12 Nights: Cultural & Wildlife Private Sri Lankan Tour from £2999 per person

Twelve nights take you from Colombo's colonial streets to the fishing shores of Jaffna, through leopard territory and ancient ruins, and up into the misty hills of Kandy and its sacred Temple of the Tooth.

This is a private, chauffeur-guided tour built for travellers who want to see the whole shape of Sri Lanka, not just the coastal highlights. The route moves north first, by rail from Colombo to Jaffna, before turning south through Wilpattu's leopard country, the ancient cities of the cultural triangle and the rock fortress at Sigiriya. Jeep safaris, a village tour by boat and Tuk-Tuk, and a trek through the Knuckles range keep the pace varied between history, wildlife and landscape. It ends in Kandy, at the Temple of the Tooth, before one more night unwinding at Negombo on the coast.

HERE'S WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU:

Colombo (1 night)

1 Night at Cinnamon Grand Colombo – Premium Room | Half Board

Your journey begins the moment you land, met by your private chauffeur guide and driven straight to your hotel in the city. Colombo greets you with its restless mix of colonial-era buildings and modern high-rises, its markets and street food stalls spilling out under the west coast heat. There's time to settle in and shake off the flight before an early start tomorrow, when a first-class rail journey carries you north to Jaffna.

Jaffna (2 nights)

2 Nights at Jetwing Jaffna – Deluxe Room | Half Board

Upon arriving at Jaffna Station, your chauffeur will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Jaffna. Jaffna feels like a different country within Sri Lanka, shaped by Tamil heritage rather than the Sinhalese south. Lagoons and low islands ring the town, and the streets carry a quieter, more devotional pace, seen in the colour and crowds around Nallur Kovil and in the fishing communities working the causeways beyond it. Colonial-era buildings sit alongside temples and markets selling produce found nowhere else on the island It's a part of Sri Lanka most visitors never reach.

• First-class rail journey from Colombo, arriving at Jaffna Station
• Guided city tour taking in Nallur Kovil, one of the island's most important Hindu temples
• Local ice cream stop on the way back to the hotel

Wilpattu (2 nights)

2 Nights at Cloud Nine Lanka Resort – Deluxe Room | Half Board

The road west from Jaffna brings you into Wilpattu, a landscape built around dozens of natural lakes known as villus, scattered through dense forest in Sri Lanka's northwest. It's the island's oldest and largest national park, and one where leopards are seen more often than in almost any other reserve, drawn to the villus especially as the dry season tightens its grip. There's history here too, long before the wildlife: this stretch of coast is where Prince Vijaya is said to have landed, the founding moment of the Sinhalese kingdom. It's a wilder, quieter alternative to Sri Lanka's better-known parks.

• Jeep safari drive through Wilpattu National Park to spot leopards

Anuradhapura (1 night)

1 Night at The Lake Forest Hotel – Deluxe Lake View Room | Half Board

Anuradhapura is a peaceful and spacious town in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, known for its serene landscapes, lakes, and relaxed rural atmosphere. The area is surrounded by wide stretches of paddy fields, forest reserves, and large reservoirs (wewas), giving it a naturally calm and scenic environment. Once the heart of Sri Lanka’s first ancient kingdom, Anuradhapura still carries echoes of its long royal past, visible in scattered shrines, old irrigation tanks, and timeless cultural traditions. It’s a great base for exploring the cultural triangle while also enjoying slow-paced local life.

• Evening exploration of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sigiriya (3 nights)

3 Nights at Aliya Resort & Spa – Deluxe Room | Half Board

Sigiriya sits at the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, where forest, farmland and ancient stone come together in one of the most concentrated stretches of history on the island. The rock fortress dominates the skyline for miles, a fifth-century palace built on a granite outcrop that rises straight out of the surrounding plains. Beyond the rock itself, the wider Habarana area holds its own mix of wildlife sanctuaries and quiet countryside, with village life still running to its own rhythm just beyond the tourist trail. Three nights here give you time to take in both sides of Sigiriya, the grandeur of its ancient engineering and the everyday texture of rural Sri Lanka around it.

• Scenic village tour en route to Sigiriya
• Boat and Tuk-tuk ride
• Traditional Sri Lankan lunch in a village
• Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Jeep safari game drive in the Habarana area
• Visit to the ancient monastery complex at Ritigala

Kandy (2 nights)

2 Nights at The Golden Crown Hotel – Deluxe Room | Half Board

Kandy was the last stronghold of Sri Lanka's ancient kings, set among hills and tea plantations rather than plains or coast. Its spiritual weight centres on the Temple of the Tooth, home to a relic believed to be from the Buddha himself, and the town settles into a slower, more contemplative rhythm once the crowds thin out after dark. Getting here means crossing the Knuckles Mountain Range first, giving the arrival its own sense of occasion. Two nights allow time for both the reverence of the temple and the quieter charm of Kandy after sunset.

• Guided trek through the Knuckles Mountain Range
• Visit to the Temple of the Tooth, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites
• Guided night walk through Kandy’s historic streets

Negombo (1 nights)

1 Night at Jetwing Beach – Deluxe Room | Half Board

Negombo is a charming coastal city located just north of Colombo, famous for its golden beaches and vibrant fishing community. The town offers a relaxed seaside atmosphere and a mix of history and culture, with landmarks such as the Dutch Fort, St. Mary’s Church, and the old canals built during the colonial era. It’s an ideal place to unwind before or after your journey through Sri Lanka, with fresh seafood, scenic sunsets, and a taste of local life. Conveniently situated near Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo serves as a popular gateway for travellers arriving in or departing from Sri Lanka.

Includes:
✅ Return international flights with SriLankan Airlines departing from Heathrow
✅ Baggage allowance of 30kg per person
✅ Airport taxes and surcharges included. Regional supplements may apply
✅ 1st Class train journey from Colombo to Jaffna
✅ Private vehicle and chauffeur
✅ Half board stays throughout the tour
✅ 12 Nights of accommodation

Quote Reference: 82056
Travel period: 11 January – 30 April 2027
Call for other travel dates
Book by: 30 September 2026

T&C's Prices are fluid and subject to availability. Price based on 2 adults sharing, on a departure date of 3 March 2027. There is no tourist tax in Sri Lanka. Prices are correct at time of posting 04/08/2026.