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Journey
From the wilderness of Wilpattu and the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle to the beaches of Trincomalee, the misty highlands and the tropical southwest, this journey reveals a different side of Sri Lanka.
Journey overview
Overview
13 DAYS | WILDLIFE • CULTURE • EASTERN SHORES • HIGHLANDS • COAST
From the wilderness of Wilpattu and the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle to the beaches of Trincomalee, the misty highlands and the tropical southwest, this journey reveals a different side of Sri Lanka.
Travel through the island's ancient kingdoms, experience its diverse landscapes and wildlife, spend time on the eastern coast, and finish with the relaxed rhythm of Bentota and Colombo.
Bandaranaike International Airport → Negombo → Wilpattu → Anuradhapura → Dambulla → Polonnaruwa → Trincomalee → Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Bentota → Colombo → Bandaranaike International Airport
Negombo — 1 night
Anuradhapura — 1 night
Dambulla — 1 night
Trincomalee — 3 nights
Kandy — 1 night
Nuwara Eliya — 1 night
Bentota — 2 nights
Colombo — 2 nights
12 NIGHTS | 13 DAYS
Arrive in Sri Lanka at Bandaranaike International Airport and make the short journey to Negombo, a coastal town known for its fishing heritage, palm-fringed shores and relaxed atmosphere.
Settle into your hotel and take the remainder of the day at leisure after your flight.
Overnight: Negombo
Leave Negombo behind and travel north towards Wilpattu National Park, one of Sri Lanka's most distinctive wildlife landscapes.
Enjoy a safari through the park's forests, grasslands and natural lakes, known as villus. The park is home to elephants, deer, sloth bears, crocodiles and a variety of birdlife, with the possibility of encountering the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.
Continue towards Anuradhapura after the safari and settle into your hotel.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
Begin the day exploring Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first great royal capital and one of the island's most important sacred landscapes.
Discover its monumental dagobas, ancient monasteries, reservoirs and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi before continuing south towards Dambulla.
Arrive in the Dambulla region and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Dambulla
Travel towards Polonnaruwa and explore the remarkable remains of Sri Lanka's medieval royal capital.
Discover the ancient royal palace complex, monasteries, stupas and the extraordinary stone sculptures of Gal Vihara before continuing east towards Trincomalee.
Arrive on the eastern coast and settle into your hotel.
Overnight: Trincomalee
Wake beside the eastern coast and discover the landscapes and heritage of Trincomalee.
Explore the historic town and its surroundings, or simply enjoy the beautiful beaches and the relaxed atmosphere of the east coast.
For those seeking a more active day, D Ceylon Collection can arrange a private coastal experience.
Overnight: Trincomalee
A full day to enjoy Trincomalee at your own pace.
Spend time on the beach, explore the coastline or discover the waters around Nilaveli and Pigeon Island, depending on the season and sea conditions.
Alternatively, simply slow down and enjoy your resort, allowing the eastern coast to become part of the journey rather than another destination to rush through.
Overnight: Trincomalee
Leave Trincomalee and travel inland towards Kandy, passing through the changing landscapes of central Sri Lanka.
Arrive in Kandy, the last royal capital of the island, and discover the city surrounding its famous lake.
Later, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka's most revered religious sites.
Overnight: Kandy
Leave Kandy and begin the ascent into Sri Lanka's spectacular central highlands.
Travel through rolling tea estates, mist-covered mountains and waterfalls towards Nuwara Eliya, known for its cool climate and distinctive colonial character.
Take time to discover the story of Ceylon Tea with a visit to a tea plantation or factory.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Leave the cool mountain country behind and descend towards Sri Lanka's tropical southwest.
As the landscape changes from tea-covered hills to lowland greenery and coconut country, continue towards Bentota.
Arrive at your coastal retreat and enjoy a relaxed evening beside the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Bentota
A day to simply enjoy Sri Lanka's southwestern coast.
Swim, relax on the beach, explore the surrounding coastline or enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
For those who wish to discover more, D Ceylon Collection can arrange a private river experience, village encounter or another carefully selected coastal experience.
Overnight: Bentota
Travel north towards Colombo, watching the scenery gradually change from coastal landscapes to the energy of Sri Lanka's commercial capital.
Arrive in Colombo and discover a city where colonial heritage, temples, markets, contemporary architecture and modern Sri Lankan life exist side by side.
Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Colombo
Spend your final full day discovering Colombo.
Explore the city's historic districts, colonial architecture, temples and markets, while also experiencing its contemporary restaurants, cafés, boutiques and modern city life.
A private Colombo experience can be arranged according to your interests.
Overnight: Colombo
Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Colombo before your private transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight.
Your journey through Sri Lanka comes to an end — from ancient capitals and wilderness to the eastern ocean, misty tea country and the tropical southwest.
Departure: Bandaranaike International Airport
Wilpattu National Park • Wildlife Safari
Forests, natural lakes and the opportunity to experience Sri Lanka's wildlife away from the more frequented southern parks.
Anuradhapura • Dambulla • Polonnaruwa
Sacred cities, ancient kingdoms, monumental dagobas and extraordinary archaeological landscapes.
Trincomalee • Nilaveli • Pigeon Island
Three nights on Sri Lanka's eastern coast, combining beautiful beaches, historic surroundings and time to slow down.
Kandy • Temple of the Sacred Tooth
The last royal capital and the living traditions of the Kandyan kingdom.
Nuwara Eliya • Ceylon Tea
Misty mountains, cool highland air and the landscapes that gave the world Ceylon Tea.
Bentota • Indian Ocean
Two nights beside the coast, providing time to relax after the cultural and wildlife experiences of the journey.
Colombo • Heritage • Contemporary Sri Lankan Life
The island's commercial capital and its meeting point of past and present.
At D Ceylon Collection, we believe the most meaningful journeys are created through a combination of experience, local understanding and thoughtful detail.
With decades of experience within the travel industry and connections developed over many years, we look beyond simply connecting destinations.
We bring together places, people, heritage, nature and experiences to create journeys that feel personal to the traveller.
Because Sri Lanka is not simply a country to see.
It is a country to discover, understand and experience.