Itinerary A
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo
Arrive in Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo. Your driver-guide will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your name. There is no scheduled itinerary today, so you may explore at your leisure. If time permits, consider a stroll along the seaside or a visit to downtown Colombo to sample local street food.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Colombo (or similar)
Day 2: Negombo → Dambulla
After breakfast at the hotel, make a brief stop at the Negombo fish market to experience the bustling atmosphere of local fishing life. Then visit the St. Mary’s Church (free admission), known for its pristine white façade and vibrant stained-glass murals. In the afternoon, ascend the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Lion Rock (entrance ticket included), an awe-inspiring palace complex atop a giant orange rock — hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. This masterpiece of ancient engineering showcases the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. In the evening, check in to your hotel in Dambulla and enjoy a buffet dinner (set menu may apply depending on hotel occupancy).
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Amaya Lake Dambulla or Habarana Village by Cinnamon or Sigiriya Jungles Hotel or similar
Day 3: Dambulla → Kandy
After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (entrance ticket included), located atop a small hill requiring a short climb. Visitors must wear clothing covering shoulders and knees, and remove hats and shoes before entering. Inside, discover centuries-old murals and Buddha statues. Later, proceed to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy (ticket included), a lakeside temple built in 1595 and one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lankan Buddhism. Modest attire and shoe storage (tip 50–100 LKR) are required. Enjoy a lakeside walk and free time in the heritage city of Kandy before heading to the hotel for buffet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Mahaweli Reach Hotel or Cinnamon Citadel Kandy or Amaya Hills or similar
Day 4: Kandy → Tea Country
After breakfast, depart Kandy for the highlands. First, view the beautiful open campus of University of Peradeniya, often called the “Tsinghua of Sri Lanka”. Next, visit the striking white spiral Ambuluwawa Tower (ticket included), a multi-religious monument with narrow spiral stairs offering panoramic views. Continue to Nuwara Eliya and stop at the Pink Post Office (free entry), a functioning 1894 Victorian-style building where you can send postcards stamped with a local mark. Check in at your tea country hotel and enjoy dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Araliya Green City or Araliya Red Nuwara Eliya or similar
Day 5: Tea Country → Yala
Enjoy a scenic 30-minute train ride through the tea plantations, winding through misty mountains and green valleys. En route, pass by the iconic Nine Arch Bridge for photo opportunities. Afterwards, continue by vehicle to Yala in southern Sri Lanka. Check in at the resort and enjoy a buffet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Chaaya Wild Yala or EKHO Safari Tissamaharama or Shangri-La Hambantota or similar
Day 6: Yala → Galle
After breakfast, enjoy a jeep safari in Yala National Park (ticket included), where you may spot elephants, leopards, and other exotic wildlife. Later, stop at Tissamaharama Lake to enjoy the serene wetlands and birdlife. In the afternoon, witness the unique stilt fishermen balancing on wooden poles over the sea. Arrive in Galle in the evening and check in at your hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: The Palms Beruwala or Ahungalla Heritage Hotel or similar
Day 7: Free Day
Enjoy a full day at leisure in your beachside resort. You can relax by the sea or pool, or book an optional whale-watching tour to Mirissa (seasonal).
Optional Half-Day Whale Watching Tour:
05:30 AM – Depart hotel
06:30–07:00 AM – Board boat in Mirissa
07:00–10:00 AM – Whale watching
10:00 AM – Return to dock and transfer back to hotel
Note: Sightings are not guaranteed. Whale watching is typically available from mid-November to April. Motion sickness medication is recommended.
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Accommodation: The Palms Beruwala or Ahungalla Heritage Hotel or similar
Day 8: Southwest Coast → Colombo
After breakfast, board the Coastal Train (ticket included) for a memorable ride along the Indian Ocean, just meters from the beach — a scene reminiscent of Spirited Away. Return to Colombo for a short city tour including exterior views of the Old Parliament, Bandaranaike Conference Hall, and photo stops at Independence Square and Galle Face Green. Check in to your Colombo hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cinnamon Lakeside or Courtyard by Marriott Colombo or Fairway Colombo or similar
Day 9: Colombo → Departure
Enjoy free time after breakfast for shopping, city strolls, or relaxation depending on your flight schedule. Private transfer to the airport to conclude your memorable Sri Lanka journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A (Tour ends)
Itinerary C
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo
Arrive in Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo. Your English-speaking driver-guide will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your Chinese name. There is no scheduled itinerary today, so you may explore at your leisure. If time permits, consider a stroll along the seaside or visit downtown Colombo for local snacks.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Colombo (or similar)
Day 2: Negombo → Dambulla
After breakfast, drive to the Negombo Fish Market to witness the lively seafood trade and boat landings. Then, visit the St. Mary’s Church (free admission) and admire its white façade and stained-glass windows. In the afternoon, journey into the Cultural Triangle and climb the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Lion Rock (ticket included). Explore the ancient fortress and admire the breathtaking views. Check in to your hotel in Dambulla and enjoy a buffet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Jetwing Lake or Araliya Resort & Spa – Thema Selection or Heritance Kandalama or similar
Day 3: Dambulla → Kandy
After breakfast, climb to the hilltop Dambulla Cave Temple (ticket included). Remember to wear long pants/skirts and remove shoes/hats before entering. Explore the ancient murals and statues. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (ticket included), a sacred site beside Kandy Lake where devotees gather for rituals. Later, stroll along Kandy Lake and enjoy free time in the historic old town.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Mahaweli Reach Hotel or Cinnamon Citadel Kandy or Amaya Hills or similar
Day 4: Kandy → Tea Country
After breakfast, begin your highland tea journey. First, visit University of Peradeniya, a vast open campus established in 1942, surrounded by gardens and forest. Then, climb the Ambuluwawa Tower (ticket included), a 48-meter spiral tower featuring religious architectural symbols and mountain views. Later, visit the iconic Pink Post Office in Nuwara Eliya (free entry), where you can mail postcards and get a commemorative stamp.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: The Golden Ridge or The Grand Hotel or Heritance Tea Factory or similar
Day 5: Tea Country
After breakfast, explore Horton Plains National Park (ticket included), the highest montane reserve in Sri Lanka. Walk across misty meadows, hear bird calls, and view small streams. Then continue to the Great World’s End viewpoint — a dramatic cliff that plunges 1,000 meters into a sea of clouds.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: The Golden Ridge or The Grand Hotel or Heritance Tea Factory or similar
Day 6: Tea Country → Yala
After breakfast, enjoy a 30-minute scenic train ride through the tea plantations. Pass by waterfalls, green valleys, and the iconic Nine Arch Bridge (photo stop). Continue by road to Yala. Check in to the resort and unwind.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Jetwing Yala or DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila or Shangri-La Hambantota or similar
Day 7: Yala → South Coast
After breakfast, embark on a jeep safari in Yala National Park (ticket included) to spot elephants, leopards, and rare birds. Then visit Tissamaharama Lake (free) for scenic views, followed by a visit to see Sri Lanka’s famous stilt fishermen in action. End the day at Galle Fort (free entry), a UNESCO site blending colonial architecture with Indian Ocean views. Transfer to your seaside hotel.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Jetwing Lighthouse or similar
Day 8: Southwest Coast → Colombo
After breakfast, board the Coastal Train (ticket included), running just meters from the Indian Ocean — evoking scenes from Spirited Away. After the ride, transfer to Colombo and check in. Free time to walk along the beach or explore the streets.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cinnamon Lakeside or Courtyard by Marriott Colombo or Fairway Colombo or similar
Day 9: Colombo → Departure
After breakfast, explore Colombo city highlights before your flight: view the Old Parliament Building, pass by Bandaranaike Conference Hall, and stroll through Galle Face Green. Transfer to the airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A (Tour ends)
