The catalogue
Loading catalogue
D’CeylonCollectionD’CeylonCollectionThe catalogue
Loading catalogue
Journey
Royal cities. Ancient rock fortresses. Golden beaches. Surfing shores. Misty mountains. Elephants in the wild. Leopard country. The southern coast.
Journey overview
Overview
21 DAYS | CULTURE • HERITAGE • SURF • HIGHLANDS • WILDLIFE • COAST
Royal cities. Ancient rock fortresses. Golden beaches. Surfing shores. Misty mountains. Elephants in the wild. Leopard country. The southern coast.
A journey across the many landscapes of Ceylon — from the last royal capital and ancient kingdoms to the eastern ocean, tea-covered mountains and the wild heart of the south.
Beginning in Kandy, this journey moves through the Cultural Triangle before reaching the beaches of Pasikudah and the surf culture of Arugam Bay. From the highlands of Ella to Horton Plains, the wilderness of Udawalawe and Yala, and finally the historic southern coast, each chapter reveals a different side of Sri Lanka.
Bandaranaike International Airport → Kandy → Dambulla / Sigiriya → Pasikudah → Arugam Bay → Ella → Horton Plains → Udawalawe → Yala → Galle / Southern Coast → Colombo → Bandaranaike International Airport
Kandy — 2 nights
Dambulla / Sigiriya — 2 nights
Pasikudah — 3 nights
Arugam Bay — 2 nights
Ella — 2 nights
Udawalawe — 1 night
Yala — 1 night
Galle / Southern Coast — 3 nights
Colombo — 2 nights
20 NIGHTS | 21 DAYS
Arrive in Sri Lanka and begin your journey towards the mountains.
Leave the airport behind and travel inland through changing landscapes, from the western plains towards the lush hills surrounding Kandy.
Arrive in the island's last royal capital and settle into your hotel.
The remainder of the day is deliberately unhurried — time to rest, take in the surroundings and begin your journey gently.
Overnight: Kandy
Discover Kandy, where Sri Lanka's royal history and living traditions remain closely intertwined.
Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the island's most revered Buddhist sites, before exploring the historic city and the landscapes surrounding Kandy Lake.
Continue to the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya, where tropical landscapes, mature trees and botanical collections offer a quieter perspective on the hill capital.
As evening falls, experience the traditions of Kandyan culture through music and dance, or simply enjoy an evening overlooking the hills.
Overnight: Kandy
Leave Kandy and travel towards the ancient heart of the island.
The road gradually descends from the hills into the warmer landscapes of the Cultural Triangle.
Along the way, discover the Dambulla Cave Temple, where generations of Buddhist devotion have transformed a natural cave complex into one of Sri Lanka's most remarkable collections of religious art.
Continue towards Sigiriya and settle into your hotel among the forests and villages of the region.
Overnight: Dambulla / Sigiriya
Begin the day beneath the shadow of Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Climb through the ancient gardens and dramatic approaches of this extraordinary fifth-century citadel, rising above the surrounding plains.
Later, experience another side of the Cultural Triangle with an elephant safari, travelling through the dry-zone landscapes where wild elephants move between forest, grassland and reservoirs.
Depending on the season and local conditions, the safari may provide opportunities to observe elephants and other wildlife in their natural surroundings.
Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Dambulla / Sigiriya
Leave the ancient kingdoms behind and journey towards Sri Lanka's eastern coast.
The landscape changes as you travel through the dry zone, rural villages and tropical countryside towards the Indian Ocean.
Arrive in Pasikudah and settle into your coastal retreat.
After the temples, ancient cities and archaeological landscapes, the rhythm changes completely.
Three nights beside the eastern sea begin here.
Overnight: Pasikudah
Today is about the sea.
Enjoy the remarkable coastline around Pasikudah, with time to swim, relax and experience the warm waters of the east.
For those who want to explore beyond the beach, D Ceylon Collection can arrange carefully selected local experiences — from fishing and village encounters to culinary discoveries and excursions into the surrounding landscapes.
Or simply allow the day to unfold slowly.
Overnight: Pasikudah
A second day to discover the eastern coast at your own pace.
Explore the surrounding countryside, meet local communities or spend another unhurried day beside the Indian Ocean.
For photographers, the eastern coast offers a changing landscape of lagoons, fishing communities, tropical vegetation and wide open beaches.
As evening arrives, return to the coast and watch the colours change across the water.
Overnight: Pasikudah
Continue south along the eastern shoreline towards Arugam Bay.
The journey passes through rural eastern Sri Lanka before reaching one of the island's most distinctive coastal communities.
Arugam Bay is shaped by the ocean and by its international surf culture, yet beyond the waves lies a quieter world of lagoons, villages and wildlife.
Settle into your accommodation and enjoy your first evening beside the bay.
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Wake to the rhythm of the surf.
Whether you are an experienced surfer or stepping onto a board for the first time, Arugam Bay offers the opportunity to experience Sri Lanka through its relationship with the ocean.
A private surf lesson or local surf guide can be arranged, while those who prefer to stay on land can explore the surrounding countryside.
The nearby lagoons and wilderness landscapes also offer opportunities for boat excursions, birdwatching and photography.
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Leave the eastern shore and begin the ascent towards the highlands.
The scenery changes dramatically as the road climbs through Sri Lanka's interior, eventually reaching the cooler mountain landscapes around Ella.
Arrive at your retreat and enjoy the views across the surrounding hills.
After the warmth and energy of the east coast, Ella offers a completely different atmosphere — cool air, tea country and dramatic mountain scenery.
Overnight: Ella
Rise early for a journey into Sri Lanka's high country.
Travel towards Horton Plains National Park, a windswept plateau of grassland, cloud forest, streams and dramatic viewpoints.
Follow the walking trail through the highland landscape towards World's End, where the plateau falls away into an extraordinary panorama across the surrounding country.
Return towards Ella after your day in the mountains.
The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the slower rhythm of the highlands.
Overnight: Ella
Leave the highlands and descend towards Sri Lanka's southern wilderness.
The mountains gradually give way to drier landscapes as you approach Udawalawe.
Settle into your wildlife lodge before heading out for an afternoon safari in Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri Lanka's best-known landscapes for observing wild elephants.
The park's open grasslands, reservoirs and surrounding forests also provide opportunities to encounter water buffalo, deer, crocodiles and abundant birdlife.
Overnight: Udawalawe
Continue east towards another of Sri Lanka's great wilderness landscapes.
Travel towards Yala and settle into your wildlife lodge.
Later, depending on arrival time, there may be an opportunity for a first exploration of the surrounding wilderness.
The character of the landscape begins to change once again as you approach the drier forests, lagoons and coastal ecosystems of Yala.
Overnight: Yala
Begin the day with a Yala National Park safari.
Travel through the park's varied landscapes in search of Sri Lanka's wildlife, with opportunities to encounter elephants, crocodiles, deer and an extraordinary variety of birdlife.
Yala is also renowned for its leopard population, although wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable and never guaranteed.
After the safari, continue towards the southern coast.
By the time you reach Galle, the wilderness gives way to tropical coastline and the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Galle / Southern Coast
Today belongs to Galle.
Enter the historic walls of Galle Fort, where centuries of maritime trade and colonial history remain woven into the architecture and streets of the old city.
Walk along the ramparts above the ocean, explore former merchant houses, churches, courtyards, galleries and independent boutiques.
Take your time.
Galle is a place to wander rather than simply tick off sights.
Return to your coastal retreat for another evening beside the sea.
Overnight: Galle / Southern Coast
After days of discovery, leave space for simply being.
Enjoy the beach, your hotel or the surrounding coastline.
For those who want to continue exploring, D Ceylon Collection can arrange a private coastal experience — perhaps a river journey, village encounter, local cooking experience, artisan visit or carefully selected wellness experience.
As the afternoon fades, return to the ocean and enjoy your final evening on Sri Lanka's southern coast.
Overnight: Galle / Southern Coast
Travel north towards Colombo, following the changing landscapes of Sri Lanka's western coastline.
Arrive in Colombo, where the island's past and present come together.
Discover colonial architecture, temples, markets, contemporary design, cafés and the energy of Sri Lanka's commercial capital.
The remainder of the day is yours to explore or simply enjoy your hotel.
Overnight: Colombo
Discover Colombo beyond the familiar.
Explore the city's historic quarters, waterfront and markets, or allow us to create a private experience around your interests.
Discover Sri Lankan cuisine, explore the city's architectural heritage, meet local makers or experience Colombo's contemporary galleries, cafés and creative spaces.
This is your final full day in Ceylon — a chance to experience the island's modern character after travelling through its ancient kingdoms, mountains, wilderness and coast.
Overnight: Colombo
Keep your final day deliberately unhurried.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, revisit a favourite part of the city or take time for last-minute discoveries and shopping.
For travellers wishing to make the most of their final hours, D Ceylon Collection can arrange a private city experience according to your interests and departure time.
Overnight: Colombo
Your final evening in Sri Lanka.
After a journey across royal cities, ancient kingdoms, eastern beaches, surf shores, misty highlands and wildlife country, return to the energy of Colombo.
Enjoy a final Sri Lankan dinner, an evening by the ocean or simply the comfort of your hotel before tomorrow's departure.
Overnight: Colombo
Enjoy a relaxed final morning before your private transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport.
From the royal hills of Kandy to the ancient landscapes of Sigiriya, the eastern shores of Pasikudah and Arugam Bay, the mountains of Ella and the wild landscapes of Udawalawe and Yala, this journey has crossed some of the most contrasting landscapes of Ceylon.
Your journey through Sri Lanka comes to an end — but the memories of Ceylon travel with you.
Departure: Bandarana