board, and after a short pause to change money or buy a local SIM card if you wish, you head inland. The whole transfer to Sigiriya takes roughly three and a half to four hours without stops, so the first day is built around one rewarding break rather than a full programme. The break is at Pinnawala, about an hour and a half from Colombo on the main road towards Kandy. The elephant orphanage here was set up in 1975 on a coconut estate beside the Maha Oya river, and it still looks after elephants that were found injured or without a herd. Young calves are bottle-fed by their keepers, which is a charming thing to watch. The best moment of the visit is the walk to the river: the herd is led down the street twice a day to bathe, and you can stand on the bank or a terrace and watch grown elephants wallow, spray one another and scrub their backs on the rocks. Plan on two hours or so, wear shoes you do not mind getting muddy and keep your distance from the animals, as the keepers will ask. Back in the car, the landscape changes as you cross into the dry zone: coconut and rubber give way to paddy fields, small tanks and the first sight of rocky outcrops rising from flat forest. Not far from Dambulla you turn off towards Sigiriya. Your hotel is on the edge of the village, among gardens and water. There is nothing scheduled this evening. Take a swim if there is a pool, eat early and rest, because tomorrow starts with the rock. Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Breakfast is early, because the best time to tackle Sigiriya is before the sun is high. Your driver-guide takes you the short distance to the entrance, where a path leads through the symmetrical water gardens laid out by King Kashyapa in the fifth century. Pools, fountain beds and stone-lined channels still follow the original plan, and on the right day you can see how the ground was shaped to carry water around the rock. The real work starts at the foot of the fortress. Steps wind up past boulder shelters, then a spiral staircase takes you to a sheltered gallery of painted women, the famous frescoes, whose colours remain remarkably fresh. Beyond them runs the Mirror Wall, once polished so smoothly that the king could see himself in it, and now covered in visitors' verses written centuries ago. Then come the huge lion paws that flank the final stairway. About 1,200 steps in total lead to the summit, where the foundations of the palace, cisterns cut into the rock and a view across jungle and tanks reward you. Allow roughly three hours, take water and move slowly where the stairs are narrow. Locals sometimes call the rock the eighth wonder of the world, and few visitors argue. Back at the hotel you can rest through the heat of the day. Late afternoon, the car takes you to the cave temple at Dambulla, a World Heritage site where five caves sit under a great overhanging rock, about 160 metres above the surrounding plain. Inside are 153 Buddha statues, figures of three kings and four deities, and painted ceilings that tell the Buddha's life in dense patterns. A flight of steps leads up to the entrance; remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees. The day ends with a village visit near Sigiriya: you ride a bullock cart past paddy fields, glide across a lake in a traditional outrigger boat, see a chena plot of slash-and-burn style farming, and watch a family cook rice and curry before you eat it. Then it is back to your hotel. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is the slower counterpart to the rock climb. After breakfast you drive for roughly an hour to an hour and a half to Polonnaruwa, the island's capital in the Middle Ages, where a UNESCO-listed city lies spread across shady parkland beside a huge man-made lake. The ground is flat, the distances between ruins are short and your driver-guide can take the car close to each cluster, so the day is easy on the legs even though it is full. The story begins with King Vijayabahu, who drove out the Chola invaders in 1070 and brought the country under local rule again. His grandson Parakramabahu, who reigned from 1153 to 1186, turned the city into a showpiece. He built great irrigation reservoirs, so large that people compare them to inland seas, and the rice they made possible earned the island the nickname Granary of the Orient. Few other places in the country show so clearly how planned and orderly an ancient kingdom could be. Your guide leads you through the highlights in a sensible order. The circular Vatadage, with its carved stone steps and guardian stones, holds a small stupa surrounded by Buddha figures. The royal palace complex shows the thick walls of what was once a many-storeyed building. The audience hall and council chamber give a sense of court life. Then comes the quiet climax at Gal Vihara, where huge Buddha figures are carved out of a single granite face, one standing, one seated and one reclining, with calm expressions that stay with you. Take a hat and sunglasses, because there is little shade between some of the groups of ruins. A lunch stop is made in the modern town before you drive back to Sigiriya in the afternoon. If you have energy left and the weather is clear, ask about an optional sunset climb of nearby Pidurangala, which looks straight across to the fortress. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After a last breakfast in Sigiriya you leave the dry plains and begin the climb into the hills. Kandy is roughly three hours away, but the road passes Matale, a bustling market town where the farmland begins to turn from paddy to garden, and that is where the first stop of the day belongs. A spice garden in Matale is a pleasant, fragrant place to stretch your legs. Local guides lead you along shaded paths and introduce the plants one by one: nutmeg, pepper vines climbing their supports, clove trees, cinnamon, curry leaf and cardamom, a relative of ginger that grows in the shade of taller forest trees and must be picked by hand. You also learn how many of these spices double as herbal remedies, and a small demonstration usually covers oils and massage balms. The gardens are linked with a cooperative of local farmers, and a shop lets you buy spices if you wish, with no pressure to do so. Continue on to Kandy through winding roads lined with tea, banana and rubber. The city lies around a small lake and is ringed by wooded hills, and the air is noticeably cooler than on the plains. Your driver-guide drops you at your hotel in time to rest and freshen up. Before dinner there is a cultural dance performance, usually held between five and six in the evening. Drummers, dancers in elaborate costume and acrobats take the stage in turn, and the programme often finishes with fire-walking. The show lasts about an hour, seats are normally arranged for you in advance, and it is a good introduction to the traditions of the old hill kingdom before you see the city itself tomorrow. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Kandy rewards a slow day, and this one is arranged around three quite different places. After breakfast your driver-guide takes you to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most revered shrine in the country. The tooth of the Buddha is said to have reached the island in the fourth century, smuggled in the hair of a princess from Orissa so that no one would take it, and it has been kept in royal cities ever since. You pass through moated walls, remove your shoes, and join queues of worshippers carrying lotus flowers. Inside, drummers announce the daily offerings, and the casket itself is shown only behind a screen, but the carved ceilings, the gilded roofs and the devotion of the people around you speak for themselves. Cover your knees and shoulders. From there the programme turns to something more worldly. A gem museum and workshop shows how the island's sapphires and other stones are mined, cut and set, with a reconstruction of a gem pit and a short film. You are under no obligation to buy anything. Some time is left for browsing the shops and market lanes around the lake, which is a good moment to look for gifts, textiles and tea. In the late afternoon you drive about five kilometres west to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, which lie on a bend of the Mahaweli river. The roots of the gardens go back to 1371, when a king held court nearby, and the layout you see today began in 1821. More than 4,000 plant species grow on about 147 acres, from orchids and spice plants to avenues of towering palms. During the Second World War the grounds even served as an Allied headquarters for the region. Allow a relaxed two hours, carry an umbrella in case of a shower, and return to your hotel in the evening. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you climb from Kandy into the tea country, a drive of around three to four hours that is broken into short, enjoyable pauses. The road leaves the city and winds through green slopes, and your first stop is a tea estate and factory where you learn what happens to a leaf after it is plucked. The story of Ceylon tea is a good one to hear on the spot. The first tea plant is said to have arrived from China and been planted at the botanical gardens in Peradeniya, and the British saw that the hill climate suited the crop. Plantations spread from Kandy to Hatton and Bandarawela, and tea has remained the country's leading export crop ever since. In the factory you follow the sequence of withering, rolling, fermenting, drying and grading, and the visit ends with a cup of the freshly made tea, served with a view across the terraced slopes. Pickers in bright clothes work the bushes, and it is nice to give them a wave if the moment allows. Further up the road you reach Ramboda, where a hillside temple honours Hanuman, the monkey god of the Ramayana epic. A tall statue stands inside, and the shrine is small and colourful, a calm place to visit. Near it is Ramboda Falls, a multi-tiered cascade beside the road that thunders after rain. The viewpoint is easy to reach and a good photo spot. As you rise, the temperature drops, the fields give way to vegetable terraces and the town of Nuwara Eliya appears at about 1,900 metres. The late afternoon is yours: take a short walk by the lake if the weather is clear, or simply enjoy the log-fire atmosphere at your hotel. Evenings are cold, so wear a jumper. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Nuwara Eliya is nicknamed Little England, and this free-flowing day lets you see why without a rushed schedule. After a leisurely breakfast your driver-guide begins a town tour, giving you a feel for the place: red-brick colonial buildings, clipped hedges, gardens full of flowers and a town centre with a lively market where hill farmers sell carrots, leeks, strawberries and cut flowers. Mid-morning you drive a short way out of town to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, laid out on terraces beneath a steep rock. The cool mountain air suits roses, tree ferns and orchids, and the grounds are known for their monkeys and the blue magpies that flit through the trees, which are fun to look for. Paths are gentle, and you can spend a pleasant hour wandering in no particular order. Close to the gardens stands the Seetha Amman Temple, a brightly decorated Hindu shrine linked in tradition with the Ramayana story. The statues and colourful figures on the roof make it a vivid contrast with the quiet of the gardens. The afternoon is relaxed. Back in town you can walk around Gregory Lake, look at Victoria Park, which is at its best when the flower beds are in bloom, or ask your driver to find a cafe for tea and scones. If the weather turns, a hot drink and a book by the fire at your hotel works as well as any outing. Dress in layers, because the sun is warm at midday but the temperature falls quickly after dark. There is no long drive today, so you can take your time. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is the longest transfer of the fortnight, but it is also one of the prettiest, and you break it with two very good stops. After breakfast you leave Nuwara Eliya and descend through tea slopes and pine-edged bends towards Ella, a drive of about three hours by road. The scenery opens out as you drop, and in clear weather there are wide views across the valleys. In Ella the first stop is the Nine Arch Bridge near Demodara. It was commissioned in 1921 under British rule and built entirely of stone blocks and cement, with no iron or steel reinforcement, which still surprises engineers. The nine tall arches curve across a jungle gully towards the next hill, and the track is used by the blue trains that come through during the day. Walk down to the viewing spots, find a quiet place and, if the timing works, watch a train cross. Your guide can check the timetable so you do not wait long. Next is Ravana Falls, a broad cascade that drops from a wide rock. It is about 82 feet high, and in the wet season the water spreads out like the bloom of an areca palm, while in dry months it thins to a few ribbons. Local legend ties it to King Ravana from the Ramayana. There is usually time for a cup of tea or lunch at a cafe in Ella with a view of the Ella Gap. After lunch continue to Tissamaharama, about two hours south of Ella. The landscape flattens and turns drier, with lakes, paddy and palm. Check in at your hotel, relax by the pool and go to bed early, because tomorrow starts well before sunrise. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Magampura Eco Village Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Wake very early today. Your driver-guide collects you in the dark, often with a packed breakfast, for the short journey to Yala, where a 4x4 jeep and a tracker are waiting. Early morning is when the park comes alive: mist lifts off the scrub, and the light is soft and gold. Yala is the most visited park in the country and has one of the highest leopard densities known anywhere, which is the reason many people come. Your tracker and driver communicate with other jeeps and read the signs, so you may spend a while waiting by a waterhole or a rocky outcrop. Leopards are elusive, so treat any sighting as a bonus. Elephants are often seen, sometimes with calves, and you can also expect sambar and spotted deer, wild boar, water buffalo, crocodiles on the lagoons, peacocks and a good variety of birds such as eagles, hornbills and painted storks. Sloth bears are present but seen less often. Keep voices low, wear neutral colours and bring a scarf for the dust, along with sunscreen and a camera with a zoom lens. The safari lasts around three to four hours, then the jeep returns you to the gate and you head back to your hotel in Tissamaharama. The jeep and park fees are paid separately. There is a long, quiet afternoon to sleep, swim and enjoy lunch. If you feel restless towards evening, ask about the sacred town of Kataragama nearby, where Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims gather beside the Menik Ganga river and a puja is held at dusk. It is an optional, atmospheric outing and well worth considering if you want to see local devotion up close. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Magampura Eco Village Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you leave the south-east and follow the coast road west to your beach hotel, with a day of good stops along the way. Leave after breakfast and drive roughly three hours to Galle, passing palm-lined shores and small fishing villages. Galle Fort is the first big visit. The Portuguese began building it in 1588 and the Dutch strengthened it greatly from 1649 onwards, and the British later took it over. It remains a lived-in walled town, where the old trading port for spices has turned into a quiet place of cafes, galleries and boutiques. Spend an hour or so walking the ramparts, passing the lighthouse and the clock tower and looking at the Dutch Reformed Church, then wander down the lanes where old villas have become shops. It is hot at midday, so a cold drink is a good idea. Continue north along the coast to the Madu River, a wetland that holds around sixty-four islands, some of them inhabited. The reserve covers about 915 hectares, is fed by seven tributaries and has been a protected sanctuary since 2006. A small boat takes you through channels lined with mangrove roots, with a stop at a cinnamon-peeling demonstration, a temple island and a fish-therapy platform where small fish nibble gently at your feet. It is ticklish and rather funny. Before the hotel, you can visit a turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, where eggs are protected and hatchlings are raised before being released. The day ends at your beach hotel in Bentota, where you can walk down to the sand for a first look at the sea. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Nothing is fixed today. Breakfast at your hotel is served without a clock to watch, and what you do afterwards depends on the weather and your mood. Bentota sits between a wide beach and the calm river of the same name, so there are two kinds of water to choose from. On the sea side, the sand is broad and a morning walk is pleasant before the sun gets strong. Swimming depends on the season and the day, so check the flag or ask hotel staff about currents, because the surf can be strong during the south-west monsoon. The river side is gentler, and it is the place for optional water sports such as jet-ski rides, banana-boat trips and kayaking, all arranged locally for a separate fee. Bentota is also known for Ayurveda, the traditional system of herbal medicine and massage, and many hotels and small clinics offer treatments. A massage after two weeks on the road is a welcome treat, and if you would like one, your driver-guide or the front desk can suggest a reputable place. If you want to get out, the Bawa brothers' gardens nearby are a quiet option with lush landscapes and a great deal of shade. Otherwise, use the day to catch up: sort out photos, wash clothes, read by the pool and eat a long lunch. In the evening, walk to the shore to watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean. Your driver-guide is on call if you decide you would like an outing, but there is no pressure to do anything at all. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 A second free day by the sea, with no schedule and no driving. Spend the morning in the pool or on the beach, and take a long, lazy lunch. If you would like a little variety, your driver-guide can suggest an easy optional outing along the coast, such as the fishing harbour and lighthouse at Beruwala, or a river-side lunch, which are both short drives from Bentota. Otherwise, stay put, read, swim and rest before the final stretch of the journey. A relaxed dinner by the sea makes a fine last evening, whether at your hotel or at a beach restaurant nearby. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast and check-out you drive north to Colombo, a journey of about an hour and a half along the coast road. Your driver-guide plans the day so that you reach the city around late morning, leave your bags at your hotel and spend the rest of the day on a relaxed city tour, as an easy final day of sightseeing. The tour moves through a mix of old and new Colombo. The Fort district, with its colonial-era buildings and the Old Parliament, sits close to the glass twin towers of the World Trade Centre, and the contrast says a lot about the city. Independence Hall stands on Independence Square, a calm, pillared monument built to mark the end of British rule. The Galle Face Green is a long seafront promenade where families fly kites and snack vendors set up at sunset, and Viharamahadevi Park offers a stretch of shade in the middle of the city. The Colombo museum houses royal regalia and sculpture from the island's long history, and you can look at places of worship from all four of the main faiths, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian, which sit within a short drive of each other. There is time for shopping too. Colombo is the best place to pick up tea, spices, batik, handloom textiles and handicrafts for those at home, and your driver-guide can take you to shops with fair prices and plenty of choice. After checking in to your Colombo hotel you can rest, then walk along the seafront or enjoy a final dinner out. Tomorrow is a simple airport day. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Best Western Elyon Colombo or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and check out at your own pace. Your driver-guide takes you to the main airport at Katunayake, roughly an hour from central Colombo in normal traffic, though it is wise to leave generous time before a long-haul flight. If your departure is late, ask your driver-guide about a final stroll, a last coffee or one more shopping stop before you go. Any bags you do not need can stay in the car, and your driver will help with luggage at the terminal before saying goodbye. 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. Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similarSigiriya 3 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Devon Hotel, Kandy or similarKandy 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similarNuwara Eliya 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Magampura Eco Village Resort or similarTissamaharama 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similarBentota 3 nights · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Best Western Elyon Colombo or similarColombo 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-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 say4.5 average from 11 customer reviews CB Chloe Brown, Canada Wonderful Private TourOur experience with Volata Travels was very positive. We wanted a private tour rather than a large group, and the program allowed us to travel at our own pace. The vehicle was clean and comfortable and the driver was always ready before the scheduled departure time. We stayed in several different types of hotels during the journey, from a city hotel in Colombo to mountain accommodation in Nuwara Eliya and a beach property on the southern coast. The hotel arrangements matched the itinerary well. We particularly appreciated having breakfast included because it made the mornings easier. The sightseeing program covered Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala and Galle, giving us a good combination of culture, nature and beaches. Whenever we wanted to spend a little longer at a location, the driver helped us adjust the timing where possible. The airport transfer at the end was also handled smoothly. Overall, it was a comfortable and memorable Sri Lanka holiday. Our selected hotel arrangements were comfortable, including Devon Hotel Kandy, London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya and Oakray Yala. The accommodation worked well with the daily sightseeing schedule and gave us a good place to relax after travelling. BS Beatriz Silva, Portugal Friendly service and a relaxing pace. The coastal scenery was wonderful. OR Oliver Reed, United Kingdom A fantastic introduction to Sri Lanka’s hill country. Ella was especially memorable, and the tour felt well paced. LB Louis Bernard, France The guide’s stories added so much to the trip. We loved the sights and the smooth planning. BS Beatriz Santos, Portugal A pleasant coastal tour with good organization. We especially enjoyed wandering through Galle Fort. EB Emma Brown, United Kingdom Memorable Sri Lanka TripWe had an excellent experience with Volata Travels & Events during our Sri Lanka holiday. From the first airport pickup, everything was organized clearly. Our driver met us on time, helped with our luggage and explained the daily program. The drive to Kandy was comfortable and we enjoyed the cultural attractions and evening activities. The hotel in Kandy was comfortable and well located for sightseeing. In Nuwara Eliya we enjoyed the cooler weather, tea plantations and scenic views. The hotel there was clean and the breakfast was good. Ella was one of our favorite parts of the journey because of the mountain scenery and relaxed atmosphere. Later we continued to Yala for the wildlife experience and then to the southern coast. The beach hotel gave us time to relax after the sightseeing days. Overall, the program was well balanced between sightseeing, driving and free time. Our selected hotel arrangements were comfortable, including 3-star hotels with breakfast and dinner included. The accommodation worked well with the daily sightseeing schedule and gave us a good place to relax after travelling. EI Elena Ivanova, Bulgaria An enjoyable tour with lovely coastal stops and fascinating history. The schedule felt comfortable. SM Sofia Martín, Spain A varied and enjoyable tour. The schedule was quite full, but we were glad to see so many beautiful places. 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 14 days enough for Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Yala?
Yes, and it is a comfortable length. Most bases get two or three nights, so you are not changing hotels every day, and the long drives are spread across the fortnight. You see the cultural sites, the hills, a jeep safari and the south coast without feeling rushed, and there are two free days at the beach to recover before the flight home.
What is the best time of year for this route?
It depends on which region matters most. The Cultural Triangle is driest from about April to September, the hills and south-west coast from December to March, and Yala from February to September. There is no month when everything is perfect, but shoulder months are greener and quieter. Short afternoon showers are common, and we can adjust the order of sightseeing to suit the weather.
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
The route has around 1,200 steps, some of them steep and narrow, with a spiral staircase and an exposed section near the frescoes. Most reasonably fit people manage it in about three hours with rests. Going early helps with the heat and crowds. If you prefer, you can stop at the water gardens and the lower terraces, or choose the easier site of Polonnaruwa instead.
Will I see a leopard in Yala?
Yala has one of the highest leopard densities known anywhere, so the odds are decent, but no sighting can be promised, and results depend on luck and patience. Elephants, deer, crocodiles, peacocks and many birds are seen on most drives. The morning safari in this tour starts at dawn, which gives the best light and the most animal activity.
How long are the drives between the main stops?
Sigiriya to Kandy takes roughly three hours without stops, Kandy to Nuwara Eliya about three to four hours, Nuwara Eliya to Ella around three hours and Ella to Tissamaharama about two. Tissamaharama to Galle is around three hours, and Bentota to Colombo roughly an hour and a half. Each long transfer includes sightseeing stops.
What is included, and what do I pay on the day?
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide and hotel nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Lunches, dinners, drinks, entrance fees and the jeep and park charges for Yala are paid separately, as are optional extras such as water sports and spa treatments. Your driver-guide will tell you the costs in advance so there are no surprises.
Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes, with a few adjustments. Children enjoy the elephants at Pinnawala, the village ride, the jeep safari and the beach days. The Sigiriya climb and long drives can be tiring, so teenagers manage better than very young children. Older travellers can skip the summit and spend more time at the gentler sites. Tell us your ages and we can tailor the pace.
What should I wear and pack?
Pack light cotton clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. For temples, cover your shoulders and knees and expect to remove your shoes. The hills are cool, especially in the evenings at Nuwara Eliya, so bring a fleece or jumper, and carry a light rain jacket. Swimwear, an insect repellent and a small daypack complete the list.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every Volata Travels programme is private and can be adapted. Popular changes include adding the scenic train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, whale watching from Mirissa in the right season, an extra night in the hills, or swapping the Colombo afternoon for more time on the coast. Send us your dates and interests and we will adjust the route and quote.
What's included in the 14-day tour price?
Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport; 13 nights in 3-star and 2-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 936 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 1772 for one traveller in a single room, for 13 nights / 14 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, Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, village experience, Polonnaruwa ancient city, 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.