Discover the less-travelled east — Anuradhapura's sacred dagobas, the crystal bays of Trincomalee, the Cultural Triangle, and the scenic hill country.
The east coast is at its finest April to September when the seas are calm. The west coast and Cultural Triangle are good year-round.
Colombo Airport → Anuradhapura
Arrive at the airport and transfer north to Anuradhapura (approx. 4 hours) — Sri Lanka's first ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Anuradhapura → Mihinthale
A full day among the ancient dagobas — Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruvanveli, Jetavana, and Abhayagiri — followed by the sacred hill of Mihinthale where Buddhism first arrived in Sri Lanka in 247 BC.
Anuradhapura → Trincomalee
Drive east across the dry zone to Trincomalee — one of the world's finest natural harbours, home to the dramatic Koneswaram Temple perched on a clifftop above the sea.
A full day on the east coast: morning at Koneswaram Temple and Swami Rock, afternoon snorkelling at Pigeon Island National Park — Sri Lanka's best coral reef, with blacktip reef sharks and colourful tropical fish.
Trincomalee → Sigiriya
Transfer south-west to Sigiriya and climb the famous rock citadel in the late afternoon for golden-hour views over the jungle below.
Dambulla → Polonnaruwa
Explore Dambulla's cave temples in the morning, then drive to Polonnaruwa — Sri Lanka's medieval royal capital with the magnificent Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddha sculptures and a remarkably preserved ancient cityscape.
Polonnaruwa → Kandy
Transfer south to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the evening — the holiest Buddhist site in Sri Lanka.
Kandy → Ella
Board the famous scenic train through cloud forests and tea estates to Ella — one of the world's most celebrated rail journeys.
A full day in Ella: the Nine Arch Bridge, the hike up Little Adam's Peak, and the tumbling Ravana Falls — one of Sri Lanka's widest waterfalls after rain.
Ella → Colombo
Drive through the hill country and down to the south coast, stopping at Mirissa beach or Galle Fort before transferring north to Colombo.
A final morning in Colombo — Gangaramaya Temple, the National Museum, or the Pettah bazaar — before your international departure.
Included
Not Included
