Airport Pickup and Journey to Sigiriya

Pinnawala - The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a conservation and breeding center for wild Asian elephants, located in the village of Pinnawala, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Kegalle town in Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa Province. It boasts the largest herd of captive elephants globally. As of 2023, the orphanage is home to 71 elephants, comprising 30 males and 41 females across three generations.

Established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, the orphanage was created to care for and protect orphaned and injured wild elephants found in and around Sri Lanka’s forests.

Pidurangala Rock - Pidurangala Rock is a prominent hiking destination located a few kilometers north of Sigiriya. It offers moderate hiking and climbing opportunities, with stunning panoramic views, particularly of Sigiriya and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Midway up the rock, there is a large reclining Buddha statue, partially reconstructed with brick. At the rock’s base is the Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya, a white temple by the roadside.

Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa - As the second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa was initially established by the Chola dynasty following their successful invasion of Anuradhapura, the then capital, in the 10th century. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Sigiriya is a site of historical and archaeological importance, dominated by a massive rock column nearly 200 meters (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Culavamsa, King Kashyapa (477 – 495 AD) chose this site for his new capital. He constructed his palace atop the rock and adorned its sides with colorful frescoes. Midway up the rock, he built a gateway shaped like a giant lion, giving the site its name — Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock.

After the king’s death, the capital and royal palace were abandoned, and the site served as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Today, Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

Sigiriya to Kandy

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, it houses the relic of the Buddha’s tooth. Historically, the relic has been significant in local politics, as it is believed that whoever possesses it holds the governance of the country. Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, is a World Heritage Site primarily due to this temple.

Monks from the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters conduct daily worship in the temple’s inner chamber. Rituals occur three times daily: at dawn, noon, and evening. On Wednesdays, a symbolic bathing of the relic with a herbal preparation called Nanumura Mangallaya takes place. This holy water, believed to have healing powers, is distributed to attendees.

The temple sustained damage from bombings by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in 1989 and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 1998 but has been fully restored each time.

Golden Temple of Dambulla - The Dambulla cave temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site (1991) in central Sri Lanka. It is located 148 kilometers (92 mi) east of Colombo, 72 kilometers (45 mi) north of Kandy, and 43 km (27 mi) north of Matale.

Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, with the rock towering 160 m over the surrounding plains. The site features over 80 documented caves, with major attractions spread across five caves containing statues and paintings related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses, including Vishnu and Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters (23,000 sq ft), depicting scenes such as the temptation by the demon Mara and Buddha’s first sermon.

Prehistoric Sri Lankans likely inhabited these caves before Buddhism’s arrival, as evidenced by burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old near the Dambulla cave complexes.

Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show - The Kandy Cultural Dance Show is an exhilarating display of Sri Lankan arts, dance, and cultural heritage, a must-see for visitors to Kandy. Established in 1982, the show brings together various Sri Lankan dance styles on one platform. It is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka and has become a popular attraction for tourists interested in the country’s rich cultural heritage, performing continuously for the past 35 years.

Kandy to Ella

Ramboda Waterfall - Ramboda Falls, standing at 109 m (358 ft), is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and the 729th highest in the world. It is located in the Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass, formed by Panna Oya, a tributary of Kothmale Oya. The falls are situated at an altitude of 945 m (3,100 ft) above sea level.

Damro Labookellie Tea Centre and Tea Garden - A delightful spot to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea.

Nuwara Eliya - Nuwara Eliya, a city in Sri Lanka’s Central Province hill country, is known as the “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light.” It serves as the administrative capital of the Nuwara Eliya District, featuring a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. At an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft), it is a key location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, and is renowned for its cool, temperate climate, making it the coolest area in the country.

Nanu Oya - A complimentary train tour from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is available, offering the most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka.

Ella Sightseeing

Little Adam’s Peak View Point - Hiking Little Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka is a must-do activity in Ella. The peak is easily accessible without a guide, with a marked path and plenty of signposts. Many tourists frequent the path, providing reassurance for first-time hikers.

The peak is named after Adam’s Peak due to its similar shape, albeit smaller. This guide provides all the necessary information for hiking Little Adam’s Peak, including location, access, and what to bring.

Nine Arches Bridge - The Nine Arch Bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka and a prime example of colonial-era railway construction. The bridge’s construction is attributed to local builder P. K. Appuhami, in collaboration with British engineers. The chief designer and project manager of the ‘upcountry railway line of Ceylon’ project was D. J. Wimalasurendra, a notable Ceylonese engineer and inventor. Harold Cuthbert Marwood of the Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway designed the viaduct. The 1923 report “Construction of a Concrete Railway Viaduct in Ceylon” by the Engineering Association of Ceylon details the records, plans, and drawings.

Located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations, the area has seen increased tourism due to the bridge’s architectural brilliance and the lush greenery of the surrounding hillsides.

Popular rumors suggest that when construction began, the Great War started, and the steel allocated for the bridge was redirected to Britain’s war efforts. Consequently, locals built the bridge using stone bricks and cement, without steel.

Ella Rock - Ella Rock in Sri Lanka is a renowned hiking destination offering breathtaking views. The Ella Rock Hike is a must for anyone visiting this beautiful part of Sri Lanka.

Diyaluma Falls - Diyaluma Falls, at 220 m (720 ft), is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and the 361st highest in the world. It is located 6 km (3.7 mi) from Koslanda in the Badulla District on the Colombo-Badulla highway. The falls are formed by Punagala Oya, a tributary of Kuda Oya, which in turn is a tributary of Kirindi Oya.

Ella to Yala NP or Udawalawe NP

Udawalawe National Park - Udawalawe National Park is situated on the boundary of Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. The park was established to provide a sanctuary for wildlife displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River and to protect the reservoir’s catchment area. Covering 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi), the park was established on 30 June 1972. Before its designation as a national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming), and farmers were gradually relocated. The park, located 165 kilometers (103 mi) from Colombo, is a vital habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants and is the third most visited park in the country.

Rawana Falls - Ravana Falls is a popular tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, ranking as one of the country’s widest waterfalls.

Yala or Udawalawe to Airport Via Galle

Galle Fort - Galle Fort, located in the Bay of Galle on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, was initially built by the Portuguese in 1588 and extensively fortified by the Dutch from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage monument that maintains a polished appearance due to extensive restoration by the Sri Lankan Archaeological Department.

The fort has a vibrant history and today hosts a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch property owners within the fort aim to make it one of the modern wonders of the world. Recognized by UNESCO, the fort is inscribed as a cultural heritage site under criteria iv, showcasing “an urban ensemble illustrating the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries.”

The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the “Ramparts of Galle,” withstood the Boxing Day tsunami, which damaged parts of the coastal area of Galle town, and has since been restored.

• Private transportation
• On-board WiFi
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• All entrance fees and Activity charges
• Accommodation
• Food

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.