Sri Lanka · Private & tailor-made
Sri Lanka Grand Tour
A fortnight across the island — from the jungles of Wilpattu and the ancient cities to the tea hills of Ella, the elephants of Udawalawe and the south coast.
Private & tailor-made — price on enquiry, shaped around your group and dates. Land only, excludes flights.
The journey
A fortnight is enough to see Sri Lanka properly, and this route uses the time well — wildlife, ancient cities, tea hills and the coast, with room to breathe between them.
From Colombo you head to Wilpattu — the island's largest national park and one of the better places to hope for a leopard — then through the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and the climb up Sigiriya, into Kandy and the tea country.
The middle of the trip is up in the hills at Ella, among the tea plantations, with time to walk and slow down. Then it's down to Udawalawe for its elephants, and finally onto the south coast for the beach and Galle Fort. It's a good fit for families who'd rather not rush, with a mix of wildlife, history, walking and time to unwind — and, being private, entirely adjustable in pace.
Where you'll go
Trip highlights
What stays with you
An afternoon safari at Wilpattu — leopard country, and far quieter than the busier parks.
The ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the latter explored by bicycle.
The early climb up Sigiriya, and a village visit with a home-cooked meal.
An easy walk up Little Adam's Peak at Ella for sunset, and a Sri Lankan cooking class.
The Elephant Transit Home feeding and a safari at Udawalawe.
The reef at Hikkaduwa and the old walls of Galle Fort to finish.
Day by day
Your itinerary
Arrive in Colombo
You're met at the airport and driven about an hour into the capital. In the early evening, a city tour takes in Colombo's mix of old and new. The evening is yours to continue exploring or relax at the hotel.
Into leopard country
After breakfast, travel about four hours to Wilpattu National Park for an afternoon safari. Wilpattu's forests, grasslands and natural lakes are home to elephants, sloth bears, deer, crocodiles and — with luck — the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Dinner and overnight at a lodge on the edge of the park.
The first ancient capital
A short drive to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first ancient capital — a vast sacred city of stupas, monasteries and reservoirs, and a powerful glimpse into the island's early Buddhist heritage. In the late afternoon, transfer to your hotel near Sigiriya.
Dambulla and Polonnaruwa by bicycle
The Dambulla Cave Temples in the morning, then in the afternoon explore Polonnaruwa — the medieval second capital — by bicycle, among well-preserved palaces, temples and monumental Buddha statues. Back to the hotel for dinner.
Sigiriya and a village afternoon
An early climb up Sigiriya rock fortress (packed breakfast provided), then a village visit — a tractor ride through the paddy fields, a canoe trip on the lake, and a rice-and-curry meal with a local family. The afternoon is at leisure.
Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth
Travel about three hours to Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and, in the evening, a Kandyan dance performance of traditional dance and drumming.
Tea country and the Kelani River
A tea factory in the morning, then on to Kitulgala for lunch and a white-water rafting run on the Kelani River. The evening is at leisure.
Up to the tea hills
Drive about four and a half hours to Ella, a hill town among misty mountains and tea plantations, with an easy walk up Little Adam's Peak for sunset.
A day at Ella's pace
A day to enjoy Ella at your own pace — the scenery, the town, or one of the local walks such as Ella Rock or a stage of the Pekoe Trail. A hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class is included.
Elephants at Udawalawe
Drive about two hours to the Elephant Transit Home for the afternoon feeding, where orphaned calves are cared for before being returned to the wild, then a safari in Udawalawe National Park — the island's best place for wild elephants and birdlife.
Down to Hikkaduwa
Travel about two and a half hours to the south coast and Hikkaduwa — beach, reef and an easy seaside feel.
A day on the coast
A surf lesson in the morning, then the rest of the day on the beach or the water — glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling and diving arranged locally.
Hikkaduwa and Galle Fort
A relaxed morning, then an afternoon exploring Galle Fort within its old walls — colonial streets, ramparts, and small shops and cafés.
Homeward
After breakfast, a transfer of about two and a half hours to Colombo airport for your onward flight.
Where you'll stay
Your hotels
Two comfortable options are shown for most stops. We'll confirm the exact properties with you when we tailor the trip, and can step the whole route up to a higher standard on request.
What's included
- All accommodation as listed (13 nights)
- Private, English-speaking guiding and a private vehicle throughout
- All transfers and transport within Sri Lanka
- Sightseeing and entrance fees for the activities named in the itinerary
- Safaris at Wilpattu and Udawalawe, and the Elephant Transit Home visit
- The Sigiriya climb, Polonnaruwa cycling, village visit, rafting, cooking class and surf lesson
- Meals as shown day by day (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- 24-hour in-country support and ATOL financial protection
Not included
- International flights to and from Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka visa (ETA) and any vaccinations
- Travel insurance (required — please arrange cover with medical and repatriation)
- Meals and drinks not shown in the itinerary
- Optional water sports and extra activities arranged locally
- Tips for guides and drivers (we'll give guidance), and anything of a personal nature
Good to know
Before you go
When to travel
December to March is the drier, brighter season for the west coast, the hill country and the south. We'll advise on the best window for your dates.
Who it suits
It works well for families and couples, with plenty of wildlife and unwinding time. The Sigiriya climb and rafting suit older children — roughly age eight and up — and can be adjusted where needed.
Pace and fitness
A relaxed fortnight with some longer drives between regions and a few active days (the Sigiriya climb, the Little Adam's Peak walk, rafting). A reasonable level of general fitness helps.
Wildlife
Two national parks on this route — Wilpattu for leopard and sloth bear, Udawalawe for elephants — plus the Elephant Transit Home. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the odds here are good.
Money
The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. Cards work in the towns and larger hotels; carry some cash for markets, village stops and rural areas.
Health and water
Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap. Pack light layers (the hills are cooler), sun protection, a swimsuit and comfortable walking shoes; mosquito repellent is worth having.
Make it yours
Ready to start planning?
This is a starting point, not a fixed package. Tell us who's travelling, your dates and roughly what you have in mind, and we'll tailor it — the pace, the comfort level and any extensions — and send you a detailed quote.
Travelling well
The STC way
We work with trusted local partners in Sri Lanka, and it shows in the detail: guides who know the ground, village visits and family-run stops that put money directly into the places you travel through, and a genuine care for the people and landscapes along the way. It's the same groundwork behind our sister company, STC Expeditions — pointed at a slower, more comfortable kind of travel.