 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 9 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Hill Train, Yala Safari & Galle FortLand in the morning and start straight away: elephants, Sigiriya, Kandy, a hill train to Ella, dawn in Yala and the ramparts of Galle, then two beach nights. Private Tour · 3★ & 2★ hotelsModerate intensityEnglish-speaking guide Tour priceFromUSD 685per person A 9 day Sri Lanka tour with Yala and Galle Fort has to be well planned, because there is a lot to fit into a week and a bit. This programme is designed for visitors who land in the morning, want to start straight away and prefer to see the island's famous places rather than stay in one spot. It begins with elephants and an ancient rock fortress, climbs through Kandy and the tea hills, rides a famous train to Ella, enters the wildlife reserve at Yala, and ends with a walk on a Dutch rampart and two nights on a beach. Who the 9 day Sri Lanka tour with Yala and Galle Fort suitsThe tour suits couples, friends and families with teenagers who like a full programme and do not mind early alarm clocks. It is sociable and varied rather than gentle: three of the days include a safari or a long walk, and there are several drives of three hours or more. In exchange you see the best-known cultural, scenic and wildlife places on one route without backtracking. If you would rather slow down, we can remove a stop or add a night, and still keep the main sights. Nine days, eight nightsYou land, meet your driver and head inland, stopping at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage before reaching the Habarana area, where you spend two nights among forest and lakes. From there the route runs to Kandy for two nights, up to Nuwara Eliya for one, down to Tissamaharama for one and finally to the coast at Beruwala for two nights. The Habarana base keeps the Sigiriya morning and the Minneriya evening within easy reach, and the Beruwala base keeps the south-west coast relaxed. Highlights along the wayThe first highlight is the Sigiriya rock, which you climb in the morning with a guide who points out the frescoes, the mirror wall and the lion's paws before the final flight of steps. In the same evening you go to Minneriya, where wild elephants gather beside an ancient reservoir in the drier months. In Kandy, the relic temple, a gem workshop, the botanical gardens at Peradeniya and an evening dance show make a full day. Then comes the scenic hill train from Nanu Oya to Ella, with a stop at the Nine Arch Bridge and a waterfall before the drive south. In Yala you set off in a 4x4 at dawn with a tracker, then head along the coast to Galle, whose fort is best seen on foot along the ramparts. The last full day brings a mangrove boat ride on the Madu River, a turtle hatchery and an afternoon on the beach. Comfort, meals and your driver-guideYou travel in your own air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, so you can stop for photographs, change the order of the day or take a longer lunch when the mood suits. Hotels are mostly resort-style, with pools, which helps after the busy days, and breakfast is included each morning at each, while lunch and dinner are paid by you and your driver-guide is glad to suggest good local restaurants. Entrance fees, jeep costs for the safaris and tickets for the train are paid separately. Your guide makes the bookings and explains each place as you go, from the history of the Sigiriya king to the way tea is made and the history of Galle. Best time for this tourSri Lanka has two monsoons, and this route crosses both. The hills, Kandy, Galle and the south-west coast are driest from roughly December to March, and the weather stays kind into April. Yala is best in its drier months, and the Cultural Triangle and Minneriya are at their best from about April to September. February to April is the sweet spot for the whole circuit, though the programme works in most months with some flexibility. Evenings in Nuwara Eliya are cold at any time of year, so bring a jumper. Make it your ownBecause this is a private tour, the programme is yours to adjust. You can add the Dambulla cave temple on the first day, extend the stay in Ella, swap Minneriya for a village lunch or turn a beach afternoon into an Ayurveda day. Send us your arrival time, the number of travellers and the pace you prefer, and we will tailor the plan and the hotels. Tour highlights
Day-by-day itinerary You land in the morning and meet your Volata Travels driver in the arrivals hall, holding a name board. Heading inland, the first stage runs through Colombo's northern suburbs and out into the coconut country, and the road to Kandy takes you to Pinnawala in about an hour and a half from Colombo. Plan for around three and a half to four hours of driving to the Habarana area in total, plus stops. Pinnawala is a good first outing because it eases you into the island gently. The elephant orphanage was founded in 1975 by the wildlife department on a 25-acre coconut estate beside the Maha Oya river, to look after young animals found abandoned or injured in the forests. The herd roams the grounds, young calves under three years old are still bottle-fed by the mahouts and helpers, and twice daily the elephants are led through the village street down to the water. Standing on the riverbank while they wallow, spray each other and scrub with their trunks is the highlight of the visit. Bring a hat and, if you are keen to photograph from the bank, light shoes that can get dusty. After the elephants the road continues north to the dry zone. Dambulla and its golden cave temple lie on the way, and visiting it is optional today: five cave sanctuaries under a vast rock hold 153 Buddha statues and painted ceilings, and the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage listing since 1991. If you are tired after the flight, we can keep the visit for another time, since you will pass Dambulla again later. An evening safari at Minneriya is another optional extra if you arrive early and feel fresh. You reach your hotel among the forest and lakes of Habarana in the late afternoon, with time to unpack, swim and have dinner. Expect an early night, because the Sigiriya climb starts the next morning. Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 The morning belongs to Sigiriya, and an early start pays off. The drive from Habarana takes only about 25 minutes, so you can reach the gate while the air is still cool and the car park is quiet. The fortress sits on a sheer column of rock that rises about 200 metres above the forest. It was built in the fifth century by King Kashyapa, who made it his capital and palace after taking the throne, and the whole plan is a work of ingenuity. The visit begins in the symmetrical water gardens at the base, with pools, fountains and paths, then rises through boulder gardens to the first stairs. Halfway up, a spiral staircase leads to a hollow in the rock where painted maidens, the famous frescoes, still show faded colour. Beyond them runs the Mirror Wall, once polished so brightly that a king could see himself in it, now covered in centuries of visitors' verses. Next comes a platform with the giant paws of a lion, the remains of a gate shaped like a huge animal, and the last flight of steps, around 1,200 steps in all, climbs to the summit. There the ruins of the royal palace, cisterns cut in the stone and a view across the jungle in every direction repay the effort. Take water, wear a hat and sturdy shoes and go at a steady pace. Allow about three hours in total. You return to the hotel for lunch, a swim and a rest through the hottest hours. In the late afternoon your driver collects you for a jeep drive in Minneriya, a park built around an ancient reservoir whose origins go back to the third century. In the drier months, roughly June to September, large numbers of wild elephants gather on the exposed shore to graze and drink, in family groups with calves, which makes it one of the great wildlife scenes of Asia. Numbers vary with the season, and sightings cannot be promised, though a good chance of seeing elephants is normal. The jeep fee is paid separately. You return to the hotel after dusk for dinner. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Wewa Addara Hotel - Hotel by the lake or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you leave Habarana for Kandy and make the journey a day out in the countryside. The first stop is a village near Sigiriya, where a family-run programme shows rural life at an easy pace. You start by crossing the paddy fields on a bullock cart, then you climb aboard a traditional outrigger canoe for a calm paddle on the village lake, often with egrets and kingfishers along the shore. A farmer introduces the chena plots, the small cleared plots where crops are grown with traditional methods, and a cooking demonstration follows in a village house. Curries simmer over a wood fire. You then sit down to the lunch you have watched being made, with rice, a variety of vegetable curries, sambol and fruit. Come hungry and wear shoes you do not mind getting dusty. The road then heads south into the hills, and about an hour before Kandy it reaches Matale, a market town about 25 km from the city. A spice garden here lets you see cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and many herbs growing on the plant. Guides explain how each is harvested and dried, and which are used in cooking and which in traditional remedies. The garden belongs to a farmers' cooperative that supports fair prices, so there is a small shop where you can buy spices if you wish, without obligation. From Matale it is a winding, scenic climb into Kandy. The journey from the Cultural Triangle takes roughly two and a half to three hours without stops, so you arrive in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel, take a walk if you feel like it and have dinner. Tomorrow is a full day in the hill capital, and tonight is for rest. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Kandy rewards a whole day, and the programme is arranged to follow the light. The morning starts at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the spiritual heart of the country. The story is that the relic of the Buddha's tooth was smuggled to the island in the fourth century hidden in the hair of an Orissan princess, and since then it has passed through the care of successive kings. It is regarded as the most precious possession of the nation. Pilgrims in white bring lotus buds to the inner shrine, drums beat during the ritual and the golden roof glows above the lake. Wear modest clothes with shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes at the entrance. Next you visit a gem museum and workshop. A reconstructed mine shows what miners face underground, a film follows the path from rough stone to polished jewel and the cutters demonstrate how a facet is made. The showroom displays sapphires and other precious and semi-precious stones set in gold, silver and platinum, and you are free to look without buying anything. Lunch is at a restaurant in town, and you may rest at the hotel before continuing. In the late afternoon you go to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, about 5 km west of the city centre. The grounds fill a bend of the Mahaweli river, spread across about 147 acres and hold over 4,000 species, among them orchids, spice trees, medicinal plants and tall palms, along shady avenues. A royal court stood here in the late fourteenth century, and the modern garden was laid out in the early nineteenth. Allow a couple of hours for a slow walk. Back in town, you attend the cultural show between five and six in the evening. Drummers, dancers in brass headdresses and fire-eaters perform Kandyan dances, and the finale takes place outdoors with a walk over hot coals. Dinner is at the hotel afterwards. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Devon Hotel, Kandy or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 From Kandy the road climbs steadily to Nuwara Eliya, and the journey takes about three to four hours with the day's stops. It passes through villages, over river valleys and around one hairpin after another, while the tea bushes grow steadily thicker on the slopes. The air cools, so keep a jacket within reach. The theme of the morning is tea. British planters turned much of the central highlands into plantations during the colonial period, and the first tea plant on the island was brought from China and set in the Peradeniya botanic garden. From there estates spread to Hatton, Bandarawela and further, and tea is still the country's leading agricultural export. At a working estate you watch how fresh leaf is withered, rolled, fermented, dried and sorted into grades, and the machines are loud and the smell is sweet. Afterwards you sit on the terrace with a cup of just-made Ceylon tea and a view across the green rows. Ask your guide about the difference between a first and a second flush, and between black, green and white teas. A little further along the road is Ramboda Falls, a tall cascade that comes down in several tiers beside the highway. It is a quick stop for photographs, and a bright Hindu temple dedicated to Hanuman stands close by. By afternoon you are in Nuwara Eliya, at around 1,900 metres, where the cottages with pointed roofs, clipped lawns and rose beds recall an English country town. You can browse the busy market, walk around the lake or visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, where roses, tree ferns and orchids grow on the slopes of a great rock, and the Seetha Amman temple close to it, richly painted and linked to the Ramayana epic. The evenings are cold at any time of year, so your hotel is a place for a hot drink and an early night. Meals Breakfast Accommodation London Eye Hotel Nuwara Eliya or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After breakfast you leave Nuwara Eliya for the short drive to Nanu Oya station, where the famous hill train waits. The line to Ella takes roughly three to four hours and is considered one of the great railway journeys in the world. The carriage rocks slowly through tea terraces, past waterfalls, through short tunnels and over viaducts, with vendors on the platforms and schoolchildren waving at the windows. Seats are limited, so tickets are booked ahead, and you pay for them separately. Your driver-guide takes the luggage by road and meets you in Ella, so you only carry a small daypack, water and a camera. Hold on when you lean out of an open door, and be ready for delays, which are normal on this line. Ella is a small hill village with a wide gap that opens onto the plains. After you have arrived, you visit the Nine Arch Bridge, a stone viaduct completed in 1921 under British rule, built from blocks and cement without iron reinforcement. Its arches sweep around a curve in the jungle, and a short path leads to good viewpoints. The best moment is when a train crosses, and we try to time the visit for it. You then stop at Ravana Falls, a broad waterfall of about 82 feet that drops from a rounded rock face right beside the road. After the rains it spreads like the flower of an areca palm, while in the dry season it thins. Local tradition ties the place to the legendary King Ravana. There is time for a drink at one of the village cafés before the drive south. In the afternoon you leave the hills and go down to the plains, about two hours to Tissamaharama, a lakeside town and the gateway to Yala. The air turns warm and dry. You check in to the hotel, have dinner and go to bed early, since the safari leaves before dawn. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Magampura Eco Village Resort or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 The alarm is early, at around five, because Yala is best at first light. You leave Tissamaharama with a breakfast pack and drive to the park gate, where your 4x4 and a tracker wait. The sun comes up over scrub, rock outcrops, waterholes and lagoons, and the animals are at their most active. Yala is the most visited park in Sri Lanka and is known for one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, as well as elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, buffalo, peacocks and a wide range of birds. Sightings of any single species cannot be promised, but the morning drive is rewarding in many ways, and the trackers share information by radio. Dress in muted colours, bring a hat, sunscreen and binoculars, and keep a jacket for the cool start. Park and jeep fees are paid separately, and the park closes for part of the year, so we check dates in advance. After the safari you return to the hotel for a shower and a proper breakfast, check out and drive west. The road to Galle takes about three hours and follows the south coast, with palm beaches, surf breaks and, in places, stilt fishermen. Stop for a coconut if the heat is strong. Galle Fort is the afternoon's destination. The Portuguese began a fort here in 1588, and the Dutch greatly strengthened it from 1649 onward. Its thick walls still enclose a small town of old houses, churches, boutiques, galleries and cafés. The best way to see it is on foot: climb up to the ramparts, walk past the lighthouse and the Dutch Reformed Church, and let the sun go down over the sea. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes. In the evening you continue to Beruwala and check in at the beach hotel. After the early start and a long day, a swim and a quiet dinner by the water are all that you need. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Comfortable 3-star hotel in Beruwala or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 Today is a relaxed day on the coast, with two outings and a beach afternoon. After breakfast you drive south toward Bentota, where the river meets the sea, to start with a boat trip on the Madu River. The wetland holds sixty-four islands, some of them with families living on them, and covers 915 hectares fed by seven tributaries. The boat glides along narrow channels between mangroves, with herons, kingfishers and, sometimes, a monitor lizard on the bank. You stop at a small island where cinnamon bark is peeled and rolled, at a temple island and at a fish-spa platform, where small fish nibble dead skin from your feet. The last is optional and will probably make you laugh. Bring a hat and sunscreen, as the shade is limited. Along the beach road you may see stilt fishermen perched on poles above the surf, a method of fishing that belongs to this coast. Your guide will point out a good place to pull over and take pictures. Further on you visit the Kosgoda turtle hatchery. Five species of sea turtle come ashore to nest along this coast, and the hatchery protects the eggs, looks after injured turtles and releases hatchlings. You can see tanks with turtles of different ages, and the staff explain what the project does. Ask your guide how to support responsible turtle conservation. By the early afternoon you are back at your hotel in Beruwala, where the rest of the day is for the beach and the pool. A walk to the harbour and lighthouse at the headland is a pleasant outing at sunset, and an optional Ayurveda session at a spa is a good way to ease tired legs after a full week. Dinner is your choice, with the hotel restaurant or a place nearby both easy options. Meals Breakfast Accommodation Comfortable 3-star hotel in Beruwala or similar Included Activities
Landmarks
 After a last breakfast by the sea, your driver-guide takes you from Beruwala to the airport, a drive of roughly two hours along the coast road. Leave plenty of time for check-in. If your flight is in the evening, ask us about a late check-out or a beach morning before you leave. Your guide helps with luggage and says goodbye at the terminal. Thank you for travelling with Volata Travels. 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 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 Comfortable 3-star hotel in Beruwala or similarBeruwala 2 nights · Bed and breakfast · exact hotel confirmed at booking 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 10 customer reviews AK Adam Kowalski, Poland We enjoyed the trip and the mountain scenery. It’s a full itinerary, but the organization was good. SO Saga Olsson, Sweden A peaceful, scenic tour with lots of charm. We especially loved the historic streets. EB Evan Brooks, Canada Everything went smoothly. Galle Fort and the coastal drive were the highlights for us. MM Mariam Mohamd, Oman The team was friendly and helpful throughout the planning process. They responded quickly and changed the itinerary to suit our needs. RT Ruby Thompson, New Zealand Galle Fort was even more atmospheric than I expected. Our guide made the experience special. RC Ruby Clark, New Zealand Galle was gorgeous, and the tour gave us a wonderful feel for the southern coast. OB Olivia Bennett, United Kingdom A beautiful coastal escape. The old streets of Galle Fort and the ocean views were unforgettable. RO Rafael Oliveira, Brazil A wonderful experience with a friendly guide and comfortable travel. The cultural sites were truly special. 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 9 days enough for Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and Galle?
It is enough to see the highlights, provided you are happy to keep moving. Each place gets its main sight, a full day at Kandy and a safari in Yala, but you will spend a fair amount of time in the vehicle. If you would like more breathing room, adding a night in Ella or a second night on the coast makes the pace much easier.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
February to April suits most of the route, because the hills, Galle and the south-west coast are dry and Yala is in its drier season. The Cultural Triangle and the Minneriya elephants are best roughly from April to September. The tour runs in other months too, but expect rain somewhere, and Yala has an annual closure that we check before confirming.
How long is the scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella?
About three to four hours, depending on delays. The ride is slow and very scenic, with tea slopes, waterfalls and small stations along the way. Tickets are booked in advance, and your driver takes the luggage by road, so you only need a daypack. Delays are common, so we keep the afternoon in Ella flexible.
Will I see leopards on the Yala safari?
Maybe. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities known, so there is a fair chance, but it depends on luck, season and patience. Elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks and many birds are far more regular. We do not promise a particular animal, only a good guide, an early start and an honest effort.
How hard is the Sigiriya climb?
It is a moderate challenge. There are about 1,200 steps, some of them steep and exposed, and the heat builds quickly, so we climb early in the morning. Stop to rest at the landings, drink water and take your time. If you do not feel like reaching the top, the gardens and the frescoes are still worth the visit.
Can I see the Minneriya elephants in any month?
Elephants live in the park throughout the year, but the big gathering on the reservoir shore happens in the drier months, roughly June to September. Outside that period the herds are more scattered, and sightings are less certain. We can offer an alternative park or a different activity if the timing is not right.
Is the programme suitable for children?
Children from about eight years old usually enjoy it, especially the elephants, the train and the safari. The early alarm before Yala and the Sigiriya steps are the toughest parts. Car seats are not standard in Sri Lankan vehicles, so tell us in advance if you need one, and we will see what can be arranged. The programme can also be softened for younger children by dropping the dawn safari in favour of a later afternoon drive.
Do I need to carry cash and what is not included?
Entrance fees, the jeep fees for Minneriya and Yala, and the train tickets are paid separately, and your guide handles the bookings. Tips and personal purchases are extra. Cards are widely accepted in hotels but rarely at small stalls, so carry some local cash for snacks and tips. Your driver-guide will tell you before each stop what you are likely to need to pay, so that nothing comes as a surprise.
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 685 per person when two adults share a room, or USD 1308 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, Sigiriya Rock, Minneriya jeep safari, village experience, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and cultural show, Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, Yala jeep safari 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.