Sri Lanka Itinerary 5 Days

Overview

Sri Lanka itinerary 5 days overview

This private Sri Lanka itinerary for 5 days packs the island’s highlights into one easy round trip: ancient cave temples and the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the hill capital of Kandy, the tea country around Nuwara Eliya and the famous train ride to Ella. Your driver picks you up in Colombo, Negombo or at the airport, and you travel in your own air-conditioned car or van, with four nights in hand-picked hotels.

You explore Dambulla and climb Sigiriya Rock, visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, see tea made near Nuwara Eliya, then ride the blue train through the hills to Ella before the drive back.

Your 5 day / 4 night journey

Ancient cities, the hill capital and the Ella train

Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, with four nights on the road, all by private car from Colombo.

Dambulla and SigiriyaDambulla Cave Temple · Village tour or safari

Overnight: Sigiriya

Sigiriya and KandySigiriya Rock · Spice garden · Temple of the Tooth

Overnight: Kandy

Tea plucking near Nuwara Eliya on day three

Tea countryRamboda Falls · Tea factory · Gregory Lake

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

The blue train on the Nine Arch Bridge on day four

The Ella trainNanu Oya to Ella · Nine Arch Bridge · Little Adam’s Peak

Overnight: Ella

Ravana Falls and returnRavana Falls · Southern Expressway

No overnight stay

Pickup and return

Start: your hotel in Colombo or Negombo, or the airport, early on day one.

Finish: back at your hotel or the airport in the evening of day five.

Share your flight times and hotel, and we confirm the timings with your plan.

Where you will stay

Night 1: Sigiriya.
Night 2: Kandy.
Night 3: Nuwara Eliya.
Night 4: Ella.

Four nights with breakfast, from comfortable hotels to boutique stays.

The hotels and room types are confirmed in your quote.

Before you book

What is the price for this 5-day tour?

We send a personalised quote, because the price depends on your hotels, the vehicle, the train class and the number of travellers. Your private car or van, driver and four nights’ hotels with breakfast are included; the Ella train tickets, entrance tickets and any extras are quoted separately with your itinerary.

Where do we stay overnight?

One night each near Sigiriya, in Kandy, in Nuwara Eliya and in Ella. Choose comfortable, boutique or luxury hotels; we confirm the hotels in your quote.

Is 5 days enough for Sri Lanka?

Five days is enough for the highlights of the Cultural Triangle and the hill country: Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country and the Ella train. With more time, add a Yala safari and a few days on the south coast beaches.

Are entrance tickets and the train included?

Ella train tickets are an extra, quoted with your itinerary. Tickets for the Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya, the Temple of the Tooth and the dance show are paid at each site; the tea factory visit is free.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at your hotel in Colombo or Negombo, or at Bandaranaike International Airport, and finishes back at your hotel or at the airport for your flight.

Want a longer holiday? See all our Sri Lanka tour packages, or more Colombo multi day tours.

Highlights

Sri Lanka itinerary 5 days, with four nights in hand-picked hotels
Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a Kandyan dance show
Tea factory visit with tea plucking near Nuwara Eliya
The scenic train to Ella, the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak
Private car or van from Colombo, Negombo or the airport

Day 1 :

Colombo / airport → Dambulla → Sigiriya

Meet your driver at your hotel in Colombo or Negombo, or at the airport, early in the morning and drive north to Dambulla.

Climb up to the Dambulla Cave Temple, five painted caves filled with Buddha statues above the Golden Temple.

Check in near Sigiriya and relax, or add a village tour or an elephant safari in Minneriya in the afternoon.

Overnight: Sigiriya.

Day 2 :

Sigiriya → Kandy

Climb Sigiriya Rock early, or hike Pidurangala for sunrise, then return for breakfast.

Drive south to Kandy, stopping at a spice garden on the way.

Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and end the day at a Kandyan cultural dance show.

Overnight: Kandy.

Day 3 :

Kandy → Ramboda → Nuwara Eliya

Drive up into tea country, stopping at Ramboda Falls.

Visit a tea factory to see how Ceylon tea is made, taste a fresh cup and try tea plucking in the plantation.

Continue to Nuwara Eliya for a city tour with Gregory Lake and the Old Post Office.

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya.

Day 4 :

Nanu Oya → Ella by train

Board the scenic train at Nanu Oya and ride through tea estates and misty valleys to Ella, about three hours.

Your driver takes your luggage by road and meets you at Ella station.

In the afternoon, see the Nine Arch Bridge and walk up Little Adam’s Peak for sunset over Ella Gap.

Overnight: Ella.

Day 5 :

Ella → Colombo or airport

After breakfast, stop at Ravana Falls as you leave Ella.

Drive back to Colombo on the Southern Expressway, or add an elephant safari in Udawalawe National Park on the way.

Arrive at your hotel in Colombo or Negombo, or at the airport, in the evening.

Overview