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Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotels 9 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Elephants, Tea Hills & Yala SafariA loop of elephants, ancient cities, Kandy, tea country and a dawn leopard safari in Yala, then a long, slow final day on the beach at Bentota. Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotelsModerate intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 694per person A 9 day Sri Lanka tour with Nuwara Eliya and Yala works best when it covers old kingdoms, living temples and wild country in one loop, and this one does exactly that. You land in Colombo, drive inland to the ruined cities and rock fortresses of the Cultural Triangle, climb into the hills at Kandy, continue to the cool tea town of Nuwara Eliya, then drop south for a dawn leopard safari before a last, slow day on the beach. It suits couples, families with teenagers and small groups who want history and wildlife in roughly equal measure, and who are happy with one long drive on most days. Who the 9 day Sri Lanka tour with Nuwara Eliya and Yala suitsThe pace is steady rather than gentle. Four of the eight nights are spent in pairs, with two nights in Habarana and two in Kandy, so the middle of the trip gives you a rest from packing. The outer nights are single stops in Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Tissamaharama and Bentota. Expect early alarms on the safari mornings and one tougher climb at Sigiriya or Pidurangala, both of which are optional in their own way. If you want a calmer rhythm, ask us to add a night in the hills or to cut the Yala stop. From Colombo to Bentota, night by nightYour first night is in Colombo, with a short city drive if your flight arrives in time. The second day takes you to Pinnawala, Dambulla and an evening safari at Minneriya before you check in at Habarana. A full day then covers Polonnaruwa, the rocks of Sigiriya and Pidurangala, and the following morning you leave for Kandy by way of a countryside village and a spice garden. After a day in Kandy you drive up through tea country to Nuwara Eliya, spend a night in the hills, descend past Ella to Tissamaharama and finish at Bentota after a morning in Yala. Anyone searching for a Sri Lanka tour Kandy Nuwara Eliya Yala will recognise the classic spine, only here with extra time in the ancient cities. Moments that stay with youPolonnaruwa is the first. You can wander between the circular Vatadage, the palace of King Parakramabahu and the serene rock-cut Buddhas of Gal Vihara on a shaded, flat site, and it is easy to picture the medieval capital that stood here from the 11th to the 13th century. Sunset on Pidurangala is the second. This lower rock faces Sigiriya fortress across the forest, and the last light turns the great stone gold. The path passes a small temple and ends with a scramble over boulders, so wear sturdy shoes. If you still have energy, the climb to the top of Sigiriya itself is possible instead or as well. The third moment is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, followed by a dance evening with drums and fire. The fourth is the road up to Nuwara Eliya, with a tea factory tasting and the tall tiers of Ramboda Falls on the way. The fifth is Yala at dawn, where a tracker-led jeep gives you a good chance of leopard, elephant and crocodile. Nothing is certain with wild animals, which is part of the thrill. Comfort, meals and your driver-guideA private air-conditioned vehicle carries you the whole way, with an English-speaking driver-guide who handles the routes, timings and tickets. You stay in comfortable hotels on a bed-and-breakfast plan, so breakfast is included each morning and you choose where to have lunch and dinner, which lets you try local cafés and restaurants; your driver-guide is happy to suggest good places. Entrance fees and jeep fees are paid on the day and are not part of the tour price, and your driver explains them at each place. Bring a jumper for Nuwara Eliya, a hat and sunscreen for the ruins and neutral clothes for the safaris. Best time for the 9 days Sri Lanka itineraryYala and the Cultural Triangle are driest from about February to September, and Minneriya's elephants are most numerous in the drier months, roughly July to October. The hills and the south-west coast are driest from December to March, which is also the calmest period for swimming at Bentota. So there is no perfect month; the shoulder months give greener scenery and fewer visitors. Yala closes for part of the year, so we always check the park dates first. Make the tour your ownBecause every Volata Travels trip is private, you can reshape this one freely. Swap Pidurangala for the full Sigiriya climb, add a morning in Colombo's Pettah markets, or keep the final day completely free. Tell us your travel dates, who is coming and how active you want to be, and we will send a clear plan with no obligation. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itinerary Your Volata Travels driver-guide waits in the arrivals hall at the airport with a name board and takes you to your hotel in Colombo, about an hour away depending on traffic. This is a gentle first evening, designed around a late flight. If you land early enough, your driver can take you on a short city drive before dinner. Colombo is the island's commercial capital, and the sights sit close together: the colonial buildings of Fort, the Galle Face Green seafront where families gather at sunset, Independence Memorial Hall, the Viharamahadevi Park and the city museum. Temples, churches, a mosque and Hindu shrines stand within a short drive of each other, which says much about the city. Do not feel obliged to see anything. After a long flight, a shower, dinner and sleep are a perfectly good plan, and tomorrow starts with a longer drive north. Accommodation Best Western Elyon Colombo or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This day moves from the coast into the heart of the island. After an early breakfast you head north-east towards Habarana. Pinnawala lies on the Colombo to Kandy road, about an hour and a half from the capital, and it is the first stop. The elephant orphanage was founded in 1975 on the banks of the Maha Oya river to care for elephants that had lost their mothers or been injured. You can see the herd being fed, and baby elephants are still bottle-fed by their keepers. The highlight is the walk to the river, when the animals bathe in the shallows. Allow around two hours. Next comes Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage monument and a place of worship for over two thousand years. A short climb up stone steps brings you to five caves beneath a vast overhanging rock. Inside, golden Buddhas sit and recline among ceilings covered with painted murals. Dress modestly, and expect to remove your shoes at the entrance, which can be hot underfoot, so socks are useful. You check in at your hotel in Habarana, a forest and lake setting, and rest for a while. In the late afternoon you head for Minneriya, a park built around an ancient reservoir. A 4x4 jeep takes you along the shore, where wild elephants come to drink and graze. In the dry season the herds can be large, and families with calves are a good chance of appearing, but numbers change from year to year. The safari lasts two to three hours, ending in soft evening light. For dinner, the hotel restaurant or a place nearby is an easy choice. Entrance and jeep fees are paid separately. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is the most history-rich day of the tour. After breakfast you drive about an hour to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital that rose after King Vijayabahu drove out the Chola invaders in 1070 and reunited the country. His successor Parakramabahu, who ruled from 1153 to 1186, is remembered for the vast irrigation tanks that earned the island the name Granary of the Orient. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage area, and one of the best planned archaeological sites in the country. The ruins sit among trees beside a huge reservoir, and the ground is flat, so walking is easy. You see the circular Vatadage, where carved Buddhas guard a relic shrine, the remains of the royal palace and, most memorable of all, the Gal Vihara, where huge Buddha figures are carved from a single granite face. Start early to beat the heat, and bring a hat and water. You return to the Habarana area for a rest in the middle of the day. In the afternoon you go to Sigiriya, the 5th-century rock fortress of King Kashyapa. Most guests today take an outside tour of the fortress and its gardens, and then climb Pidurangala, the neighbouring rock, for sunset. The path is about a half-hour climb, passing a small temple and ending with a short scramble over boulders, so sturdy shoes help. At the top the view looks straight across to Sigiriya rising from the forest. If you prefer, you can climb Sigiriya itself, about 1,200 steps to the royal palace ruins, as an optional extra. Then you return to Habarana, where the hotel restaurant or a place nearby makes an easy dinner. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you leave Habarana for Kandy, but the journey is broken by two relaxed visits. The first is a village outing near Sigiriya. A bullock cart rolls you along a track between paddy fields, and then you step into a traditional canoe for a paddle across the village lake. You also see a chena plot, where families practise small-scale shifting cultivation, and you watch a cooking demonstration in a village home. Lunch is a home-cooked rice and curry prepared over a wood fire. It is an easy, friendly morning, and a gentle contrast to the great ruins you saw yesterday. Then you travel south towards the hills. At Matale, roughly 25 kilometres from Kandy, you visit a spice garden where guides show cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg growing, and explain how each is processed. Many gardens also demonstrate Ayurvedic herbal remedies, and a farmers' co-operative sells the produce, though you are not expected to buy anything. The drive from Habarana to Kandy takes about three hours without stops, so you arrive in the middle of the afternoon. The road climbs and the air turns cooler as you approach the hill capital. You check in to your hotel, where you stay two nights, and the rest of the day is free. Kandy sits around a small lake and is a pleasant place for a stroll before dinner. Bring a light scarf or shawl for the temple tomorrow, and keep small notes handy for the village. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Kandy is the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings, set in hills around a lake. After breakfast you visit its great shrine, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. According to tradition the tooth of the Buddha was smuggled to the island in the 4th century hidden in a princess's hair, and it has been treasured ever since. The temple is the spiritual heart of the island, and visitors queue with lotus flowers to see the casket. Dress modestly, remove shoes and move slowly. Try to go during a ritual, when drummers play and the atmosphere is intense. Your driver-guide then takes you to the gem museum and workshop. Sri Lanka has been a source of sapphires and other stones since ancient times, and here you see a reconstructed mine, learn how rough stones are cut and set, and visit the showroom. Browsing is optional. Spend your free time in the town, or have lunch beside the lake. In the late afternoon you go to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, about 5 kilometres west of the centre. The gardens lie in a bend of the Mahaweli river and are well known for their orchids, spice trees and long avenues of palms. They have been a royal pleasure ground and later one of the greatest botanical gardens of the British Empire. Allow two hours at an easy pace. Early evening brings a Kandyan dance show, starting at about five and lasting around an hour. Drummers, dancers in feathered headdresses and fire-walkers perform. Dinner is your choice, and the hotel restaurant is a comfortable option after the day out. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today you climb into the highlands. The drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya takes three to four hours, and you should not hurry it. The first planned stop is a tea estate and factory. Tea came to this region under British rule, and the first plant is said to have arrived from China at the botanical gardens in Peradeniya. Inside the factory you follow the leaf through withering, rolling, fermenting, drying and grading, and you finish with a tasting of freshly made Ceylon tea with a view over the terraces. The whole process takes about a day from bush to cup, which surprises most visitors. Further up the road you stop at Ramboda Falls, a tall waterfall in several tiers beside the main road, with a colourful Hindu temple to Hanuman nearby. The cloud often creeps in here, so keep a jacket handy. By afternoon you reach Nuwara Eliya, at about 1,900 metres. Nicknamed Little England for its colonial bungalows, lawns and flower gardens, it is the coolest town on the island. After checking in, your driver-guide takes you around town, including the market, where vegetables and flowers are sold in an unexpected mix of tropical and European varieties. If time allows, you can also visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, set on terraces beneath a dramatic rock, and the Seetha Amman Temple close by. Choose the hotel restaurant for a simple dinner, or ask your driver for a good place nearby. Evenings are cold, so pack a fleece or jumper and a rain jacket. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 You leave the hills after breakfast and drive towards Ella, a journey of around three hours through tea fields and misty valleys. Ella is a relaxed village with a wide view through the mountain gap, and its cafés are a good place for lunch. The first stop is Ravana Falls, a broad waterfall beside the road, named after the king of the Ramayana legend. It falls from an oval hollow in the rock and is at its fullest after rain, when it looks like a drooping flower, and thins out in the dry season. Then you visit the Nine Arch Bridge near Demodara, an elegant stone viaduct built about a hundred years ago without steel reinforcement. It curves through the jungle, and it is best to arrive before a train crosses so you can watch it pass over the arches. A short walk through trees leads to the viewpoint. After lunch the road runs down for about two hours to Tissamaharama, a lakeside town and the usual base for visiting Yala. You arrive in the late afternoon, check in and rest. The ancient Tissa Wewa reservoir and a gleaming white stupa sit at the heart of the town, and a stroll at sunset is lovely if you have energy. Dinner is your own choice this evening, and the hotel restaurant makes it simple. Go to bed early, because the alarm rings before dawn tomorrow. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Magampura Eco Village Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 The day starts in the dark. Your driver takes you to Yala with a breakfast pack, so you are at the gate when the park opens. Yala is the most visited wildlife park in Sri Lanka and has one of the highest leopard densities recorded anywhere. A 4x4 jeep with a tracker takes you along sandy tracks and past waterholes, looking for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, peacocks and many birds. Early morning is the best time, when animals are active and the air is cool. Sightings are never certain, but a three-hour drive gives a good chance of something special. After the safari you return to the hotel for a rest, and then begin the long drive west. Tissamaharama to Galle takes about three hours, and the journey on to Bentota adds roughly an hour. Because the drive is long, we suggest choosing a few of the following stops, depending on your energy: Galle Fort, begun by the Portuguese in 1588 and strengthened by the Dutch, where you can walk the ramparts; stilt fishermen along the coast; the Madu River, where a boat winds through mangroves with a cinnamon demonstration and a fish spa; and a turtle hatchery near Kosgoda. You arrive at your beach hotel in Bentota in the evening, with the hotel restaurant or a seafront place nearby for dinner. Jeep and entrance fees are paid separately. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 This last day is deliberately empty. After breakfast you can swim, read by the pool or walk along the wide sand of Bentota. The river mouth nearby is calm and suits kayaking or a banana-boat ride, and Bentota has a long tradition of Ayurveda, so a treatment is a popular option. All of these are optional and paid separately. We arrange a late check-out where possible, so you can use the room until the afternoon. Around five o'clock your driver-guide takes you to the airport, a drive of about two hours, and helps with your luggage before you fly home. 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. Best Western Elyon Colombo or similarColombo 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similarHabarana 2 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 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Magampura Eco Village Resort or similarTissamaharama 1 night · Bed and breakfast · or a similar 3-star / 2-star hotel Laluna Ayurveda Resort or similarBentota 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 say4.8 average from 5 customer reviews WC Wei Chen, Singapore Great Sri Lanka HolidayOur Sri Lanka tour was very enjoyable from beginning to end. The airport pickup was on time, the vehicle was clean and comfortable, and our driver was friendly and knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella. The hotels were comfortable and the overall program was easy to follow. Our selected hotel arrangements were comfortable, including Fairway Colombo, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and a beach hotel in Bentota. The accommodation worked well with the daily sightseeing schedule and gave us a good place to relax after travelling. LM Leonor Matos, Portugal A pleasant and scenic trip. The organization was good, and the hill-country views were lovely. NL Nathan Lee, Canada Great organization and a lovely itinerary. We enjoyed every stop in the hill country. JR Jonas Richter, Germany Excellent planning and comfortable travel. The scenery around Ella was the highlight of our visit. SC Sienna Clarke, New Zealand The landscapes were breathtaking, and the tour was easy to enjoy. We especially loved our time in Ella. 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 nine days enough for the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Yala?
It is enough for a good overview, and the route has been arranged so that the long drives fall on days with interesting stops. You spend two nights each in Habarana and Kandy, which helps. The trade-off is that Nuwara Eliya, Tissamaharama and Bentota get one night each. If you want more time in the hills or on the beach, we can lengthen the plan.
What is the best time to travel on this route?
Yala and the Cultural Triangle are best from about February to September, and Minneriya's elephants are most numerous around July to October. The hills and the south-west coast are driest from December to March. Because the route crosses several climates, you will meet some rain in most seasons, but it is rarely all-day.
Do we have to climb Sigiriya?
No. The programme includes the gardens at the foot of the rock and a sunset climb up Pidurangala, which has a view of Sigiriya. The full Sigiriya ascent, about 1,200 steps, is optional if you want it. Both climbs are manageable at a slow pace, with sturdy shoes and water.
How early is the Yala safari, and how long does it last?
The morning safari starts before dawn, and you leave your hotel in the dark with a breakfast pack. The jeep drive lasts around three hours. You return to the hotel for a rest before driving to the coast. Leopard sightings are a good chance but never promised, and the park has an annual closure that we check in advance.
How long are the drives between places?
Colombo to Habarana takes about four hours with stops at Pinnawala and Dambulla. Habarana to Kandy is roughly three hours, Kandy to Nuwara Eliya three to four hours, Nuwara Eliya to Ella about three hours and Ella to Tissamaharama about two. The longest day is the run from Yala to Bentota, which is around four hours plus stops.
Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes, with sensible choices. Children usually enjoy the elephants, the safaris and the beach, while older travellers appreciate the flat, shaded ruins at Polonnaruwa. The Pidurangala scramble and Sigiriya steps are the tough parts, and you can skip them. Tell us about ages and mobility, and we adjust the pace.
What should I wear and bring?
Pack light cotton clothing, with covered shoulders and knees for temples, and neutral tones for the safaris. A fleece or jumper and a rain jacket are essential for Nuwara Eliya. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and swimwear for Bentota. Laundry is easy to arrange in the hotels on the longer stays, so there is no need to over-pack.
What is included in the tour?
A private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, hotels with breakfast each morning, and the sightseeing in the programme are included. Entrance fees, jeep safari fees and optional activities such as the Sigiriya climb or Ayurveda treatments are paid separately, and your driver explains each before you go. We list everything again in writing when you confirm, so you know exactly what to budget for on the days.
Can the route be changed?
Yes. Every Volata Travels tour is private and flexible. You can add nights, swap places, include the scenic train between Kandy and Nanu Oya, or finish at a different beach. Send us your dates and interests, and we will propose a version that fits, with the drive times and nights laid out clearly, so you can compare it with other options before deciding.
What's included in the 9-day tour price?
Meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport; 8 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 694 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 1331 for one traveller in a single room, for 8 nights / 9 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, Minneriya jeep safari, Polonnaruwa ancient city, Sigiriya Rock, Pidurangala Rock, village experience, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and cultural show 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.