Luxury Resort
Water Garden Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Villas facing the rock — your base for the ancient cities.
Island-wide · 12 Days
The Grand Island Journey
Twelve unhurried days from coast to hills, end to end — the complete island at a pace that lets it breathe.
From USD 1,680 per person
The island, chapter by chapter
This is the journey for travellers who want it all without rushing any of it. Ancient cities, tea country, leopard country, and the fort towns of the south — threaded together by the same trusted guide who learns your rhythm by day three and adapts the plan accordingly.
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Destinations
- Island-wide
- Travel Style
- Grand Expedition
- Best Season
- November – April for the south; year-round with regional flexibility
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival
Welcome and a gentle introduction to Colombo or direct transfer to the cultural heart.
- Airport collection
- Orientation
- Welcome dinner
Day 2
Toward the ancient cities
Day 2
Toward the ancient cities
Drive into the dry zone with village stops along the way.
- Scenic drive
- Village visit
- Lodge check-in
Day 3
Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
Day 3
Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
Rock fortress at dawn, medieval capital by afternoon.
- Sigiriya climb
- Polonnaruwa ruins
- Sunset viewpoints
Day 4
Dambulla & Kandy
Day 4
Dambulla & Kandy
Cave temples in the morning, lakeside Kandy by evening.
- Dambulla caves
- Spice garden
- Kandy arrival
Day 5
Kandy & the hills
Day 5
Kandy & the hills
Temple of the Tooth and the climb into tea country.
- Temple visit
- Botanical gardens
- Tea drive
Day 6
Tea estates
Day 6
Tea estates
Factory visit, estate walk, and a night in a planter's bungalow.
- Tea factory
- Estate lunch
- Highland walk
Day 7
Train to Ella
Day 7
Train to Ella
The blue train through the highlands to the Ella Gap.
- Scenic rail
- Nine Arch Bridge
- Ella viewpoint
Day 8
Ella to the south
Day 8
Ella to the south
Descent from the hills toward the dry zone and safari country.
- Waterfall stop
- Scenic descent
- Lodge arrival
Day 9
Yala safari
Day 9
Yala safari
Dawn and dusk drives in leopard and elephant country.
- Sunrise safari
- Bush breakfast
- Evening drive
Day 10
South coast
Day 10
South coast
Whale watching, empty bays, and the slow rhythm of the shore.
- Whale cruise
- Beach time
- Seafood dinner
Day 11
Galle Fort
Day 11
Galle Fort
A full day inside the fort — ramparts, galleries, and ocean air.
- Fort exploration
- Rampart walk
- Artisan visits
Day 12
Departure
Day 12
DepartureReturn to Colombo or the airport at your preferred pace.
- Flexible timing
- Final lunch
- Airport transfer
Where you rest
Suggested stays for this route — property photos available on request.
Tea Estate
Tea Trails Bungalow
Hatton
Planter's life amid working tea fields.
Luxury Coastal
Cape Weligama
Weligama
Clifftop villas on the crescent bay — the south at its most serene.
Experiences included
Safari
Scenic Train
Heritage
Beaches
Village Tours
Pricing & inclusions
Starting from
Starting price USD 1,680 / person
Final pricing depends on dates, group size, and accommodation choices.
What's included
- Private vehicle with licensed chauffeur-guide
- Fuel, parking, and highway tolls
- Curated accommodation as outlined
- Airport meet-and-greet on arrival day
What's not included
- International flights
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Meals unless specified
- Entrance fees to parks and monuments
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Good to know
Questions about this journey
Can we shorten or extend this journey?
Absolutely. Twelve days is a starting point — we regularly reshape this route into eight or fourteen days depending on your interests and flight schedule.
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ViewFrom USD 1,680
12 Days
The complete island
Begin your grand journey.
Share your dates and must-sees — we'll craft the full circuit around how you want to travel.
From USD 1,680
12 Days