 Volata Travels & Events (PVT) LtdHot Line / WhatsApp: +94 71 694 6693 / +94 71 897 9909info@volatatravels.com | www.volatatravels.com |
431/1/1 Kandy Road, Dalugama, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka | General line: +94 11 227 3732 | SLTDA License: SLTDA/SQA/TA/02471 |
Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotels 15 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala & BeachSigiriya, Kandy, the hill-country train, Ella's bridge and a Yala jeep safari, then four unhurried nights by the sea in Bentota, with a private driver-guide. Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotelsModerate intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 977per person This 15 day Sri Lanka tour from Sigiriya to Ella and Yala is a long, loosely stitched loop for people who want to see the island properly and still finish with sand under their feet. It starts in the dry-zone heartland of ruins and rice fields, climbs into the hill capital and the cold tea country, drops down to a leopard park in the south and ends with four nights beside the Indian Ocean. A private vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide stay with you throughout, so nobody is waiting for a coach to fill. Who the 15 day Sri Lanka tour from Sigiriya to Ella suitsCouples, families with teenagers and small groups of friends tend to enjoy this pattern best. The pace is steady rather than rushed: you move hotel on most nights during the first eleven days, but you also get a three-night base at Sigiriya, two nights each in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Tissamaharama, and then a proper rest on the coast. The Sigiriya climb, a few walks around Ella and some uneven ground at the ruins ask for ordinary fitness and sensible shoes, nothing more technical than that. The route and where you sleepYou land, rest near the airport, and head inland the next morning. Three nights around Sigiriya cover the cave temple, the rock fortress, a village outing and the old capital of Polonnaruwa. Two nights in Kandy follow, then a morning train up to Nuwara Eliya for two nights of cool air and tea. From there the road runs down through Ella to Tissamaharama for two nights and a morning in Yala. The last four nights are in Bentota, with one touring day to get there and three free days afterwards. Hotels are on a bed-and-breakfast plan, so breakfast is included each morning and you choose where to have lunch and dinner; your driver-guide is happy to suggest good local restaurants. Moments that stay with youSome days will probably be remembered longer than others. Watching young elephants walk down to the Maha Oya river at Pinnawala is one. Climbing Sigiriya in the cool early hours, past the painted maidens and the lion's paws, is another. In Kandy you hear the drums before you see the dancers, and a shared evening of fire-walking is quite a send-off to the hill country. The train from Kandy to Nanu Oya rolls through tea slopes at the speed of a bicycle, with doors open and the valley falling away beside you. Then comes the stone viaduct at Demodara, and finally a dawn jeep through the scrub of Yala, where a leopard resting on a branch is a real possibility. Why the tour ends on the coastMany itineraries of this length keep moving until the last morning. This one does the opposite. After the long drive from Tissamaharama, which is broken up with the ramparts of Galle, stilt fishermen, a mangrove boat ride and a turtle hatchery, you reach Bentota and stay put. The beach there is wide, the river behind it is calm enough for kayaks and banana boats, and Ayurveda treatments are a local tradition. If you want to go further, an early whale-watching trip from Mirissa or a day at the Hikkaduwa reef can be arranged as extras. Best time for this routeThe south-west coast, the hills and Kandy are driest from roughly December to March, with April often still comfortable, while Yala is at its best in the drier months from about February onwards. The Cultural Triangle is happiest between April and September, so February to April is the sweet spot when all regions overlap. In other months you simply swap a little sunshine for greener scenery, and we can tweak the order of regions if the weather suggests it. Nuwara Eliya is cool in any season, and evenings there call for a jumper. Make it your ownEvery part of this plan can be adjusted. You may prefer to drive rather than take the train, add a Minneriya or Kaudulla elephant safari, climb Pidurangala instead of Sigiriya, or turn the beach days into a mix of rest and day trips. Entrance fees and jeep costs are paid separately, and your driver-guide helps you arrange them on the day. Tell us your dates, your group and how active you like to be, and we will shape a version that fits. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itineraryYour flight lands late at night, and your Volata Travels driver is waiting in the arrivals hall with a name board. The transit hotel is only a few minutes from the terminal, so you are in your room quickly. There is nothing planned for the rest of the evening. Check in, shower, sleep, and let the long journey settle. Tomorrow starts with a proper breakfast and a drive inland, so it is worth getting to bed as soon as you can. If your flight is delayed, simply let us know and the driver will adjust. The hotel is on a bed-and-breakfast plan, so breakfast is included tomorrow, though at this hour most guests just want a bed. Accommodation Sasha Transit Hotel or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you leave the airport zone and follow the road towards the Cultural Triangle. The whole journey to Sigiriya is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours of driving, but you break it twice, so the day feels like a series of visits rather than a transfer. The first stop is the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which has cared for orphaned and injured elephants since 1975. It was set up by the Wildlife Department on a coconut estate beside the Maha Oya river. The idea is to give the animals something close to natural surroundings, though twice a day the herd is led down to the water for a bath. Calves younger than about three are still fed from bottles by keepers. Watching the herd cross the road and slip into the river is the highlight, and it is worth timing the stop around bath time. Next comes Dambulla. The cave temple sits beneath a huge overhanging rock that rises about 160 metres above the plains, and a short climb on stone steps leads to the entrance. Inside five caves you find 153 Buddha statues, three royal figures and four deities, with painted ceilings that run from wall to wall. People have worshipped here for more than two thousand years, and the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage monument since 1991. Remove your shoes at the entrance, and cover shoulders and knees. Sandals are easier than laces. From Dambulla it is only 30 to 40 minutes to Sigiriya. You reach your hotel in the late afternoon, with time to cool off before dinner. Tomorrow is an early start, so most guests turn in fairly soon. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today belongs to Sigiriya, and the best plan is an early start while the stone is still cool. Your driver takes you to the gate soon after breakfast, and the climb is easiest when you pace it in stages. The approach itself is half the attraction. You walk first through the symmetrical water gardens, where pools and channels still carry water, then up through boulder gardens and onto the staircases. A spiral stair leads to a sheltered pocket of frescoes showing women in bright dress, preserved in the rock hollow for about fifteen centuries. Beyond them runs the Mirror Wall, once polished so smooth that visitors scratched verses on it. The broad ledge ahead holds the massive paws of a lion, which marked the way into the final stretch. From there, roughly 1,200 steps, many of them iron, lead up to the summit and the ruins of King Kashyapa's palace, built in the fifth century. The view over forest and tanks is wide and quiet. Bring water, a hat and shoes with grip, and allow two to three hours in all. After you have rested, the afternoon turns to the countryside. The village outing takes you past paddy fields on a bullock cart, then onto a lake in a traditional outrigger canoe. You see a chena plot, a small field cleared for seasonal crops, and watch a family cook over a wood fire before sitting down to a rice-and-curry meal. It is slow and friendly, and a good contrast to the morning's climb. You return to your hotel for a rest and a second night at Sigiriya, with dinner wherever you choose. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you head east for about an hour to an hour and a half to Polonnaruwa, the capital that took over from Anuradhapura. The ruins are spread among trees beside a vast reservoir, so the visit feels more like a stroll through a park than a museum tour. The story is quickly told. King Vijayabahu drove out the Chola invaders in 1070 and brought the country back under one local ruler. A century later King Parakramabahu reigned from 1153 to 1186 and put the energy into water. He built a network of reservoirs so large that people called them inland seas, which turned the island into a rice exporter, and the Parakrama Samudra beside the ruins is the best known. It is a good moment to see why so much of this region is still green. Your driver-guide leads you through the highlights. The circular Vatadage once sheltered a relic and is ringed by carved stone steps and moonstones. The remains of the royal palace show how tall and thick the walls were, and the council chamber is easy to picture with its row of lion-topped pillars. The finest scene comes at the end at Gal Vihara, where four Buddhas are carved into one granite face, one of them lying and one standing, with calm faces that reward a slow look. Wear light clothes, take a hat and be ready to remove shoes at shrines. In the afternoon you return to your hotel near Sigiriya for a swim or a rest. If you have energy and it is the right season, you can add an optional jeep safari in the evening, since the elephant parks lie close by. Dinner is yours to arrange, and the hotel restaurant is the simplest choice. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 You say goodbye to the Cultural Triangle after breakfast and drive south to Kandy, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours without stops. The road climbs gradually into greener hills. A little before Kandy you turn into a spice garden in Matale. It lies about 25 kilometres from the city and is a good place to learn what is actually behind the smells in a Sri Lankan kitchen. A guide leads you between cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, cloves and vanilla, explains how each is grown and processed, and shows how some of them feature in Ayurvedic remedies. Farmers in the area work as a cooperative and sell directly, so you can buy something if you like, but there is no pressure. You reach Kandy in the afternoon, check in, and have a little time to freshen up. Kandy is the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings, set on a hillside around a small lake. In the evening you visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which holds what Buddhists regard as the tooth of the Buddha. According to the tradition, a princess smuggled it to the island in her hair in the fourth century, and since then it has been the country's most treasured object. The drums, the flowers and the crowds make it one of the most atmospheric hours of the trip. Dress modestly and take off your shoes and hat. Between about five and six in the evening you can watch a Kandyan cultural show. Drummers, acrobatic dancers in huge headdresses and a final fire-walking act fill the stage. Afterwards you choose where to have dinner, and your driver can suggest a place. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 A full, unhurried day around Kandy comes after the journey. Breakfast at the hotel, then your driver takes you to three very different places. The first is a gem museum and workshop. Sri Lanka has produced sapphires and other stones for centuries, and here you can see a replica of a working mine, glass cases of rough and polished stones, and a film that follows a gem from the ground to a finished ring or pendant in silver, gold or platinum. Craftsmen cut stones in the next room. A showroom is attached, but looking is perfectly fine. Next you drive into the hills to a tea estate and factory. Central Sri Lanka is where Ceylon tea grew into a major industry once British planters saw how well it suited the climate. Local lore holds that the first tea plants from China were raised in the botanic gardens at Peradeniya, and the crop then spread to Hatton and Bandarawela. In the factory you follow the leaf through withering, rolling, fermenting and drying, and afterwards you sit down with a freshly brewed cup and a view over the terraces. Late in the afternoon you reach the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, about 5 km from the city centre. They cover 147 acres inside a bend of the Mahaweli river, at roughly 460 metres above sea level, and hold more than 4,000 species. Orchids, spice plants, medicinal herbs and avenues of tall palms are the stars. The royal links go back to 1371, and the layout of today's gardens began in 1821. Allow about two hours, wear comfortable shoes and take an umbrella in case of showers. You return to Kandy for a second night and dinner. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is the day many guests remember best. After breakfast your driver drops you at Kandy railway station, and your luggage travels on with him by road. You board the train for one of the great railway journeys of Asia, and he meets you again at Nanu Oya. The line follows the original track laid by the British in 1864, built to carry tea and coffee down from the estates. The train climbs slowly out of Kandy, creaking past rice terraces, then tunnels and ridges, and up into tea slopes so steep that pickers seem to cling to them. Doors stay open on many carriages, and standing by one is part of the fun, so keep a good grip and take care with phones and cameras near the edge. The ride to Nanu Oya takes about four to five hours, which gives you plenty of time to watch the scenery and talk with other travellers. Trains can run late and carriages can be busy, so bring snacks and water. At Nanu Oya your driver is waiting, and the transfer to Nuwara Eliya takes a short time. At about 1,900 metres, this is the highest and coolest town on the tour, known as Little England for its colonial bungalows, gardens and clipped lawns. The air is crisp, and the evening can feel properly cold, so a warm layer is essential. Check in, take a walk around the hotel grounds or the lake if the weather allows, and have an early dinner. The rest of the day is left open so you can recover after a long, scenic journey. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Waking up in the hills is a pleasure in itself, with mist on the lawns and the smell of woodsmoke. After breakfast your driver takes you around Nuwara Eliya at a gentle pace, and the rest of the day is yours. Start in the town centre and the market, where vegetables grown in the cool air are piled high next to flowers and tea. The streets still hold old brick post offices and Tudor-style houses from the colonial era, and a stroll gives you a feel for why the British loved it. Gregory Lake and Victoria Park are close by and make pleasant places to walk, with flower beds that bloom most of the year. Then you drive a short way out to Hakgala Botanical Gardens, a terraced park below a steep rock. The cool altitude suits roses, tree ferns and orchids, and the gardens are also known for monkeys and blue magpies. A short distance away is the Seetha Amman Temple, a bright Hindu shrine decorated with painted figures and linked to the Ramayana epic, which is why many Hindu pilgrims stop here. The afternoon is free. Some guests visit another tea estate, others read or rest, and some simply walk through the lanes between tea bushes. If the weather is clear, the views are remarkable, but low cloud and rain are common, so pack a rain jacket. There is no need to fill every hour. By evening the temperature drops quickly, and a hot dinner and a hot drink at the hotel are very welcome. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you drop from the cool highlands towards the dry south. After breakfast you drive to Ella, about three hours by road, with the scenery shifting from tea to forest to open valleys. Ella is a small village in a gap between two ridges, and it makes an ideal place to stretch your legs. The first stop is the Nine Arch Bridge near Demodara, a stone viaduct commissioned in 1921 and built without steel reinforcement, using only stone blocks and cement. It curves gracefully through the jungle, and the best moment is when one of the blue trains rolls slowly across. Your driver-guide can check the likely times so you do not wait long. Then you visit Ravana Falls, a wide waterfall that drops about 82 feet from a smooth, curved rock beside the road. In the rainy season it fans out like a flower, and during the dry months it shrinks to a few ribbons. Local legend connects it with King Ravana. If you have enough energy and the sky is clear, you can add the optional walk to Little Adam's Peak, which takes about an hour and rewards you with views over the valley. After lunch you continue to Tissamaharama, which is roughly two hours from Ella, down through cooler air that gradually turns hot. This lakeside town is the base for the Yala wildlife park. You check in, and the rest of the day is for resting and preparing for tomorrow's early start. Pack a hat, binoculars if you have them, and neutral colours for the jeep. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Magampura Eco Village Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 The safari starts early, long before the heat arrives. You leave your hotel in the dark with a breakfast pack, and your driver takes you to the park entrance to meet the 4x4 jeep and a tracker. Dawn is when animals are most active, and the light is soft for photographs. Yala is Sri Lanka's best-known wildlife park and is often said to hold one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere. They are not easy to find, but a good number of guests spot one lying on a rock or in a tree, and your tracker will talk to other drivers to find out where. Elephants are very likely, usually in small family groups, and you can expect to see crocodiles, wild boar, buffalo, spotted deer, peacocks and many water birds. Sloth bears are seen occasionally. Sightings are never certain, which is part of the appeal of a safari. The ride is about three hours of bumpy driving on sandy tracks, so wear a hat, sunscreen and clothes in muted colours. A light scarf helps with the dust. Keep voices low, never stand on the seats, and remember that jeep and entrance fees are paid separately. The park closes for some weeks each year, so we always check your dates. You return to the hotel for a late breakfast or brunch, and the afternoon is free for a swim, a nap or a look around the town. If you feel curious, the pilgrimage town of Kataragama, a short drive away, has an evening ritual that you can watch as an optional extra. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Magampura Eco Village Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is the longest drive of the tour, but it is broken into short, interesting stops. After breakfast you set off west, with about three hours to Galle and then roughly another hour to Bentota, and most of the road follows the sea. Along the southern stretch you might see stilt fishermen, who sit on a pole planted in the shallows and flick lines into the surf. They are a traditional sight in this area and one of the classic images of the coast. Your driver can pull in for a few minutes if the fishermen are out. Galle Fort is the main stop. The Portuguese began it in 1588 and the Dutch greatly extended it from 1649, and the result is a walled town with cobbled lanes, churches, galleries and cafés. Walk part of the ramparts, look for the lighthouse and the clock tower, and give yourself about an hour. North of Galle, the Madu River boat safari winds among mangrove islands. The estuary holds around 64 islands in a protected wetland of about 915 hectares, and some are inhabited. The boat stops at a cinnamon-peeling demonstration, a small temple island and a fish-spa platform where tiny fish nibble your feet, which tickles more than it hurts. Before Bentota you visit a turtle hatchery. Staff protect eggs from poachers, look after injured turtles and release hatchlings into the sea. You check in to your beach resort in the late afternoon, and the terrace is a pleasant place to have dinner. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After the long drive from the south, today is simply meant to be slow. Breakfast comes whenever you like, and there is no guide, no schedule and no early start. Bentota is a resort town where a wide, sandy beach faces the sea on one side and a calm river runs behind it on the other. Most guests spend the morning on the sand or by the pool, then walk along the shoreline in the late afternoon when the heat softens. The Indian Ocean here can have strong currents, so swim where the hotel staff recommend and watch the flags. The sunsets are a pleasure, and you can order a cold drink and watch the colour fade without moving much. If you start to feel restless, your driver-guide can arrange small outings nearby, such as a short river trip, a visit to a temple or a stroll through the local market. None of that is part of the programme, so it is purely optional and paid separately. Many people find that after eleven days of sightseeing, doing very little is the best treat. Dinner is your own choice tonight, and tomorrow is open again. Use today to wash clothes, write postcards, sort photos and let your body adjust to the rhythm of the coast. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This is another free day by the sea, with the programme left open on purpose. You can spend it exactly as you did yesterday, or try one of the things Bentota is known for. The town has a long tradition of Ayurveda, the island's herbal medicine, and many hotels and small clinics offer massages and oil treatments. If you fancy one, book it in the morning so that it fits around lunch. The calm river behind the beach is the other attraction, with jet-skiing, banana-boat rides and kayaking among the options. They are optional, paid for on the spot, and suited to families with older children. Garden lovers can visit the lush gardens created by the Bawa brothers nearby, where tropical planting and sculpture sit around a gentle landscape. It is a pleasant half-day trip. Early risers in the right season, usually November to April, can also request a whale-watching trip from Mirissa, though that means a very early departure and a long day. Otherwise, keep it simple with a book, a swim and a long dinner. Sunscreen and a hat are worth having, as the sun is strong even when the sky looks hazy. We are happy to help organise any of these on the day. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Your final full day is yours to spend as you like. Many guests choose to do very little. Have a long breakfast, take a last swim, and sit under a palm with a book until the heat drops. If you want a change of scene, Hikkaduwa is a short drive south and is known for its coral reef, turtles in the shallows and a lively strip of cafés. Glass-bottom boats and snorkelling are the main activities, and your driver can take you there and wait. Another option is a final wander around the local shops, where you can find tea, spices and batik for friends at home. In the afternoon, start thinking about the journey home. Pack your bags, check your documents and make sure everything fits. Your driver will confirm the pick-up time for tomorrow, based on your flight, and the drive to the airport takes about two hours. Have a relaxed dinner, in the hotel restaurant or at a beach place, maybe with a table close to the sea. After two weeks of temples, trains, tea and elephants, it is a calm way to close the trip. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After a last breakfast and check-out, your driver loads the luggage and takes you to the airport. The drive is about two hours, and we plan the departure time around your flight so there is a comfortable margin for check-in. On the way you may want to stop for a final coffee or a few last gifts. Tell your driver-guide if you need to change money or buy anything, and he will help where he can. If your flight is late in the day, ask about a later check-out or about leaving your luggage at the hotel. Thank you for travelling with Volata Travels. We hope you leave with good memories and good photographs, and that Sri Lanka brings you back soon. 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. Sasha Transit Hotel or similarKatunayake 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel 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 4 nights · 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 say4.6 average from 10 customer reviews HK Hana Kim, South Korea We loved the views and the variety of stops. A little busy, but a great way to see the region. MJ Mikkel Jensen, Denmark A lovely combination of heritage and seaside scenery. The tour was well paced and professionally run. ÉP Élodie Petit, France A charming coastal trip with a great guide and plenty to discover. FB Felix Braun, Switzerland A great tour with an excellent guide. The fort’s history and the coastal scenery were both impressive. IV Isidora Vega, Chile Great atmosphere, interesting sights, and a comfortable itinerary. We had a lovely time. MR Mia Robinson, United States A wonderful way to experience Sri Lanka’s hill country. We enjoyed the cultural stops and the amazing views. FM Finn Murphy, Ireland A very enjoyable trip. The fort and seaside views made it especially memorable. DC David Cohen, Israel Excellent organization and a very informative guide. The coastal scenery was beautiful. 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 15 days enough for Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and the beach?
Yes, it is a comfortable amount of time for this route. You spend three nights around Sigiriya, two in Kandy, two in Nuwara Eliya and two near Yala, then four on the coast. That leaves one long travel day to the beach and three free days to rest. If you want more sightseeing, we can turn a free beach day into an excursion.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
February to April is the easiest window, because the hills, Yala, the Cultural Triangle and the south-west coast are all in reasonable shape. December to March is driest on the coast and in the hills, while April to September is drier in the Cultural Triangle. Outside those months the tour still works, with a few showers and greener scenery, and the order can be adjusted.
How difficult is the Sigiriya climb?
It is a moderate effort rather than a hard one. There are roughly 1,200 steps, some of them iron stairs on the rock face, and the heat adds to the work. Start early, bring water and wear shoes with grip. You can climb slowly and rest at the viewing points. If you do not want to go to the top, the water gardens and lower terraces are still worth seeing.
Do we really take the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya?
Yes. Your driver drops you at Kandy station and meets you again at Nanu Oya, the stop for Nuwara Eliya, with your luggage. The ride takes about four to five hours and is one of the most scenic in the country. Trains can be crowded and sometimes run late, so bring snacks and water. If you prefer to go by road, the drive takes around three to four hours.
Will we see a leopard in Yala?
There is a good chance, but nobody can promise it. Yala is known for one of the densest leopard populations in the world, and many early jeep safaris end with a sighting. You are also very likely to see elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, deer and many birds. Being patient, quiet and in the park at sunrise gives you the best odds.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
Not much on most days, but a few have longer stretches. Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa all involve steps or uneven ground, and the Peradeniya gardens and Galle Fort are mostly flat strolls. In Ella the walk to Little Adam's Peak is optional and takes about an hour. Comfortable shoes, a hat and a light rain jacket are the most useful items.
What should we pack for the hill country?
Nuwara Eliya sits at around 1,900 metres, so evenings are cold at any time of year. Bring a warm jumper or fleece, long trousers and a light waterproof. In the cultural sites you need to cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes, so loose, light clothes work best. Pack swimwear and sunscreen for the final four nights in Bentota.
Is the tour suitable for children?
It suits families with children who are happy to manage the climbing and the early jeep safari. Younger children usually enjoy Pinnawala, the village outing, the train and the beach. Tell us the ages when you enquire and we can shorten walks, avoid the Sigiriya summit or add a rest day.
Can this itinerary be changed?
Yes, all of Volata Travels private tours can be customised. People often swap the train for a drive, add a Minneriya or Kaudulla elephant safari, climb Pidurangala for the sunrise or spend extra days at the beach. Entrance fees and jeep costs are paid separately. Send us your dates and interests, and we will suggest changes that keep the journey comfortable.
What's included in the 15-day tour price?
Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport; 14 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 977 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 1835 for one traveller in a single room, for 14 nights / 15 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, 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.