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Peacock Lanka

Reference number: PLT-D-002

10-Day Sri Lanka Cultural, Wildlife & Scenic Escape

10 Days 9 Nights
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Tour Overview

Experience the very best of Sri Lanka on this unforgettable 10-day journey through the island’s cultural heart, misty hill country, wildlife-rich national parks, and stunning southern coastline. Climb the iconic Sigiriya Lion Rock, explore sacred temples in Kandy, wander emerald tea plantations, ride a tuk tuk to Ella’s Nine Arches Bridge, track leopards on a Yala safari, and stroll the colonial ramparts of Galle Fort. A seamless blend of heritage, wildlife, scenery, and authentic local experiences — designed for travellers who want Sri Lanka’s greatest highlights in one trip.

Tour Highlights

  • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
  • Sigiriya Lion Rock climb (UNESCO)
  • Wildlife jeep safari (Minneriya / Kaudulla / Eco Park)
  • Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Kandyan dance show
  • Tea factory visit and tasting
  • Nine Arches Bridge by tuk tuk
  • Little Adam’s Peak sunrise hike
  • Yala National Park leopard safari
  • Galle Dutch Fort
  • Koggala stilt-fishermen photo stop
  • Private chauffeur guide throughout

Itinerary Details

Day 1 — Arrival → Negombo

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, meet your chauffeur guide, and transfer to nearby Negombo for a relaxing first night to recover from the flight.

Activities & Destinations

  • Airport welcome & assistance
  • Transfer to Negombo
  • Evening at leisure
  • Stay: Negombo
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Travel: 30 mins drive
Day 2 — Negombo → Sigiriya (via Pinnawala)

Travel into the Cultural Triangle, stopping at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to watch the elephants feed and bathe.

Activities & Destinations

  • Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
  • Baby elephant feeding & bathing
  • Scenic drive to Sigiriya
  • Stay: Sigiriya
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: Negombo–Pinnawala ~2.5 hrs drive · Pinnawala–Sigiriya ~2.5 hrs drive
Day 3 — Sigiriya Lion Rock + Wildlife Safari

Climb the iconic Sigiriya Lion Rock in the cool morning, then head out on an afternoon jeep safari in search of wild elephants.

Activities & Destinations

  • Early-morning Sigiriya Lion Rock climb
  • Ancient water gardens & 360° summit views
  • Afternoon jeep safari
  • Wild elephant spotting

Important note: Depending on elephant movement, the safari runs in Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco Park.

  • Stay: Sigiriya
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: 40 mins drive
Day 4 — Dambulla Cave Temple → Kandy

Visit the golden Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, then continue to the cultural capital, Kandy, for an evening of traditional dance.

Activities & Destinations

  • Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
  • Scenic hill-country approach to Kandy
  • Kandyan Cultural Dance Show
  • Stay: Kandy
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: Sigiriya–Dambulla 30 mins · Dambulla–Kandy 3 hrs
Day 5 — Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

Witness the midday Thevava ritual at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then climb into the tea country with stops at Ramboda Falls and a working tea factory.

Activities & Destinations

  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Thevava ritual
  • Ramboda Falls viewpoint
  • Bluefield Tea Factory visit & tea tasting
  • Stay: Nuwara Eliya
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: 3.5 hrs drive
Day 6 — Nuwara Eliya → Ella

Explore "Little England" before a scenic hill-country drive to Ella, visiting the famous Nine Arches Bridge by tuk tuk and Ravana Falls.

Activities & Destinations

  • Nuwara Eliya city drive & Old Red Post Office
  • Scenic hill-country drive
  • Nine Arches Bridge tuk tuk ride
  • Ravana Falls photo stop
  • Stay: Ella
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: 2.5 hrs drive
Day 7 — Ella Sightseeing

Hike to Little Adam's Peak for sunrise, then enjoy a relaxed day exploring Ella's viewpoints, the Demodara Loop, and village life.

Activities & Destinations

  • Little Adam’s Peak sunrise hike
  • Demodara Loop viewpoint tuk tuk ride
  • Village tea & pol roti experience
  • Leisure in Ella
  • Stay: Ella
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: 30 mins drive
Day 8 — Ella → Tissamaharama / Yala Safari

Descend to Tissamaharama, gateway to Yala, and head out on an afternoon jeep safari in one of Sri Lanka's best parks for leopards.

Activities & Destinations

  • Scenic drive to Tissamaharama
  • Afternoon Yala National Park jeep safari
  • Leopard, elephant & birdlife spotting
  • Wildlife photography
  • Stay: Tissamaharama
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: 3 hrs drive
Day 9 — Tissamaharama → Galle

Travel the southern coast, pausing at Koggala for the iconic stilt fishermen before exploring the colonial Galle Dutch Fort.

Activities & Destinations

  • Koggala stilt-fishing photo stop
  • Galle Dutch Fort & UNESCO Old Town
  • Colonial streets & ocean ramparts
  • Evening walk inside the fort
  • Stay: Galle
  • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  • Travel: Tissamaharama–Koggala 3.5 hrs drive · Koggala–Galle 45 mins drive
Day 10 — Galle → Airport / Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight, taking home memories of culture, wildlife, mountains, and coast.

Activities & Destinations

  • Airport transfer
  • Departure assistance
  • Stay: none
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Travel: 2.5 hrs drive

Price & inclusions

From 849 USD / per person

Inclusions

  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur guide
  • Unlimited mileage within the given route
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Entrance tickets for all mentioned attractions
  • All mentioned activity costs
  • Local guides at UNESCO sites
  • Daily drinking water
  • All government taxes

Exclusions

  • Meals not mentioned
  • Personal expenses
  • Early check-in / late check-out charges
  • Watersports or optional excursions
  • Any services not mentioned under inclusions

Exclusively From Peacock Lanka Travels

 

  • Complimentary Madu River Boat Safari, subject to final package confirmation
  • Visit to Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Center
  • Private, flexible journey with an English-speaking chauffeur
  • Carefully planned route combining culture, tea country, train travel, wildlife and the coast

Want a Tailor-Made Sri Lanka Tour?

If you would like to customize this premium tour or upgrade your experience further, our team is ready to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in the price?

This is an all-inclusive private tour — airport transfers, a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide, accommodation with daily breakfast, entrance tickets to all listed attractions, all mentioned activity costs, local UNESCO-site guides, daily water, and government taxes. Only meals not listed, personal expenses, and optional excursions are extra.

How challenging is the Sigiriya climb?

It’s about 1,200 steps and 1.5–2 hours round trip — moderate but manageable for most reasonably fit travellers. We climb early to beat the heat and the crowds, and there are plenty of shaded rest points along the way.

Where exactly does the elephant safari take place?

Depending on where the herds are gathering at the time, the Day 3 jeep safari runs in Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco Park. Your guide chooses the best park on the day for the strongest sightings.

How likely are we to see leopards in Yala?

Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, so the chances are good — but as with all wildlife, sightings can never be guaranteed. Our drivers know the park intimately and maximise your opportunities.

Can the tour be extended with beaches or extra activities?

Yes. Popular add-ons include an extra beach stay after Galle, Mirissa whale watching, a Madu River safari, the Ahungalla turtle centre, an Udawalawe safari, a Colombo city tour, or a scenic hill-country train ride. Just tell us your preferences and we’ll tailor the itinerary.

What is the best time of year for this tour?

It works year-round as it crosses several climate zones, though the south and west coasts are driest from roughly November to April. Yala is at its best from February to July.

Is this tour suitable for families?

Yes — the elephants, easy drives, safaris, and varied scenery make it very family-friendly. Let us know your children’s ages and we can adjust the pace where needed.