Grand Highlands, Wildlife & Coastal Round Tour 10 Days / 9 Nights Theme: Two Nights Sigiriya | Two Nights Nuwara Eliya | Horton Plains | Mirissa | Galle

Grand Highlands, Wildlife & Coast

Circuit Route: Negombo → Sigiriya (2 Nights) → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya (2 Nights) → Horton Plains → Ella → Yala → Mirissa → Galle → Colombo → Airport
Ideal for: Nature lovers, active families, and travellers wanting deeper immersion with 2-night stays in key highland and cultural hubs.
Grand Highlands, Wildlife & Coast
Grand Highlands, Wildlife & Coast photo 1 Grand Highlands, Wildlife & Coast photo 2
Location & Circuit Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, Ella, Yala, Mirissa & Galle
Duration 10 Days / 9 Nights
Vehicle & Guide Private A/C Chauffeur Vehicle
Pricing Private Round Tour / Inquire for Best Rate

Tour Overview

Perspective: A balanced 10-day tour following the same classic route but with additional time in Sigiriya and Nuwara Eliya. The extra nights allow a dedicated Horton Plains trekking day, a more relaxed Ella visit, an overnight stay in Mirissa and a proper Galle finish.

A balanced 10-day tour following the same classic route but with additional time in Sigiriya and Nuwara Eliya. The extra nights allow a dedicated Horton Plains trekking day, a more relaxed Ella visit, an overnight stay in Mirissa and a proper Galle finish.

Important Planning Note: The two-night stays in Sigiriya and Nuwara Eliya make this itinerary significantly more comfortable and immersive than shorter circuits. Horton Plains trek requires an early morning start and good walking shoes.

Key Highlights & Experiences

Two nights in Sigiriya for a relaxed Cultural Triangle and village experience
Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Lion Rock climb
Kandy cultural sightseeing and Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya
Two nights in Nuwara Eliya including dedicated Horton Plains trekking (World's End & Baker's Falls)
Tea factory, tea garden and waterfall visits
Scenic train journey to Ella, Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak
Yala National Park Jeep safari and Tissa Lake sunset
Mirissa overnight stay with surfing and seasonal whale watching
Galle Fort walking tour, city sightseeing, Colombo tour and airport drop

What's Included

9 nights accommodation in the selected hotel category
Daily breakfast
Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur-guide
Airport pickup and departure transfer
Sightseeing program as described in the itinerary
One Yala National Park Jeep safari
Horton Plains excursion and local transport arrangements as quoted
Scenic train journey to Ella, subject to seat availability
Parking, highway charges and applicable transport taxes
Bottled drinking water during road transfers

What's Excluded

International air tickets and visa / ETA charges
Travel, medical and personal insurance
Lunches and dinners unless specifically included in the final quotation
Alcoholic beverages, minibar, laundry, telephone calls and other personal expenses
Tips and gratuities for chauffeur-guides, hotel staff, safari crews and activity providers
Any activity, entrance fee or excursion not specifically listed as included in the confirmed quotation
Costs caused by flight delays, weather, road closures or other circumstances outside operator control

Suggested Hotel Pattern

Hotels can be booked in Standard, Superior, Boutique, or 5-Star Luxury categories while keeping the same optimized routing:

Night 1 Sigiriya
Night 2 Sigiriya
Night 3 Kandy
Night 4 Nuwara Eliya
Night 5 Nuwara Eliya
Night 6 Ella
Night 7 Tissamaharama / Yala
Night 8 Mirissa
Night 9 Galle

Operational & Guest Notes

  • Horton Plains requires a very early start and suitable walking footwear; the trek is weather dependent.
  • Whale watching and surfing are subject to sea conditions, season and operator availability.
  • Train seats are subject to Sri Lanka Railways availability.
  • The two-night stays in Sigiriya and Nuwara Eliya make this itinerary more comfortable than the shorter packages.

Recommended Packing for This Circuit

Sturdy walking shoes for Horton Plains (9 km hike) and Sigiriya.
Warm layer and rain jacket for Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains.
Modest temple attire for Kandy and Dambulla.
Swimwear for Mirissa coastal time.
Sun protection and reusable water bottle.

Pickup & Travel Information

Pickup & Transfers: Chauffeur meet & greet at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) or door-to-door hotel pickup.

Chauffeur & Vehicle: Dedicated private air-conditioned vehicle (Sedan Car / Micro Van / Mini-Coach based on group size) with a licensed, English-speaking professional tourist chauffeur-guide throughout the entire circuit.

Customization: All round tour itineraries can be customized according to your flight timings, preferred hotel categories (3-Star, 4-Star, Boutique, or 5-Star Luxury), and optional activities.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 Overnight: Sigiriya

Negombo - Dambulla - Sigiriya

Meet on arrival and travel via Negombo toward the Cultural Triangle. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple before continuing to Sigiriya. Check in and relax after the journey.

• Negombo orientation if time permits
• Dambulla Cave Temple visit

Package Focus: Arrival and journey to Cultural Triangle with Dambulla Cave Temple.
Day 2 Overnight: Sigiriya

Sigiriya Full Day

Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock in the cooler morning hours. The rest of the day can include a village experience, cycling, a local cooking activity or an optional additional cultural excursion depending on guest interest.

• Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress climb
• Village / local experience
• Optional additional Cultural Triangle activity

Package Focus: Cool morning Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress climb and local village experience.
Day 3 Overnight: Kandy

Sigiriya - Kandy

Travel to Kandy. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, tour the city and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

• Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
• Kandy city tour
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Package Focus: Travel to Kandy, Royal Botanical Gardens and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 4 Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Drive through mountain scenery to Nuwara Eliya. Stop at waterfalls and visit a tea factory and tea garden. Complete a city tour in the afternoon.

• Tea factory and tasting
• Tea garden experience
• Waterfall photo stops
• Nuwara Eliya city tour

Package Focus: Scenic mountain drive, waterfalls, tea plantation & Little England tour.
Day 5 Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Horton Plains National Park

Depart very early for Horton Plains National Park. Complete the main trekking circuit through montane grassland and cloud forest, including viewpoints such as World's End and Baker's Falls when conditions allow. Return to Nuwara Eliya for a relaxed afternoon.

• Horton Plains trekking (9 km circuit)
• World's End viewpoint & Baker's Falls
• Second night in Nuwara Eliya

Package Focus: Early morning high-altitude trek across Horton Plains to World's End and Baker's Falls.
Day 6 Overnight: Ella

Nuwara Eliya - Ella by Train

Take the scenic train from Nanu Oya toward Ella. After arrival, explore the town, visit Nine Arch Bridge and walk to Little Adam's Peak.

• Scenic train journey
• Nine Arch Bridge
• Little Adam's Peak
• Ella town exploration

Package Focus: Famous mountain railway journey, Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak in Ella.
Day 7 Overnight: Tissamaharama / Yala

Ella - Yala

Visit Ravana Falls, then descend to the southern dry zone. Enjoy an afternoon Yala Jeep safari and finish with sunset at Tissa Lake when timing permits.

• Ravana Falls
• Yala Jeep safari
• Tissa Lake sunset

Package Focus: Ravana Falls photo stop, descent to dry zone and Yala 4x4 Jeep Safari.
Day 8 Overnight: Mirissa

Yala - Mirissa

After breakfast, travel to Mirissa. Spend the afternoon on the beach, try an optional surf lesson or simply relax by the Indian Ocean.

• Mirissa beach time
• Optional surfing
• Coastal relaxation & overnight stay in Mirissa

Package Focus: Southern coast drive with afternoon beach relaxation and overnight in Mirissa.
Day 9 Overnight: Galle

Mirissa - Galle

Take an early seasonal whale-watching excursion if selected. Later travel to Galle for a Fort walking tour, city sightseeing, shopping, cafés and sunset from the ramparts.

• Optional seasonal whale watching
• Galle Fort tour & city sightseeing
• Sunset at Galle Fort ramparts

Package Focus: Whale watching excursion followed by Galle Fort heritage tour and sunset.
Day 10 Overnight: Departure / Airport

Galle - Colombo - Airport

Drive to Colombo for a city tour depending on flight timing. Continue to Bandaranaike International Airport for the departure transfer.

• Colombo city tour
• Airport drop-off

Package Focus: Colombo capital tour and airport transfer.

Ready to Explore Nuwara Eliya & Sri Lanka's Hill Country?

Explore. Experience. Enjoy. Book your private Tuk Tuk tour or Taxi service today with +94 77 056 47 37. Enjoy transparent pricing, flexible schedules, free hotel pickups, and safe, memorable journeys.

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